Coffee tables and side tables
Garden Coffee Tables | Outdoor Patio Coffee Tables by Unopiù
A garden coffee table does far more than hold a cup of coffee: it anchors a seating area, ties a colour palette together, and turns an outdoor corner into a place people actually want to sit in. Whether you need a small garden coffee table for a compact balcony or a larger piece to sit at the centre of a lounge set, the right table makes the difference between furniture that simply exists outside and furniture that makes the space work.
Unopiù designs and manufactures its outdoor coffee tables in Italy, using materials selected for genuine outdoor performance rather than just appearance: wrought iron, teak, aluminium and mahogany, each suited to a different look and a different level of upkeep. Below is a practical overview of the main collections, so you can match the table to your material preferences, available space and maintenance expectations before you buy.
Iron garden coffee tables: Igea
The Igea collection brings the character of hand-worked wrought iron to a patio coffee table, with a structure built to hold its shape and finish over years of outdoor use. Igea coffee tables are available in three sizes, making it straightforward to pair a smaller table with a single lounge chair or a larger one with a full outdoor sofa set. The graphite-toned iron frame gives the collection a classic, slightly architectural presence that works equally well in a contemporary courtyard or a more traditional garden.
Teak and ceramic coffee tables: Symi
For a more contemporary material pairing, the Symi collection combines a solid teak base with a ceramic tabletop, available in a stone or dove finish. Symi is offered in two sizes, designed to be used individually or grouped together for a more sculptural, compositional look. The ceramic surface adds a refined, easy-to-clean finish that stands apart from the more traditional all-wood or all-metal coffee tables in the range.
Aluminium garden coffee tables: Salò
If low maintenance is the priority, the Salò collection offers outdoor coffee tables in aluminium, available in round and square formats. Aluminium never rusts and requires virtually no upkeep beyond routine cleaning, which makes Salò a practical choice for a poolside area, a coastal garden, or simply for anyone who would rather spend time enjoying their outdoor space than maintaining it. The lightweight structure also makes these tables easy to reposition as needed.
Teak garden coffee tables: Synthesis and Chelsea
Teak remains one of the most requested materials for an outdoor coffee table, thanks to its natural resistance to weather without the need for protective treatments. The Synthesis collection pairs teak with hand-woven WaProLace synthetic fibre for a bolder, more graphic look, while the Chelsea collection offers a square teak coffee table with a cleaner, more classic silhouette. Both collections are designed to age gracefully outdoors, developing the natural silver-grey patina teak is known for if left untreated, or retaining their original golden tone with occasional oiling.
Mahogany coffee tables: C'est la Vie
The C'est la Vie collection stands apart from the rest of the range through its material: polished mahogany, a dense, fine-grained hardwood more commonly associated with refined indoor furniture, adapted here for outdoor use. Two distinct formats are available. The first measures 130 × 130 cm with a height of 63 cm, a square format suited to a central position within a lounge composition. The second measures 150 × 80 cm, also 63 cm high, and includes extendable side trays, practical fold-out surfaces for resting a glass or a book without needing a separate side table. Both formats make C'est la Vie a statement piece as much as a functional one.
Comparing garden coffee tables by material
| Collection | Material | Sizes / variants | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Igea | Wrought iron | 3 sizes (square 80×80×46 cm confirmed; additional sizes available) | A classic, architectural look with minimal movement once placed |
| Symi | Teak with ceramic top | 2 sizes, stone or dove ceramic finish | A refined, contemporary material pairing |
| Salò | Aluminium | Round and square formats | Low maintenance, coastal or poolside settings |
| Synthesis | Teak and WaProLace fibre | Standard size | A bolder, more graphic outdoor look |
| Chelsea | Teak | Square | A clean, timeless teak silhouette |
| C'est la Vie | Mahogany | 30 × 130 h 63 cm / 150 × 80 h 63 cm with extendable side trays | A statement centrepiece with added practicality |
Frequently asked questions about Unopiù garden coffee tables
What is the best material for an outdoor coffee table?
There is no single "best" material — it depends on your priorities. Teak (Synthesis, Chelsea) offers natural weather resistance without treatment, aluminium (Salò) requires the least maintenance and never rusts, wrought iron (Igea) offers a robust, classic look, and mahogany (C'est la Vie) brings a more refined, statement-piece finish.
Do garden coffee tables need special maintenance?
It depends on the material. Aluminium tables need only occasional cleaning. Teak tables can be left untreated to develop a natural silver-grey patina, or oiled periodically to keep their original golden colour. Iron tables benefit from periodic checks of the protective coating, and mahogany tables from occasional polishing.
What sizes are available for the Igea garden coffee table?
The Igea coffee table is available in three sizes, including a square 80×80 cm version with a height of 46 cm, allowing it to be paired with different seating arrangements depending on the space available.
Which Unopiù coffee table has extendable side trays for glasses?
The C'est la Vie mahogany coffee table, in its 150×80 cm format, includes extendable side trays designed to hold a glass or a book without the need for an additional side table.
Is a mahogany coffee table suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, the C'est la Vie collection uses polished mahogany specifically treated and finished for outdoor conditions, though as with any wood, occasional care helps preserve its finish over time.
Which coffee table pairs well with a garden sofa or lounge set?
Larger formats such as the Igea rectangular sizes or the C'est la Vie 150×80 cm table work well as a central table for a sofa-based lounge set, while smaller Salò or Symi tables suit single chairs or more compact seating groups.
What's the difference between the Symi and Salò coffee tables?
Symi combines a teak base with a ceramic top for a more textured, contemporary look, while Salò is made entirely of aluminium, prioritising lightness and minimal maintenance over material mixing.
Are Unopiù garden coffee tables suitable for small balconies?
Yes, the smaller sizes within the Igea and Symi collections are well suited to compact spaces such as balconies, where a small garden coffee table can still anchor a couple of chairs without overwhelming the area.
How do I choose between an iron, teak and aluminium coffee table?
Consider both style and upkeep: iron (Igea) suits a classic, structured look; teak (Synthesis, Chelsea) suits a warmer, natural aesthetic with little to no treatment required; aluminium (Salò) suits anyone prioritising the lowest possible maintenance, especially near the coast.
Can Unopiù coffee tables be combined with other pieces from the same collection?
Yes, each collection mentioned here — Igea, Symi, Salò, Synthesis, Chelsea and C'est la Vie — also includes matching seating and, in several cases, sun loungers, allowing the coffee table to be integrated into a fully coordinated outdoor set.