Know your Rattans

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Considering a much needed patio furniture upgrade? Feeling the need to join the rattan craze? With rattan’s versatile design properties, there’s a piece to suit just about any home and décor style. Rattan has a naturally laid back feel about it, which makes it perfect for an outdoor entertainment area or chill zone, but it’s also very popular for indoor spaces. It can be dressed up or dressed down for any occasion, it’s easy to care for, and will probably be around till your days consist of knitting on the patio while you regale the grandkids with stories of the good old days. In short, you can’t go wrong with rattan.

That said, there are a lot of different kinds of rattan around, and quite a bit of confusion over terminology. So, before you go on your long-awaited shopping spree, we’re here to help you make sure you know your rattans, so you can make the best purchase for your indoor or outdoor makeover.

What is rattan and where does it come from?

Rattan is a vine-like climbing plant, a relative of the palm tree, which is native to various parts of Southeast Asia. While Tarzan was using it as his favourite mode of transport, the locals were busy figuring out how they could work it into some sweet furniture designs.

There are two parts of the rattan plant used for furniture making. The more rigid outer layer of the vine is stripped and processed into the long strands used in cane furniture like gran’s rockin’ rocking chair. The inner wood of the vine is what’s used in natural rattan furniture. It’s the strongest and most pliable part of the plant, making it a great material for weaving into just about any shape of chair, couch, table, cupboard, bed frame, or décor piece you can think of. Unlike cane, it’s porous, which means manufacturers can get creative with colour staining.

Commercially, rattan furniture has been around for centuries. It saw a boom in the 1960s and 70s, and in the last few years we’ve seen an all new rattan revival – one which the décor experts reckon is here to stay.

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Rattan and wicker – what’s the difference?

There seems to be a bit of general confusion about these two terms. Is rattan just a fancy name for wicker? Is wicker really rattan in disguise? Well, don’t feel bad, there’s a lot of confusion around. Wicker actually refers to the weaving technique that’s been around since the Ancient Egyptians, with rattan being one of the materials that’s used today in wicker work. But wicker is also commonly (mis)used as a generic term for all the kinds of materials that can be used in the furniture weaving process. So yes, the confusion is understandable...

Now, to add a few more spanners in the works, we need to navigate the difference between natural and synthetic rattans, as well as the different kinds of synthetic rattans.

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Natural rattan

With any synthetic version of mother nature, there was clearly a good reason for copying the original. And there’s no doubt that natural rattan has plenty of bragging rights. It’s very strong, yet lightweight and flexible, making it super easy to work with. It’s naturally water repellent and bug resistant. And it’s got that all-natural charm and the good looks to match. Plus, when your guests come round, you get to say, ‘check out my Kubu rattan patio set, straight from the forests of Indonesia.’

On that note - there are a number of different varieties of natural rattan, depending on where the plant is sourced and how it’s processed. Kubu rattan is a popular type which is indeed sourced from Indonesia, and features a characteristic soft gray colour.

Natural vs. synthetic rattan

If you’re looking for differences in looks, comfort and toughness, there is not much in the fight between natural and synthetic rattan – they can actually be quite hard to tell apart. Differences in price don’t come down to whether you’re buying natural or synthetic, but rather the style and quality of design.

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The main advantage that synthetic rattan has over natural rattan is its ability to withstand prolonged exposure to the elements. Natural rattan grows in humid conditions, so it has a certain degree of built-in water resistance, but you can’t leave it outdoors without protection for long periods without it getting some sun and rain damage. It will do fine on a protected patio, but if you want to use it in an exposed area, be sure to buy some good quality covers, and store it indoors when it’s not being used all the time.

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The inside story – a word on rattan furniture framing

Besides knowing your rattans, don’t forget to check what’s on the inside – you want to be sure your furniture framing is holding up its end of the bargain. The two main contenders here are steel or aluminium. A cheaper option, steel is obviously the heavier of the two and may be worth considering if your patio is very exposed to strong wind, but is prone to rust in damp conditions. Powder-coated cast aluminium has become a much more popular option for outdoor furniture – it’s highly durable, totally weather-proof, and, unlike with steel, you won’t be breaking a sweat to move it around.

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That’s a wrap

Every material comes with its pros and cons. Both natural and synthetic rattan are a popular choice for indoor and outdoor furniture, offering a wide array of designs to add an element of laid-back sophistication to any modern home. When buying natural rattan, remember to keep it protected from the elements, or invest in high quality HDPE rattan for the most durable and low maintenance option for your outdoor patio.

Look no further than Cielo for a beautiful range of patio furniture made from the highest quality natural and synthetic rattans on the market.

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