I might ruffle some feathers here, but until recently, I was staunchly opposed to all-weather rattan furniture of any form. I grew so tired of those bulky, synthetic furniture sets that dominated virtually every suburban patio in 2018 (you know the type I'm talking about). They're just so overdone and aged so poorly that I never wanted to lay my eyes on rattan again. That was, until I came across West Elm's Sorrento Garden Lounge Chair.
In 2026, 'resin rattan' (a term for rattan-effect furniture made with plastic fibers) has had a stylish makeover. It's in part thanks to innovations in production that can now mimic the natural fiber better, but also thanks to the sleeker profile of outdoor furniture more generally. Gone are the days of those imposing grayscale sets that tore at the edges and slumped in the middle. Instead, it's all about natural-looking weaves, slimmer forms, and sculptural shapes.
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