Rattan garden furniture will always be a classic, and I've found 9 on-trend pieces that will make any patio look good

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

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.