Our expert garden centre team have compiled this complete guide to choosing rattan garden furniture for Irish homeowners. We know that the traditional Irish weather doesn’t always allow us to enjoy our outdoor living as much as we’d like, traditionally we were accustomed to using our dining rooms for meals primarily. Times have changed though, and the Covid 19 pandemic proved that as outdoor dining and socializing in Ireland took a surge.
Most of us really love to spend as much time outdoors as we can and one of the key steps to making your outdoor areas inviting and comfortable is by investing in high-quality outdoor furniture. Rattan furniture is one of the most stylish, durable, and comfortable options on the market.
However, before you rush out and pick up some rattan garden furniture, it's important to weigh up your options. Choosing rattan garden furniture can feel confusing if you've never bought rattan pieces before. If you don't research properly and make the mistake of opting for cheap garden furniture, you might end up with a poor-quality set that looks shabby and needs replacing in no time.
To avoid this, keep reading to find out everything you need to know in this guide to choosing rattan garden furniture.
Why Buy Rattan Furniture?
Before we get into the different rattan furniture options to investigate, we look at the main reasons why buy people buy rattan garden furniture in the first place?
Wicker furniture dates back thousands of years, right to the Egyptian empire. Wicker and rattan are some of the oldest forms of furniture making and are still highly popular today. Not only is rattan furniture attractive, but it's also very strong and lightweight. With technology in manufacturing constantly evolving, all the newest range of rattan furniture sets are built to withstand the unpredictable weather, Ireland really can have a day nearly composed of all seasons, whether it's rain, storms, sun or wind.
Rattan Garden Furniture Options Are Strong and Long Lasting
One of the primary benefits of rattan furniture options is that they are very strong and long-lasting. Natural rattan furniture is sensitive to exposure to sunlight, moisture, mould, and the elements. However, if protected and well looked after, they can last for decades.
Nowadays, rattan furniture is usually manufactured using a powder-coated aluminium frame and constructed out of synthetic rattan, namely plastic polyethene, polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride.
Synthetic rattan furniture has several advantages over natural rattan and is much better suited to the outdoors. Natural rattan will weather quite quickly if left out in the open. Synthetic rattan, on the other hand, is highly resistant to sun damage, moisture, and mould. Therefore, we would recommend you go for synthetic wicker when choosing rattan garden furniture.
Rattan Garden Furniture Is Light and Easy to Move Around
Another benefit of rattan garden furniture is that it's light and easy to move around. This is ideal in outdoor settings where you might want to shift seating to suit the sun angle, season, or occasion. When the real chill of winter hits and it's time to move your outdoor furniture into the garage or garden shed—you'll easily be able to carry it with two people, so portability is not an issue.
It’s Easy to Clean
Besides being lightweight and durable, synthetic rattan furniture options are also easy to clean. For a gentle cleaning, all you need to do is brush them down with a broom and maybe give your pieces a once-over with a damp cloth and water. For a more extensive deep clean, you can even take a sprayer or power washer to synthetic rattan garden furniture.
Most rattan furniture would not be complete without some fire retardant garden furniture cushions for your dining tables, chairs & seats. This makes them resistant to both sun damage and staining. However, if you do need to give them a clean, all you must do is pop the covers into the washing machine or if you prefer laundry cleaning as an option either.
Rattan Garden Furniture Is Stylish and Attractive
Rattan garden furniture is also stylish and attractive. Because outdoor furniture must be durable, a lot of designs are more functional than elegant. Synthetic outdoor rattan furniture options are not like this. Synthetic rattan garden furniture mimics the look of natural indoor rattan pieces while being durable enough to stand up to the outdoors.
What's more, rattan furniture for gardens can fit into a variety of design themes. It is one of the few options that manages to be both classic and contemporary at the same time. This means you can pair it with either a traditional-style home or a more modern, minimalistic home.
According to reports, 50% of Irish homeowners favour garden designs that reflect their homes. Rattan is a versatile choice that can help you tie your garden's aesthetic to the overall design plan for your home.
Different Types of Rattan Garden Furniture Sets
Now that we've gone over the benefits of rattan furniture for gardens, let's go through some of the available types. When choosing rattan garden furniture, you must choose a set that suits your space and your needs. Here we consider three main types, 2 seater, 4 seater, and 6 seater options.
Rattan Sofa and Armchair Sets
If you have a small to medium-sized outdoor space, then you might want to go for a smaller rattan set, such as a 4-seater option. This set sports two armchairs and one rattan sofa, fitted with thick cushions that are both weather-resistant and fire retardant. The set also comes with an outdoor garden table.
A set like this is designed for smaller spaces or gatherings where you want to lounge outside in comfort.
Modular Rattan Garden Furniture Sets
If you're a family or like to entertain outdoors, then you might want to upgrade your rattan garden furniture set. While you could opt for a large sectional, this can increase the price tag somewhat. If you're comparing furniture costs and find that a big sectional sofa set is out of your budget, a good option for gaining extra seating while still sticking to an affordable budget is a modular set that also includes ottomans or even a cube garden furniture set.
For example, a 6 seater garden furniture set will feature a sofa, two chairs, and two ottomans, all with deep filled cushions. You can configure this set in a variety of ways, giving you ultimate flexibility. If you want to recline, you can position the ottomans at the foot of the sofa or chairs. Or you can create a sectional set up with the sofa and one chair, and still have three extra seats between the other chair and the two ottomans.
Comfy Rattan Dining Sets
If you enjoy eating al fresco, then you might want to consider a rattan garden furniture dining set rather than a sofa set. Rattan dining sets are a great choice because they are one of the most comfortable options. They are one of the few pieces of textile garden furniture really suited to dining. Most outdoor dining furniture options feature hard chairs, with maybe a few thin, loose cushions.
Rattan dining sets are both sturdy and lightweight and usually have thicker cushions. You can relax in them for longer periods and easily pull them in and out. If you're looking for rattan dining furniture for gardens, we'd recommend the Casino 6-seater rattan dining set. Coming in a beautiful soft taupe colour, this set will be sure to fit in with your outdoor colour scheme.
Its simple lines make it suitable for both modern or more traditional design schemes. At 8 cm, the cushions are thick and comfortable, sporting fire-retardant features and a tapered finish.
Finally, the Casino set also comes with a glass-topped lazy Suzie for ease of sharing while dining, and a parasol hole for those sunny days.
Tips for Choosing Rattan Garden Furniture
Buying any furniture set is an investment, so it's essential that you carefully consider your options when choosing rattan garden furniture.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when shopping for the right rattan garden furniture set for your space:
- Rattan furniture for gardens should have UV protection and be weatherproof
- Go for aluminium frames if you can as these are more long-lasting than steel
- Look for soft, deep, comfortable cushions that are weather-resistant
- Comparing furniture costs is the key to getting a good deal
- Measure your space before you head to the shops
- Bring your tape measure along so you can measure the sets and ascertain which one will fit best into your area
- Always check online customer reviews if you can
If it's not possible to find online reviews for individual garden sets, you can also check the reviews for the supplier or manufacturer. This will give you an idea of the overall level of product quality and what customers genuinely think.
A final tip for buying rattan garden furniture is to plan out where you will store it in winter. For some parts of the year, you might want to cover your set with garden furniture covers. These outdoor furniture covers are great to protect your set from the worst of the elements and keep dust and leaves off. However, during deep winter it's usually best to shift your garden furniture into a garage or shed.
Benefits of Synthetic Rattan Furniture
Durability: Synthetic rattan is made from high-quality, weather-resistant materials like resin or polyethylene, which are designed to withstand the elements. Unlike natural rattan, synthetic rattan will not fade, crack, or rot when exposed to sunlight, rain, or humidity.
Low Maintenance: Synthetic rattan furniture requires very little maintenance compared to natural rattan. Simply wipe it down with a damp cloth or use a mild soap solution to clean it occasionally. There's no need for regular treatments or refinishing to keep it looking new.
Comfort: Synthetic rattan furniture is designed with ergonomics in mind, offering a comfortable seating experience. Many pieces also come with plush cushions that provide additional support and can be easily removed for cleaning or storage.
Style: Synthetic rattan furniture comes in a wide range of styles, colours, and designs, making it easy to find the perfect pieces to complement your outdoor space. From modern and sleek to traditional and cosy, there's something for everyone.
Eco-Friendly: Many synthetic rattan manufacturers use recycled materials, making this type of furniture a more environmentally friendly option than some other outdoor materials.
Are You Ready to Start Choosing Rattan Garden Furniture?
When choosing rattan garden furniture, the key things to keep in mind is how much seating you'll need, whether you want to lounge or dine, and that quality sets will last longer.
The easiest way to make sure you are buying good quality textile garden furniture without breaking the bank is to go with a trusted rattan garden furniture provider such as Choice. We are an independent Irish family-owned business that prides itself on offering some of the best prices on seasonal and home items.
Browse our high-quality range of garden furniture to see what we mean.
