Must-have Rattan Garden Furniture For Summer

There are few moments that can rival sitting in your garden, a cup of tea (or something stronger) in hand and the sun warming your face. But taking it all in, while relaxing on gorgeous garden furniture, makes it just that much better. Stylish and durable, rattan furniture is the perfect garden addition for all that and beyond, flawlessly complementing any garden and offering a place to gather together and relax.

Whether you’re looking to starfish out on a luxurious, oversized daybed, gather around the table for board games and al fresco dinners, or sleep, eat, read, repeat on a comfy sofa set, you’re in the right place. We’ve picked out the best rattan garden furniture options so you can make the most of your outdoor space and turn your garden into an outdoor oasis you just can’t get enough of!

When it comes to the materials from which you rattan furniture is made, there are a couple of different options for you to choose between.

Rattan, also known as ‘wicker’ or ‘cane’, is a distinctive method of hand weaving material together to create sturdy furniture. It was originally created by the ancient Egyptians to weave baskets before the Romans adopted the craft and spread it all across the empire. 

Over the next couple of centuries, the increase in trade with Asia introduced rattan to the West along with a stronger material that lent itself to wickerwork. The furniture style soon spread all across the British Empire as well, finally making it to England where it was associated with the civilised exoticism that captivated the Victorians.

As most of us probably already know, the 1960s and ’70s experienced a huge resurgence for rattan. After a period where Victorian-style decor was seen to be overly-sophisticated, this era witnessed a resurgence of ornate wicker furnishings, which resulted in a renaissance of sorts as the beauty of wicker furniture was once again appreciated and welcomed inside the home.

Originally, wicker was made from rattan vines - the name for around 600 different climbing vines - and natural wooden cane. However, it’s now much more common to find rattan furniture made from synthetic materials made to imitate the natural ones. The plastic material you commonly find nowadays is much more suited to outdoor seating. It’s hard-wearing, longer-lasting, and doesn’t fade like the natural material will. It’s also much easier to keep clean with just a wipe with a damp cloth or blast with the hose (just make sure to take off the cushions first). 

The synthetic rattan material makes the furniture much more affordable. Real rattan can cost you a pretty penny but, thanks to modern technology, you’ll be able to pick up an entire table and chair set with an added sun lounger for a fraction of the price of the equivalent made from real rattan. They’re also much lighter, allowing you to move and rearrange furniture to your heart’s content. 

When it comes to bringing your new set of rattan garden furniture home, there are a few things to keep in mind which will help you get the most enjoyment out of your pieces.

The first consideration is which colour to opt for. Gone are the days of being limited to one shade of brown in heavy, clunky, and outdated styles. In their place, you can find streamlined, elegant pieces that come in multiple colourways and styles to suit any home.

The most popular colours to find modern rattan furniture in are various shades of cool grey, sleek black, and rich, dark browns. These darker colours won’t show the dirt as much as lighter colours will but, if they’re not to your taste, you can find furniture in all sorts of other colourways such as blues, greens, and lighter wood tones.

When you’re not using your furniture set, it’s recommended that you cover them with a waterproof cover. Although not essential, especially with the synthetic materials, covering your furniture will protect it from the elements, help it to last as long as possible, and means you won’t find yourself sitting in a puddle by accident! Covers come in all shapes and sizes, depending on which furniture set you opt for, and typically zip up for easy access. You can even pick up a cover in a complementary colour to match your set for a stylish finish - perfect for a cohesive garden setup.

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for - let’s get into the best must-have rattan garden furniture. Below you’ll find OnBuy’s top picks for your outdoor space to help you enjoy the sunshine to the max. So sit back, relax, and soak up the best rattan furniture we have to offer.

Alright lovebirds, it’s time to gather around this Outsunny Love Seat for romantic sunset drinks on the balcony. This double chair and table set is the perfect addition to your garden if you love sitting together and enjoying each other’s company. With a built-in table that features a shatterproof tempered glass tabletop, this is the perfect love seat for enjoying drinks and snacks together. The easy-to-clean material can be wiped down with a damp cloth and the comfy padded seats are perfect for lounging on during warm days and evenings.

For those who prefer to cosy up in comfort and style, the Gargano Rattan Chair is sure to be an instant hit. The large, round seat features a thick, comfortable cushion - ideal for curling up with a good book on those long summer afternoons. It even swivels for easy access and can be shuffled up to the table when you need an extra seat. The sturdy base keeps you upright and stops you from toppling over as you sit down and makes the perfect addition to any garden, patio, or balcony for more casual seating options.

When it comes to versatility, this is the ultimate table for your garden! Regardless of whether you’re entertaining on a comfortable outdoor sofa or you’re hosting a garden party with friends, this table will be there to keep your drinks cool. With a hidden cooler compartment, you can keep drinks cold for hours simply by filling it with ice. The top of the table can be lifted up to provide a standing table for glasses, garnishes or decorations, or pushed down to create a handy side table. The woven rattan design is easy to wipe down and keep clean thanks to the sturdy poly material. This is the best table choice for your rattan garden furniture setup.

This rattan garden furniture set comes complete with a smart, black 2 seater sofa, two armchairs (beige cushions included) and a tempered glass coffee table to complete the set. As a result, it comfortably accommodates up to four adults and makes an exquisite outdoor area for sipping drinks or taking in some Vitamin D. It’s the ultimate addition to your garden as the weather-resistant rattan material means it can be left outside all year long without becoming damaged (just make sure to remove the cushions!). Alternatively, it makes for the perfect versatile piece to take from conservatory to garden and back again whenever the weather permits.

Make every day feel like a holiday with this stylish TecTake rattan sun lounger. Perfect for unwinding with a book or sipping cocktails in, you can pretend you're lounging by the poolside somewhere hot, sunny and far away! The adjustable backrest has six different height settings for the optimal lounge, the back wheels let you move it with the sunshine, and the soft, padded cushions keep you comfy all day long. It’s the ultimate addition to your garden for those long, lazy summer weekends catching some rays. 

For those who love to entertain, this is the ideal rattan furniture set. Soak up the glorious summer sun with the whole family as you lounge around on this impressive, fully-loaded rattan lounge set. Boasting four standard chairs, two corner chairs, a glass-top table and a convenient footstool, this stylish rattan modular garden furniture suite is the perfect summer must-have for entertaining friends and hosting joyful family get-togethers. Made from easy-to-clean poly rattan, this all-weather set won’t fade or deteriorate in bad weather - just make sure you store the cushions away safely! If it gets a bit dirty from muddy paw prints or the inevitable splashes, spills, and stains of daily family life, every single fabric cushion cover can be removed and washed - perfect!

So you’ve chosen your piece (or pieces) of rattan furniture, now all that’s left to do is relax and soak up the sunshine. Don’t forget the drinks, snacks, and sun cream, of course!

Love what we’ve recommended but want some more choice? Check out an even wider range of rattan furniture here. From super-sized sets for the whole family to single purchases for smaller spaces, irresistibly plush garden sofas to luxurious loungers, you’re sure to find the perfect pieces to add to your glorious green space among our superb selection. Plus, if you’re on the hunt for some shade in your summer garden, why not take a look at our range of parasols and canopies to keep you shaded and cool during the warm weather? Whatever you go for, one thing’s for certain: with an outdoor area full of gorgeous rattan furniture, you’ll be soaking up the sunshine in style! 

The information in this buyer’s guide is correct at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.