How many garden chairs do I need?

Here at Lazy Susan HQ, our minds have been focused on garden chairs of late. When purchasing a new garden dining set from us, one of the first questions you need to answer is how many garden chairs do I need?

The structure of our Shop is divided into 10+ Seater, 8 Seater, 6 Seater, 4 Seater and 2 Seater Bistro sets, so you can easily focus on the size of the set you are looking for and the number of chairs.

Garden Chairs are also available to purchase separately, so if you need additional seating, then you can purchase them individually. Start with a 4 seater set, for example, purchase two additional chairs, and then stack them in the shed to pull out when required.

This month I want to look at this in a little more detail. Help you decide what size garden dining set and how many garden chairs you should purchase.

As I say, whilst we sell our garden sets with a set number of chairs, in other words, the number of chairs we feel will fit comfortably around each table, it is not uncommon for Lazy Susan customers to purchase a couple of spares.

Patios come in all shapes and sizes. However, if you want to eat outdoors, for me, the most important element on the patio is that garden table and chairs. And when it comes to the chair, in particular, ask yourself:

Is your garden chair the right height for your table?
Is there enough space for people to sit comfortably in terms of elbow room, space to push back, pull out, etc?
Is it comfortable for the type of entertaining you like to do?
Is the material durable and easy to clean/maintain?

We need to answer these questions before we think about the right number of garden chairs, and Lazy Susan is here to guide you through this process.

How much space?

Measuring is always the starting point. Space on a patio is often limited. The space required for a garden table is fixed. That doesn’t need to move. However, whilst garden chairs are a fixed size, the space needed is not.

You need the space to be comfortable when people sit. Elbow room, legroom. You need the space to function. Room for people to walk around when guests are seated, room for people to push chairs back, sit up, sit down, etc.

Many make the mistake of taking just a fixed measurement of Chairs + Table = Space. However, when everything is in place, the 'space' could be cramped, chairs too close to other objects such as planting, walls or a BBQ for example.

It is vital you think about how that outdoor space will function and flow when your new garden set is in situ.

How it looks is also important. You want a balance. Too big on a small patio creates practical problems but too small on a large patio it can look lost and like it doesn’t fit.

To help you make this decision, and determine how many garden chairs do I need, we have a dimensions section on each of our sets. Take our best selling 6 Seater June Garden Table & Chairs as an example…

Technical Specifications for 6 Seater June Table & Garden Chairs

The above technical illustrations are included so you can see clearly the size of the table and the size of each of the different options of chair you can pair with it. From that, you can calculate the amount of working space you will need on your patio for this set.

The diagram below shows the recommended floor space we suggest as a guide for our June 6 Seater Garden Table and Chairs. Now, this is only a guide, each patio is different, just take these measurements and apply them to your outdoor space.

Will it work? Will you have the space you need for the table, to sit comfortably and enough left for the patio to still function? What we refer to as ‘working space’ in our diagram.

Garden Table & Chairs Floor Plan

You may even feel that you don’t need the working space? You might be happy to side shuffle around the table. Another example of where that working space is not needed is if you have the table and chairs pushed up to say a wall.

Each space is different but hopefully, you can take the info in this post and apply it to your garden/patio area. Better visualise how the table will fit and how the space will work before you buy.

How many people?

Of course, the number of garden chairs you need is also dictated by how many people you want to seat, the size of your family. If there’s 5 of you, then a 4 Seater Garden Table won’t work. However, if space is limited, it could be that a 4 seater table with additional chairs would work/fit better than a 6 Seater?

Another popular option is to purchase a 4 or 6 seater set, then if you need additional seating, purchase a coordinating Garden Bench. It can be stored off the patio at the bottom of the garden, for example, creating a focal point, a quiet spot for a coffee. A few extra visitors, then it is light enough to pick up and pull up to your table.

This is shown in the customer photo below where a June Garden Table has been upped from a 4 seater to a 6/7 seater by moving the chairs around and pulling up a Jasmine Garden Bench.

Much of the Lazy Susan garden chair collection is stackable too, so you can store additional seating without taking up to much room in a shed or garage. All are made in the UK from high-grade rustproof cast aluminium so quality, value and longevity are guaranteed.

All our chairs are ergonomically designed to fit the contours of the body and to provide hours of seating comfort.

That comfort can be further increased with the addition of our optional Garden Cushions. Specifically made for our garden chairs, they’re constructed from a fast-drying waterproof fabric. They feature ties to secure them to the chair and the covers have a zip closure so the foam pad can be removed and the covers placed in the washing machine if needed.

How do you use your outdoor space?

Another key consideration when deciding how many garden chairs you need is how you use your outdoor space?

If you like to entertain family and friends, then, space permitting, a large 8 or 10+ seater set might be the solution. If it's just the occasional family meal, then a smaller set may suffice?

I always think your outdoor space works best when it serves a number of functions when it can be utilised as an extension of our homes. Between work and mother nature, our opportunities in the UK are not as frequent as we would like. So when you do get a nice sunny weekend, I know I want to take advantage.

My own patio features both a Lazy Susan dining set and a low coffee table style set with more relaxed seating (from a competitor so shhh, don’t tell the boss). I compromised on the size of the Lazy Susan dining table in order to fit both sets but it now gives the family and I seating options.

We get to use the garden much more. We can sit and have a meal together. Or we can sit with a book and a cup of tea. When we have had family and friends over for a BBQ, we just make it work. Pull the garden bench up. let some sit at the low table.

Everyone is different, you have to measure the space you have available, think about how you use it, or more importantly how you want to use it, and purchase the furniture to ‘fit’.

How many garden chairs do you need?

This is such a difficult question to answer but one we get asked on a regular basis. It is so subjective. All we can do is look at the various criteria and help you make an informed decision.

Take into account the above and ask yourself…

How much space do you have?
How many people do you want to sit?
How do you like to use your outdoor space?

Answers to these questions are your starting point. Sketch it out on a piece of paper or download one of the many free garden design apps.

If you’re struggling to visualise it on paper or iPad, then get some chalk or old cardboard. Mark it up using the measurements we provide for each of our garden sets. The key is to make an informed purchase.

Even if you have a large patio, you need to consider scale. Proportion is key. Too small a set on a large space can become lost. Think about the other items you have on your patio such as planters, BBQ, fire pit, etc. Will the set sit on there too and the space still flow, will the proportions work, will it look good

Smaller patios often have to work harder in terms of function but the proportion is often less of an issue. You haven’t got the room for multiple pieces, so a 2 or 4 seater set is all you can fit.

Size up space between garden chairs and table

Once you have the numbers and answers to the questions above, it is simply a matter of applying some easy principles to use as a guide.

The average Lazy Susan garden chair is about 55 cm in width plus the arms (dimensions for the current range can be seen below).

When looking at how many chairs can fit around a table, we have done the hard work for you in our Shop.

We advise that you leave 75cm of space around our tables for the chairs themselves. This gives those seated elbow room and space so that chair arms (which tend to slightly angle our for comfort) don't clash.

On top of that, we recommend a further 75cm of ‘working space’ for people to pull/push a chair in/out and to walk/move around the table.

If you’re stuck between buying a set of 4, 6 or 8 chairs (or maybe even more), consider how many chairs you actually want or need for daily use and life, and prioritise that over the number you have in mind for a big BBQ or party.

A table to help you calculate how many garden chairs do I need?

The following table shows approximately how much floor space you need for the different sizes/seating of Lazy Susan Garden Sets.

From this you should be able to calculate how many garden chairs you need and how much space you need to fit them on your patio:

Lazy Susan Garden Tables & Chairs Floor Plan Guide

Please note, the above figures are again guide only. Table sizes and shapes vary. Please check the dimensions section for each set before you purchase.

One thing you don't need to worry about is chairs fitting with tables, etc. Our collection is designed to function together. No matter if you opt for the standard chair that comes with that table or one of the upgrade options listed in the 'CHAIRS' section, they'll work, all fit.

No need to worry about if they're the right height for your table or if there's enough elbow room. Purchase a 6 seater set and 6 people will fit comfortably.

Of course, add a few extra seats and things might get cosy, but my advice is always to purchase the size you/your household need, not the set you might need once or twice a year for that occasional party/BBQ.