4 Seater Rattan Garden Furniture

How to choose 4 seater rattan garden furniture

Four seats is the most popular size for a garden, so there are more styles to choose from than at any other size. Start with how you will use it most: relaxed evenings with a drink, or meals outside. The sets in this collection fall into four groups.

Rattan garden sofa sets with a coffee table

A 2 seater sofa (the loveseat), two armchairs and a low glass top coffee table: the classic rattan garden sofa set, sometimes called a conversation set.

• Deep, low seats (30cm to 36cm without cushions on most sets) for lounging
• Coffee tables 31cm to 62cm high, for drinks and snacks rather than plated meals
• Pieces stand apart, so you can face the chairs towards each other or towards the view

Garden corner sofa sets

Two sofas that meet at a corner, often with a storage table in the angle, so a rattan garden corner sofa tucks into the corner of a patio or garden.

• Several have hidden storage for cushions or outdoor toys
• Take up less floor space than a loveseat and two chairs
• Most can be set up as an L-shape or as two straight sofas, and the 860-017 is fully modular

Rattan garden dining sets

A dining table and four armchairs: a proper outdoor dining set for meals in the garden. Seats sit at 40cm to 43cm and the tables at 73cm to 75cm, close to an indoor dining table.

Fire pit and footstool sets

A lounge set built round a gas fire pit table, or a set where two footstools slide under the chairs. The footstools are extra seats for children or a guest, but the sets are sold as 4 seaters.

4 piece rattan set or 4 seater: what's the difference?

A lot of people search for a 4 piece rattan set when they want 4 seater garden furniture, but the piece count and the seat count are not the same thing. Every item in the box counts as a piece, including tables, parasols and footstools.

• A 4 piece sofa set is a loveseat, two armchairs and a coffee table, which seats four.
• A 3 piece corner set (two sofas and a table) can also seat four.
• A 6 piece dining set is a table, four chairs and a parasol, so still four seats.
• A 7 piece set may be a table, four chairs and two footstools.

So check the "seats" figure, not the piece count, when you compare sets.

4 seater rattan sets compared

Here are the 4 seater rattan garden furniture sets in this collection side by side, with dimensions from the Aosom product details. Prices change every day in the feed, so the last column is a band rather than an exact price. Most 4 seater sets here sit between £420 and £630.

Seat heights are measured without cushions, which add 5cm to 10cm.

Our 4 seater picks

Lounging or dining: check the heights

The two numbers that matter most are seat height and table height.

If you mostly eat outside

Choose a rattan garden dining set. The 861-045 has 43cm seats and a 73cm table, and the 861-086 has 40cm seats and a 75cm table. Both are close to an indoor dining height. The 860-214 is a halfway option: a sofa set with 42cm seats and a 66cm table.

If you mostly relax

Choose a rattan garden sofa set or garden corner sofa set. Seats of 30cm to 36cm and coffee tables of 31cm to 43cm feel like a living room sofa. The 860-297's 62cm table is a good height for a casual supper on the sofa.

How much space does a 4 seater set need?

Measure your patio, deck or lawn before you choose, and allow room to walk round.

1. Sofa set: the loveseat is 122cm to 129cm wide and each armchair is about 63cm to 67cm. Laid out round the coffee table, it covers roughly 2.5m by 2m.
2. Corner set: measure both arms of the L, then add the coffee table and about 60cm in front for legroom.
3. Round dining set: a 102cm table with chairs 63cm deep is about 2.3m across. Allow 60cm behind each chair to pull it out, so plan on about 3.3m square.
4. Check for doors that open outwards, steps and drain covers.

Mark the shape on the ground with string or masking tape and walk round it. If it is tight, a round rattan garden set or a corner set is easier to fit.

4 seater rattan dining sets with a parasol

The 861-086 sets come with a 270cm parasol, so you get shade straight away. The 90cm round table has a 4.2cm pole hole, and each chair has two cushions. The 861-045 sets have a larger 102cm table and a 5cm parasol hole, but the parasol is sold separately. The 861-110 has a long 150cm by 90cm table, four chairs and two footstools, so the four of you can spread out. See every size in our rattan dining sets and grey rattan garden tables.

Corner and storage sets for smaller patios

A garden corner sofa set fits neatly against two walls or a fence, leaving the rest of the patio free for a barbecue or children's games.

• The 860-104 has a 76cm corner storage table and a coffee table with two drawers.
• The 860-006 (six pieces) has storage in both its side table and coffee table.
• The 860-131 has a 69cm storage box table, big enough for the cushions.
• The 860-081 is a half-moon set: four curved chairs round a table, with 10cm cushions and eight throw pillows.

For bigger L-shapes, browse our rattan corner sofas.

Reclining 4 seater sets

On the 860-288 both armchairs recline from upright to 135 degrees, with footrests, so you don't need separate sun loungers. The 861-052 has reclining chairs (90 to 120 degrees), a loveseat, two footstools and a 67cm table with a storage shelf. For single chairs, see our rattan recliner chairs.

A 4 seater set with a gas fire pit

The 860-335 puts a 50,000 BTU gas fire pit in the middle of a four-seat lounge set, with two armchairs and two side chairs. The 110cm table has a wind guard, a safety valve and a steel lid to put the flame out quickly. A gas bottle up to 30.6cm across and 41.4cm tall fits inside.

• The gas bottle is sold separately.
• Only use it outdoors, never in a closed gazebo or conservatory.
• Follow the Calor gas safety advice on storing and connecting bottles.

More fire pit sets: rattan garden furniture with a fire pit.

Frames, weave and cushions for UK weather

All the sets here are synthetic, all weather PE rattan woven over a metal frame. The weave doesn't soak up rain like natural cane, it won't crack in frost, and most sets use a UV resistant weave that stands up to summer sun without fading quickly. Which? points out in its guide to buying garden furniture that rattan is light enough to be moved by strong winds, so stand a set against a wall or hedge in an exposed garden.

Aluminium or steel?

• Aluminium (860-124, 860-297, 860-214, 861-052) can't rust and is light: the 860-124 weighs about 37kg to 40kg in all.
• Galvanised or powder-coated steel (860-288, 861-045, 860-104) is heavier and sturdier, so less likely to move in the wind. Touch up any chips.

Weight limits are generous: 120kg to 160kg per armchair and 220kg to 240kg per loveseat. Glass tables are rated for 30kg to 70kg, so don't sit on them.

Cushions

• Every set comes with cushions, and most have zip-off covers you can wash.
• Most cushions are water resistant, not waterproof, so bring them in when rain is due.
• Dry covers fully before storing them, or they will go mouldy.

Colours: grey, black, brown or orange

Pick a weave colour that suits your paving, decking or garden walls.

• Grey and light grey are the most popular and hide dust well: grey rattan garden furniture
• Black looks sharp against pale paving: black rattan garden furniture
• Brown looks most like natural wicker: brown rattan garden furniture
• The 860-124 also comes with orange cushions for a brighter look.

Balconies and conservatories

The lighter aluminium sets, such as the 860-124, suit a balcony, and a 3 piece corner set like the 860-068 takes up very little space. For just two people, a rattan bistro set is smaller again. If you move a set into a conservatory, it falls under the UK furniture fire rules. The FIRA guide to furniture fire safety explains them, so check the cushions carry a fire safety label.

Checklist before you buy

• Seating: count the seats, not the pieces
• Use: dining height (40cm+ seats, 73cm+ table) or lounging height
• Space: measure the patio or garden with room to walk round
• Frame: aluminium is lighter, steel is heavier in the wind
• Glass top or slatted top table, and a parasol hole if you want shade
• Storage: a storage table or box saves carrying cushions indoors
• Delivery: several sets list free UK mainland delivery, and the 861-045 comes in two packages
• Covers: budget for a breathable cover for winter

Assembly, care and winter storage

Every set needs some assembly, usually fitting legs, backs and the table glass. The 860-288 takes two people about an hour.

1. Brush leaves and grit out of the weave every few weeks.
2. Wash the frame and weave with warm soapy water in spring and autumn.
3. Wipe the glass after use so bird droppings and drink rings don't bake on.
4. Use a breathable cover through winter and keep the cushions indoors.
5. Check the bolts each spring.

4 seater rattan garden furniture FAQs

How much space do I need for a 4 seater rattan set?

About 2.5m by 2m for a sofa set with a coffee table, and about 3.3m square for a round dining set with room to pull the chairs out.

Is a 4 piece rattan set the same as a 4 seater?

Not always. Pieces include tables, parasols and footstools. A 4 piece sofa set seats four, but so do 3 piece corner sets and 6 piece dining sets.

Can I leave a 4 seater rattan garden furniture set outside all year?

The PE rattan and metal frames are made for outdoor use, but a cover through winter keeps the set cleaner and protects steel frames. Always bring the cushions in.

Which is better for outdoor dining, a sofa set or a dining set?

An outdoor dining set. Its 40cm to 43cm seats and 73cm to 75cm table are close to indoor dining height. Most sofa sets have low seats and a coffee-height table.

Do any sets include a parasol?

Yes, the 861-086 dining sets include a 270cm parasol. The 861-045 and 861-110 have a parasol hole, but the parasol is sold separately.

Which 4 seater set has storage?

The 860-104, 860-006 and 860-131 corner sets all have storage tables or boxes.

More rattan garden furniture

Need a different size? See our 5 seater and 6 seater ranges, rattan sofa sets, or our space-saving rattan cube sets.