Spicing up your garden with some brand new furniture is a surefire way to completely revamp its style and set things up for outdoor chilling and activities.
One of the most popular kinds of outdoor furniture is garden furniture made out of rattan. It comes in a wide variety of colours, sizes, and designs. So, what makes rattan garden furniture the perfect choice for your deck or backyard? We’ll explain it all here in our ultimate guide!
What Is Rattan Garden Furniture?
Before we talk about furniture, let’s give you a quick overview of what rattan is and a little bit about its history. Rattan is a material that’s been around for centuries. It’s a natural material that primarily grows in palms in African, Australian, and Asian regions. There are over 600 species of rattan; unbelievable, right?
Rattan furniture has countless benefits. For instance, it’s very similar to bamboo when it comes to strength, flexibility, and appealing looks. It’s also pretty lightweight; you can easily carry a rattan chair single-handedly.
On a side note, it’s worth mentioning that many kinds of rattan garden furniture have steel or aluminium frames for extra support and sturdiness. Aluminium, especially, is preferable because of its rust-resistant properties.
What Is the Difference Between Wicker and Rattan Garden Furniture?
There’s a common misconception that wicker and rattan mean the same thing, to the point that both terms are often used interchangeably. However, wicker is actually how the weaves are made (ex: round weave), while rattan is a material.
We understand where the confusion came from, though. Many wicker garden furniture items and product ranges, like chairs, dining tables, lounge sets and corner couches, are made of rattan, which led people to call them either wicker or rattan chairs and sofas.
Can You Leave Rattan Furniture Outside All Year Round?
Absolutely! Rattan furniture is weatherproof, and no matter what season it is or how bad the weather gets, you can leave your rattan furniture outdoors with peace of mind with no protection (unless there’s a hurricane or extremely severe weather changes, of course.
However, keep in mind that the fabric of your cushions, parasols, and furnishings won’t likely be as weather-resistant as the actual furniture, so make sure to store them inside during unstable temperature conditions.
Is Rattan Garden Furniture Good Quality?
Definitely! Rattan is one of the most high-quality materials used in outdoor furniture, so your garden furniture is expected to last for around 10 years if you take proper care of it. However, it’s worth noting that not all furniture is on the same quality level – it depends on the brand.
How Can You Tell Quality Rattan Garden Furniture?
There’s a range of varieties and categories of rattan garden furniture. Many factors can determine whether a particular piece of rattan furniture is high-quality or not, and they’re as follows:
Framework Thickness
Rattan furniture with slim legs and arms are usually less durable than that with a thicker framework. For example, the arms shouldn’t be thinner than 10cm. It’s not just about durability, either. A thicker framework is much more comfortable than a thin one. You don’t want to rest your arm on razor-sharp chair arms.
UV Protection
High-quality, rattan garden furniture has to be UV-stabilised to prevent it from getting damaged.
Cushions
Rattan isn’t that comfortable, which is why you need to ensure that the furniture has well-filled cushions and paddings.
What Are the Best Quality Pieces of Rattan Patio Furniture?
HDPE and PE rattan materials are widely considered the best kinds of rattan furniture because of their eco-friendliness and toughness. On the other hand, types like PVC and PU rattan aren’t as weather-resistant or tough as other kinds. Not to mention, they’re harmful to the environment.
Pros of Rattan Furniture:
Versatility
Rattan furniture can be used everywhere, be it indoors or outdoors. Its rugged nature gives it enough durability to be used in gardens, patios, kitchens, bathrooms, and anywhere else.
Eco-Friendliness
Unlike furniture made out of wood, rattan furniture is more eco-friendly since its manufacturing process doesn’t involve any tree cutting. Instead, harvesters only cut vines, which simply regrow over time.
Suitable for Outdoor Settings
Whether it’s burning hot or cold, rattan furniture can withstand all weather conditions, making it the ideal choice for gardens. It’s resistant to sun and rain, too, and you don’t need to exert a lot of effort when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. So use it freely!
Cons of Rattan Furniture:
Premature Wear
Unlike wooden and aluminium garden furniture, rattan furniture tends to wear out more quickly if not cared for.
Not to mention, maintaining it requires some elbow grease. However, high-quality rattan garden sets have a decent life expectancy, but you still need to take care of their maintenance, which only requires soapy water to keep it shiny.
Not the Most Comfortable
Rattan furniture isn’t really made to be sat on for prolonged periods. You can make it more comfortable with foam-filled paddings, but it’ll never be as comfortable as your good old L-shaped living room sofa.
What About Synthetic Rattan?
Unlike natural rattan, synthetic rattan material is human-made. However, it doesn’t have the same properties as the natural kind; for example, this kind doesn’t look charming. Not to mention, it’s nowhere near as eco-friendly.
The synthetic type does have some advantages, though. For instance, it’s more durable than natural rattan. Additionally, the maintenance of synthetic rattan is relatively easy.
In some compartments, both natural and synthetic types offer similar qualities. To illustrate, synthetic rattan garden furniture is pretty much on par with the natural one when it comes to comfort and resistance to sun exposure. Both are quite durable, too.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for now! We hope that our guide has helped you learn more about rattan garden furniture, how to choose it, its kinds, and whether you should get it or not. Your garden deserves the best, and that’s precisely the whole point of this article. Enjoy your cosy outdoor gatherings! If you are looking for some inspiration on how to make your garden feel like a holiday we have a great guide here.