SUNJOY allen + roth Ashford 5 -Piece Brown Wicker Patio Dining Set Steel Square Table with 4 Cream Cushions Stationary Chairs
Affiliate Disclosure: The bargain-hunting squad at GearSteal spends hours dissecting product specs and tracking historic price cuts. When you buy through our retail links, we may earn a small affiliate commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. This helps us write completely independent, zero-bias reviews.
Let’s talk about that moment you step out onto your back patio with a fresh morning coffee or a plate of hot off the grill steaks. You want to sit down, relax, and stretch out. But if your current setup consists of brittle plastic chairs that warp in the sun or a shaky metal table you inherited from a previous tenant, the vibe is instantly ruined. Upgrading your outdoor dining space shouldn’t require taking out a second mortgage, yet walking through high-end furniture showrooms can give you serious sticker shock.
That is why collaboration pieces like the Sunjoy allen + roth Ashford 5-Piece Brown Wicker Patio Dining Set catch so much attention. Combining Sunjoy’s manufacturing footprint with the signature, upscale design language of the allen + roth Ashford line, this set promises a luxurious resort look at a fraction of the cost. Featuring a sturdy square steel table, four stationary brown wicker chairs, and plush cream cushions, it looks stunning on a showroom floor. But does it actually hold up to real-world family life, messy barbecues, and unpredictable weather? Let’s skip the marketing fluff and dig into the real owner experiences.
🛑 Fast Deal Hunting Check
Large patio furniture sets are highly seasonal. We frequently track massive clearance drops on this specific Ashford set during transitional months on GearSteal. If you can score this under retail, the value proposition skyrockets significantly.
—
The Hard Truths: Real Owner Issues & Flaws
We believe in starting with the imperfections. To give you the most honest assessment, we combed through user feedback from major home improvement sites, retail platforms, and long-term owner reviews to find out where this set struggles. Here is the unfiltered breakdown of what to watch out for.
1. The Cream Cushion Reality Check
Let’s be completely realistic: cream-colored cushions look incredibly elegant, airy, and high-end when they first come out of the plastic wrapping. However, they are practically an open invitation for stains. If you have kids, pets, or a fondness for red wine and barbecue sauce, these cushions will test your patience. While the fabric features water-resistant properties, they are not completely stain-proof. Tree pollen, bird droppings, and muddy paws will show up instantly. You will absolutely want to invest in a heavy-duty fabric protector spray before your first outdoor meal.
2. The Assembly “Patience Test”
While the steel dining table goes together quickly, the four wicker stationary chairs can be a bit of a jigsaw puzzle. Several owners have noted that during assembly, a few of the pre-drilled bolt holes on the wicker panels didn’t align perfectly out of the box. Pro tip: When putting the chairs together, loose-fit all the bolts by hand first. Do not tighten a single bolt completely until the entire chair is assembled. If you tighten as you go, you will run out of slack and find yourself frustrated by misaligned holes.
3. Stationary vs. Swivel Chairs
These chairs are fully stationary. There is no rocking mechanism, and they do not swivel. For most people, this is a non-issue for standard dining. However, if you prefer a chair that easily spins around so you can chat with guests across the deck without sliding the chair frame back across your wood flooring, this rigid design might feel slightly restrictive over long evenings.
4. Rust Vulnerability if Scratched
The square dining table features a robust steel frame protected by a powder coat finish. Steel is phenomenally strong and keeps the table from feeling flimsy or tipping over in high winds. However, if you scratch through that powder coating—say, by dragging heavy metal cookware or sharp tools across the surface—the exposed raw steel underneath will eventually rust when exposed to rain and morning dew. Touch up any deep scratches immediately with outdoor paint to preserve the frame.
—
The Structural DNA: Specifications & Dimensions
To ensure this 5-piece dining ensemble actually fits your patio layout without overcrowding the space, here are the official project dimensions and material breakdowns:
—
Why the Ashford Set Still Earns High Praise
Despite the maintenance requirements of light cushions and the standard assembly curve, there is a reason this set frequently sells out ahead of the summer rush. When you look past the basic specs, the build execution offers some fantastic benefits.
- All-Weather Resin Wicker: Unlike old-school natural rattan wicker which splinters, cracks, and rots after a single season of rain exposure, Sunjoy uses high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin wicker. It handles intense UV rays without fading or snapping, meaning the chairs look fresh year after year.
- High Comfort Level: Many budget patio sets skimp out on the cushions, leaving you with thin 1-inch pads that let you feel the metal bars underneath. The Ashford cushions are generously padded, providing proper lumbar support and comfort for long, drawn-out dinner conversations.
- Heavy Table Footprint: Cheap aluminum tables tend to wobble or slide around if someone bumps them. This steel table has a comforting, solid weight to it, keeping your drinks secure and your dining experience feeling grounded.
—
Head-to-Head: Material Showdown
How does a steel-and-wicker combo set compare to other common patio configurations on the market? Let’s lay out the structural differences so you can make an informed choice:
| Material Build | Ashford Wicker & Steel | Cast Aluminum Sets | Solid Wood (Teak/Eucalyptus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wind Resistance | High (Heavy Frame) | Medium | High |
| Annual Upkeep | Low (Cushion Cleaning Only) | Very Low | High (Requires Oiling/Sanding) |
| Cozy/Comfort Factor | Excellent (Deep Cushions) | Low (Hard Metal Surfaces) | Medium (Often Needs Extra Pads) |
| Affordability Range | Moderate / Great Deal Target | Expensive | Very Expensive |
—
Who Is This Deal Best For?
The Style-Conscious Host: If you love the upscale, warm, organic look of dark brown hand-woven wicker contrasted against bright, crisp cushions and want your patio to look like an extension of an interior dining room, this set executes that look flawlessly.
The Breeze-Prone Yard Owner: If your property sits on a hill or near a coastline where sudden afternoon wind gusts routinely flip lightweight aluminum or plastic lawn chairs into the pool, the heavy steel-framed bones of the Ashford set offer fantastic stability.
Who Should Move On? If you want a zero-maintenance setup that you can leave entirely uncovered underneath messy pine trees, or if you refuse to deal with cleaning light-colored fabrics, you will want to look for a non-cushioned metal bistro set instead.
—
⚖️ Pros and Cons Checklist
💪 The Pros:
- Timeless brown wicker and cream cushion styling feels incredibly high-end.
- Heavy powder-coated steel table prevents tipping and stays planted.
- Thick, plush foam cushions offer superior seated comfort over long hours.
- High-density synthetic resin wicker handles direct sunlight without cracking.
- Excellent target for seasonal discounts on GearSteal.
⚠️ The Cons:
- Cream cushions show dirt, pollen, and stains quickly if left unprotected.
- Chair frame bolt holes can be stubborn to align perfectly during assembly.
- Stationary chairs do not feature rocking or swivel mechanisms.
- Scratches to the table surface must be touched up to prevent localized rust.
Final Verdict
The Sunjoy allen + roth Ashford 5-Piece Patio Dining Set is an absolute triumph when it comes to balancing sophisticated style with practical comfort. It completely sheds that cheap, temporary look that plagues many backyard setups, giving your deck a unified, intentional design language. Yes, the cream cushions mean you will need to keep a clean cloth handy and perhaps buy a custom winter cover to protect your investment from harsh seasonal elements. But if you are willing to practice basic outdoor furniture care, the sheer comfort and visual presence of this set are well worth the effort. Make sure to keep your eyes glued to GearSteal to snatch this set up when the next deep price drop goes live!
—
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the cushion covers removable for machine washing?
Yes, the cream cushion covers are designed with zipper closures, allowing you to remove them. However, to prevent shrinking or damaging the water-resistant coating, it is highly recommended to hand wash them with mild detergent or spot clean them with a garden hose rather than putting them through a harsh machine dryer cycle.
Does the square steel table feature an umbrella hole?
This specific square dining table model from the Ashford collection features a solid, clean steel tabletop surface without a pre-cut central umbrella cutout. If you want to add shade directly over this dining set, it pairs beautifully with an independent offset cantilever patio umbrella placed alongside the deck space.
Can the chairs be stacked together for compact winter storage?
No, because these stationary chairs feature solid woven resin wicker arms and integrated architectural side panels, they do not nest or stack inside one another. For winter storage, it is best to place them side by side inside a garage or shed, or shield them securely beneath a heavy-duty waterproof patio furniture cover.
