If you’re choosing between a 4, 6, or 8 seater outdoor dining set, start with how you actually host: compact balconies benefit from a bench + two chairs setup, courtyards work well with a bench on one side and chairs on the other, and family patios can scale up with benches plus stackable chairs for extras.
For a “do-most-things” option, Seek & Ramble’s Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table is a substantial steel table ( 180 cm long and 90 cm deep ) designed for outdoor living, with a spacious surface for up to 8 guests.
You can shop the full range here: Outdoor Dining Furniture and explore the hero table here: Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table.

Outdoor Dining Set Size Guide: 4 vs 6 vs 8 Seater (Plus Space Planning)

Buying outdoor dining furniture should feel exciting—until the set arrives and you realise the chairs block the sliding door, the walkway to the BBQ is gone, or you can’t comfortably seat the people you thought you could.

This guide keeps it simple: we’ll choose between a 4 seater, 6 seater, and 8 seater based on how you live, then map a layout that suits a balcony, courtyard, or family patio—using Seek & Ramble’s own outdoor dining range as the reference point.

Start here (collection hub): Shop Outdoor Dining Furniture.

Step 1: Pick your “real” seat count (not your dream scenario)

Seek & Ramble frames outdoor dining the way most people actually use it: weeknight dinners, sunny weekends, and last-minute BBQs—not perfect magazine styling every day.

So instead of shopping by “what sounds impressive,” answer these three questions:

1) How many people do you seat most weeks?

• 1–4 most of the time: your best default is a 4 seater setup (with flexibility for guests).

• 4–6 most of the time: you’ll feel happier with a 6 seater plan.

• You host big groups often: consider an 8 seater approach, or a layout designed to scale up when needed.

2) How do you want the space to feel?

• If you want it to feel open and easy, you’ll prioritise layouts that keep sightlines clear and avoid clutter.

• If you want it to feel hosting-ready, you’ll prioritise a table that handles platters, place settings, and people comfortably. Seek & Ramble describes the Parco 180cm as a substantial table with “plenty of room for platters and place settings.”

3) What’s your space type?

Seek & Ramble gives clear guidance by space:

• Compact balcony: a smaller table plus a bench against a wall and two armless chairs for flexible guests.

• Courtyard entertainer: a 6-seat setup with a bench on one side and chairs on the other, plus a side table or trolley nearby.

• Family patio: a larger hosting layout that can use benches plus stackable chairs on standby.

Step 2: Space planning without overthinking it

You don’t need complicated formulas. Use this simple, practical test:

The “tape test”

1. Measure your outdoor zone (balcony/courtyard/patio).

2. Mark the table footprint on the ground (painter’s tape or chalk).

3. Add “real life space” around it: room for chairs to pull out, doors to open, and people to move around.

4. Walk the paths you’ll use most (kitchen → table, table → BBQ, door → seating).

This is especially helpful if you’re looking at a table with a strong hosting footprint like Seek & Ramble’s Parco 180cm, which measures 180 cm long and 90 cm deep (with an overall width of 129.1 cm and height 73.6 cm).

Explore the table (hero link): Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table.

Step 3: 4 vs 6 vs 8 seater—how to choose (with layouts that work)

Seek & Ramble’s modern outdoor dining tables are designed to seat between 4–8 people depending on size, so your decision is mainly about how you want to live in the space, and how much flexibility you want built into the setup.

Option A: 4 seater outdoor dining set (best for apartments + balconies)

Choose a 4 seater approach if:

• You have a compact balcony or long, narrow deck.

• You want the area to feel open and easy day-to-day.

• You host occasionally, but daily comfort matters more.

Seek & Ramble makes one point crystal clear: outdoor dining furniture with a bench maximises seats per metre, slides neatly under the table, and keeps sightlines open—ideal for compact balconies.

Balcony layout (bench-against-wall)

BALCONY / NARROW DECK LAYOUT

[Wall / railing side]

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          BENCH           │  ← tucks in, keeps the space open

└──────────────────────────┘

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          TABLE           │

└──────────────────────────┘

   ○                    ○     ← two chairs on the open side

If you want the setup to be genuinely low-fuss, lean into seating that’s easy to live with:

• Seek & Ramble’s Parco dining chairs are stackable and delivered fully assembled, which is perfect when you don’t want outdoor furniture taking over your balcony.

Internal links (balcony build):

• Shop Outdoor Dining Furniture

• Parco Outdoor Dining Chair (stackable; delivered fully assembled)

• Parco Outdoor Bench (optional cushion with underside velcro straps)

Option B: 6 seater outdoor dining set (best “everyday + host sometimes”)

Choose a 6 seater plan if:

• You eat outdoors regularly as a family.

• You host friends often enough that squeezing in feels annoying.

• You want a setup that feels “ready” without being oversized.

Seek & Ramble’s own layout suggestion for courtyards is exactly this: a 6-seat table with a bench on one side and chairs on the other, plus a side table or trolley nearby for serving.

Courtyard layout (bench + chairs split)

COURTYARD ENTERTAINER LAYOUT

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          TABLE           │

└──────────────────────────┘

○                      ○       ← chairs on one side

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          BENCH           │  ← bench on the other side

└──────────────────────────┘

(Leave space for a serving trolley or side table nearby)

This is where the Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table becomes the practical centrepiece: it’s designed as a substantial outdoor table with a spacious surface for up to 8 guests, which gives you breathing room for everyday meals and flexibility when people drop in.

It’s also built for outdoor conditions with E-coated and double powder-coated steel and a weather-resistant, rust-protective coating (and it’s described as highly durable for Australian weather).

Internal links (family hosting build):

• Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table

• Shop Outdoor Dining Furniture

Option C: 8 seater outdoor dining set (best for regular entertainers)

Choose an 8 seater approach if:

• You host often (not just once or twice a year).

• Your outdoor space is genuinely built for entertaining.

• You’re happy to prioritise dining capacity over extra open floor space.

Seek & Ramble positions its outdoor dining as ideal for both weeknight dinners and weekend BBQs, with tables sized to seat 4–8.

Instead of forcing eight seats into the space every day, consider the “hosting-ready” mindset:

• Keep your everyday layout comfortable and uncluttered.

• Add extra seating when you need it.

This is where stackable seating becomes your best friend. Seek & Ramble’s Parco dining chair is specifically designed to stack, and it’s built from steel with optional removable cushions—helpful when you want comfort without permanent bulk.

Family patio layout (hosting-ready)

FAMILY PATIO / DECK LAYOUT

(Keep a clear “serving path” between the door/BBQ and the table)

   [Door / serving zone]

            ↓

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          TABLE           │  ← hosting-friendly table size

└──────────────────────────┘

○          ○          ○         ← chairs that can be stacked away later

┌──────────────────────────┐

│          BENCH           │  ← bench seating = flexible capacity

└──────────────────────────┘

Internal links (hosting build):

• Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table

• Parco Outdoor Dining Chair

• Parco Outdoor Bench

Step 4: Make it last (easy care, coastal included)

Seek & Ramble’s outdoor dining guidance is straightforward: choose E-coated or powder-coated frames and easy-clean finishes to handle heat, sea breeze, and everyday use, then keep it simple—wipe or rinse after dusty or salty days, use mild soap with a soft cloth, and store cushions when not in use.

The Parco 180cm table page gives you an even clearer routine:

• Wipe down regularly with a soft damp cloth; use mild soap and a soft sponge for marks.

• Avoid harsh chemicals.

• Use coasters and mats to protect the surface.

• For coastal areas, rinse with fresh water occasionally after exposure to saltwater.

• Avoid prolonged standing water; cover or store during extreme weather when possible.

This is “good outdoor furniture ownership” that doesn’t require effort—just a small habit.

Quick recap: which one should you buy?

Choose a 4 seater approach if…

You want the space to feel open every day. Use Seek & Ramble’s balcony-proven idea: bench against the wall + two chairs for flexible guests.

Choose a 6 seater approach if…

You want the best mix of daily comfort and hosting. The courtyard layout—bench on one side, chairs on the other—is a reliable structure that keeps things practical.

Choose an 8 seater approach if…

You host regularly and want the outdoor zone to perform like a dining room—then keep stackable chairs on standby so your space doesn’t feel crowded when it’s just you.

FAQs 

1. How many people do Seek & Ramble’s outdoor dining tables seat?
   Their modern outdoor dining tables seat between 4–8 people, depending on size.

2. What’s included in outdoor dining furniture?
   Outdoor dining furniture collections typically include a dining table, chairs, and benches designed to coordinate together.

3. Why choose an outdoor dining table with a bench?
   Seek & Ramble notes that a bench layout maximises seats per metre, slides neatly under the table, and keeps the space visually open—great for compact balconies and narrow decks.

4. What are Seek & Ramble’s outdoor dining chairs made from?
   They’re crafted from powder-coated steel and designed with removable cushions for comfort.

5. Are Parco outdoor dining chairs stackable?
   Yes—Seek & Ramble states the Parco dining chair is designed to stack.

6. Do Parco dining chairs arrive assembled?
   Yes—Seek & Ramble lists the chair as delivered fully assembled.

7. How big is the Parco Outdoor 180cm Dining Table?
   Seek & Ramble lists 180 cm tabletop length and 90 cm depth (with overall width 129.1 cm and height 73.6 cm).

8. How do I clean the Parco outdoor table top?
   Seek & Ramble recommends a simple wipe with warm soapy water and avoiding abrasive scourers that could dull the powder coat.

9. What if I live near the coast—any special care?
   Seek & Ramble advises that for coastal areas it’s smart to rinse the table with fresh water occasionally after saltwater exposure to help prevent corrosion.

10. Does the Parco bench cushion slide off?
    Seek & Ramble says the cushion is designed to fit the frame and attaches via underside velcro straps.