Wicker Rattan Furniture

They may not look very durable, but they are. Quite surprisingly, in fact. Rattan and other wicker furniture are valued for their charming beauty and elegance, as well as for their lightness, their airy presence and the wealth of comfort and coziness it offers. No, you don't need to actually sit in a rattan wicker chair to know it's going to feel like heaven. And when you do lean back into one, heaven it is indeed.

So, how is it possible that rattan furniture is also particularly recommended outdoors, on your porch or patio, where the sun, wind and rain can easily warp the pliable wood? Well, it may appear that rattan and wicker are easy to warp but nothing can be further from the truth. Rattan is a palm, with sturdy stalks similar to bamboo that can be woven into wicker baskets, chairs, tables and many other kinds of wicker furniture. Other wicker sources are fibers from other plants, such as willows, though there are plastic variations that are also available. Rattan is, of course, the most popular material used for wicker furniture.

The weaving of the rattan and other wicker furniture is specialized so that they can last several years, both indoors and out. Raw rattan is processed so that the material can withstand exposure to the elements, and rattan doesn't splinter. Of course, the non-synthetic wickers won't last as long as iron furniture, so if you're in the middle of a week-long monsoon, it would be advisable to bring your rattan chairs in from the cold. Luckily, rattan pieces are quite easy to carry, made of the lightest material you can find.

Designs for rattan wicker furniture are as diverse as there are many weaves possible. Many designs are open weave, which many people prefer for better air circulation. The sides of sofas and chairs can be charming lattice frames, intricate diamond designs, or rows of braids, among many others. You can get entire suites of patio or den furniture, consisting of the 2-seater sofa, two chairs, a coffee table for a centerpiece, a side table and a footstool. The designs of the chairs will also be the basic designs of the footstool and the sides, if not the tops, of the tables. Table tops are usually a smooth stretch of wood or a plate of glass held securely in its rattan frame.

Woven rattan can be quite springy, depending on how tightly bound the weaving is, but rattan wicker chairs and sofas usually look extra comfortable with large, made-to-fit cushions and pillows. Cushions are also being made for rattan ottomans, chaise lounges, rocking chairs, and even beds.
 
Aside from rattan tables and chairs, there are other home furniture and accents that have been fashioned from rattan, including tea carts, shelves, ceiling fans, lamp bases and frames for mirrors. If we look far enough, we might find all kinds of furniture and home accents made of rattan.

Using rattan furniture and accents will also help the environment. Rattan grows up to several hundreds of meters long, and this abundance will help lower the demand for other types of wood, especially from trees that are vast disappearing from our forests. At least, while we're regrowing other kinds of wood, we have rattan.