Rattan Corner Sofa Buying Guide: Sizes, Layouts and Tables

A rattan corner sofa turns a patio into an outdoor living room. It seats the whole family, makes the most of an awkward spot in the garden and, with the right table, works for morning coffee, long lunches and evening drinks round a fire pit. No wonder L-shaped sets are the most popular rattan garden furniture in the UK, and why every garden centre and online shop seems to stock a huge range of them.

But with so many shapes, sizes and add-ons, picking the right one can feel like a puzzle. Get the size or the table wrong and you’ll be squeezing past it all summer. Here’s how to get it right first time.

Why choose a rattan corner sofa?

• More seats, less space. An L-shape uses the corner of your patio that would otherwise sit empty.
• Sociable. Everyone faces inwards, so conversations flow.
• Flexible. Many sets are modular, so you can split them into a sofa and armchairs.
• Low-maintenance. PE rattan on an aluminium frame needs little more than a wipe down.
• Comfortable seating. Deep cushions and backrests feel closer to an indoor sofa than most outdoor furniture.

The honest downsides? They’re big, they’re heavy to move once built, and the cushions need somewhere dry to live over winter. If your garden is tiny or you mostly eat outside rather than lounge, a different type of set might suit you better. Our rattan garden furniture sets guide compares all the main options.

What size rattan corner sofa do you need?

Sets are usually sold by the number of seats, but the footprint varies a lot between brands. A “7 seater” from one retailer can be noticeably bigger than another, so always check the dimensions in the product information and measure your outdoor space.

Set size	Typical footprint	Space to allow
5 seater (compact)	around 1.8m x 1.8m	2.5m x 2.5m
7 seater	around 2.2m x 2.2m	3m x 3m
9 to 10 seater	around 2.6m x 2.6m plus stools	3.5m x 3.5m

Leave at least 60cm around the sofa and the table so people can get in and out easily. Masking tape on the patio is a quick way to see how it’ll feel before you order. Seat counts usually include footstools, so a 9 seater rattan set might only have six proper backed seats. If you want everyone to lean back comfortably, count the backrests, not the stools.

Left-hand or right-hand?

Many L-shaped sofas have a fixed chaise or a longer side. Stand with your back to the house, looking out at the garden, and decide which side you want the long run on. Think about the view and where the sun sets, too. It’s nice to face the last of the evening light.

Then there’s modular or fixed. Modular sets come as separate sections that clip together, so you can switch sides, pull out an armchair or split the set for a party. Fixed sets feel a little sturdier and have fewer gaps between cushions. If you move house every few years, modular is the safer bet.

Choosing the table

The table makes a big difference to how you’ll use the set day to day.

Coffee table

The classic choice for lounging. Look for a tempered glass top, ideally with a slatted or rattan shelf underneath for magazines and candles. Tinted glass hides water marks better than clear glass, and a glass top is easy to wipe after a day in the garden.

Rising table

A rising table lifts from coffee-table height to dining table height with a simple lever or gas strut. It’s the best of both worlds, letting you lounge in the afternoon and enjoy garden dining at the same set in the evening. If you have room for only one set, this is the clever option. The catch is that you’re eating from low sofa seats, which suits some people better than others. Our rattan dining set guide is worth a read if proper dining matters most.

Fire pit table

Gas fire pit tables add warmth and a lovely glow, stretching your evenings well into autumn. Check whether the gas bottle hides neatly inside the table, and whether there’s a lid so it doubles as a normal table when it’s off. A few safety basics apply in the UK: they’re for outdoor use only, they need good ventilation, and you should never use one under a low canopy, gazebo or parasol. Keep cushions and throws a sensible distance from the flame, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cushions: the comfort test

Seat cushions of 10 to 15cm feel properly sofa-like. Thinner pads flatten quickly and you’ll feel the frame within a season. Look for removable covers you can wash, and quick-dry foam that won’t stay soggy after a shower. Showerproof isn’t the same as waterproof, so bring cushions in at night or store them in a cushion box. If yours start to look tired after a few years, replacement garden cushions are a cheap way to freshen up the whole set.

Frame, weave and colour

For a garden sofa set that lives outside all year, a powder-coated aluminium frame and UV-stable PE rattan are the two things to insist on. Aluminium won’t rust and is light enough to move pieces around. Steel is sturdy but heavier and can rust if scratched. Avoid PVC weave, which tends to go brittle in the sun.

Grey flat-weave looks sharp and modern against stone patio slabs, while round weave in brown or natural tones feels more traditional. Black and charcoal look smart next to dark paving and hide dirt well, though black rattan does warm up in direct sun. Pale grey shows dust and green algae a little sooner in a shady garden. Not sure which way to go? Our grey rattan guide might help.

Delivery, assembly and price

Most sets arrive in a few large boxes and need the legs or arms bolting on. Allow an hour or two with two people. Some premium sets arrive fully assembled, which is worth knowing if you have a narrow side gate or no rear access to the outdoor patio. Check the delivery terms too: whether delivery is free, whether it’s kerbside or to a room of your choice, and how many days it’ll take if the set isn’t in stock.

Prices run from around £400 for a compact steel-framed set to well over £2,000 for large aluminium sets with a fire pit or rising table. Don’t rely on the star rating alone. Read customer reviews for comments on cushion comfort and how the weave holds up after a year, as these tell you more than the photos. When you buy online in the UK you normally have 14 days to cancel, but check who pays for collection on bulky items. If you can wait, the end-of-season sale is often the best time to buy, as explained in our guide to when rattan goes on sale.

Looking after your rattan sofa

Brush off leaves and dust regularly, wash it down with warm soapy water a few times a year, and use a fitted waterproof cover over winter. A cover is the single best way to keep garden furniture looking new. Lift the cushions after rain so the weave underneath can dry, and put a parasol up on hot days to slow fading. Our rattan cleaning guide has the full routine.

Rattan corner sofa FAQs

Can rattan garden furniture stay outside all year?

Yes, if it’s PE rattan on an aluminium frame. Bring the cushions in and use a fitted cover through winter.

Can the sofa be rearranged?

Modular sets can be split into sofas, armchairs and footstools. Fixed L-shapes can’t, so check before you buy.

Does it come with a table?

Most do. The listing will say whether it’s a coffee table, a rising dining table or a fire pit table.

Is an L-shaped sofa good for a small garden?

A compact 5 seater can work well. For really tight spaces, a cube set may suit you better because it tucks away when you’re not using it.

Can I use a parasol with an L-shaped set?

Yes, but most coffee tables don’t have a parasol hole, so you’ll need a freestanding or cantilever garden parasol with a heavy base. Never put one over a lit fire pit.

Ready to explore? Browse our hand-picked garden corner sofa sets to compare sizes, colours and tables side by side.