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Best rattan garden furniture sets in the UK
By the buychecked team · Updated 9 October 2026 · Prices refresh daily from the retailer feed
Modern rattan garden furniture is not the natural cane your grandparents had in the conservatory. It is a synthetic, weatherproof weave (often called PE or polyrattan) wrapped around a steel or aluminium frame, which is why it can cope with a British summer outdoors. The big decisions are what kind of set you need, dining, lounge or bistro, and how much space you have to use it and to store it.
Our seven picks cover a compact stacking set and a two-seat bistro set for small spaces, a six-seat dining set, a dining set that converts to a lounge, and three sofa-style lounge sets. Each has a clear award. Whatever you choose, plan for a cover or somewhere dry to keep the cushions, because that is what decides how good the set still looks in three years.
How we chose
We have not physically tested these rattan sets. We shortlisted them by comparing published specifications, features, seating capacity, frame material, price band and the retailer's own product information across the full range of rattan garden furniture our retailer partner sells. Where details such as frame thickness, cushion fabric or maximum user weight aren't published for a set, we say what to check rather than guess.
1. Best overall
6 Piece Rattan Dining Set Grey
£799.99 at Charles Bentley · best for families who want a proper six-seat outdoor dining table
This 6 Piece Rattan Dining Set stands out because its listing actually publishes the figures that matter. Each chair weighs 5.5kg and is rated for users up to 100kg, and the round table weighs 26.8kg, so it is sturdy without being impossible to move around the patio. The tabletop is tempered glass, which cleans with ordinary glass cleaner, and the rattan wipes down with a damp cloth. It sits in the upper mid-range band. A round table is sociable for six, but check your patio has room for chairs to be pulled out all the way round.
✓ Pros
- Seats six around a round table
- Published 100kg maximum user weight per chair
- Tempered glass top is easy to clean
- Chairs light enough to move easily at 5.5kg each
✕ Cons
- Round tables need more clear floor space than you might expect
- No parasol hole mentioned in the listing
2. Best budget
3 Piece Stacking Rattan Furniture Set Grey
£329.99 at Charles Bentley · best for small patios and anyone short on storage space
The 3 Piece Stacking Rattan Set is the most affordable full set in our shortlist and the cleverest for small gardens. Two chairs and a toughened glass-top table stack together into one compact unit, so you can tuck it into a corner or shed when you need the space. The frame is aluminium, which does not rust, wrapped in a variegated weatherproof rattan. It comes in natural or grey. It is a two-seater, so it suits morning coffee or a meal for two rather than family dining.
✓ Pros
- Stacks into one unit for easy storage
- Rust-free aluminium frame
- Toughened glass tabletop
- Budget price band, natural or grey
✕ Cons
- Seats two only
- No cushions mentioned in the listing
3. Best bistro set for balconies
St Tropez Rattan Bistro Set - Grey
£399.99 at Charles Bentley · best for couples with a balcony, decking or small courtyard
The St Tropez Rattan Bistro Set is built for two and designed around saving space. The chairs slide under the table when you are not using them, so the whole set takes up little more than the table's own footprint, which is ideal on a balcony where every bit of floor counts. It is finished in a modern grey weave and works for breakfast in the sun or a small meal outside. It costs more than the stacking set, so the choice comes down to whether you prefer chairs that tuck away in place or a set that stacks for storing elsewhere.
✓ Pros
- Chairs store neatly under the table
- Compact enough for balconies
- Matches the larger St Tropez lounge set
✕ Cons
- Two seats only
- Pricier than the stacking set for the same capacity
4. Best dining-to-lounge set
6 Seater Premium Rattan Dining Set Grey
£999.99 at Charles Bentley · best for gardens with room for only one set that has to do both jobs
If you cannot fit both a dining set and a sofa set, this 6 Seater Premium Rattan Dining Set is designed to switch between the two. It combines an L-shaped sofa, a table, footstools and seat and back cushions, and can be rearranged from a dining layout into a lounge layout. The frame is steel with a flat weave variegated rattan. It sits in the premium band. The retailer advises storing it somewhere cool and dry over winter and making sure it is clean and dry first, so you will need either indoor space or a large fitted cover.
✓ Pros
- Converts between dining and lounge layouts
- Seats six with seat and back cushions
- Steel frame with flat weave rattan
- Footstools add flexible extra seating
✕ Cons
- Premium price
- Retailer recommends indoor storage over winter
5. Best premium lounge set
Rattan Corner Lounge Set with Table Grey
£999.99 at Charles Bentley · best for large gardens and regular entertaining
The Rattan Corner Lounge Set with Table is the biggest set in our shortlist, seating up to eight people across a corner sofa and two large stools. Its centre table is adjustable, which gives you some flexibility in how you use it, though the listing does not spell out the adjustment range, so check that if you plan to eat at it. The build is steel and rattan, described as weatherproof, and it comes with six cushions. It is in the premium band. Measure carefully before ordering, because an eight-seat corner set takes up a substantial area, and plan where it will live in winter.
✓ Pros
- Seats up to eight
- Adjustable centre table
- Two large stools for flexible seating
- Weatherproof steel and rattan build
✕ Cons
- Top of the price range
- Large footprint, and winter indoor storage is advised
6. Best mid-range lounge set
St Tropez Rattan Lounge Set - Grey
£699.99 at Charles Bentley · best for sociable seating for up to six in a medium garden
The St Tropez Rattan Lounge Set is a good choice if you want a proper outdoor lounge without going to premium prices. It seats up to six, with seat and back cushions on the chairs and sofa and seat cushions on the stools. The practical touch is the multifunctional table, which doubles as storage for the stools, so the set packs down smaller when not in use. The cushions are removable and washable, which makes a real difference over a few seasons of spilt drinks and pollen.
✓ Pros
- Seats up to six
- Stools store inside the table
- Removable, washable cushion covers
- Compact for winter storage
✕ Cons
- Frame material not stated in the listing
- Mid-range price
7. Most versatile small lounge set
Multifunctional Contemporary Rattan Lounge Set Grey
£549.99 at Charles Bentley · best for couples and small households who want a sofa and a day bed
The Multifunctional Contemporary Rattan Lounge Set suits two to four people and can be arranged as a day bed, a sofa, an L-shaped sofa or a four-seat lounge. That flexibility is useful if you want to stretch out in the sun one day and have friends round the next. It includes a companion seat, two footstools, a coffee table with a tempered glass top and cushions, all in a weatherproof flat weave rattan. It sits in the mid-range band and takes up less room than a full corner sofa.
✓ Pros
- Rearranges into day bed, sofa or L-shape
- Smaller footprint than a corner sofa set
- Tempered glass coffee table
- Weatherproof flat weave rattan
✕ Cons
- Best for two to four people
- Frame material not stated in the listing
Dining, lounge or bistro: which rattan set do you need?
Start with how you use the garden. If you mostly eat outside, a dining set with upright chairs and a table at proper dining height is far more comfortable for a meal than a sofa and coffee table. If you mostly sit and chat with a drink, a lounge or corner sofa set is more relaxing. Bistro and stacking sets for two are for balconies and small patios where a full set would swamp the space.
If you want both and only have room for one, look for a set that converts between dining and lounge layouts, or a lounge set with an adjustable table. They are a compromise, but a good one for medium gardens.
Frames, weave and what makes rattan last
Almost all outdoor rattan today is synthetic, woven over a metal frame. Aluminium frames do not rust and are lighter, which is handy if you move furniture around. Steel frames are stronger for the price and common on larger sets, but they rely on their coating to keep rust away, so it is worth checking the frame for chips after winter. Where a listing quotes frame thickness or maximum user weight, it is a good sign; where it does not, ask the retailer.
Flat weave rattan has a smooth, modern look and is easy to wipe clean. Round weave looks more traditional and chunky. Variegated rattan, where the strands vary slightly in colour, is good at hiding dust and minor marks. A tempered or toughened glass tabletop is stronger than ordinary glass and shatters into small pieces rather than shards if it ever breaks.
Measure before you buy
Rattan sets often look smaller in photos than they are. Mark out the set's footprint on your patio with chalk or string, then add at least 60 to 80cm around a dining table so chairs can be pulled out and people can walk behind them. Corner sofas need a clear corner and room for a coffee table in front.
Think about storage at the same time. If the retailer recommends storing the set indoors over winter, you need a garage or shed big enough to take it. Stacking sets, bistro sets whose chairs tuck under the table, and lounge sets whose stools store inside the table are much easier to put away.
Covers, cushions and winter care
Synthetic rattan is weatherproof, but cushions are the weak point. Most retailers advise bringing cushions indoors when the set is not in use, as they can hold water, grow mildew and fade in sun. Removable, washable covers make life much easier. A storage box on the patio is a practical place to keep them between uses.
For the frame and weave, a fitted, breathable furniture cover is the best protection if the set stays outside. Make sure the set is clean and fully dry before covering it, otherwise moisture trapped underneath can cause mould. Some sets in this guide are described as fine to leave out all year, while others carry an instruction to store them somewhere cool and dry over winter, so check the care advice for the exact set you buy.
Cleaning rattan furniture
Routine care is simple. Brush or vacuum loose dirt out of the weave, then wipe it down with warm water and a little mild soap, and dry it thoroughly. Avoid pressure washers on a close range setting and harsh solvents, which can damage the weave. Glass tabletops can be cleaned with ordinary glass cleaner. A quick clean at the start and end of each season, and before covering for winter, keeps synthetic rattan looking good for years.
FAQs
Can rattan garden furniture be left outside all year?
Synthetic rattan is weatherproof, so the weave and frame can usually cope with being outside, especially under a fitted cover. Cushions should always come inside. Some manufacturers recommend storing the whole set indoors over winter to extend its life, so check the care instructions for your specific set.
Is aluminium or steel frame rattan better?
Aluminium frames do not rust and are lighter to move. Steel frames are strong and often cheaper, but depend on their coating to resist rust, so look after any chips. Both work well outdoors if the set is covered or stored over winter.
Do I need a cover for my rattan furniture?
If the set will stay outside when you are not using it, a breathable fitted cover is well worth having. It keeps off rain, leaves, bird droppings and pollen, and slows fading. Make sure the furniture is clean and dry before covering it.
How many people can sit on a rattan corner sofa?
It varies widely by set. Compact lounge sets suit two to four people, mid-size sets typically seat around six, and large corner sets with extra stools can seat up to eight. Check the stated seating capacity and footprint rather than judging from photos.
How do I clean rattan garden furniture?
Brush out loose dirt, wipe with warm water and mild soap, and dry thoroughly. Clean glass tops with glass cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals, and if you use a pressure washer keep it on a gentle setting at a distance so it does not damage the weave.
What is the best rattan set for a small garden or balcony?
A two-seat bistro set with chairs that tuck under the table, or a stacking set that packs into a single unit, makes the most of limited space. Both give you somewhere to sit and eat without taking over the whole area.
Want to see everything? Browse all garden furniture or read our other buying guides.
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