Rattan garden furniture will never go out of style – and I found the 9 best pieces to invest in now and enjoy for years to come
From the best rattan lounging set to my top-rated egg chair, these are my top picks
Amy Lockwood
There are few styles of garden furniture as timeless and effortlessly stylish as rattan garden furniture. So its popularity is no surprise. But not every piece of rattan outdoor furniture is created equal – which is why I’ve rounded up some of the best rattan garden furniture, along with the best brands to go to in order to make shopping easier for you.
Interestingly enough, these days most of the best garden furniture in the rattan category available is not made from natural rattan but rather poly rattan – a synthetic material created out of polyethylene made to look like rattan, sometimes also referred to as rattan-effect. The synthetic version is more weather resistant and it requires less maintenance and protection which is ultimately the main benefit. But of course, some designs look more convincing than others.
On this list, I’ve included both natural rattan pieces, as well as synthetic ones, some of which are almost unrecognisable from the real thing – both Neptune and Cox & Cox are my top recommended go-tos for natural-looking poly rattan garden furniture.
Best rattan garden furniture
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.
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 7-seater design can be easily rearranged to fit your needs and your garden's layout - and it comes with a height-adjustable table, too, so you can take your lounging set-up to a dining one.
I had the opportunity to try this dining set in person at a Next event last year. And I was immediately impressed with both the stylish look and the clever space-saving design. The chic angular chairs come with rattan-effect arm and backrests and they perfectly slot underneath the table without taking up extra space. On top of that, the dining table is extendable, perfect if you regularly feed a larger group of people in your outdoor space.
If you don't have space for a full dining or lounge set, then a smaller bistro set could do. Especially when it has the elegance of this bestselling Omalos set from B&Q. Boasting a Bohemian look, the budget-friendly set is based on a steel frame, with the chairs equipped with a swivel function and the side/coffee table finished with a glass tabletop.
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 synthetic rattan which looks incredibly natural and it's topped with high-quality weather-resistant cushions.
Sun loungers are rising in popularity this year, slowly becoming a big garden furniture trend. Perhaps it's the Soho House effect as people want to recreate the iconic pool area of the private members' club with its striped loungers in their backyard. But rattan sun loungers also look very stylish - just take this affordable yet chic style from Argos Home. It comes with a multi-level reclining function, too!
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 £450 price tag and the chairs slot perfectly underneath the table when not in use.
I don't know about you but I'm still not over the chic tropical aesthetic of season 3 of The White Lotus. And that's definitely the vibe I'll be looking to channel throughout this summer - and I feel like this Nkuku rattan hanging chair (along with the rest of the matching range) does a good job of that. It's made with a rustic-style natural rattan on a steel frame which gives it a vintage feel. And the sustainable ethos of this brand is just another reason why I'm a fan.
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.
Where to buy rattan garden furniture
- Argos: for rattan-effect furniture of various styles
- B&Q: for affordable but stylish rattan-effect pieces
- Cox & Cox: for natural-looking rattan-effect furniture
- George Home at ASDA: for rattan-effect pieces on a budget
- John Lewis: for rattan-effect furniture from various brands
- La Redoute: for stylish pieces from both natural rattan
- Neptune: for luxurious and beautiful rattan-effect furniture
- Next: for a wide range of styles from various brands
- Nkuku: for rustic-style pieces from natural rattan
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,' says Claire Bassett, head of product at Lights4fun. '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.’
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.
