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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The best rattan garden furniture for summer 2025, recommended with expert advice
With summer here, however fleetingly, now is the time to look for the best rattan garden furniture. You'll want garden chairs on the patio, the barbecue going and a bottle of rosé chilling in an ice bucket. Former Telegraph gardening writer Cinead McTernan is a rattan enthusiast. 'My modular corner sofa has absolutely transformed how much we use our outdoor space,' she says. 'I go for synthetic polyethylene rattan because it's so light and easy to look after. A quick blast with a pressure washer at the start of the season and you're ready to go.' As Cinead suggests, synthetic rattan garden furniture is an ideal choice because it's usually more waterproof and sold with a long warranty. Cinead bought her set from Sweeek but there are great selections at Maze and Outsunny among others, ranging from uner £300 to over £2,000. You can find our full reviews of the best rattan garden furniture below, followed by answers to frequently asked questions. But if you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at our top five: The best rattan garden furniture: At a glance How to choose the best rattan furniture There's an assumption that natural rattan is superior, Cinead says, but it's not weatherproof and is only really suitable for sunny days: 'Natural rattan does look more beautiful, but isn't as hard wearing and fades in the sunlight.' PE rattan (polyethylene – also known as synthetic rattan or polyrattan) can shrug off rain, snow and, as long as you give it an occasional light scrub with soapy water, mould and algae. 'The properties of the polymer PE are in between a plastic and a wax,' says Peter Bridgman, founder of Bridgman furniture store, which specialises in rattan furniture. 'That gives it a very natural look and feel. It doesn't look plasticky and it also has no toxins.' For more detail, read the FAQs at the end of this feature. How we chose the best rattan furniture The experts, including The Telegraph's own gardening writer of more than 10 years, Cinead McTernan, were our guide to the quality and durability of rattan furniture, but we also took into consideration affordability, style and a range of uses from sun lounging to outdoor entertaining. All the furniture below is chosen from the respective retailers' most popular products, at a range of budgets. Remember to check out our guides to the best patio heaters and fire pits, too. That way you can enjoy outdoor seating all year round. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our rigorous standards will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion or hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best rattan garden furniture of 2025 1. Best Buy Rattan Garden Furniture: La Redoute Natural Rope Lounge Chair and Footstool Set Bucking the trend for polyethylene, La Redoute's light and airy chair-and-footstool set is made of natural rope on a steel frame, with wooden legs. It's not totally weatherproof, more of an indoor-outdoor piece to sit on patios in the summer and in the conservatory or a sunny room in winter. Key specifications 2. Best Value Rattan Furniture Set: Habitat 4 Seater Bamboo Effect Garden Sofa Set £350 Buy now Price at Argos Mid-century modern design (think Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs pad) is normally something you pay a Danish designer thousands of pounds for. Argos have managed it for under £500 with this bamboo-look table and chairs, although it'll need storing inside since the steel legs and polyester cushions won't be fully waterproof. It does need assembling, too — Argos say it requires two people. Argos also make some of the best solar garden lights to add twinkle to late nights al fresco. Key specifications 3. Best Rattan Sofa: OKA Weybourne 3 Seater Sofa Rattan furniture doesn't get much more high-end than OKA and this is the pick of their collection: a sofa big enough to seat you and a couple of friends for cocktails and inexpertly-barbecued sausages as the sun goes down. You'll need a reasonably sized outdoor space but, if you're an OKA customer, that's unlikely to be a problem. Key specifications 4. Best Rattan Bistro Sofa: John Lewis Salsa 2-Seater Garden Sofa, Natural £165 Buy now Price at John Lewis Just right for balconies or small patios, this chic rattan-look sofa has the Royal Horticultural Society's stamp of approval. It uses 3mm round synthetic fibres for a more classic look than flat-woven furniture, and matching chairs are available as a set of two. For a bolder look, choose the burnt orange colourway. Key specifications 5. Best Rattan Dining Set: Dunelm Santorini 4 Seater Conversation Set Good old Dunelm usually know what will suit the average home and garden and they've hit the target with this dining set: big enough to serve a decent meal but small enough to fit in a sunny corner. The inclusion of two tables – one large, one small – makes this set a versatile pick. Key specifications 6. Best Rattan Corner Sofa: DUSK Lisbon 2-Seater Garden Sofa Better known for its bedding, DUSK has launched garden furniture for the first time, debuting with a collection of modular sofas, available in two or three seaters, corner sofas along with pouffes and coffee tables. Every option is available in natural (shown above) or grey. The PE weave rattan is durable while the polyester cushions are finished with a linen effect. It's great value garden furniture and this rattan sofa is cheaper than alternatives of similar quality. Key specifications 7. Best Rattan Hanging Egg Chair: Cox & Cox Paxos Teardrop Hanging Snuggler £397.50 Buy now Price at Cox & Cox Telegraph garden-living expert Sarah Rodrigues loves Cox & Cox: 'Compared to some High Street brands, the prices are steep, but the timelessness of the pieces, combined with the attention to detail and construction, really does make them worth the investment. This year, I have my eye on the Paxos Teardrop Hanging Snuggler. I can just imagine being curled up in its cosy embrace with a book and an Aperol Spritz as the evenings get longer.' Technically, it's made from PE faux wicker, not faux rattan, but that shouldn't rule out this charming chair. Key specifications 8. Best Cube Garden Furniture: Pebble 9 Piece Rattan Cube Garden Furniture Set £429.99 Buy now Price at The Range Can you stack rattan furniture? It's a common question for those worried about storage. This Pebble set, sold by The Range, is designed with that in mind. They've managed to fit four chairs, a table and four stools into a four-foot cube into an implausibly neat configuration, which becomes a generous family seating suite when the chairs and stools are slid out from under the table. Key specifications Assembly required: Yes Materials: UV-resistant poly rattan over steel frame, glass tabletop, showerproof cushions with machine washable covers Dimensions: H73 x W110 x D110cm (table), H84 x W52 x D52cm (chairs), H35 x W41 x D41cm (stools) Delivery: Free delivery in 3 working days or longer 9. Best Outdoor Sofa: Nest Outdoor Sofa 'Right now the trend is for expanding your living space out into the garden,' says Stuart Isbister, who sells these gorgeous Danish-designed Cane-Line sofas. 'The outside becomes an extension of your interior design. Danish designers dominate the scene at the moment.' Although made of PE, the Cane-Line is hand-woven in Indonesia, the original home of rattan, and feels identical to the real thing while being completely weatherproof. Key specifications 10. Best Rattan Moon Chair: Furniture Box Moon Chair Moon chairs, otherwise known as Papasan chairs are perfect for creating a cosy reading nook in the corner of a garden. The tilted angle and thick, plush cushions means total relaxation. This FurnitureBox Moon Chair is made from handwoven wood and rattan over a metal frame. On top sits thick, dark grey cushioning which is 10.5cm thick and more than a metre wide. It curves to your body and there's even room for a spoilt dog or cat in the space next to you. Key specifications 11. Best Rattan Set for Sunbathing: Outsunny 5 Pcs Rattan Garden Furniture Set Brits no longer need to head abroad to catch a tan (as long as we time it right - early and late summer now seem to be the best bet for sun). Just head out to the garden and relax on suitably laid back garden furniture (with sun cream, of course). You'll struggle to find a rattan garden furniture set more versatile than this Outsunny set. It takes the shape of two seats with matching stools and a coffee table in the middle, but the stools can easily be used separately for extra seating. The frame is made from metal wrapped in rattan, for a solid structure, and the cushion covers are washable. Key specifications Assembly required: Yes Materials: PE rattan, steel frames, glass tabletop, polyester cushion covers Dimensions: H75 x W 67 x L71cm (armchairs), H40 x W51 x L67cm (footstools), H42 x W46 x L46cm (table) Delivery: 30 day returns, free standard delivery 13. Best Outdoor Rattan Bar Set: Maze Rattan Winchester Six Seater Round Rattan Bar Set £1,149 Buy now Price at Maze Living Nothing says al fresco living like an outdoor bar and this set from Maze comes complete with an ice bucket in the middle of the table. It adds a bit of fun and luxury into entertaining, whether for a BBQ or evening drinks. The set comes with one bar table, one ice bucket with a rattan lid and six bar chairs, all in the light wash Winchester rattan colouring. The bar stools all have foot rests for added comfort. Key specifications Materials: Polyethylene rattan, powder coated aluminium frames, clear tempered glass top and polyester cushions Dimensions: H108cm x W47cm x D56cm (chairs), H109cm x D120cm (table) Delivery: 14 day returns, free delivery in 7-10 days 14. Best Rattan Garden Storage: Pacific Bermuda Woven Large Garden Cushion Box £549 Buy now Price at John Lewis Where do you store all the cushions for your rattan furniture? You could get a plastic storage bin but this excellently built but lightweight storage holder is a better complement to your table and chairs. It can be left outside all year round, although it's recommended to use an additional storage bag inside it to keep cushions dry. The pistons on either side take the weight of the lid, making it easy to open and close. Key specifications 15. Best Weatherproof Rattan Garden Furniture: Bridgman Windsor Grey Square Dining Table £2,038 Buy now Price at Bridgman We love a rattan garden furniture set as much as anyone, but we can't help but sometimes think they look a bit samey. Our favourite thing about this set from Bridgman is that is provides the bare bones of a set. You can then either add Bridgman's waterproof cushions for an additional £319 or find your own cushions with a splash of colour. Key specifications 16. Best Space-Saving Rattan Garden Furniture Set: Orlando Rattan Garden Vase Set If storing your rattan furniture in the colder months is an issue, you might like this Rattan Garden Vase Set from Rattan Direct which all stacks directly on top of each other when not in use. The chairs stack by flipping one upside down and the table sits on top, creating a vase shape. It also comes with a free outdoor cover, for an extra layer of protection. As if all of this wasn't convenient enough, the chairs come pre-assembled. Key specifications Rattan garden furniture FAQs What is better: rattan or wicker? Trick question. Rattan is the material, wicker is the method. Wicker (from the Old Norse word vika, 'to bend') is the way of forming pliable natural fibres like willow, reed, grass or bark into furniture. In Asia it's often done with the climbing palm rattan. Rattan wicker was so extensively imported in the 19th and 20th centuries from south-east Asia that we ended up using the word generically for woven furniture. Is rattan furniture long-lasting? Most is, but not all. Garden furniture entrepreneur Peter Bridgman says you should beware of cheaper furniture where the synthetic rattan strands have been nailed onto the frame: when the nails rust, they will become weak points. Stuart Isbister, co-founder of outdoor furniture specialists The Worm That Turned, says there is another way to assess rattan furniture: look at the shape of the strands. 'Flat-woven products are lighter and cheaper, but they probably won't last as long as round weave. Flat weave will often sag in when you press your finger against it, particularly if it's hot, since plastic becomes malleable with heat, and in some cases brittle after a year or so.' Is rattan furniture waterproof? Natural rattan definitely isn't. Synthetic is, up to a point: metal parts can still rust and cushions can't usually be left outside. Some can, though, says Stuart Isbister: 'They can now be made from things like textilene, which is an outdoor furnishing fabric. They're a lot softer to the touch and they dry really quickly, so you can leave sofas outside without having to bring the cushions in.' Can rattan garden furniture sit on grass? It's not advised. Garden furniture tends to be heavy, which can weaken the grass beneath it and cause lasting damage. Mould and mildew from wet grass could also cause mould on the rattan, while moisture could cause rust on the metal frame. View the latest deals from John Lewis and La Redoute
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Ditch the greige rattan – this is the best summer garden furniture (from £50)
There's nothing like the prospect of a sunny weekend to spur you into a garden furniture update. A quick scan on Google will bring up reams of garden chairs and tables, mainly in various shades of greige. The prevailing trend for several years has been for rattan pieces that look as if they have already faded – chosen, perhaps, because they don't fight with the colours of the planting. But high-street retailers are noticing a subtle shift away from muted colours, to pieces altogether bolder and brighter. 'Garden furniture has traditionally leant towards greige and neutral tones, designed to blend quietly into the background,' says Gabrielle Anderson, an outdoor furniture buyer at John Lewis. 'But as customers grow more confident with colour indoors, we're seeing that same boldness extend into outdoor spaces. Rich tones such as terracotta, olive and even vibrant orange can bring a playful energy to the garden, and can complement natural greenery.' Sabina Miller, the buying director at Heal's, agrees: 'The introduction of colour into outdoor settings brings multiple benefits and will offer visual interest year-round, instantly lifting the energy of the space in even the wettest of weathers,' she says. 'As the availability of coloured outdoor furniture has grown, so too has customer demand.' Durability is an important part of outdoor furniture, and is another reason that many of us opt for muted furniture that won't fade in the weather – but today's colourful options boast serious staying power. 'Modern materials and manufacturing innovations have meant that the UK market now offers furniture in a greater variety of colour, textures and designs, while simultaneously providing enhanced durability,' says Miller. 'Modern powder-coated aluminium maintains its colour integrity year after year, while many contemporary outdoor fabrics are woven using recycled plastics and feature UV-resistant properties that preserve their vibrancy over time.' If you feel that greige has had its day in your garden, here's a selection of colourful pieces to lift the mood.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Cheap £2 buy will instantly transform your garden furniture in time for summer – it instantly lifts mildew stains
IF the harsh winter weather left your garden furniture looking a little worse for wear, don't worry. This budget-friendly hack helps to transform your outdoor set in an instant. While your flower beds and lawns may need a little TLC as your prepare for summer, so does your garden furniture. If you're dusting it ahead of a summer of lounging and soaking up the sun, use this simple trick to get your set looking as good as new. While it is a popular choice in gardens, wooden furniture is the most susceptible to damage. It is recommended to store these furniture sets in a dry place or under a plastic tarp. However, if you forgot to cover or store your garden furnishings correctly, don't fret. A budget buy can instantly lift any mould or mildew which may have formed. The Bartoline Concentrated Sugar Soap, available for £2 from Poundland, is said to transform your garden furniture. This handy hack was shared with the Daily Express by Woodbury Furniture pro Chris Catarino. "When it comes to surface grime or even mould buildup, sugar soap and a basic kitchen sponge are more than enough to get the job done," he explained. He suggested using a non-abrasive sponge with the cleaner to avoid damaging furniture. The exact date Aldi's sell out wooden garden day bed returns to stores Begin by diluting the sugar soap according to the instructions on the label. This typically involves mixing a capful or two into a bucket of warm water and add it to a spray bottle for easier application. Spray the solution onto your furniture and wipe down all surfaces, paying attention to any built-up grime or mould. And for more stubborn patches of mould or dirt, let the sugar soap sit for two to three minutes before scrubbing. When scrubbing, it is recommended to use circular motions, and once clean, rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue. Finally, wipe your furniture down with a dry cloth or let it air dry completely before covering, storing, or sitting. A £1 buy can also be used to transform your mouldy outdoor furniture. Alternatively, a kitchen ingredient can also be used to scrub up your garden set. Another budget buy is also said to leave your outdoor garden set gleaming in time for summer. Or you can opt to clean your garden furniture in seconds with a DIY hack. And an 80p hack helps to lift stubborn algae from your garden surfaces.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Asda is selling a chic, compact garden furniture set for £135 & it's perfect for relaxing on with an Aperol Spritz
GARDEN furniture can be expensive. So when you see a chic set on sale for less than £140, you need to grab it fast. 4 4 4 And that's exactly what Kelly did, when she spotted a metal sofa set for just £139 in Asda. She took to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook to share her bargain buy, as well as pictures of the four-piece set in her garden. "Nice little garden set from Asda George! £139," she wrote alongside the pictures. The snaps also showed her dog enjoying the set, while she relaxed with what looked like a cheeky cocktail or Aperol Spritz. "Absolute nightmare to build on my own but I think the dog's happy with her new sunbathing setup!" Kelly added. The set, made from corrosion-resistant galvanised steel and weather resistant textoline seating material, comprises a sofa, two arm chairs and a glass-topped coffee table. "Asda have some lovely sets in," another added. "I like that! Cute doggo," a third commented. "Love the colour," someone else gushed. Shoppers urged 'not to blink' and get their hands on Home Bargains garden essential that sold out fast last time and it makes your garden extra cute - TikTok homebargainsofficialuk Kelly wasn't the only happy customer either, with others taking to the George website to share their positive reviews. "Beautiful set, exactly what my garden wanted," one wrote. "Looks good and ideal to fit garden due to size," another added. "Really good value, comfortable, and sturdy once assembled," a third commented. "Lovely garden set, had so many compliments about it," someone else wrote. "Lovely colour, comfy and solid looks like it would last. Would recommend!" 8 must-have plants to brighten up your garden Nick Hamilton owner of Barnsdale Gardens has shared his favourite plants and flowers you should consider adding to your garden, borders and pots. Tricyrtis A spectacular plant that gives a real exotic feel to any garden with its orchid-like, spotted flowers giving the impression that this plant should be tender but it is 'as tough as old boots!'. Penstemon I love this plants genus of because most will flower all summer and autumn. They'll grow in sun or semi-shade in a well drained soil and produce a non-stop display of tubular flowers in an array of colours and colour combination to suit all tastes. Luzula sylvatica 'Marginata' With the evergreen leaves edged with yellow it's great asset is that it will grow in sun or shade in any type of soil and is great as groundcover in the hardest spot to fill - dry shade. Eryngium x zabelii 'Big Blue' A stunning, nectar-rich plant that will feed the beneficial insects in your garden. Leave the flowerheads once they have turned brown because they look stunning with winter frost and snow, extending the plant's interest period. Sarcococca hookeriana 'Winter Gem' If you need winter scent then look no further than this compact, evergreen shrub. The scent is stunning and the evergreen leaves create an excellent backdrop for the summer flowers. Cornus sanguinea 'Anny's Winter Orange' A dwarf version of 'Midwinter Fire' the very colourful stems create a stunning winter display, particularly on sunny days. Rosa 'Noisette Carnee' A very well-behaved climbing rose that is perfect for training over an arch, pergola or gazebo. The small, 'noisette' flowers are blush-pink and produce the most amazing clove scent constantly from June to November. Sanguisorba hakusanensis 'Lilac Squirrel' I've never seen a squirrel with a drooping, shaggy lilac tail, but this variety will give your garden an unusual and different look throughout summer. It does need a moisture retentive soil but will grow in sun or semi-shade. "A brilliant outdoor garden seating set which was great value for money," another gushed. "Comfortable and good quality, it was perfect for a patio area at the top of my garden for catching the sun and enjoying summer." As someone else wrote: "I visited a friend who I hadn't seen for ages and commented on her garden furniture. "Went home, looked up this set on the Asda website and asked my husband if we could buy it saying it's really comfortable and not too expensive. "It arrived and we are very pleased. Skip forward a couple of weeks, we had some friends round who love the set and were looking at garden furniture they are now the proud owners of two sets in black. "They really liked ours!" However, other people commenting on Kelly's post admitted they'd been able to find the same, or incredibly similar, sets in other places for less than £139. " Tesco doing for £99 too," one wrote. "Lovely set!" "They have the black version in The Range. It's down to £79.99," another said. As a third commented: "I got exactly the same set last year - £20 in the end of season sale." 4
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers are running to B&Q to buy ‘classy' looking £100 garden furniture set that has five star reviews
SHOPPERS are rushing to B&Q to pick up a "classy" £100 garden furniture set that has been given glowing five-star reviews. After a week of sunny weather many households will be thinking of upgrading their garden furniture. 1 And, B&Q has the answer with a three-piece wicker furniture set scanning for less than £100. The DIY expert is offering two chairs and a table, perfect for relaxing in the sun, for just £98.99. The Yaheetech set includes two rattan chairs with 6cm deep removable cushions and a rattan table with a tempered glass top. And it comes in a choice of brown/khaki or black/khaki. B&Q says the wicker furniture set will bring "a touch of timeless charm to your outdoor space, blending effortlessly with any style". And, it seems customers agree. Five-star reviews for the furniture set include: "The set came carefully packaged, was easy to assemble, looks really nice and the seats are comfortable." And: "Very nice table and chairs for the garden they were good value and easy to build." It is also said to be lightweight, easy to move and suitable for a garden, patio or balcony. The price compares favourably to others on the market. Wayfair is selling a selling an Alessia two-seater bistro set for more than double the price at £207.99. And Homebase has a two-seater bistro set priced at £220, while Costway's three-piece rattan set is priced at £184.95. Its always worth researching prices across different retailers to make sure you're getting the best value for money. Websites like PriceSpy and even a quick scroll on Google Shopping can help you make sure you're getting the best bang for your buck. And don't forgot to factor in delivery costs when considering which is the best. As summer continues many retailers will launch deals on garden furniture. Just this week Home Bargains revealed a £5 buy that can turn your patio into an expensive 'outdoor living room'. And shoppers rushed to Asda after it brought back its sell-out garden lounge chair, which retails for only £39. B&M has also unveiled a deluxe Victorian garden arch for only £12. How to find gardening bargains Doing up your garden to enjoy on warm and sunny days needn't cost the earth. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a top deal on items for the garden… You can bag big savings on plants, shrubs and flowers, as well as gardening tools and furniture. Many retailers have flash sales across entire seasonal ranges – often these promotions tie into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends, so keep a lookout. Sign up to mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too. Use a price comparison site to search out the best value items. And keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items for your outdoor areas. If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart online and leaving it for a couple of days. Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount. And always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.
