As the weather warms up and garden days stretch a little longer, many of us find ourselves drawn back to our outdoor spaces—dusting off old furniture, watering neglected pots, and thinking about how to make patios and verandas feel just a little more inviting.
Maybe it’s time to refresh a tired corner with a new planter. Or perhaps you’re looking for that one perfect chair to curl into with a morning coffee. Whatever your outdoor rhythm looks like this season, one material keeps coming up for its versatility, lightness, and timeless appeal: natural rattan.
Ideal for covered patios, balconies, or garden nooks with some shade, rattan brings warmth and texture without overwhelming the space. It’s breathable, beautifully crafted, and when used well, it can help turn even a small garden setup into something you want to linger in.
Why Rattan Belongs in Outdoor Living Spaces
Rattan has traditionally been seen indoors—think reading corners, sunny breakfast nooks, or breezy lounge rooms. But more and more, homeowners are using it to blur the boundaries between inside and out. And it makes sense: its warm, neutral tone pairs beautifully with hard landscaping materials like stone, concrete, or timber decking.
In covered patios and garden rooms, rattan adds texture without adding weight. It brings softness to angular layouts and complements natural greenery without competing for attention. Best of all, it works with the shifting light of the day, warming gently in the sun, then cooling down as evening rolls in.
Of course, natural rattan does require a bit of care: it thrives best in shaded or sheltered spots and should always be protected from rain. But when placed thoughtfully, a well-crafted rattan piece brings calm, craft, and comfort to outdoor living.
Below, you’ll find seven standout rattan pieces that work beautifully in real gardens, each one chosen not for show, but for how it supports the rhythms of everyday life outside.
7 Natural Rattan Furniture That Bring Form and Function to Outdoor Living
1. Iris Rattan Planter
This rattan planter does more than hold a plant—it anchors a moment. With its tall profile and curved silhouette, the Iris Planter works beautifully in a sheltered corner where verticality is needed. Think tiled patios framed by tall palms, or beside a weathered garden bench where you want the foliage to rise and soften the hardscape.
The open weave gives structure, while the natural tone blends easily with terracotta, sandstone, and timber. Use it to introduce height where your plant beds flatten out.
Scene it fits: The entrance to your back garden, where you transition from indoor life to outdoor exhale.
Pros:
- Strong visual impact without bulk
- Lightweight and easy to shift with the seasons
- Handwoven texture contrasts beautifully with smooth stone or concrete
- Works as a solo piece or in a trio of varying heights
Cons:
- Requires an internal pot
- Best suited for shaded or semi-sheltered areas only
2. Isle Wicker Plant Stand
This one’s a hidden gem. The Isle Stand may look decorative, but it’s a multitasker that quietly solves problems. On a narrow balcony or tucked behind a garden daybed, it provides elegant storage for magazines, sun hats, shears, or trailing vines. The basket weave offers just enough transparency to keep it light, but not so open that it feels messy.
Design-wise, it softens the right angles of planters and floor tiles, introducing curvature and craft.
Scene it fits: A covered balcony that gets dappled afternoon light, where you sip tea and stack your weekend reads.
Pros:
- Doubles as storage and display
- Woven texture adds warmth to modern, angular spaces
- No assembly needed
Cons:
- Lightweight—keep it weighted if windy
- Wicker will fade or warp if exposed to harsh weather
- Requires an internal pot
3. Sage Rattan Display Rack
If your garden space feels flat or cluttered, the Sage Rack introduces gentle order. With its two-tiered shelves, it lets you build height and rhythm with different plant forms—cascading ivy above, small succulents or gloves and snips below.
Place it against a rendered wall, a climbing trellis, or even under an awning where it can lean quietly while doing a lot. It’s ideal for gardeners who want beauty and function without the rigidity of traditional shelving.
Scene it fits: The shady side of a veranda where tools, books, and a bonsai all find their own place.
Pros:
- Tiered height creates vertical layering
- Dual function: plant stand + organiser
- Open weave allows air flow and drainage
- Handcrafted character adds quiet depth
Cons:
- Not ideal for heavy glazed pots—keep it light
- Will need dusting and re-oiling in high humidity areas
4. Nest Hanging Chair
Designed for quiet moments, this chair offers the comfort and contour needed for relaxed, everyday outdoor use. The Nest Hanging Chair wraps around you like a cocoon. The gentle swaying, the breathable weave, the plush seat cushion—it creates a space within a space.
Design-wise, it adds vertical drama while using zero floor space. It’s best hung under a strong beam or pergola, where it can swing without direct exposure to rain.
Scene it fits: Under a vine-covered pergola, facing west—where you can read as the sun sinks low.
Pros:
- Deep seat with ergonomic comfort
- Adds movement and softness to static layouts
- Works as a standalone feature piece
- Neutral tone pairs with any garden palette
Cons:
- Hanging hardware not included
- Needs strong, stable overhead support
- Must be kept dry and sheltered
5. Cross Hatch Hanging Chair
Unlike the cozy Nest, the Cross Hatch Chair is about balance and poise. Its open lattice design creates gorgeous shadow play—especially near stone walls or whitewashed brick. The upright seat suits those who read, journal, or sip their morning brew outdoors.
This piece thrives in tight or narrow areas where visual lightness is key.
Scene it fits: Narrow terrace beside a herb garden, framed by string lights and low humming bees.
Pros:
- Upright posture is great for reading
- Lightweight and visually minimal
- Offers texture without crowding the view
- Excellent airflow and cooling
Cons:
- Seat cushion must be sourced separately
- Requires a covered spot out of the rain
- Not ideal for lounging or reclining
6. Leon Rocking Bench (for children)
The Leon Bench brings playfulness without plastic. Designed for children, it’s a beautiful way to make outdoor space feel inclusive and alive. With space for four little ones, a central flower handle, and smooth rocking motion, it invites group play and calm alike.
Perfect for families who see their garden as an extension of their living room.
Scene it fits: The edge of a garden bed under a tree, where kids swing, snack, and tell each other stories.
Pros:
- Roomy and safe for multiple children
- Washable cushion is practical for messes
- Heirloom quality that doesn’t feel kiddie
- Fully assembled for easy placement
Cons:
- Not suitable for small patios—check dimensions
- Must be stored under shelter to preserve rattan integrity
7. Anya Rocking Chair
This is the chair for slow coffee, for watching the plants grow, for quiet mornings before anyone else wakes. The Anya Rocking Chair is low, wide, and quietly sculptural. With no cushion needed, it leans on curved ergonomics and quality woodwork to provide comfort.
Pair it with a linen throw and a small stool for tea, and you’ve got a space you’ll return to again and again.
Scene it fits: A corner of the patio that catches the first sun—your private porch café.
Pros:
- Beautiful without needing cushions
- Solid mango wood frame for weight and durability
- Rocking motion invites slowness
- Blends modern and rustic styles
Cons:
- Not for full rain or prolonged damp—keep covered
- Firm seat may not suit those needing plush support
Where Rattan Works Best: Zoning Outdoor Spaces With Intention
The most successful outdoor spaces feel like a natural extension of your home, not just a back patch with a few chairs. That’s where zoning comes in. Rattan works best when you give it a clear purpose within a defined area, so it can serve a real function and become part of the rhythm of how you use the space.
- Create a “soft zone” for morning rituals. A rattan rocker or hanging chair under a pergola becomes your coffee perch or reading hideout.
- Frame entrances and transitions. Tall rattan planters on either side of a walkway or door frame soften hard lines and signal a shift in atmosphere.
- Layer textures near seating areas. Rattan pairs well with linen cushions, ceramic side tables, or rough timber benches to create visual contrast and tactile richness.
- Use height to balance scale. Tiered rattan racks and display stands break up empty walls and provide structure without bulk.
How to Care for Natural Rattan Outdoors
Rattan is beautiful—but it isn’t invincible. As a natural material, it needs some care and consideration to last. With the right conditions, rattan can bring years of joy to your garden without falling victim to mildew, cracking, or fading.
Here’s how to treat it well:
- Keep it covered. Rattan belongs under shelter—porches, pergolas, balconies. It can handle the air, but not rain or direct sun for long hours.
- Avoid moisture buildup. Always use a liner when planting inside rattan baskets, and never place it directly on soggy ground.
- Clean gently. A soft cloth or dry brush is all you need. Avoid hosing it down or using harsh soaps.
- Oil occasionally. A touch of boiled linseed oil can nourish the fibres and maintain flexibility, especially in dry climates.
- Store during monsoon or winter. If you live in a wet or cold climate, bring your pieces indoors or into a garden shed during the off-season.
Caring for rattan isn’t complicated, it’s just about treating it as a living material. And when you do, it gives back with unmatched texture, softness, and grace.
Final Thoughts: Designing With Rattan Outside
Good garden furniture doesn’t shout. It supports. It shapes. It settles into its surroundings and helps you do the same. Rattan does this beautifully, especially when chosen with care and placed in spaces that breathe.
Each piece above isn’t just decorative, it solves a spatial problem, creates a ritual, or frames a quiet joy. These aren’t set-and-forget items. They’re companions to how you live. And when you respect rattan’s needs—shade, dryness, gentleness—it will reward you with years of beauty and texture that deepens over time.
So bring it outside. Gently. Thoughtfully. And let it root you in the space you’ve created.