Rattan garden furniture is one of those timeless classics that never goes out of style. But perhaps this year, it’s more popular than ever and I’ve been stumbling upon some of the best rattan garden furniture designs ever since retailers’ and brands’ outdoor collections have dropped this year – so I thought, why not take a deep dive into what’s on offer and round up the best of the best?
Both natural rattan and poly rattan – which is synthetic rattan, often also referred to as ‘rattan effect’, that has the same look as the real deal but is made with synthetic polyethylene material – are some of the most popular and best garden furniture materials across the board, loved for their timeless style, durability and light weight.
‘Rattan is incredibly popular this season for both style and substance,’ says Claire Bassett, head of product at Lights4fun. ‘Whether paired with modern touches like sleek fire pits or rustic wooden detailing, rattan furniture is not only chic and easy to style, it is perfect to blend with other existing features in your garden.’
Best rattan garden furniture
Habitat
Selene Rattan Effect Garden Egg Chair
I’ve actually tried the Habitat Selene egg chair myself at the brand’s press preview earlier this year. And I was impressed both by its comfort and its unique take on the egg shape, going for a rounder silhouette which I find much more aesthetically pleasing compared to the traditional ones. Made with synthetic rattan on a steel frame, it’s also equipped with seat, back and side cushions to ensure you sit comfortably.
John Lewis
Platform Rattan Modular 6-Seater Garden Lounging Set
Anybody who knows about my obsession with modular sofas – which I would recommend to everyone by the way – would not be surprised by me picking this modular lounging set. But I’m clearly not alone in loving it as it’s the most popular rattan garden furniture design on the site. Made with poly rattan, the 6-seater design can be easily rearranged to fit your needs and your garden’s layout.
Next
Abel 6 to 8 Seater Rattan Garden Dining Set
I’ve already included the smaller 2-seater version of Next’s Abel dining set in my piece on where to buy garden furniture as I was impressed by the unique and designer-looking design of the dining chairs, complete with side synthetic rattan inserts. But if you have the space and regularly feed a larger group of people in your outdoor space, this larger version is the one to go for.
QVC
Innovators Rattan Bistro Set
If you don’t have space for a full dining or lounging set, then a smaller bistro set could do. Especially when it has the elegance and almost ‘old world charm’ as this one from QVC. Equipped with comfy seat cushions and a coordinating table with a glass top, the two chairs feature lovely curved backrests.
Neptune
Longmeadow 3 Seater Sofa with Cushions
This outdoor sofa from Neptune is by no means cheap – on the contrary, it’s quite the investment. But in terms of design, it’s one of the best, most original and prettiest available on the market. The lattice-design base which looks super light and airy is made with natural rattan and it’s topped with high-quality weather-resistant cushions.
Nkuku
Arlia Rattan Lounger
I don’t know about you but I’m obsessed with the third season of White Lotus. And that’s definitely the vibe I’ll be looking to channel throughout this summer – and I feel like this Nkuku rattan lounger does a good job of that. It’s made with natural rattan on a steel frame covered with a bamboo runner which gives it a vintage feel. And the sustainable ethos of this brand is just another reason why I’m a fan.
GoodHome
Elos Beige Rattan effect 4 seater Dining set
If you lack space but still need or want to squeeze a dining set into your outdoor space then this small garden-friendly design from B&Q is the one to go. Made with synthetic rattan, this compact 4-seater set looks much more expensive than its £425 price tag and the chairs slot perfectly underneath the table when not in use.
La Redoute
Elisa Rattan Garden Coffee Table
Who knew that La Redoute’s garden furniture had such a designer look?! I myself only just found out this year – and ever since then, I’ve been regularly checking back in to find new hidden gems, like this garden coffee table made with rattan cane in a very high-end, vintage style. The RRP of £525 is quite high but La Redoute regularly has offers so just make sure you take advantage of those.
George Home
Rattan Lounge Chair
As far as supermarket garden furniture goes, George Home at ASDA is my go-to because you can always find designer-looking buys for less. This lounge chair is no exception. Made with poly rattan and a corrosion-resistant galvanised steel frame, the clean lines of this garden seating idea look super elevated.
Why should you invest in rattan garden furniture?
There are several reasons why rattan pieces make for a great garden furniture idea that I – and various experts – would recommend adding to your outdoor space, both from an aesthetic and practical point of view.
‘Rattan is naturally aesthetic, meaning it will instantly elevate any outdoor space. Rattan is also exceptionally durable with naturally weather-resistant properties, making it a low maintenance and sustainable option. Synthetic rattan is also highly durable which makes it a great sustainable furniture option. It is also lightweight and easily moveable, meaning it is able to grow and change with you and your garden,’ Claire at Lights4fun says.
What to look for when shopping for rattan garden furniture?
Similarly to trying to find the best wooden garden furniture or shopping for any outdoor furniture for that matter, it’s important to pay attention to the quality of the materials involved and the construction.
Kris Manalo, creative lead at Aktin & Thyme, advises on how to choose the best garden furniture made with rattan, ‘When shopping for woven outdoor furniture, it’s essential to consider the quality of both the frame and the top layer. Look out for furniture frames that are made from high-quality aluminium, which is both lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it ideal for year-round outdoor use.’
Aluminium is indeed known as one of the most durable types of outdoor furniture. But the more affordable powder-coated steel is also a good option, even though it is prone to rust and therefore needs to be covered, put away and protected from the elements.
‘The quality of the top layer is also crucial. It’s important to make sure the actual weave material, whether natural or synthetic rattan, is made of hardwearing, UV-safe material. In addition to this, the weaving itself is crucial. Bent or sharp corners, loose weaves, and slanted weaving are all indicators of lesser quality weave. A smooth and uniform weave ensures your rattan furniture will stand the test of time,’ Kris explains.
Claire at Lights4fun continues on the difference in durability between natural and synthetic rattan, ‘Opting for polyethylene rattan means your furniture is more weather-resistant than natural rattan and will stand the test of time. Synthetic rattan garden furniture can be left outside all year long, especially if the furniture has a durable powder-coated aluminum frame and UV protection. Natural rattan is more prone to damage from moisture, cracking and bleaching from the sun, but a lot of this wear-and-tear can be counteracted by investing in high-quality covers for your furniture to keep it protected from the outside elements.’
FAQs
What is the best type of rattan furniture?
The best quality rattan garden furniture will have an aluminium frame hidden under the decorative PE-rattan upper rather than just ‘metal’ or powder-coated steel. Aluminium is lightweight, rust-resistant, and weather-resistant which makes it a great choice for outdoor use and a durable, long-lasting investment.
How can you tell if rattan furniture is high quality?
When buying rattan garden furniture, don’t just be swayed by its looks. Make sure you read the product details to find out what the furniture’s frame is made out of too. Aluminium-framed furniture will be more expensive upfront but has much better longevity outdoors. That often also means you can leave the aluminium-framed furniture outdoors all year round, so it’s a more hassle-free option as you don’t need to worry about winter storage.
In contrast, rattan garden furniture with a powder-coated steel frame is more affordable to purchase but is less durable to the elements so you’ll need to store it indoors or undercover to prolong its lifespan. That means it may not be as cost-effective as higher-quality aluminium-framed furniture in the long run.
Which rattan garden furniture design is your favourite? If you have your eye on one or more, it’s best to snap it up now before the weather warms up and/or the pieces sell out, which sadly does happen with seasonal products like garden furniture.
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