Outsunny Garden Furniture Colours & Styles: How to Choose

Outsunny's range is predominantly available in three rattan colours: grey, black and natural (honey/brown). Within those colours, the style varies from contemporary and minimal to more traditional wicker-style designs. Choosing the right combination for your space isn't complicated, but it's worth thinking through before you buy — particularly if you're planning to add pieces over time and want them to work together.

The Three Main Rattan Colours

Grey rattan is Outsunny's most popular colour and the dominant choice in the UK market. It's a cool, contemporary tone that works with almost any garden surface — grey porcelain paving, light sandstone, dark slate, timber decking. Grey rattan reads as modern and neutral, making it the safest choice if you're unsure. It pairs well with both grey and cream cushions, and with most planting colours.

The main consideration with grey: it shows dirt and bird droppings more visibly than darker colours. A quick wipe-down keeps it looking clean, but it requires slightly more routine maintenance than black.

Black rattan is the second most popular choice and has grown significantly in popularity over the last few years. It reads as more dramatic and contemporary than grey — particularly striking against light paving or a white rendered wall. Black rattan hides dirt better than grey and tends to look cleaner with less maintenance. It pairs well with grey, cream, white and terracotta cushions.

The consideration with black: it absorbs more heat in direct sun, which can make metal frame components hot to the touch on very warm days. This is rarely a practical problem in the UK climate but worth knowing.

Natural rattan (honey/brown) is the warmest of the three tones and the closest to the look of traditional wicker. It works particularly well in gardens with a lot of natural materials — timber decking, sandstone paving, terracotta pots, warm-toned planting. It's less contemporary than grey or black and suits a more relaxed, organic garden aesthetic. Natural rattan pairs well with terracotta, sage green, cream and warm white cushions.

Natural rattan shows UV fading more visibly than grey or black over time — the honey tone gradually lightens. This is normal and doesn't affect the structural integrity of the rattan.

Cushion Colours and Combinations

Outsunny cushions are typically available in grey, cream, beige, dark grey and occasionally terracotta or green, depending on the set. The cushion colour has as much impact on the overall look as the rattan colour — sometimes more.

Grey rattan + grey cushions: the most popular combination in the UK. Clean, contemporary, cohesive. Works in almost any garden. Can feel slightly cold in a shaded north-facing garden — add warm-toned accessories (terracotta pots, warm lighting) to counterbalance.

Grey rattan + cream/beige cushions: warmer than all-grey. Works particularly well on light paving and in gardens with a lot of planting. A good choice if you want a contemporary frame but a softer overall feel.

Black rattan + grey cushions: striking and contemporary. Works well in modern gardens with clean lines and minimal planting. Strong contrast between frame and cushion.

Black rattan + cream cushions: classic contrast combination. Works in both contemporary and more traditional garden settings.

Natural rattan + terracotta or sage green cushions: the warmest and most organic combination. Works best in gardens with natural materials and relaxed planting schemes.

Remember that cushion covers can be replaced independently — if you want to change the colour scheme of an existing set, new covers are a cost-effective way to do it. See our replacement cushions guide for more detail.

Style: Contemporary vs Traditional

Within each colour, Outsunny's range spans a spectrum from contemporary to traditional.

Contemporary style is characterised by clean lines, flat weave rattan, low-profile frames, and minimal ornamentation. Corner sofa sets and L-shaped sets are typically the most contemporary pieces in the range. These work best in modern gardens with clean paving, minimal planting and architectural features.

Traditional/classic style uses a more open wicker-style weave, higher-backed chairs, and more ornate frame details. Outsunny's bistro sets and some dining chairs lean more traditional. These work well in cottage gardens, period properties and gardens with a more relaxed, organic feel.

Most of Outsunny's range sits in the middle — contemporary enough to look modern but not so minimal as to feel cold. This is part of why the brand works in such a wide variety of garden settings.

Matching Furniture to Your Garden

Modern garden with clean lines, light paving, minimal planting: grey or black rattan, flat weave, low-profile frames. Grey or dark grey cushions. Corner sofa sets and rectangular dining sets work best.

Traditional or cottage garden with warm materials and relaxed planting: natural rattan or grey, more open weave. Cream, beige or terracotta cushions. Bistro sets and round dining tables suit this aesthetic better than large rectangular sets.

Urban balcony or small patio: any colour works — choose based on the wall and floor colours. On a dark-walled balcony, natural rattan adds warmth. On a light-walled balcony, black rattan creates contrast. Keep the furniture scale small: bistro sets or compact 2-seater sofa sets.

Large garden with multiple zones: use the same rattan colour throughout for cohesion, even if the furniture types differ. A grey rattan dining set and a grey rattan corner sofa set look intentional together; mixing grey and natural rattan in the same space can look unplanned.

Mixing Pieces from Different Sets

Mixing Outsunny pieces from different sets is possible but requires some care. The key rules:

Match the rattan colour. Grey rattan from one set and grey rattan from another will look cohesive even if the weave pattern is slightly different. Mixing grey and natural rattan in the same zone rarely works well.

Match or coordinate the cushion colour. If you're mixing sets, use the same cushion colour across all pieces, or choose a coordinating colour that works with both. Mismatched cushion colours in the same zone look unplanned.

Be consistent with frame style. Mixing a very contemporary flat-weave sofa set with a traditional open-weave bistro set in the same zone can look inconsistent. If mixing styles, use them in separate zones rather than side by side.

Egg chairs and swing seats are statement pieces that can work alongside almost any sofa or dining set in the same rattan colour — their distinctive shape means they read as intentional additions rather than mismatches. Browse Outsunny swing seats and egg chairs at Opal Retail.

Current Colour Trends

Grey rattan has dominated the UK garden furniture market for the past decade and remains the most popular choice. Black rattan has grown significantly in popularity since 2022 and is now the second most searched colour for garden furniture in the UK. Natural rattan is seeing a resurgence as part of a broader trend toward warmer, more organic outdoor aesthetics.

Cushion colour trends have moved away from plain grey toward warmer tones — sage green, terracotta and warm cream are all growing in popularity as accent colours against grey or black rattan frames.

The most future-proof choice if you're unsure: grey rattan with cream or warm grey cushions. It's the combination that has remained consistently popular and works in the widest range of garden settings.

Browse the full Outsunny range at Opal Retail. Spread the cost with Klarna, Clearpay, Shop Pay or PayPal — flexible payment options available at checkout.

Further reading

• Outsunny Garden Furniture UK: The Complete Guide
• Transform Your Patio with Chic Outsunny Furniture
• Outsunny Replacement Cushions: Sizes, Compatibility & Where to Buy

Frequently asked questions

What colours does Outsunny garden furniture come in?

Most Outsunny rattan garden furniture is available in grey, black and natural (honey/brown). Grey is the most popular and works in the widest range of garden settings. Black is more contemporary and dramatic. Natural rattan is the warmest tone and suits gardens with natural materials and relaxed planting.

Is grey or black rattan better for a garden?

Both work well — the choice depends on your garden aesthetic and personal preference. Grey is more versatile and works in almost any setting. Black is more striking and contemporary, hides dirt better, and has grown significantly in popularity. If you're unsure, grey is the safer choice; black makes more of a statement.

Can I mix different Outsunny sets in the same garden?

Yes, with some care. Match the rattan colour across all pieces for cohesion. Coordinate or match cushion colours. Be consistent with frame style within the same zone. Egg chairs and swing seats work alongside almost any sofa or dining set in the same rattan colour.

What cushion colour goes with grey rattan?

Grey cushions are the most popular pairing and create a clean, contemporary look. Cream or beige cushions add warmth and work particularly well in gardens with a lot of planting. Dark grey cushions create a more dramatic, monochromatic look. Sage green or terracotta are growing in popularity as accent colours against grey rattan.

Does Outsunny rattan fade in the sun?

All outdoor rattan fades to some degree with prolonged UV exposure, but Outsunny's PE rattan is UV-stabilised and resists fading better than cheaper alternatives. Natural rattan shows fading most visibly (the honey tone lightens). Grey and black rattan are more fade-resistant in appearance. A parasol or pergola over your seating area significantly reduces UV exposure and extends the life of the rattan and cushions.