When it comes to kitting out your conservatory, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is which furniture to opt for.
If you’re having a conservatory built and you’re in the process of shopping for furniture, you may be wondering which type would work well in your new space. For conservatories and orangeries, we would usually suggest rattan furniture, and for a variety of reasons.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what makes this style of furniture so suitable for conservatories. We’ll also point out a few minor drawbacks to give you a balanced perspective and help you choose your furniture with confidence.
UV-Resistant
Conservatories are great places for relaxing as you soak up some natural light. However, all that sunshine can come at a cost as the sun’s UV rays can start to alter the colour of your furnishing.
This is one area where rattan furniture excels. You see, rattan, the material used to create this furniture, is highly resistant to UV. Grown in tropical regions in Asia, Africa and Australasia, rattan features impressive weatherproof properties due to the often harsh conditions it’s grown in.
Therefore, this hardy material can withstand the sun’s rays, making it perfect for conservatory furniture.
Versatile
Another huge benefit of rattan furniture is its versatility. Due to rattan’s durable nature and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, this furniture is suitable for outdoor use.
This means that rather than buying furniture for both your garden and your conservatory, you can simply take your rattan set to the garden when you want to sit outdoors. Moreover, your conservatory will make a great place to store your furniture during the colder months.
Lastly, rattan also tends to be lightweight, which will make moving it easier, so the benefits of using this furniture for dual use are vast!
Easy To Maintain
If you’d rather reduce the time spent maintaining your furniture, this is another reason to choose rattan. Unlike other types of furniture such as leather or upholstered which may require time-consuming or costly maintenance, rattan is a doddle to keep clean and fresh.
Due to the smooth texture, rattan just needs a quick wipe down every once in a while and it’ll stay looking its best. Although you can stain or varnish rattan, it’s not necessary because, as we pointed out above, it won’t fade due to sunlight.
Pairs Well With Soft Furnishings
Rattan has a certain minimalist charm that means it looks the part whether it’s in basic or even designer conservatories. But if you’re not too struck on its natural, woven aesthetic, fear not as you can jazz it up with some soft furnishings.
Cushions, throws and blankets are a way to add some colour and style to your rattan furniture. These can simply be removed when your furniture isn’t in use.
Due to rattan’s minimalist appearance, you’ll be able to pair it with practically any colour scheme or interior style you wish. So get creative, and turn your conservatory into your idyllic space!
Drawbacks
So now we’ve covered the main advantages, let’s touch on a couple of drawbacks. These include:
Can Be Uncomfortable
Depending on which set you choose, you may find your rattan furniture isn’t as comfortable as some other styles. This will obviously depend on the manufacturer and the set you select and you may find that some of the most expensive out there are equally if not more comfortable.
However, some of the cheaper sets may feel slightly rigid so keep this in mind when choosing your furniture.
Cost
Another disadvantage with rattan furniture can be the cost. In some cases, this style of furniture may cost more than other types, especially if you’re opting for one of the pricier sets.
That said, if you’re not constrained by a tight budget then it may well be worth splashing out due to the benefits mentioned above. But for those looking to spend less, rattan may not be the best choice.
So those are the main reasons why rattan furniture is such a great fit for conservatories. If you’re looking to furnish a new conservatory or give your old space an upgrade, rattan is certainly worth considering as it’s UV-resistant, versatile and easy to maintain.