Patio seating can add a significant number of covers in good weather, but only if the furniture holds up to sun, rain and daily wiping. Commercial patio furniture has to be rated for the outdoors, stable on uneven pavers and easy to stack or store. Contract Seating For Less carries in-stock outdoor chairs, bar stools, table tops and table bases for restaurant patios, rooftops, pool decks and beer gardens in the U.S. and Canada.
What makes furniture outdoor-rated
Not every commercial chair belongs outside. Our guidelines:
- Poly-molded chairs and items marked Indoor/Outdoor are UV-resistant and suited for year-round outdoor use.
- Wood-frame seating is for indoor or conditioned spaces.
- Quartz, granite, sintered stone, HPL and aluminum-frame tops are rated for indoor and outdoor use.
- Wood butcher block, live edge and standard laminate tops are indoor only.
- Bases marked Indoor/Outdoor are specially treated for outdoor use.
Browse the full outdoor collection.
Aluminum outdoor chairs
Aluminum frames are light enough to rearrange quickly and can be finished to look like wood. The Sandbar Arm Chair has an aluminum frame with synthetic wood slats and is stackable, offered in several frame and slat colors; a matching Sandbar side chair is also available. The Mist Side Chair pairs an aluminum frame with a faux “wood grain” powder coat finish and a woven textilene fabric seat and back (seat height 18.25″). See all aluminum frame chairs.
Poly-molded outdoor chairs
Poly-molded (polypropylene) chairs are a practical choice for high-volume patios: they stack, they clean easily and they come in color. The Solstice Side Chair is offered in Black, Grey, Orange, White or Red, and the Isle Side Chair in eight colors; both are stackable with an 18.25″ seat height. See all poly-molded chairs.
Outdoor bar stools
For patio bars and rooftop rails, choose bar height stools with a seat of about 29–31″ for 40–42″ bar-height tables. The Keel Bar Stool has an aluminum frame with synthetic wood slats (seat height 30.25″), and the Shoreline Bar Stool uses “faux wood” aluminum slats on an aluminum frame. Both are stackable. See all outdoor bar stools.
Outdoor table tops
Outdoor tops need to handle sun and moisture. Options include:
- The Lido Faux Wood Aluminum Table Top: an aluminum frame with a “faux wood” aluminum top, in six frame and finish combinations.
- The Pacifica Slatted Aluminum Table Top: an aluminum frame with synthetic wood slats in black and mocha, including a 28″ round.
- HPL (high-pressure laminate) tops, rated for outdoor use.
- Stone tops in quartz, granite or sintered stone, rated for indoor and outdoor use, with a plywood sub top and epoxy and fiberglass backing.
Aluminum-frame and HPL tops ship in 1–2 weeks; stone tops ship in 2–3 weeks from order and payment. See all outdoor table tops.
Outdoor table bases
Patio bases should be treated for outdoor use and have adjustable glides for uneven surfaces. The Meridian Steel Table Base (Indoor/Outdoor) is offered in 17″, 22″ and 30″ round spreads (tops up to 30×30, 30×48, and 48×48 or 54″ round). The Summit Steel Table Base (Indoor/Outdoor) is a 4-prong steel base with a 5″ x 22″ 2-prong option (2 needed per top) for tops up to 36×96. Both come in dining or bar height. See all outdoor table bases.
Matching patio tables to seating
Patios often hold a mix of dining and bar-height seating. Dining-height bases pair with outdoor side and arm chairs; bar-height bases pair with outdoor bar stools at 40–42″ tables. Aluminum-frame tops keep tables light enough to rearrange for larger parties, while stone tops add weight and stability in exposed spots. When you combine a top and a base, check the base size note for the largest top it supports – for example, a 17″ round spread for tops up to 30×30 – and consider a larger spread for bar-height tables outdoors.
Caring for outdoor furniture
Outdoor-rated does not mean maintenance-free. Wipe down chairs and tops regularly to remove dirt, pollen and food residue, and rinse off salt or chlorine exposure near the coast or a pool. Stack chairs during storms or high wind where possible, and check glides on bases each season so tables stay level. Covered storage during the off-season will extend the life of any outdoor piece.
Planning a patio
- Size tables at about 24″ of table edge per seat, as indoors.
- Stackable chairs make end-of-night storage and seasonal changeovers simpler.
- Check pavers or decking for slope; adjustable glides help level tables.
- Most seating has a minimum of 4 pieces per item; tops and bases have no minimum.
Frequently asked questions
Which chairs can stay outside year-round?
Poly-molded chairs and items marked Indoor/Outdoor are UV-resistant and suited for year-round outdoor use. Wood-frame seating is for indoor or conditioned spaces.
Which table tops are rated for outdoor use?
Quartz, granite, sintered stone, HPL and aluminum-frame tops are rated for indoor and outdoor use. Wood butcher block, live edge and standard laminate tops are indoor only.
Do outdoor table bases need to be different from indoor bases?
Yes. Choose bases marked Indoor/Outdoor, which are specially treated for outdoor use. Adjustable glides help level tables on patios.
Are your outdoor chairs stackable?
Many are, including the aluminum-frame and poly-molded models shown on this page. Each product page notes whether it stacks.
How long do outdoor tops take to ship?
Aluminum-frame and HPL tops ship in 1–2 weeks from order and payment. Quartz, granite and sintered stone tops ship in 2–3 weeks.
Shop commercial patio furniture with volume pricing on every item, or contact us for a volume quote on 100+ chairs, stools or bases, or 50+ tops.