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Whether you’ve noticed rattan furniture as you scroll through your Instagram feed or in your neighbour’s back garden, there’s no mistaking this style of furniture is having a moment in 2021. However, rattan has a long history of popularity all over the world as a material for creating both indoor and outdoor furniture.

Where does rattan come from?

Rattan is a vinelike palm which grows in forests. There are roughly 600 species of it in existence. It wraps around different plants and trees and grows up them to get as much sunlight as possible. Rattan typically comes from tropical areas of Africa, Australia, and Asia. Because it grows so fast, it’s a reliable source of income for local communities.

Harvesting rattan

Rattan is harvested by farmers all year round. It’s an almost indestructible substance which can’t be split or broken, so it’s cut into large strips and collected for processing before selling. If the strips are thin enough, they can be left in the sun and smoked, otherwise they can be boiled in oil to ensure they are fully dried. When cut into small strips, rattan can be woven to make furniture and baskets. Some species of rattan can also be used as dyes or eaten, although we wouldn’t recommend chewing on your new chairs!

Using rattan to make furniture

Rattan furniture was introduced to Europe at the beginning of the 19th century and has remained popular ever since.  A previous notable spike in the popularity of rattan furniture came in the 1930s and 1940s when it was in fashion for a wide range of furniture including tables, chairs, beds and desks. 2021 has once again seen an increase in popularity of natural materials for furniture and rattan fits perfectly into this trend. Nowadays, it’s used largely for garden, summerhouse and conservatory furniture.

Can rattan withstand the British weather?

Although natural rattan is not weatherproof, a lot of synthetic rattan furniture is. The quality of the materials, the frame and the weave will be a huge factor in whether your furniture can cope with the unpredictable UK weather. Trent Furniture’s range of synthetic rattan furniture is both UV and water resistant, so you can use it both indoors and out. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your new tables and chairs stay in perfect condition:

• Clean with warm water and a splash of washing up liquid every few weeks and dry with a cloth.
• Cover your furniture or stow away in winter or other harsh conditions.
• Let it breathe - when the sun is out, remove your covers to prevent mould from building up.

Pictured: our water-resistant black rattan chair

Why we love rattan

Rattan furniture is lightweight, affordable and stylish. It can be treated with many stains and paints, meaning it’s available in all sorts of colours so you can easily find something to suit your needs, whether you are looking to furnish your conservatory or your garden. With our range of synthetic rattan and wicker furniture, we’re certain you’ll be thrilled with your purchase.

If you any questions about our rattan furniture just click below to contact us or call 0116 2989 335 and our team will be happy to help.

Getting dressed up for cocktails in a noisy bar furnished with the latest décor makes for an exciting night out, however, the more low-key experience of catching up with friends over a few drinks at the pub will never wane in popularity.

Over the last few decades, thanks to public demand, the British pub has seen a seismic shift from being a smoky, male-dominated setting to a more family-friendly and often food-focussed environment.

These days a visit to the pub can mean anything from a swift solitary pint to a gourmet meal with a large group of friends. However, what remains a constant is the welcoming environment of our favourite pubs and taking care to choose the right pub furniture plays a key part in creating that.

Classic pubs

When selecting furniture for any building, context is everything. As many pubs are housed in old or even ancient buildings that have served their communities over centuries, traditional furniture is very often the best bet for creating a warm, welcoming environment for the modern punter while respecting the history of the setting. Not only that, traditional bar stools and matching tables fit into the nooks and crannies that can be tricky to furnish in old buildings, while tall bar chairs and stools also maximise space while catering to the age-old pastime of drinking at the bar.

However, this style of decor certainly doesn’t mean putting up with rickety old furniture that is past its best. Much of today’s pub furniture takes its inspiration from the past. Trent Furniture’s wide range of traditional pub furniture, including the Captains Chair and Admirals Chair builds on the design classics of the past to provide the standards of comfort, durability and style needed for today’s traditional pub.

Contemporary pubs

These days, many pubs, particularly those with a family-friendly feel, opt for a more modern look. Trent Furniture supply a great range of contemporary pub furniture ideal for creating a cosy pub atmosphere with a modern twist. Easy to clean faux leather furniture such as the Abbruzzo Faux Leather Chair and Manhattan Two Seater Sofa (below) is comfortable, durable and goes well with contemporary tables made from metal and lighter-toned wood.

Versatile metal pub furniture

In the post lockdown world, pub owners are making the most of every inch of available space, including outdoors. This is where hard-wearing and stylish metal furniture comes into its own for both traditional and modern pubs. Trent Furniture’s versatile range of water-resistant metal furniture including the Vista Table and Monaco Aluminium Stacking Chair is the perfect solution for beer gardens and when not needed outside, these stylish options look just as good in an indoor setting. 

Find out more today

No matter what style of pub furniture you are looking for, we have the perfect solution for you in a choice of finishes and upholstery. And by taking advantage of our furniture sale, you can save even more on your new purchases. To find out more please call us on 0116 7436 816 or click below for our contact form.

As government restrictions continue to be lifted and the weather continues to heat up, this summer is expected to be a big one for the hospitality industry. Reservations for restaurants and pub gardens are becoming increasingly elusive, with no signs of demand slowing down as people get back into the habit of socialising with their friends and family.

But is your venue ready for such a busy summer? If you’re thinking about sprucing up your dining spaces, take a look at some of the top furniture trends below that will get people talking about your decor just as much as your food.

Outdoor Furniture Trends

Gone are the days of shabby chic and mismatched furniture, replaced instead by clean lines and shapes that provide a sleek and modern finish. While this trend has been gaining popularity in interior design for a while now, demand for these styles in gardens and outdoor dining spaces has been increasing recently too.

When it comes to tables, squares and rectangles provide these sought-after straight lines and edges without costing an arm and a leg. Our square Plaza restaurant table is ideal for outdoor use, made from rust-resistant aluminium with a hard-woven rattan outer layer that is water and UV resistant. What’s more, these tables are stackable, making it easy to store and rearrange furniture depending on day-to-day requirements.

Similarly, chairs with straight backs and angular arms offer a modern and stylish look. Or, for an even more minimal approach, armless chairs such as our Plaza chair complete the look perfectly. These contract-grade chairs are durable and hard-wearing, needing minimal maintenance and keeping their colour even when left outside.

Colour Trends

With the recent restrictions on indoor socialising, combined with a rise in popularity of bi-fold doors within interior design, the lines between the indoor and outdoor look are blurring as businesses look to create a versatile design suitable for all requirements. With this in mind, outdoor furniture that would look at home indoors is on trend this summer.

Neutrals such as whites and different shades of grey are a must this summer, providing a simple and sophisticated background that lets your food and drink take centre stage. Our white marble Vienna table makes the perfect Insta-worthy background for those cocktail snaps and is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.

By creating a neutral and timeless base design with your furniture, you can incorporate pops of colour with soft furnishings like cushions and blankets as well as bright prints and plants. These cheaper items of décor can then be switched in and out depending on the season and the current design trends, meaning you can stay up to date with the latest styles without breaking the bank.

Trent Furniture are the experts in restaurant and pub furniture. With more than 60 years of experience supplying the hospitality industry, we can help you find the perfect furniture for your business, from tables to sofas. And, with a wide range of contract grade furniture available, you can rest assured that your customers are safe and your furniture is worth the investment for years to come. For more information about our products and capabilities, get in touch today.