The best rattan garden furniture for 2024, recommended by experts

As we approach longer days and warmer weather, now’s a good 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 McTernan suggests, synthetic rattan garden furniture is a good choice because it’s usually more waterproof and sold with a long warranty. McTernan bought her set from Sweeek but there are great selections at Maze and Outsunny among others, ranging from under £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

What makes good rattan furniture?

There’s an assumption that natural rattan is superior, McTernan says, but it’s not weatherproof and is only 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 McTernan, The Telegraph’s own gardening writer of more than 10 years, 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.

The best rattan garden furniture of 2026