Lauren Bradbury
The best wicker outdoor furniture can give your backyard an exotic aesthetic and of course, something to sit on. From working from home in the sun, to hosting drinks or dinner, this material is known for its hardy and chic characteristics.
While some of our favorite wicker fixtures are made from pliable stems of palm (aka 'real' rattan), some are manufactured using PE (polyethylene) rattan. The latter is
a plastic polymer that's great for producing all-weather garden fittings for entertaining. And, it means you shouldn't need to cover it up when it rains.
Browsing some of the best outdoor furniture brands, I've found some chic chairs and sets that offer woven wow factor — no matter whether you have a large lawn, a small patio, or a barely-there balcony. Prices start from under $100 and shoot up to just shy of $500 for larger items.
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The best wicker patio furniture sets
Sometimes it’s just so much simpler (and cheaper) to buy a whole outdoor furniture set instead of buying each piece individually. All of these options come with at least two chairs and a table.
Includes: 2 x chairs, 1 x table
Chair size (in.): H26.38 x W25.2 x L31.1
Table size (in.): H26.38 x D26.38
Price: $247
This compact Walmart patio furniture set has a beautiful looped detail on the sides. It's made from handwoven all-weather wicker and rust-resistant steel, and the recycled polyester cushions are designed to be fade-resistant. And, the chairs support up to 250 lbs, making them a sturdy option for all of the family.
Includes: 1 x sectional, 1 x table, 1 x ottoman
Sectional size (in.): H24 x W82.3 x D57
Table size (in.): H11.6 x D27.4 x L27.4
Price: Was $449.99 Now $379.99 (save $70) at Wayfair
Don’t you just want to take a running jump at this thing? This PE rattan sectional sofa looks super comfortable, and it’s no wonder 3,300+ shoppers have rated it 4.2 stars out of 5! The detachable sofa can fit four people at a time, and it comes with a tempered glass top table an ottoman, and waterproof cushions included. Assembly tools are included so you won't have to get your toolbox out.
Includes: 2 x chairs, 2 x footstools, 1 x table
Chair size (in.): H11.02 x W10.23 x D13.78
Table size (in.): H19 x L19.6 x D19.6
Price: $234
Lowe’s has pulled it out of the bag with this PE rattan, powder-coated steel, and galvanized pipe patio set. And while we’ve never considered having blue egg chairs with matching footstools and a table — we can’t imagine our lives without this combo! And for those who hate the sound of metal furniture dragging on concrete, each component has non-abrasive foot pads that protect the product and the floor. Style with the best outdoor string lights you can afford and voila!
The best patio rattan chairs
Instead of buying a matching patio set, you might want to mix things up. These patio rattan chairs are both stylish and practical.
Includes: 2 x chairs
Size (in.): H28.5 x W21.75 x D23.5
Price: $70.76
There are so many amazing Amazon patio furniture pieces out there, but this twin set stands for its expensive looks. Although you could use these stackable, steel-framed chairs for lounging outside in the sun, they’d also work perfectly inside. It's giving quiet luxury meets modern coastal for less than $36 a chair.
Includes: 1 x chair
Size (in.): H20.5 x W34.25 x L20.25
Price: Was $219 Now $109 (save $110) at UO
While it's not your traditional piece of wicker furniture, this low-slung chair is an absolute gem for those who are looking for boho decor for their patio. It's ideal for sunbathing in a small garden, and the hinged design means it can collapse down for transport to the beach or park. Should you spill a drink on it, it's easy to wipe clean. Why not set up your best outdoor projector and host a movie night under the stars?
Includes: 2 x chairs
Size (in.): H35 x W31 x D33
Price: $559.12
Some say your backyard is your second living room. So if you want to emulate that cozy feeling, grab these two aluminum-framed lounge chairs. This design affords you the best of both worlds: a firm rattan design, coupled with plush quilted cushion decor,
The best gray rattan patio furniture
Although rattan patio furniture now comes in so many different colors and styles, there’s something about gray that feels smart. It’s a classic color, and it goes with any aesthetic you choose.
Includes: 2 x chairs, 2 x footstools 1 x table
Armchair size (in.): L28 x W26.5 x H29.5
Footstool size (in.): L6.5 x W20 x H15.75
Table size (in.): L18 x W18 x H16.5
Price: $477.24
PSA: This is one of the best Target furniture picks for your outdoor space. It can comfortably seat four people (or two if you’re a super-lounger and want to make use of the footstools) and is made from all-weather PE wicker and weather-resistant cushions. But if the pillows do get dirty, the covers are washable.
Includes: 2 x chairs, 1 x table
Chair size (in.): H30 x W22.8 x L23.6
Table size (in.): H15.8 x W15.8 x L15.8
Price: $77.99
You might want to snap this up ASAP because I have a feeling that a conversation set like this won’t stick around for too long — not when it’s less than $80! But if you don’t like the gray-on-gray aesthetic, this Amazon furniture brand has got your back. This set can also be bought in brown rattan, or gray with different colored cushions, so you can take your pick.
Includes: 2 x chairs, 1 x table
Chair size (in.): H34 x W27 x D28
Table size (in.): H16.5 x L23.5 x D23.5
Price: $284.99
This 3-piece set is incredibly stylish and modern, and while the design looks pretty simple, some details will make your life even easier. The table comes with a separate shelf for extra storage, and the cushions on the chairs are removable so you can make yourself as comfortable as possible — or even pop them through your washer if you accidentally spill your cocktail on them.
FAQs
What is better: rattan or wicker?
Although the natural fiber is what inspired the rattan look we all love, the organic material doesn't hold up that well to life outdoors, instead needing protection from dampness and moisture, and to be shielded from direct sunlight and wind which can cause it to become brittle.
Plastic, as an alternative, is waterproof, UV-resistant, and frost-resistant, and requires very minimal maintenance in comparison, leading to it being favored by manufacturers for low-maintenance outdoor options.
The downside, of course, is that, unlike biodegradable natural rattan, most PE-rattan garden furniture is currently unrecyclable at the end of its lifespan. Although some advances are being made in repurposing single-use plastics for the manufacture of the polymers needed to create the furniture in the first place.
Opting for the most durable PE-rattan patio furniture your budget allows can, therefore, become an important way to minimize some of the environmental impacts of poly rattan furniture.
Is rattan and wicker garden furniture weatherproof?
It depends! To recap, 'PE-rattan' or polyurethane is waterproof, frost-resistant, and generally pretty weatherproof outdoors. However, this plastic polymer upper is given strength by a metal frame, and finding out what this frame is made from will give you a good indication of a PE-rattan patio set's long-term durability outdoors.
The most common frame options you're likely to come across are steel, powder-coated steel, or aluminum. Each of which performs quite differently outdoors, and has quite significant price differences. The most affordable rattan patio furniture will generally be made with a steel frame. This makes for heavier furniture, and you'll want to make sure you look for powder-coated steel. This is because steel is highly corrosive when it comes in contact with water, and the frame will rust quickly outdoors if moisture reaches the metal surface.
This problem is 'solved' adding a thin layer of dry paint powder that's cured through an electrostatic process to form a hardwearing seal from the elements. The downside of this is that if that painted surface chips then rusting can occur quite quickly, so you'll need to repair any knocks to maintain that waterproof seal. Joints and fixings that are hard to thoroughly powder-coat and open to abrasion can also become a weak point, allowing moisture to penetrate and reducing furniture's lifespan.
As such, most manufacturers will recommend you store steel-framed rattan outdoor furniture in a sheltered environment during inclement weather to prolong its lifespan. This can be inconvenient if you don't have anywhere you can realistically store it inside. Plus, steel can be pretty heavy to move. A waterproof outdoor furniture cover (like this one from Amazon) will help to protect steel rattan furniture from the worst of the elements, although it's hard to prevent dampness from penetrating over time, so expect steel-framed options to have a shorter lifespan overall.
How to clean wicker and rattan patio furniture
Our guide on how to clean outdoor furniture goes over this in extensive detail, but in short, you can use a soft, soapy microfiber cleaning cloth (like these from Amazon) to wipe off any dirt, spillages, or surface dust. If it's real rattan, try not to soak the rattan, and make sure it’s completely dry after cleaning. To clean between the awkward weaves, use a soft bristle brush (like these from Amazon) or an old toothbrush to get rid of dirt build-up. An expert tip is to use furniture polish (stock up on Pledge at Amazon) sparingly so the rattan keeps its shine!
How we chose this wicker patio furniture
Unfortunately, we haven't been able to call in any of the best wicker furniture featured. Instead, we've relied on star ratings and reviews from online customers. We read through product testimonials and read out its performance, sturdiness, assembly, and aesthetic appeal.
Where to buy wicker patio furniture
Still looking for the perfect wicker patio pick? Discover where to buy furniture for your outdoor space.
- Anthropologie wicker outdoor furniture
- Amazon wicker outdoor furniture
- Article wicker outdoor furniture
- Bed, Bath & Beyond wicker outdoor furniture
- CB2 wicker outdoor furniture
- Crate & Barrel wicker outdoor furniture
- Etsy wicker outdoor furniture
- Frontgate wicker outdoor furniture
- Hudson and Grace wicker outdoor furniture
- Home Depot wicker outdoor furniture
- Lowe's wicker outdoor furniture
- Pottery Barn wicker outdoor furniture
- Target wicker outdoor furniture
- Walmart wicker outdoor furniture
- Wayfair wicker outdoor furniture
- West Elm wicker outdoor furniture
- Williams-Sonoma wicker outdoor furniture
If you're having second thoughts about wicker, browse our wooden patio furniture and metal patio furniture guides for more inspo.
