Ahead of spring home decor shows, rattan a growing trend in outdoor furniture

Outdoor furniture made from rattan, a bamboo-like substance, looks set to be one of the hot trends in outdoor furnishings this summer as eBay users around the world search for settees, chairs and other furniture made from the material.

Over the past seven days, under the category Home and Garden, the phrase "outdoor rattan sectional sofa" was the top search term in Canada, accounting for over $9000 worth of sales; in Germany the top search term was "poly ratten gartenmöbel [garden furniture] " and accounted for over $370,000 worth of sales, and "outdoor rattan garden conservatory sofa set" was the second most popular search term in the United Kingdom accounting for over $60,000 worth of eBay sales.

Rattan is a blanket name for around 600 types of palms native to Africa, Australasia and tropical regions of Asia. The material is commonly used to make wickerwork furniture and baskets though there are environmental concerns over its extensive use.

A search for "rattan furniture" on eBay.com on April 26 returns around 800 results; rattan furniture is also available to buy on amazon.com which lists over 9,000 items classed as "rattan furniture," though currently the best-selling item of patio furniture on amazon.com is not rattan but the Caravan Canopy Zero Gravity Reclining Chair with adjustable headrest which currently retails for $49.99.

The widespread popularity of searches related to rattan outdoor furniture indicates that outdoor furnishings of this type could be popular with home owners around the world this summer.

Other popular searches, on eBay, in the category Home and Garden included the generic "garden furniture" in France, "KitchenAid processor " in the USA and high pressure washers in Australia.

Over the coming weeks a series of trade shows and exhibitions will be showcasing the latest trends and products in home designs and accessories including outdoor furniture. From April 30 - May 8 around 47,000 visitors are expected to attend UK event Grand Designs Live and from May 14-17 exhibitors from around the world will  be presenting outdoor furniture at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York.