Summer is made for outdoor living.
Having spent much of the year cooped up indoors, when sunlight breaks through the grey clouds, it’s practically our national duty to get out and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.
For those lucky enough to have a garden, you can skip trying to find a patch of sun in one of London’s busy parks and instead retreat to your exclusive outside space to sunbathe, eat and lounge in peace.
When it comes to lounging comfortably, finding the right furniture for your space is key.
It should not only fit your space well but also appeal to your sense of style to draw as much enjoyment out of it as possible.
Garden furniture tends to follow a certain aesthetic, especially for mainstream tastes. Outdoor pieces made from rattan or with a synthetic rattan effect are some of the most popular out there. It’s no wonder: the organic look chimes well with the natural setting, and designs span all sorts of styles, from the uber-chic to the wholesomely rustic as well as pieces that can stand up to a season or more of hosting.
Plenty of stores lob the odd piece of rattan garden furniture to their outdoor offering ahead of summer, but if you’re looking to invest in a set that’ll go the distance, only a specialist will do.
Luckily there’s a concise but high-quality bunch of manufacturers to choose from, across a broad range of price points to suit all budgets. We’ve made a special ES Best directory of the best below.
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Non-subscribers to cryptic branding, the clear name of Rattan Direct leaves shoppers in no doubt as to what to expect from this store.
The Mancunian brand has been furnishing gardens since 2006 with outdoor dining sets, armchairs, day beds, sun loungers, patio sets and more, making the humble British garden an altogether happier place to be. The company also sells fire pits and garden accessories and throws regular sales, so if you’re hoping for a bargain don’t forget to swing by the website’s clearance section.
Rattan Direct has a high Trustpilot rating and offers financing on larger items making a splurge that much more appealing. Best of all, pieces are sold with a seven-year ‘built to last’ guarantee, offering customers added peace of mind.
Buy now, Rattan Direct
Moda Furnishings may be in a higher price bracket (prices start at £299 for a sunlounger), but the quality of the designs speaks for itself. Rattan is double-woven for increased durability and completed with a UV-resistant finish so the look won’t fade after a couple of seasons in the sun.
Whether your garden is big or small, there’s a rattan-clad piece that will fit, from corner sofa sets to compact bistros to sit with the papers on a sunny morning. Every piece is sold with a seven-year warranty too.
As well as rattan, Moda also offers aluminium furniture and other garden accessories, making it a one-stop shop for all your summer lounging needs. Klarna financing is available to spread the cost of your purchase.
Buy now, Moda Furnishings
Do your garden justice with a chic rattan furniture update. Maze Living has plenty to choose from, with super-fast delivery on some models, meaning you can get your space up to scratch in no time when sunshine is on the horizon.
There are outdoor sets to lust over, from corner sets with benches to curved seating. If you're into hosting, check out the garden bars and ice buckets, made up in rattan to match the rest of the pieces.
Buy now, Maze Living
A furniture retailer for both inside the house and the garden, Barker & Stonehouse has it all, from cane-wrapped garden lanterns and sweet bistro sets to full-on outdoor kitchens to cook in all summer.
The range is beautifully presented with aspirational photography heightening the quality of the pieces. Just add sunshine.
There's even a design service to help if you're unsure what will suit your garden best. Financing options are available to spread the cost of big bills.
Rain is always a pressing concern here in the UK - even in summer when forecasts predict days of sunshine. It’s another reason rattan is such a popular choice for garden furniture; the material is weather-resistant, looks good and doesn't need much in the way of maintenance.
The company winds rattan weave over a lightweight but robust aluminium frame to increase its longevity and stability. Options include everything from dining sets and compact cube sets to club-like loungers and day beds. Prices are broadly in line with its competitors, but sale season wipes digits off so if you’re considering a purchase it’s best to bide your time until then.
Buy now, Rattan Garden Furniture
John Lewis is a high street favourite for a reason. The department store chain has it all, from fashion to homewares - rattan garden furniture included. Find modular garden sets, reclining sun loungers, dining furniture bundles, armchairs and heaps more, all made with rattan or sporting a fetching rattan effect.
Buy now, John Lewis
A major home destination for UK shoppers, it would be easier to list what homewares Wayfair doesn't stock. As such, the garden section is wide-reaching with plenty of accessories and furniture to add to basket - think greenhouses and lawn edging to outdoor showers and sauna accessories.
If it's rattan garden furniture you're on the hunt for, consider the search over. There are so many options at Wayfair for gardens of all sizes with a healthy clearance section to make your pounds stretch further.
Buy now, Wayfair
Oak may be the name of the game at this retailer, but rattan-wishers don't be fooled, there are plenty of weaved pieces to fall in love with too.
From dining sets, outdoor sofas and sun loungers to statement rattan-clad bars there are styles galore to browse. Colours stick to the rattan faithful, with black, brown and grey pieces on offer, helping to keep furniture looking in better shape for longer.
Financing is available to make big purchases easier to handle.
Buy now, Oak World
Making stunning rattan furniture for outside the home as well as in (interiors fans will adore browsing bedroom eye candy), The Rattan Company offers luxe pieces, with prices to match. Rattan is gathered from sustainable sources while helping boost income for the local communities and craftspeople who have made their enviable collections. There’s even a range for children so their bedrooms can sport the same boho and boujee look as the rest of your pad.
The family-run company makes pieces designed for outdoor-adjacent living in its Summerhouse section: think hanging egg chairs, wide lounge chairs, stools and planters.
Buy now, The Rattan Company
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2024-03-22T19:02:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd