About Rattan
Rattan is a natural product, a climbing palm that is found in the rain forests of places like Indonesia and Malaysia. Rattan furniture is usually much cheaper than cane furniture and some of this is due to the fact that rattan is much easier to harvest and move around than other materials. Because rattan is a vine rather than a log or trunk, it can be cut down with minimal tools in a short time without decimating the forest. Rattan is much easier and cheaper to move from the rain forests to the factories than heavy logs. The outer layer is stripped off and used for weaving, while the inner core is moulded and shaped into rattan furniture.
One of the reasons rattan is so popular, apart from the fact that it is cheap to harvest and work with, is that it is biodegradable, and as a natural product is ecologically friendly. Rattan has been used in the making of furniture for hundreds of years and is extremely popular for use in garden furniture, largely because of its durability. Rattan garden furniture requires little maintenance; usually a quick wipe is enough to keep it clean. You can get rattan furniture, including chairs, tables, sofas and day beds in a variety of styles and colours, although black is the preferred colour for garden furniture.
Some factories produce synthetic rattan, which is often part of the vine mixed with plastics because it makes the furniture even more durable and it is less likely to be harmed by over exposure to the harsh rays of the sun, which can affect the colour of natural rattan. If you want natural, rather than synthetic rattan then you need to make sure what the actual material is before you buy, as there is very little difference in the look and style.
Woven furnishings are enjoying a new popularity among those with enough money to be able to afford the best. Manufacturers now produce rattan garden furniture in complete product ranges for those people who want to take the natural look inside their home. While rattan has been popular as conservatory furniture for some considerable time, there is a growing trend for using the material in more formal living and dining rooms. Rattan day beds make great banquettes, especially when combined with wooden beading and great fabrics, ideal if you want a modern looking dining room with a nod to the Caribbean.
There are many different styles of rattan chairs available nowadays, so you are bound to find something that will suit your taste and fit with the rest of your décor. You can choose straight garden chairs or arm chairs with padded backs and cushioned seats. If you want to step up the glam factor then what about a covered day bed and one or two end tables to complete the look. With new designer fabrics on the market today, and the growing range of styles in rattan garden and conservatory furniture, the only limit is your imagination.
