Grey Rattan Corner Sofas

Choosing a grey rattan corner sofa: what really matters

Most rattan corner sofas look alike in photos: a woven grey weave, cushions and a glass-topped table in the middle. The differences that decide whether you still love yours in three summers' time are the size, the table height, the frame and the shade of the weave. Here's what to check on each listing before you buy.

Size: measure the space first

1. Measure the two walls, fences or edges in your outdoor space that the set will sit against.
2. Take off about 60cm on the open sides as a walkway, so nobody has to climb over a stool to sit down.
3. Compare what's left with the widths on the product page. A compact set here has two pieces of roughly 1.4m each; the 10-place sets run to 1.9m plus 1.7m before you add the table.
4. Allow room for the table: low tables sit inside the L, while dining tables need space for knees and plates.

How many people it really seats

Check how the number of places is worked out. Several sets reach their number by counting footstools, which are fine for an extra guest but not for a long evening. The 9-seat Outsunny 860-014, for example, is six proper places plus three stools. If you often have eight or more friends round, look at our large garden corner sofas or the 10 seater rattan garden furniture range.

Coffee table or dining height

This is the choice most people miss. A lounge set comes with a low table, usually 25-40cm high, which is perfect for drinks and nibbles but awkward for a meal. A corner dining set has a table at 65-73cm, close to normal dining height, so you can eat a proper dinner without moving. A rising table gives you both styles in one: the Outsunny 860-283 rising table lifts from 48cm to 68cm, and rising table sets are the most flexible choice for small gardens. For a separate table and chairs instead, see our grey rattan garden table and chairs.

Steel or aluminium frame

The weave is only the skin. Underneath, most rattan sets here use a powder-coated or galvanised steel frame, which keeps the price down. Steel is strong but can rust if the coating is chipped, so look after it. A few, such as the Outsunny 860-096, 860-146 and the 860-170 fire pit set, use aluminium, which doesn't rust and suits gardens where the furniture stays outside all year. Don't expect an aluminium set to feel light, though: with thick weave and a tempered glass top, most sets here weigh 46-74kg in total.

Seat strength is worth a glance too. Most are rated at 110-160kg per place, and the 860-146 at 220kg. The 860-143 has adjustable feet, handy on uneven paving.

Cushions and comfort

Seat cushions in this range run from 6cm to 10cm thick, with back cushions up to 18cm on the 860-388. Thicker foam means more comfort over a long afternoon. Nearly every set has zip-off polyester covers you can wash, and the 860-006 adds storage inside both its tables for throws and cushions - useful storage if you have no shed.

Why choose grey rattan?

A grey rattan sofa suits almost any garden style. It sits quietly against green planting, works with both contemporary porcelain paving and older sandstone, and doesn't show dust or pollen the way cream or white does. The shade still matters:

• Light grey feels airy on a sunny patio and pairs well with pale paving.
• Mixed grey, a blend of two-tone strands, is the most forgiving for dust, leaves and bird mess.
• Dark or deep grey looks smart against lawn and sits closer to black rattan garden furniture.
• Grey weave with coloured cushions: two of our corner sets come with orange cushions and one with dusty blue, if you want a little colour.

For a softer, warmer look, compare our cream rattan garden furniture.

Grey rattan corner sofa sets compared

All of these sets are made by Outsunny and sold by Aosom. Prices change often, so we show price bands rather than exact figures. Click any name for full dimensions, delivery details and photos.

In short, most sets here cost between £450 and £800. Under £500 you usually get a 4-6 place set on a steel frame with a small low table. Aluminium frames, dining-height or expandable tables and a gas fire pit push the price up.

Left hand, right hand or modular layouts

Fixed sets come in a left hand or right hand version, named by the side the long arm sits on when you face it. Order the wrong one and the open end faces the fence instead of the garden. Most of our rattan sets avoid the problem because they're modular: separate corner seats, middle seats and stools that you can arrange as a left hand corner, a right hand corner, a straight line or a U around the table. Sets made from two separate pieces, like the 860-143 and 860-068, can also swap sides. Check the layout photos on each product page before ordering, and if you need a fixed right hand or left hand shape, read the description to see which way it faces.

Rising, expandable or fire pit tables

The table decides how you'll use the set. A rising table suits people who mainly lounge but sometimes eat outside, and a rising table also lets children reach the top at the lower setting. An expandable dining table, like the one on the 10-seat 860-295, stretches from 177cm to 287cm for entertaining the whole family. The top-end 860-170 has a gas fire pit built into a 150cm table with a glass wind guard and comes with a rain cover, so you can stay out on cool evenings. Gas fire pits are for open air only. Keep them well away from overhanging branches and fences, never cover one while it's hot, and follow the manual for the gas bottle. More options are in our rattan fire pit dining sets.

Delivery, assembly and warranty

These sets are big and heavy, so check the delivery details on the product page and plan where the boxes will go. Most need some self assembly, usually fitting legs, arms or the table glass, so allow time and a second pair of hands. Three arrive fully assembled: the Outsunny 860-099 in grey and in orange/grey, and the aluminium-framed 860-096. Keep the paperwork, as warranty or guarantee cover is set by the retailer and varies by product, so check the guarantee terms on the product page.

Looking after a grey rattan corner sofa

PE rattan is a synthetic, weather resistant weave, so unlike natural rattan furniture it copes with rain and sun. Which? notes that synthetic resin rattan is weatherproof enough for year-round use but light enough to blow over in strong winds, so pick a sheltered spot on exposed sites. Keep the grey weave looking good, whatever the style of your garden, with a few simple habits:

• Brush off leaves and dust, then wipe the weave with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Rinse and let it dry before the cushions go back.
• Wash the zip-off covers as the label says. Bring cushions in when it rains and keep them dry over winter.
• Use a breathable waterproof furniture cover from autumn to spring. It stops the weave fading and keeps frost and bird mess off.
• Check steel frames each spring for chips in the powder coat and touch them up before rust starts.

For more ideas, see Which?'s tips on making garden furniture last longer.

Grey rattan corner sofa FAQs

Can a grey rattan corner sofa stay outside all year?

The grey weave and the frame can, but the rattan corner sofa will last longer under a breathable cover over winter. Store the cushions indoors or in a dry shed, as foam filling holds water once it gets wet.

Does grey rattan fade?

Good synthetic rattan is UV-resistant, and most corner sets here say so. Strong sun over many summers can still dull the colour slightly, so a cover when it isn't in use helps keep the shade even.

Do I have to assemble it?

Usually yes, but only partly - see delivery and assembly above. Three of our rattan sets come ready to use straight out of the box.

What's the difference between a corner set and a cube set?

A rattan corner sofa is a continuous run of seating around a table. A cube set packs its seats under the table to save space when it's not in use. If your patio is small, compare our rattan cube garden furniture.

How many places do I need?

Count the people who'll sit there on a normal weekend, then add a stool or two for visitors. A couple or a small family is usually happy with 4-5 places. For regular gatherings look at a 7-10 seat set or our 8 seater rattan garden furniture.

What if my rattan set arrives damaged?

Report it to the retailer straight away with photos. Under UK consumer law you're entitled to a repair, a replacement or a refund for goods that are faulty or not as described. Citizens Advice explains your rights step by step.

Not set on a corner shape? Our rattan sofa sets offer straight sofas and armchairs in the same grey weaves.