Rattan garden furniture: what to check before you click buy

Garden furniture photographs beautifully and often arrives as a flat-pack puzzle. A short list of checks separates sets that last from sets that fade by August.

It is probably not real rattan#

Natural rattan is a vine. Most outdoor sets sold online are made from polyethylene (PE) rattan, a synthetic resin woven around a frame. That is fine, since synthetic holds up outdoors much better than natural. What matters is how it is made.

Frame first#

The frame carries the weight and holds up against weather. Aluminium does not rust and is light to move. Powder-coated steel is strong and cheaper but can rust if the coating chips, so look for guarantees against rust and check how thick the metal is. Untreated steel is the one to avoid.

Weave and fibre quality#

Look at close-up photos. Flat weave strands tend to look neater. Round strands can look more natural. Check the stated fibre thickness, UV protection and colour throughout the strand rather than only on the surface. Cheap fibre cracks and fades in sunshine.

Cushions#

Cushions get the most daily wear. Look for removable covers you can wash, water-repellent fabric and quick-dry foam. Be wary of listings that do not name the fabric at all.

Size and shape#

Measure your space and the set's footprint, then add room to walk around it. Check seat height and depth, since low, deep sofas look relaxed but are harder to get out of.

Covers and storage#

Rain and sun do the damage over time. A fitted cover and storing cushions indoors in winter can add years. Check whether a cover is included.

Delivery and assembly#

Furniture sets arrive in several boxes. Check the delivery terms: who carries it, how much is charged for remote addresses and what happens if a box is damaged. Look for a parts list and whether replacement parts are supplied.

Returns#

Large parcels are costly to send back, so read the policy before you pay. Ask whether returns need the original packaging and who pays carriage. Photograph any damage straight away.

The short version#

Choose aluminium or well-coated steel, UV-stable fibre, washable cushions, a cover and a seller whose return terms you have read in full.