Rattan and wicker furniture have taken their rightful place in our households due to their wonderful designs and sturdiness and have been popularly used for the outside seating areas.

There is something creative and artistic about rattan furniture. The intricate weaving, the innovative and expressive designs evident in contemporary pieces inspire consumers to buy a piece or a set for outdoor (and even indoor) use. Abundant in the forest of Southeast Asia, the sturdy vine-like rattan tree has become the preferred material for wicker furniture.

Wicker and rattan are two terms that commonly are confused and very often used interchangeably. This makes it difficult to understand whether these words have the same meaning or not. To clear up all of the confusion, wicker and rattan are not the same. In fact, these two terms refer to completely different things.

Wicker is a style of weave whereas rattan is a material. You have probably heard the two used together because it is common to see wicker rattan weaves; meaning a design that uses rattan in a wicker weave. One describes the product(rattan) while the other describes the actual process(wicker) that is followed to make it.

Here are a few ideas of inspiration that you can incorporate into your household with rattan and wicker furniture and know just why it is not just a fad:

THE BLEND IN THE DESIGNS

Rattan and wicker make an excellent blend for a modern yet contemporary traditional home. The popularity of this natural material is driven by the instantly recognisable designs and being styled in a number of different ways that can make the interior curation so very easy. From hanging ceiling lights to a solid cane furniture set, rattan and wicker make for an excellent comradeship of durability and design.

Its popularity as a material for furniture, both outdoor and indoor, is unmistakable. Able to be bent and curved, rattan takes on many wonderful curving forms. Its light, golden colour brightens a room or outdoor environment and instantly conveys a feeling of a tropical paradise.

As a material, rattan is lightweight and almost impervious and is easy to move and handle. It can withstand extreme conditions of humidity and temperature and has a natural resistance to insects.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE MATERIAL

The popularity of this natural material is driven by the increasing awareness of sustainable living in society. People nowadays love the idea of renewable material, which is why rattan is so popular these days. Since the material is obtained from the barks of the tree is a greener option and the constant shift in the architecture and interior designing industry towards sustainability is an important reminder of what beauty is keeping in mind the sustainability of the environment.

Opting for rattan furniture is an environmental-friendly endeavor. Rattan grows at a very fast rate and what is harvested can be fully replenished in just a few years’ time. It is also ecologically important as it can grow on even the most degraded and marginal soil.

DURABILITY AND STRENGTH

Although Rattan and wicker both cannot withstand extreme climate like the greater exposure to sunlight and rain as the interlocks might shape in water and generate mould, recent synthetic developments in this material like PE rattan and wicker have made the durability and sturdiness of the material much better. The PE material is a synthetic production that allows for better flexibility in the material and is UV protected. The material lasts longer and gives the similar appeal to natural material. 

Rattan is light and sturdy. Its light weight makes it easy to move this set of furniture around. Its durability and sturdiness make this type of furniture cost-efficient. Compared to other wooden furniture in the market today, this type of furnishing requires minimal maintenance. All one needs to clean rattan is a piece of soft cloth moistened in any dish washing liquid to wipe the surface clean. For hard to reach gaps, a small brush will do the trick. In the event that the furniture needs to be replaced, the cost is not quite substantial.

A WONDERFUL OUTSIDE PLACEMENT

More and more homeowners are opting for rattan as outdoor furnishing due to its stylish design that blends in perfectly with any outdoor space. The woven texture and seemingly exotic ambience of rattan are very appealing to consumers who prefer to bring style and comfort to their outdoor spaces. Accessorizing the furniture by adding throw pillows and such will enhance its appearance.

Woven furniture such as rattan is versatile as it can be used not only for outdoor areas but in indoor spaces as well. This type of furniture is light and compact to look at, no matter its size. Even if the piece of furniture is huge in terms of its actual size and weight, it still exudes a lightweight effect. A piece of rattan furniture will bode well in the dining room, on the lanai, next to the pool, near the garden, in the solarium and more

TIMELESS AESTHETICS

Starting its journey from the 1990s this material is a persona of timeless craftsmanship of weaving techniques that go amised in interiors. The colour and shades are all neutral and since it is a traditional and local technique, it always keeps its legacy intact. The material itself has undergone evolution and experimentation with the design. Interiors can be curated in a number of ways with the different weaving and braiding techniques going on. The material of rattan and wicker reminds us of a sophisticated and contemporary, minimalist design that creates a timeless blend into the interiors. 

The classic woven cane texture is instantly recognisable and is guaranteed to look stylish for years to come. As wicker is neutral in colour and texture, it will never go out of style. The beauty of these materials is that you can also layer them with various other materials for a more contemporary style or juxtapose them with bold colours for a fun look.

LIGHTWEIGHT AND VERSATILE

 For those who think rattan only means ‘the traditional rattan colour’ don't fret, it comes in a myriad of colours. painted rattan furniture looks incredibly chic inside. It’s easy to style and gives a relaxed, unexpected feel to a room and mixes perfectly with both antiques and contemporary pieces alike.

A dining room or kitchen is an easy place to incorporate cane chairs, but you can also find beds, benches, and shelving units with cane backs. Like wicker, the secret to styling this material for this summer and beyond is mixing it with a few darker furnishings as opposed to all light, pastel shades