Sapcote Companion Set in Natural Rattan

Is the angled set-up actually different from a straight bench?

Yes. On a straight Jack-and-Jill bench, both of you face the garden, both of you stare straight ahead, and after twenty minutes one of you is twisting your neck to hold a conversation. We designed this set differently.

The two chairs sit at an angle and meet across the table, so you naturally turn toward each other when you talk and your mug or glass sits within reach on the tempered glass top rather than balanced on a chair arm. The angled layout is the reason customers buy a companion set instead of two folding chairs and a side table from the shed: this set is set up for morning coffee or an evening drink for two, not a chair pulled in from inside.

Will it fit a small patio or balcony?

Yes, usually. The shallow V-shape sits in a footprint of roughly two metres by one metre, with clearance behind each chair for walking past. Mark the footprint out with masking tape on the slabs first if your space is tight, that's usually enough to confirm the fit before you order.

Compared with a four-seater dining set, this companion footprint frees up the rest of a small patio for planters, a path, or a back-door swing. The scale suits a balcony, a sun-trap corner, or a terraced courtyard where a larger set would crowd the space.

Is it really all-weather, no cover needed?

Yes. The frame is aluminium, which cannot rust, and we use a 0.2mm powder coating, two to three times thicker than what most aluminium garden furniture carries, so the coating doesn't break down through wet winters and freezing nights. We also use UV-stabilised synthetic rattan, which won't fade, rot or go brittle when left outside year-round. The 5mm tempered safety glass top doesn't crack in British winters the way ordinary glass can.

This means the structure is fully weatherproof and doesn't need a cover or storage, so it saves you the hassle and the £50 to £100 a cover would cost. In our experience, customers come back ten or fifteen years later saying their rattan is just as good as when they first bought it.

How does this compare to other companion sets at this price?

Cheaper companion sets at this size hide a steel frame under the weave that rusts at the joints and bolt holes within a couple of wet winters, and they pair it with PVC rattan that goes brittle in the sun. You'd be back shopping for a replacement set inside three years, and there'll be orange streaks across your paving in the meantime.

We design our own Sapcote range and sell it direct from our family-run Leicestershire showroom since 2001, without the excessive markup of big name brands.

Do you have a showroom where I can see the Sapcote range?

Our showroom at Sapcote Garden Centre in Leicestershire has the Sapcote range on display, so you can see how the natural rattan looks in real light. Our helpful and knowledgeable staff can talk you through the differences between aluminium and steel frames if you're comparing sets.

Why is this more expensive than cheaper natural rattan companion

The frame material. Cheaper sets are often steel under the rattan, and steel rusts from the inside out through joints and bolt holes. This set uses an aluminium frame because it cannot rust, meaning you can leave it outside all year round. In our experience, that's the difference between replacing a set after a few seasons and keeping it for well over 10 years.

Can I leave this companion set outside all year round?

The frame and rattan can stay outside all year round - no cover needed. Aluminium cannot rust and the UV-stabilised rattan will not fade, rot or go brittle. We advise storing the cushions when you're not using the set, especially in wet weather.

Will the natural rattan colour fade in the sun?

Very little. The rattan is UV-stabilised, so it will not fade in normal outdoor use. We've seen cheaper sets go patchy after a couple of summers because the material isn't properly UV-treated; this weave is chosen specifically to avoid that brittle, chalky look.

What's included with the Sapcote Companion Set in Natural Rattan

Two seats, one angled table, cushions, a 5mm tempered safety glass top, and a 3-Year Guarantee on the frame and weave. Delivery included. It's a complete two-person set for a patio, balcony, or sunny corner.

Does the table come with glass?

A 5mm tempered safety glass top comes with the table. Tempered glass copes with temperature swings better than standard glass - useful in British weather where a warm afternoon can turn into a near-freezing night. It also gives you a smooth, wipe-clean surface.

Are the cushions waterproof?

No - and deliberately so. We avoid stiff plastic-coated cushions because they feel clammy, trap heat, and the coating cracks after a couple of summers in UV. These cushions are included for comfort, so keeping them dry when not in use is what helps them last.

What if something goes wrong after I've bought it?

We'll help. We're a family-run business and we've been here since 2001, so you're not dealing with a faceless seller that disappears after summer. You're covered by our 3-Year Guarantee, and if you need advice or parts support, you can call us on 01455 274748, 7 days a week.

How much assembly is required?

None at all. The whole set, including the middle table section, arrives fully assembled. Unbox it, set it out, and you're ready.

Delivery is included in the price, 3-7 working days to mainland UK. Your furniture is delivered on pallets via our courier, and we'll email you a timed delivery window so you're not waiting around all day.

Worth knowing: our courier delivers to the kerbside or driveway, they won't take items around the back of the house, and the pallet and boxes are left with you. If you'd prefer a white-glove delivery with set-up and rubbish taken away, get in touch and we can usually help.

We dispatch from our Leicestershire garden centre. "In stock" means we have it here, ready to send, not drop-shipped from a third-party warehouse.

Returns: if you're not happy, let us know within 7 days and you can return it within 30 days for a refund (minus return delivery costs). The furniture must be in its original condition and packaging, and we'll arrange the collection with you.