Rattan and wood are the two most popular choices for UK garden furniture — and each has genuine strengths depending on your garden, your climate exposure, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. Here’s an honest comparison.
Rattan garden furniture
Pros
- Genuinely weatherproof when it’s synthetic (polyrattan), not natural cane
- Low maintenance — a wipe-down is usually enough
- Doesn’t need annual treatment or staining
- Modern, relaxed look that suits lounge-style seating well
Cons
- Lower-quality synthetic rattan can become brittle in UV exposure over many years
- Less traditional look than wood, which won’t suit every garden style
Our All-Weather Rattan Corner Garden Sofa is built specifically for UK conditions — a good example of rattan done properly.
Wood garden furniture
Pros
- Classic, timeless look that suits both period and modern gardens
- Very sturdy, especially hardwoods like eucalyptus or acacia
- Ages well and can be refreshed with oil rather than replaced
Cons
- Needs occasional treatment or oiling to stay weatherproof
- Heavier, so less easy to move or store away
Our 6-Seater Wooden Patio Dining Set uses solid, treated wood built to handle British weather across seasons.
Which should you choose?
Choose rattan if you want low-maintenance lounge seating and a modern look.
Choose wood if you want a classic dining set that ages gracefully and you don’t mind occasional upkeep.
Many UK gardens actually do well with both — a wooden dining set for entertaining, and a rattan corner sofa for relaxed lounging.
Browse the full Outdoor Furniture collection to compare both in detail.