Mad About Mid Century Modern
Rattan garden furniture is a style that just won’t quit. Year after year, summer after summer, outdoor rattan styles remain a staple in gardens up and down the country. For good reason, too – furniture made from rattan is the perfect combination of style, comfort and durability. We think its classic yet boho appeal makes it a versatile style worth investing in.
With a myriad of weaves to choose from, selecting a new rattan garden set can feel like a tricky, if not overwhelming, choice. Fear not, we’ve answered all of your rattan related queries, and to top it off, picked out our favourite styles for you to browse as well.
What is rattan?
Rattan is the name for approximately 600 species of climbing plants that grow in tropical climates, such as Africa, Asia and Australia. Although close in relation to the palm tree, the rattan vine is both strong and flexible, with a similar texture to that of bamboo. Such attributes make rattan the perfect material for weaving, and as such, ideal for creating furniture. Rattan garden furniture is distinct in style, lightweight (making it easy to move or rearrange) and ultra-durable, too. Plus, it looks great in just about any garden.
In recent years, synthetic rattan furniture (created from man-made polyethene) has become ever more popular. Laura Schwarze, Head of Luxury Rattan, sums up your options:
‘There are a couple of choices when it comes to rattan, natural rattan which is made out of organic materials and synthetic or Polyethylene (PE) resin rattan, which is man-made and designed to mimic the look of natural materials. You’ll find the majority of outdoor sets are made out of PE rattan as it is perfectly suited to be kept outdoors.’
Why is rattan so popular?
First and foremost, rattan is popular simply because of how it looks, with its distinctive appearance both classic in style yet well-placed in modern gardens too.
‘Rattan is perfect for those wanting to bring a more traditional style to a garden,’ says Jonny Brierley, CEO at Moda Furnishings. ‘Both charming and elegant, it brings a beautifully unique feel to a space while being completely durable and hard-wearing. Whether you’re looking to entertain friends and family or simply chill in the sunshine, it brings a unique charm that promises to transform all sizes of outdoor spaces.’
The classic nature of rattan outdoor furniture guarantees its longevity, meaning it will look on-trend for years to come. The perfect investment piece, some would say.
What are the benefits of rattan furniture?
Rattan is not only stylish but comfy too – just what you need for hours relaxing in the open air. Natural and synthetic rattan are also incredibly resilient materials and require only a small amount of care to remain looking as good as new. And, as we all know, weatherproof outdoor furniture is essential in any UK garden. Better yet, even large pieces of rattan furniture are relatively lightweight, meaning you can rearrange your garden set-up to your heart’s content – great if you like to follow the movement of the sun!
Laura agrees: ‘Rattan garden furniture is a really great investment, not only does it let you tap into the natural decor but it is easy to clean and keep looking as good as new. The vast majority of outdoor rattan furniture is made of synthetic rattan, meaning it is plastic and designed to be weather resistant and won’t rust or fade when left outside. This makes it the perfect choice for those who don’t have access to a garage or shed to store their furniture when not being used.’
What is the difference between wicker & rattan?
‘It’s a really common misconception that rattan and wicker are the same things, but in reality, rattan is the material and wicker is the technique used to create your piece,’ Laura explains. ‘While wicker is a really common method of creating rattan furniture, it is also a method used to create lots of other types of furniture – for both inside and outside the home.’
As such, wicker can be woven from many more naturally-occurring materials than just rattan and is also crafted from synthetic substances, such as polyethene. This means that although wicker garden furniture is often made from rattan, this is not always the case – always make sure to check what you’re getting.
So on that note, shop the best rattan garden furniture (and a few accessories) for your outdoor space this summer.
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