What’s the Best Rattan Furniture?

For outdoor use in the UK, the best rattan furniture is synthetic weave made from UV stabilised polyethylene wrapped over a powder coated aluminium frame. That combination resists rain, frost and sunlight, does not rust and needs very little upkeep. For indoor use, natural rattan and cane are the better choice, because they bring genuine warmth and character that synthetic weave cannot quite match, and indoors they are never exposed to weather.

Almost every complaint about rattan furniture traces back to one of two things: natural rattan used outdoors, or synthetic weave built on a cheap steel frame. Understanding the difference between the materials makes choosing straightforward.

Natural rattan and cane

Natural rattan is the stem of a climbing palm. It is light, strong and flexible, which is why it has been used for furniture for well over a century. Cane is the outer skin of the same plant, used for woven panels in chair backs and cabinet doors.

Indoors, natural rattan is lovely. It adds texture without visual weight, works with almost any palette and suits both period and contemporary rooms. It is also genuinely light to move, which makes it practical for occasional seating and conservatory furniture.

Outdoors, natural rattan struggles. It absorbs water, and once damp gets into the weave the fibres swell, dry unevenly and eventually split. A covered porch or a dry conservatory is acceptable. An open British patio is not.

Synthetic rattan: what to look for

Synthetic rattan, sometimes called all weather weave, is extruded plastic strand woven in the same patterns as natural cane. The quality varies enormously, and the differences are easy to check.

Material: polyethylene, often labelled PE, is the one to look for. It is UV stabilised so it resists fading and stays flexible in cold weather. PVC weave is cheaper and tends to become brittle after a couple of winters, then cracks along the edges.

Frame: aluminium is best because it does not rust. Powder coated steel is heavier and stronger initially, but once the coating is scratched, rust starts from the inside and shows at the feet and joints. Check the product description rather than assuming, since the frame is hidden by the weave.

Weave construction: strands should be tightly and evenly woven, with ends tucked and secured rather than glued at the surface. Run a hand over the weave. Loose or sharp ends indicate rushed work and are the first points to fail.

Cushions: look for quick drying foam and covers that can be removed and washed. Even excellent cushions should be stored indoors over winter, so factor in where they will live.

Which style suits which space

Corner and modular sets suit families and larger patios, because they seat several people in a compact footprint and can be reconfigured. They need a reasonably level surface, since modular pieces shift and separate on uneven paving. Our modern garden seating sets UK sale range covers corner and modular arrangements in a variety of sizes.

Individual armchairs give flexibility. Two chairs and a small table often work better than a large set in a typical British garden, particularly on a narrow patio or a balcony, and they are easier to move into shade or sun. Have a look at the garden armchairs UK sale options if space is tight.

Dining sets in synthetic rattan work well where the table top is glass or aluminium rather than woven, because a woven table top collects crumbs and is harder to wipe. Check chair height against table height, as rattan chairs are sometimes lower than they appear. Our garden dining sets UK range lists both measurements.

Small bistro sets are the sensible choice for a courtyard, a balcony or a front garden. Two chairs and a compact table take almost no room and still create a proper place to sit with a coffee. The bistro sets UK sale selection includes folding and fixed designs.

Comfort details that get overlooked

Seat depth and back angle matter more than cushion thickness. A shallow seat with an upright back will never be comfortable however much foam you add. Sit in a chair if you can, or check the seat depth measurement: around 55cm to 60cm suits most adults for relaxed lounging.

Cushion thickness of at least 8cm to 10cm is a reasonable minimum for seating you plan to use for long periods. Thinner pads are fine for dining chairs, where you sit upright for shorter spells.

Armrest height should allow your shoulders to relax. Rattan arms are often wide and flat, which is comfortable and doubles as somewhere to rest a glass.

Colour and finish choices

Grey and charcoal weaves have been popular for years and hide dust well, but they can look flat against green planting. Natural and honey toned weaves feel warmer and sit more naturally in a garden, though they show marks slightly more. Black weave looks sharp with modern architecture and pale paving.

Cushion colour is where fading shows first. Mid tones in taupe, olive and soft grey age more gracefully than bright colours or pure white. If you want strong colour, put it in a cushion you can replace rather than in the main seat pads.

Looking after it

Synthetic rattan needs very little. Brush out dust and leaves from the weave every few weeks, and wash with warm soapy water and a soft brush a couple of times a year. Avoid pressure washers, which can force water into the frame and loosen the weave.

Store cushions indoors when not in use, and use a vented cover through winter rather than a sealed one. Check the frame bolts once a year and tighten anything that has worked loose, because movement is what eventually breaks a weave.

Natural rattan indoors benefits from occasional dusting with a soft brush and keeping away from radiators, which dry the fibres and cause brittleness.

We stock synthetic rattan and woven designs across our outdoor collections at Furniture in Fashion, with frame material and weave details listed so you can compare properly, and free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes on larger sets.

Frequently asked questions

Is synthetic rattan better than natural rattan?

Outdoors, yes, by a wide margin. Natural rattan absorbs water and degrades in British weather. Indoors, natural rattan looks and feels better, so the answer depends entirely on where the furniture will live.

How long does good synthetic rattan last?

Well made polyethylene weave on an aluminium frame, cleaned occasionally and covered in winter, commonly lasts many years. Cheaper PVC weave on a steel frame often shows cracking and rust within a few seasons.

Does rattan furniture fade in the sun?

UV stabilised polyethylene resists fading well, though very exposed positions may lighten slightly over a long period. Cushion fabric fades faster than the weave itself, so choose mid tones.

Can rattan furniture stay out in winter?

Synthetic weave on an aluminium frame can, with cushions stored indoors and a vented cover fitted. Natural rattan should always come inside.

What size set should I buy for a small garden?

Two armchairs with a small side table, or a compact bistro set, usually suit a small patio better than a corner sofa. Measure the space and leave at least 70cm to walk around the arrangement.