Rattan Garden Furniture: Buying & Care Guide

Rattan is the go-to look for a relaxed British garden, but the word covers two very different materials: real woven cane and man-made resin. Choose the wrong one for a rainy UK patio and you can be looking at split fibres and mould by the second summer. This guide explains natural versus synthetic rattan in plain terms, how to judge quality before you buy, and exactly how to clean, protect and store your set so it still looks smart in five years’ time.

1. What rattan actually is

Genuine rattan comes from the stems of climbing palms grown in South East Asia. The solid core is used for frames, while the peeled outer skin is woven into the familiar lattice. It is a natural, lightweight, surprisingly strong material — the same stuff used for indoor conservatory suites for decades. The catch is that it is a plant fibre, and plant fibre and British weather are not natural companions.

What most people buy for the garden today is synthetic rattan, also sold as poly-rattan, all-weather rattan or resin wicker. Fine strands of polyethylene (PE) or, on cheaper sets, polyurethane (PU) are extruded to mimic the colour and texture of cane, then woven over an aluminium or steel frame. Done well, it is almost indistinguishable from the real thing at arm’s length but shrugs off rain, frost and UV.

The single most useful question to ask before buying is simply: is this natural or all-weather rattan, and if synthetic, is it PE or PU? That one answer tells you most of what you need to know about how it will cope outdoors. You’ll find both styles across our garden furniture range, clearly described so there are no surprises on delivery.

2. Natural rattan: strengths and limits

Real rattan has a warmth and irregularity that resin can’t quite match — subtle colour variation, a slightly matte finish and that honest, handwoven feel. It is genuinely lovely in a covered porch, a conservatory, a summerhouse or a fully sheltered veranda, and it is the more sustainable choice because it is a fast-growing natural crop rather than a plastic.

Its weakness is water. Left in the open, natural cane absorbs moisture, swells and then splits as it dries; damp weave traps spores and turns black with mould; and strong sun bleaches and dries the fibres until they crack. Even with an annual coat of lacquer or oil, an unprotected natural set exposed to a full UK winter will look tired within two or three seasons.

3. Synthetic rattan: what to look for

Not all poly-rattan is equal, and price usually reflects the difference. The key distinction is the plastic itself. PE (polyethylene) is the better material: colour-stable, UV-resistant and flexible enough to survive frost without going brittle. PU (polyurethane) is cheaper, but it fades faster and can crack in cold weather, so it tends to appear on budget sets built for a single season of light use.

• Round vs flat weave. Round-strand PE is thicker and more forgiving of knocks; flat-weave gives a crisper, more contemporary look but shows scuffs sooner. Both are fine when the strand is good quality — check it feels supple, not glassy or brittle.
• UV rating. Look for a stated UV guarantee (many quality sets promise no significant fading for several years). This matters most on a south-facing patio that bakes all afternoon.
• Weave tightness. Press the weave with your thumb. It should feel firm and spring back. Loose, gappy weave sags and unravels; tight weave holds its shape for years.
• Finished strand ends. On a well-made set the strands are tucked and heat-sealed, not stapled with sharp ends poking out that snag clothing and start to fray.

Good PE rattan needs almost nothing beyond an occasional wipe, which is why it dominates our garden sofas and chairs and garden dining sets. It’s the sensible default for the vast majority of British gardens.

4. Frames, cushions and weatherproofing

The weave gets the attention, but the frame decides how long a set survives — and whether you can leave it out at all. Aluminium is the frame to look for: it is genuinely rustproof, light enough to move for cleaning and won’t corrode even when rain sits in the joints. Powder-coated steel is stronger and heavier but will rust the moment the coating is chipped, so it suits sheltered spots or sets that are covered when not in use.

Cushions are the part most likely to let a set down. Standard foam-and-polyester pads are comfortable but must come indoors or into a box the moment rain threatens, or they go damp and musty. Better sets use quick-dry reticulated foam and solution-dyed, showerproof covers with drainage — these tolerate a passing shower, though no cushion should be left out through a wet winter. Zip-off, machine-washable covers are worth paying for. If your existing pads have seen better days, fresh cushions are the cheapest way to make a whole set feel new again.

5. Sizing your space

Rattan sets look compact in a warehouse photo and can overwhelm a real patio, so measure before you fall in love. Chalk out the footprint on the ground, or lay down newspaper, and leave at least 70cm of clear space behind each dining chair so people can push back and stand up. For a lounge set, allow a 40–45cm gap between the sofa edge and the coffee table — close enough to reach a drink, wide enough to walk past.

As a rough rule, allow 60cm of table edge per diner. The table below shows typical rattan dining-set sizes against realistic seating and the minimum paved area you’ll want around them.

Corner and modular sofa sets are brilliant for awkward L-shaped patios and courtyards because they tuck into a boundary and free up the middle of the space. If your garden is genuinely small, a compact bistro set or a two-seat sofa will feel far more relaxed than a big suite crammed in cheek by jowl. Our Will It Fit tool can help you sense-check the footprint before you order.

6. Dining set or lounge set?

The biggest decision after material is what you actually want to do outside. Be honest about how you’ll use the space most weekends, not just for the one summer party.

• Dining sets suit families who eat outdoors, work from the garden or entertain around a table. Look for a glass or slatted tabletop with drainage, and chairs you can stack or tuck under to save space. Browse garden dining sets for four to eight covers.
• Lounge and sofa sets are for relaxing — morning coffee, an evening drink, sprawling with a book. Corner sofas seat the most people in the least space, while a classic three-piece feels more formal. See the garden sofas and chairs selection.
• Combination and “cube” sets hide stools and a bench under the table so a compact footprint seats six, then packs away neatly — ideal for small courtyards and balconies.

Whichever you choose, an outdoor rug transforms a hard patio into an outdoor room, defines the seating zone and softens all that resin and aluminium underfoot. Our garden outdoor rugs are woven to shed water and dry quickly, so they cope with the same weather as the furniture. For the wider decision between styles and budgets, our garden furniture buying guide covers the full range beyond rattan.

7. Cleaning and everyday care

The good news is that all-weather rattan is genuinely low-maintenance — a proper clean two or three times a season is plenty. The routine is simple:

1. Dust and brush. Work loose dirt out of the weave with a soft brush or the soft-brush attachment on a vacuum. Getting grit out first stops it grinding into the strands when they’re wet.
2. Wash gently. Use warm water with a little washing-up liquid and a soft cloth or sponge. Wipe along the weave, not against it, then reach into the crevices with an old toothbrush.
3. Rinse and dry. Rinse with a watering can or a hose on a gentle setting — never a pressure washer, which forces water under the finish and can lift or split the strands. Wipe down and let it air-dry before you put cushions back.

For stubborn green algae or mould, a diluted white-vinegar solution (roughly one part vinegar to three parts water) lifts it without bleaching the colour. Treat bird droppings promptly, as they’re mildly acidic and mark pale weave if left. Check the frame’s plastic feet each spring so they don’t scratch your paving, and re-tension any strand that has worked loose before it unravels further. The same gentle principles apply across the home — our guide on how to care for your furniture goes deeper on cushions and timber.

8. Winter storage and longevity

Quality PE rattan on an aluminium frame can legitimately stay outside all year in most of the UK, but it will last noticeably longer with a little seasonal care. Frost itself rarely harms good PE; the real enemies are trapped damp, standing water and the sheer weight of a wet winter on cushions.

• Cushions always come in. Store them somewhere dry and ventilated — a shed, garage or a ventilated storage box. Never seal damp cushions in an airtight bag, or they’ll grow mould.
• Cover or store the furniture. If you can’t move the set into a garage or summerhouse, fit a breathable waterproof cover. Tilt tables slightly or lift one edge so rain runs off rather than pooling on the top.
• Natural rattan must be indoors. Real cane should never overwinter outside. Bring it in before the first frost and give it a dust before it goes away.
• Lift furniture off wet ground. Sitting on permanently soaked grass or soil invites damp into feet and lower frames; a paved base or a couple of pallets keeps air moving underneath.

Follow that routine and a well-made synthetic set will comfortably give you a decade of summers. Cut corners — cushions left out, water pooling, a pressure washer once a year — and even the best rattan will look weary far sooner.

9. Buying with confidence

Choosing garden furniture online shouldn’t feel like a gamble. Every order from Elystra Living comes with fast, tracked delivery, so you’re set up in time for the good weather, and our 30-day returns promise means that if a set isn’t right for your space you can simply send it back. If you’d rather spread the cost, you can pay with Klarna in interest-free instalments and enjoy the furniture now while you pay over time.

When you’re ready, browse the full garden furniture collection — from compact bistro sets to generous corner lounges — with clear descriptions of whether each set is natural or all-weather rattan, what the frame is made of and how the cushions are finished. Buy the right material for your garden the first time, care for it well, and it’ll reward you with many easy summers outdoors.