Anchor your outdoor dining area with a sturdy table and chairs and it will feel all the more like an agreeable outdoor room. Look for a table that’s large enough for your family plus a few drop-ins. Chairs should encourage lingering (extra pillows help).

Aluminum designs are a sensible choice for this heavy-use area — the metal is inherently rustproof and durable, says Cheminne Taylor-Smith, editor in chief of InFurniture, a trade magazine. “It’s a lightweight, long-lasting, and hard-wearing material,” she adds. Don’t forget to buy an umbrella to shield the party from UV rays; search out models with a weighted base (at least 40 pounds), a tilting top that can shade the spot that needs it most, and vents to accommodate wind gusts.

Aluminum

It’s no surprise this rustproof metal is in high demand: It looks sharp, can stay out year-round, and requires little upkeep (just periodic washing with mild liquid soap or car cleanser). No matter which aluminum pieces you choose, look for rustproof hardware, seamless welds, and a UV-resistant powder-coat finish for insurance against oxidation, which can cause chalky streaks on unfinished aluminum. Here, the three most common types.

Tubular Aluminum: A cost-conscious yet durable choice. Hollow tubing is cut and bent to form streamlined shapes.

Wrought Aluminum: Similar to tubular aluminum but pricier, due to more workmanlike and durable welding.

Cast Aluminum: Made by pouring molten aluminum into molds, this solid (and heavy) material retains fine design detail.

The Goods Shown Here

Coleman Steel Belted Cooler ($135, www.coleman.com)
A reissue of the classic ice chest, with a rust-resistant stainless-steel case and thick insulation that keeps beverages cold for days (really).

Linensource Bamboo Tray Table ($69, www.linensource.com)
Forget playing barkeep. Put drinks out on this table and let guests serve themselves. The legs fold for easy storage, so you can take it inside at night (it’s not intended for extended outdoor use).

Restoration Hardware Classic Garden Table ($905, www.restorationhardware.com)
This trestle table can seat at least six. Made of wrought aluminum with a UV-resistant powder-coat finish, it’s durable and stylish. Dimensions: 72 by 42 by 29 inches. Round version also available.

Restoration Hardware Classic Garden Dining Chairs (side chairs, $295 each; armchairs, $345; cushions, $65 each: www.restorationhardware.com)
Wrought-aluminum chairs feature graphic X-backs. Dimensions: 34 by 22 by 25 inches. Weather-resistant Sunbrella cushions (shown in silver sage) are sold separately, in 12 colors.

Grandin Road Waffle Weave Pillows ($55 each, www.grandinroad.com)
Fluff it up with these 16-inch Sunbrella cushions.

Pottery Barn Market Umbrella (umbrella, $129; base, $69 or $99: www.potterybarn.com)
Fabricated in paisley-printed polyester, this nine-foot-diameter umbrella comes with a lacquered hardwood pole. A 40- or 60-pound cast-iron base is sold separately.