Rattan is a species of climbing palm and a natural material and has been used in the making of furniture for hundreds of years. Rattan grows in the tropical forests of Malaysia and Indonesia and it can be harvested by locals using just a few simple tools. The raw material of rattan is light and much easier to transport than heavy logs, which makes it a cost effective material... Harvesting rattan does not damage or deplete the forests in the way that harvesting the large trees can do. The inner core of the rattan is used for making furniture, while the outer layer is stripped off and is used for rattan weaving.
Rattan is biodegradable and it is also strong and durable, it can withstand weather conditions that would warp and rot heavier wood and this makes it an ideal material for garden furniture. Rattan is also used in the making of conservatory furnishings as a number of different items are available. Like cane, rattan is easy to mould and shape into tables and chairs for outdoor and indoor use. Rattan has grown in popularity in recent years and there are now modern designs available, the tables come in different shapes and sizes and the chair backs and seats are padded out and covered with some great designer fabrics.
The great thing about rattan furniture is that it is virtually maintenance free, which makes it an ideal choice for garden furniture, which is usually available in natural, slate grey and black. Rattan garden furniture is often a combination of natural and synthetic resin materials that are easy to weave and used in outdoor wicker and rattan. While some of the furniture has a synthetic aspect, other rattan furniture is Lloyd loom woven.
How rattan furniture is made and the items and styles available will differ from one manufacturer to another. Much of the rattan garden furniture that is available today is made in places like Indonesia and Malaysia and then shipped to Britain and stored in warehouses before it is distributed to retail outlets. As furniture designers are becoming more interested in materials such as wicker, cane and rattan, so more of the items are being made in both the UK and the US.
If you are looking to buy rattan furniture for your balcony, garden or conservatory, then items that are most often available are tables, chairs and day beds. You may find some rattan sofas and room settings in some of the more up market department stores. Most rattan furniture has removable cushions and washable covers so it is easy to keep clean and fresh looking. Rattan should only require the occasional wipe down, but other than that is very low maintenance. In recent years rattan furniture manufacturers appear to be going the same way as the cane furniture market and producing whole ranges of furnishings, including side and end tables. If you want to furnish a conservatory rather than your garden, then you may want to take a look at some of these ranges.