Fashion&cool Outdoor Side Tables for Small Spaces: Review

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If you are looking at fashion&cool outdoor side tables for small spaces, this two-pack of round black metal tables is worth a close look. This review explains what the listing gives you, where its figures disagree, and what to measure before you buy. You will learn whether a table about 11 inches across fits your spot, whether the 30-pound limit suits what you plan to set on it, and when a larger table makes more sense. Read the measurement section first, because the listed sizes do not all match.

Quick answer

Buy this two-pack if you need two small round tables for a tight outdoor corner, you want a black powder-coated finish, and you can measure a spot that fits a table about 11 inches across and 15 inches tall. The listing gives a maximum weight of 30 pounds, so keep everything on the table below that limit. Skip it if you need a surface for a full plate, a laptop or a coffee-table setup. Before you order, confirm the width and depth yourself, because the listing gives more than one set of figures.

Who this table suits

Choose this style when your seating is a single chair, a loveseat or a small bistro set, and you need a surface for one drink, a phone or a small dish. The listing gives a height of 15 inches. Compare that with the arm of your chair before you buy. Measure from the floor to the top of the arm, then decide whether you want the tabletop level with the arm or slightly below it.

Skip this style if you want a dining surface, a coffee-table surface or a work surface. The top is small for those jobs, and the listed weight figure is a maximum to keep in mind, not an invitation to load the table heavily.

The listing also names plant stand use among the recommended uses, indoors or outdoors. If you use it that way, weigh the full pot, the wet soil and the water together, and keep that total under 30 pounds. A heavy ceramic pot can use up that margin quickly.

The pick

Measurements that do not agree

Three figures on this listing conflict, so treat the sizes as a range until you measure. The product dimension fields give 10 inches deep and 10 inches wide, while the item width and item diameter fields give 11 inches. The bullet points give the weight as 3.3 lbs, but the weight field gives 2 pounds. The tabletop thickness field reads 10 inches, which matches the depth and is unlikely to be the real thickness of the top. Rely on neither the 10-inch nor the 11-inch figure for a tight gap, and rely on neither weight figure for shipping or lifting decisions.

Measure the spot with a tape rather than with the listing. Leave a little clearance on the side nearest the chair, so the table does not block the way in or out of a seat. Then compare your measurement with the 15-inch height and the 30-pound limit.

Checks before you order

• Measure the width and depth of the spot, and compare them with the 10 to 11 inch range.
• Measure the height from the floor to the chair arm, and compare it with the 15-inch height.
• Add up the heaviest load you plan to set down, and compare the total with the 30-pound figure.
• Compare the photos with the color and leg style you expect. The listing describes curved legs and a black top and base.
• Plan for assembly. The included components name an installation tool, so set aside time and a flat work surface.

Care and setup

The bullet points say the table wipes clean with water and soap. That is the care method the listing describes, so start there before trying anything stronger. Set the table on a level surface and check that it sits flat before you place a glass on it. The bullet points mention anti-skid pads on the feet. After assembly, check that all pads sit flat on your surface, because an uneven patio can make any small table wobble.

The listing describes the table for outdoor and indoor use, with a weather-resistant build. Bring it under cover during heavy storms or when you leave it out for a season. Powder coating is generally described as a thick, tough finish, more durable than conventional paint, and it is mainly used on metal objects that take rough use. That describes the process in general. It does not tell you how thick this brand’s coat is, so read the care notes on the listing and avoid harsh abrasives on the finish.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is buying from the title alone. The title says small space and two pack, but the figures inside the listing are what decide whether the tables fit. A second mistake is ignoring the height. A table that sits well below the chair arm is awkward to reach from a seat. A third is loading the table at or near the weight limit with a planter, a tray of drinks and a lamp at once. Each of those items adds weight, and the 30-pound figure covers the total.

Where it fits in your outdoor setup

If your seating area is larger, a bigger table may suit you better. Our patio furniture review covers larger outdoor pieces. For a small light next to a seat, see our solar LED light guide. If you prefer a surface that is not metal, read our Adirondack-style side table review before you decide.

FAQ

Is this table fine for outdoor use?

The listing says it works outdoors and indoors and describes a weather-resistant metal build with a powder-coated finish. Read the care notes before you leave it out all season, and move it under cover during storms.

How much weight can it hold?

The listing gives a maximum weight recommendation of 30 pounds. Treat that figure as the limit for everything on the table at one time, including a pot, a drink and any tray.

Does the two-pack mean two matching tables?

The listing says it contains two items and sets the set name to 2. Expect two tables sold together. Compare the photos with the color and leg style you want, because the fields describe curved legs and a black finish.

Can I use it as a plant stand?

The listing names plant stand use among its recommended uses. Weigh the full pot, the wet soil and the water together, and compare the total with the 30-pound figure before you set the pot down.

Why do the measurements conflict?

Listings often pull dimensions from several fields, and the fields do not always agree. Here the product dimension fields and the item width fields differ by about one inch. Use your own tape measure. If the dimensions decide whether the table fits, ask the seller to confirm one width and one height in writing before you order.

When is a larger side table a better choice?

Choose this two-pack when you need two small surfaces for a tight spot. Choose a larger table if you need room for a drink, a plate, a book and a lamp at the same time, or if the table will sit in front of a long sofa.

Does the rust-proof claim mean it will never rust?

The bullet points mention a rust-proof coating design, which is a manufacturer claim. No finish stops all rust over time. Inspect the finish each season, touch up any chipped spots if the seller provides touch-up paint, and keep the table dry when it is not in use.

Bottom line

Choose this two-pack if your spot is tight, you need two small round surfaces, and you can confirm the width, depth and height before you order. Keep every load under the listed 30-pound limit. Choose a larger table if you need a full surface for meals, a coffee-table setup or a work surface. Because the listing’s sizes and weights conflict in places, measure first and rely on your own numbers.

Sources

• Powder coating (Wikipedia): describes powder coating as a thick, tough finish that is more durable than conventional paint and is mainly used on metal objects.