Firetables - where style meets function for garden gatherings
Firetables: The Ultimate Status Symbol for Outdoor Entertaining
Picture this: you're hosting drinks on a Friday evening. The sun's setting, casting that gorgeous golden light across your patio. Your guests are gathered around a stunning table, cocktails and nibbles spread across its surface, and right in the centre – flames dancing in a sleek glass-enclosed fire feature. It's sophisticated, it's unexpected, and it's absolutely bloody brilliant.
Welcome to the world of firetables, where the line between furniture and fire feature blurs into something rather spectacular.
What Exactly Is a Firetable?
If you're thinking "isn't that just a firepit with delusions of grandeur?" – well, yes and no. A firetable is essentially a fire feature integrated into a functional table surface. But calling it "just" anything would be like calling a Michelin-starred meal "just dinner."
These beauties combine the warmth and ambience of a fire with the practicality of a proper table. You get a stable surface for drinks, plates, and entertaining essentials, plus the mesmerising appeal of real flames. It's the mullet of garden furniture – business on the edges, party in the middle.
At Sal's Place, we've watched firetables go from "what's that?" to "I must have one" over the past few years. And honestly? We completely understand the obsession.
Discover Fire Tables at Sal's Place
Why Firetables Are Having Their Moment
Let's talk about why firetables have become the must-have item for anyone serious about outdoor entertaining.
They're Ridiculously Practical
Traditional firepits are gorgeous, but let's be honest – where exactly do you put your wine glass? With a firetable, everything has its place. No more balancing drinks on uneven ground or trying to find somewhere to set down your plate. You've got a proper, stable surface that happens to have a rather spectacular centrepiece.
They're Year-Round Heroes
Spring and summer? Your firetable is the perfect alfresco dining spot, with the fire adding ambience without overwhelming heat. Autumn and winter? It becomes a cosy gathering point where you can actually enjoy being outside despite the chill. Many of our customers at Sal's Place tell us their firetable has genuinely extended their outdoor season by months.
They're Proper Design Statements
A well-chosen firetable doesn't just add functionality – it becomes the focal point of your entire outdoor space. These aren't afterthoughts; they're centrepieces. The kind of feature that makes guests do a double-take and inevitably ask, "where did you get that?"
Finding Your Perfect Firetable
Right, let's get into the good stuff. How do you choose a firetable that'll work for your space and lifestyle?
Size Matters (Obviously)
Firetables come in everything from intimate coffee table sizes to sprawling dining behemoths. Think about how you actually use your outdoor space.
For dining, you'll want something substantial – at least 150cm to 180cm long if you're regularly seating six to eight people. Coffee table style firetables (around 100cm to 120cm) are brilliant for drinks and nibbles but won't accommodate a proper meal.
And please, measure your patio. We've all been that person who falls in love with something in the showroom only to discover it won't actually fit through the garden gate. Learn from others' mistakes.
Gas is King (Usually)
Unlike firepits where wood-burning has its devoted followers, firetables are almost exclusively gas-powered. And thank goodness for that. Can you imagine trying to manage a wood fire while serving dinner? The smoke, the ash, the general chaos? No thanks.
Gas firetables give you controllable, clean flames that won't send smoke into your guests' faces or deposit ash on their pavlova. Most run on standard propane bottles tucked discreetly in the base, and the better models include covers to hide the flames when you want to use the full table surface.
Materials That Matter
This is where quality really shows. You want materials that'll withstand British weather whilst still looking stunning.
Powder-Coated Aluminium: Lightweight, rust-proof, and available in loads of contemporary finishes. Perfect for modern spaces and won't require wrestling if you need to move it.
Wicker and Rattan: Woven over aluminium frames, these bring texture and a more relaxed, resort-style vibe. Make sure it's high-quality synthetic rattan that won't fade or crack.
Concrete and Stone Effects: Seriously substantial, these make a real statement. They're heavier (obviously), but that solidity adds to the luxury feel.
Stainless Steel and Glass: Sleek, contemporary, undeniably premium. These are the supermodels of the firetable world – stunning but requiring a bit more maintenance to keep them looking perfect.
Styling Your Firetable Like a Pro
Anyone can buy a firetable. Making it look absolutely spectacular? That takes a bit of thought.
Choose Your Seating Wisely
Your firetable deserves seating that matches its sophistication. This isn't the place for plastic garden chairs, darling. Think deep, comfortable seating with plush cushions. Many of our Sal's Place customers opt for a complete set – firetable with coordinating seating – which takes the guesswork out of styling.
For dining tables, you want chairs at the right height (obviously), but also consider how close people will be to the flames. You need enough space that nobody feels uncomfortably hot, but close enough to enjoy the warmth.
Layer Your Lighting
The fire provides gorgeous ambient light, but you'll want additional lighting for practical purposes. String lights overhead create that magical canopy effect. Lanterns or LED candles on the table add extra sparkle. Solar stake lights in nearby borders extend the glow.
The key is creating layers – your firetable is the star, but supporting lighting makes the whole scene work.
Accessorise Thoughtfully
Less is more when you've got flames as your centrepiece. A few carefully chosen accessories go further than cluttering the surface.
Keep weather-resistant placemats and coasters handy for dining. Have a basket of cosy blankets nearby for when the evening turns chilly. Perhaps a stylish ice bucket on a side table for drinks service. But resist the urge to over-decorate – the fire feature should remain the hero.
The Entertaining Possibilities
This is where firetables truly shine. They're not just furniture; they're conversation starters, gathering points, and entertainment multipliers.
Dinner Party Perfection
There's something transformative about dining next to flickering flames. It elevates even a casual supper into something special. Your mid-week kitchen suppers become proper occasions. Sunday roasts extend into long, lazy afternoons.
Pro tip: keep the fire on low during dining to provide ambience without overwhelming heat, then turn it up as the evening progresses and people want to linger.
Cocktail Hour Excellence
For drinks and canapés, firetables are absolutely unbeatable. Guests naturally gather round, drinks find safe landing spots, and the fire keeps everyone toasty as the sun goes down. It's the outdoor entertaining equivalent of a perfectly executed playlist – everything just flows.
Morning Coffee Sanctuary
Don't overlook the daytime potential. A firetable on a chilly spring morning with your coffee and newspaper? Absolute bliss. It extends the usability of your garden into those times when you'd normally give outdoor spaces a miss.
The Technical Bits (Don't Skip This)
Installation and Safety
Most firetables are pretty straightforward – connect the gas bottle, turn it on, done. But do read the manual. Seriously. Different models have different ignition systems, and you don't want to be faffing about in front of guests.
Safety-wise, ensure you've got adequate clearance around the table – at least a metre in all directions. Never place under pergolas or covered areas unless specifically designed for that purpose. And obviously, keep a fire extinguisher somewhere accessible. You won't need it, but you should have it.
Running Costs
Gas firetables are surprisingly economical. A standard propane bottle will give you roughly 8-12 hours of burn time, depending on the size of your burner and how high you run it. That's a lot of entertaining for around £25-30 of gas.
Compare that to the cost of taking everyone to the pub, and your firetable starts looking like rather a sensible investment.
Maintenance Magic
Good news: quality firetables are brilliantly low-maintenance. Wipe down the surfaces regularly. Keep the burner area free of debris. Cover it when not in use during the winter months. That's essentially it.
If you live near the coast, you might want to give metal components an occasional wipe with protective spray to guard against salt air. But generally, these things are built to last with minimal fuss.
Making the Investment
Let's address the elephant in the garden: yes, firetables are an investment. A quality piece from Sal's Place will set you back a fair bit more than a basic patio set from a big box store.
But here's what you're actually investing in:
A piece of furniture that completely transforms how you use your outdoor space. Something that makes your home the gathering spot everyone wants to visit. A feature that adds genuine value to your property. And honestly? A bit of everyday luxury that makes you feel utterly delighted with your surroundings.
We've had customers tell us their firetable was the best money they've ever spent on their home. That it's changed their social life. That they genuinely use their garden more in a single season than they did in the previous five years combined.
Your Space, Your Style
At Sal's Place, we're a bit particular about our firetables. Every piece in our collection has been chosen because it meets our standards for quality, design, and durability. We don't stock anything we wouldn't be thrilled to have in our own gardens.
Because outdoor entertaining should never mean compromising on style, comfort, or sophistication. With the right firetable, your garden becomes an extension of your living space – a place where memorable evenings just seem to happen naturally.
Ready to elevate your outdoor entertaining? Explore our complete range of firetables at Sal's Place, or get in touch with our team for personalised recommendations.
