you make the most of your outside space. Read our guide to the best weatherproof garden furniture to learn more. How 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.

There's a whole host of outdoor furniture styles to choose from, whether you're looking for a garden dining table and chairs, a relaxed outdoor corner sofa, or a sociable lounge set to arrange around one of this year's best BBQs in your outdoor kitchen.

summer retreat. Accessorise with a parasol and pour yourself a cold drink for a truly relaxing experience! We've included a mix of both frame types in this guide to cater to all budgets, so whether you're looking for a rattan garden table and chairs for alfresco dining, a rattan corner sofa to create a swoon-worthy outdoor living area, or a rattan sun lounger for soaking up some rays in style, you'll find the season's best options right here, along with our go-to retailers for sourcing this popular look. G&T's, BBQ's and ice lolly's only mean one thing - summer is here, and it's the perfect time to update your garden with a new set of outdoor furniture. To find the best garden furniture for your outside space you'll first want to think about how you intend to use your outdoor area; do you want to entertain large numbers of guests, create a family-friendly garden, or create a space to relax and unwind amongst nature in relative solitude? As such most manufacturers will recommend you store steel-framed rattan garden furniture in a sheltered environment during inclement weather to prolong its lifespan. This can be inconvenient if you don't have a garage or shed for storage, plus, steel is pretty heavy to move. A waterproof outdoor furniture cover will help to protect steel rattan furniture from the worst of the elements, although it's hard to prevent damp from penetrating over time, so expect steel-framed options to have a shorter lifespan overall.

Unlike powder-coated steel, which is prone to rusting at joints and anywhere where the coating has become chipped, aluminium-framed garden furniture is naturally rust-resistant. These days most 'rattan' garden sets are made from weather-resistant PE-rattan (a plastic polymer woven to look like the real thing), meaning that rattan outdoor furniture is a low-maintenance option that requires very little upkeep – unlike wood which will benefit from a top up with wood preservative every now and then. Create an inviting outdoor space or an elegant conservatory with the Florence sofa set. The hand-woven resin weave design combined with grey cushions is a striking style that is sure to wow. Gather the family and get outside when the weather's good. Florence also plays the part of conservatory furniture perfectly. It's ready to host your mid-morning catch up with family or evening tipples with friends. The chairs are generously sized, so you can relax in comfort.And the best news is that due to its enhanced weatherproofing, aluminium-framed garden furniture can be left outside all year round, so you don't need to worry about storage. (Although, nothing is completely impenetrable to the elements, so if you have the space then protecting your garden furniture over winter is still wise). Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, the aluminium frame won't rust and can be left outside all year round (excluding cushions)

If space is more limited, then you may need to combine these areas, in which case a garden sofa set that features an extendable height riser table can be a worthy investment, allowing you to easily transform your seating from a daytime coffee spot into an alfresco dining zone in the evening. Alternatively, a chaise sofa, or option that comes with padded footstools, will transform seating into a sun lounging space when the weather allows.

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If you opt for rattan garden furniture with rust and weather-resistant aluminium frames, then this style of outdoor furniture is also particularly durable. Steel-framed rattan garden furniture will be more affordable, but less resilient when it comes to withstanding the elements, although storing steel-framed garden furniture under cover during the worst of the weather will prolong its lifespan considerably. Most outdoor furniture sets will consist of at least a chair and a matching table, the pricier sets will often include more seating and advanced features like parasols or fold away items.