How to assemble a patio dining set
Patio tables and chairs are built like indoor dining furniture, but with rust-resistant fixings and often a glass top and a parasol hole. Tighten evenly, use every washer and seal wooden parts before they face the weather.
- Time
- about 1 h
- Difficulty
- Easy
- People
- 1 person
- Steps
- 6
Tools needed
- Allen key (supplied)
- Spanner
- Cross-head screwdriver
- Soft blanket
Parts to check first
Before you start, lay everything out on a soft surface (the flattened box works) and check it against the parts list in your manual.
- Table frame, legs and top
- Chair frames, seats and backs
- Bolts, washers and caps (stainless or coated)
- Parasol ring and cap
- Glass top and rubber pads, if used
Step by step
Step 1: Build the table frame upside down on a blanket, with bolts finger-tight.
Step 2: Turn the frame over and check it stands flat, then tighten the bolts in a cross pattern.
Step 3: Place the rubber pads on the frame and lay the glass top on with two people, centred over the frame.
Step 4: Fit the parasol ring and cap in the centre hole.
Step 5: Build the chairs the same way: frame first, bolts finger-tight, then tighten when all four feet touch the ground.
Step 6: Fit plastic foot caps and treat wooden parts with the oil or finish the manual recommends.
Common mistakes
- Using ordinary steel bolts from a toolbox, which rust and stain the furniture.
- Leaving out the rubber pads under a glass top.
- Putting a parasol in the table without a heavy enough base.
Safety notes
- Carry glass tops upright with two people and wear gloves.
- Use a parasol base heavy enough for its size, and close the parasol in wind.
This is general guidance for this type of product. Your product's own manual comes first: follow its order, fittings and torque values where they differ from this page.
Updated 2026-09-30