Rattan Furniture and Wicker Furniture – What’s the Difference?
You may have heard of the terms “rattan furniture” and “wicker furniture”. You often see these terms on furniture labels, in home improvement magazines, on home furnishing related websites and other channels. So what do these terms mean, and what is the difference between the two? If you are going to consider buying some rattan furniture for your home, you may as well learn more about what you are about to buy.
The word “rattan” refers to a type of cane. When we hear someone saying that they bought “rattan furniture”, we immediately associate the furniture with its building materials – rattan cane. Rattan cane is abundantly available in Asia. In its raw form, you can hardly do anything with rattan because it is very tough.
However, someone soon discovered a way to soften rattan cane to such a state that it becomes a bendable material. The cane is treated with high temperatures to soften the materials. It is then used to wrap around aluminum frames to form different types of furniture. The manufacturing process sounds easy, but it’s actually not that simple to execute. The cane, when cooled, becomes tough again. Therefore, whoever is doing the weaving has to do it with speed and accuracy. If there is any mistakes, it is very difficult to reverse the process and correct the mistakes. The entire process of creating and converting the rattan cane from raw material to polished furniture is known as “wicker“.
As you can see, both terms have different meaning. The term “rattan” refers directly to the raw material, while the term “wicker” refers to the building process of the furniture. To the consumer, it doesn’t really matter. They both refer to the same thing. Therefore, they are often used interchangeably.
Some people even refer to the process of creating rattan furniture as “caning”. In Asian countries, caning is sometimes considered at art form. There are many types of caning processes. And the level of difficulty that a workman is able to overcome depends very much on the level of skills. Caning skills can take many years to perfect.
You have to be a little bit careful when buying furniture. Although the terms “rattan furniture” and “wicker furniture” are used commonly to refer to the same items, there may be different types of furniture under each category. For example, wicker furniture can be made from other materials such as bamboo reeds, or rush. If the type of material used concerns you, be sure to ask about the materials when buying “wicker furniture”. After all, it’s just a term used to describe the manufacturing process.
On the other hand, if you are buying “rattan furniture”, you can instead ask about the manufacturing process. Is the pattern that you see created from cane webbing (a very commonly seen process)? Is it a complicated pattern that is rare?
Rattan furniture can last for many years, and has been rising in popularity in recent years. Maybe it’s time to add a few pieces of new furniture to your home.
End Tables – a Smart Investment
You don’t have to only use the rooms in your house to entertain. The garden, for example, is often seen as the most important room out of your house but is often overlooked. The simple addition of something like end tables and a few chairs to your patio can make it an entertaining space to be proud of.
When you are finding patio furniture then you need to think about what sorts of elements your furniture will be exposed to. If your patio is enclosed then you can use a wider variety of furniture, perhaps even indoor furniture. However if your patio is exposed to the elements then you should make sure you purchase furniture suitable for use outdoors. These end tables and chairs will be out here day after day, you want to know they can handle what you are going to expect of them.
Wicker and rattan furniture pieces are very popular for this space; however make sure that you can use it outdoors. While you would think that all wicker and rattan are ready to brave the weather, as that is where they are often scene, not all are treated and prepared for the elements. Some of these pieces of furniture are only designed for indoor use, so it’s important to check before you buy. Wicker ware suitable for outdoor use needs to be treated properly so that it can withstand the elements, it should tell you on the packaging if it has had this treatment. If it doesn’t say then you can guess that it’s only suitable for use in your home.
If you are only interested in purchasing a practical piece of furniture rather than a piece which looks stunning, then you might like to look at resin end tables and chairs. These are durable and very practical. They are also much more comfortable to the wallet on a tight budget than many other styles of furniture. You can also purchase footrests made of the same material, along with smaller coffee tales. This material is well suited to use outdoors, the only thing that can really happen to this is fading over time.
Resin furniture is really easy to find; you can purchase it in many discount stores. It is seasonal so you should look for it at around spring. If you are the type of person who likes to change furniture regularly, these may be your best choice. Priced at a few bucks apiece they are easy to change out without too much pain in money spent.
If you really want to relax in style, you can also consider the more expensive chaise lounge chairs, which are made from the same material that match your end tables. This way you can kick back, and have a place to set the cold drink you want to enjoy.
There are end tables for absolutely everyone, no matter how much money you can afford to spend or what you want it for. The limit is only the amount of time you are willing to put into your search for the best end tables for you, and the budget of what you are willing to spend.
A Fresh New Look For Spring
Conservatories are one of the most popular improvements homeowners can make to their properties. Not only do they add value, they also offer a pleasant, sunny space in which to work or play.
Yet, conservatories are often forgotten when it comes to interior design, with shabby, sun-damaged furnishings dulling what could be a cheerful, airy room. As the transitional space between home and garden, conservatory furniture faces much more wear and tear than in other rooms and is easily stained by mud or grass. And no matter how effective your blinds are, furnishings can quickly become faded or bleached by the sun. Conservatory furniture has to be hard wearing and functional to survive, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style.
This spring, why not breathe new life into your room with made to measure furniture covers that instantly transform the look of your space. There are many suppliers such as Plumbs, that can cover loose seat and back cushion covers are perfect for wicker and rattan furniture.
If you don’t currently have rattan furniture then now is a good time buy as more and more natural fibers are making their way into our homes, in light of our desire to become more eco-friendly. It is best to choose natural surfaces and materials for our home furnishings, fabrics and finishes wherever possible. Not only do they look chic and trendy, but they wear brilliantly and have minimal environmental impact. Choosing natural products for our homes is not only imperative for the homes atheistic appeal, but also for our homes health.
You could even replace your iron coffee and end tables with natural rattan tables. This fabulous summer texture and earthy material will give an entirely new look and feel to the room. Remember, the very best rooms always employ a diverse use of textures.
Make sure you don’t get carried away with the addition of rattan, you could leave your room feeling like a tiki tiki hut, which probably isn’t the best idea. Adding rattan to your rooms brings the outdoors in – as our desire to blur the line between exterior and interior spaces continues.
Fresh floral cottons are massive this spring and are perfect for conservatories, as they emphasise the link between nature and the inside space. For a classic spring-time look, opt for pretty florals in pinks and blues and for a more contemporary feel, go for bold geometric prints on scatter cushions and accessories.
Make the most of your conservatory, so that you can get back to enjoying the long awaited spring sunshine.
Natural Wicker & Rattan for the Deck – The Original Eco-Friendly Furniture
Wicker and rattan furniture are made of natural materials found in Southeast
Asia, and both make popular outdoor patio furniture. Because they are not
derived from the scarce resources of wood, both rattan and wicker are good for
the environment.
Rattan is the name of a particular plant that grows to several hundred feet high
in tropical forests. It is extremely strong and will not splinter or break.
Rattan is easily molded into the desired shape for furniture and once it dries,
the shape is retained permanently. The outer peel of the rattan pole is used to
wrap joints securely.
A whole rattan pole may be used to create spiral designs for arm rests, legs or
backs of furniture. The outer part of the rattan is peeled off, then heated and
bent into shape. Rattan poles can also form the frame of a couch or chair with
wicker weave panels as a finishing touch.
Wicker is considered a type of rattan weave, but it can also be produced from
cane, reed, willow, rush, and other natural materials. It is pliable when wet so
the strands can be woven tightly together. When dry, the finished product is
sealed, sanded, and then stained and lacquered to the desired color.
Wicker furniture is available in many of the same colors and stains as wood. The
most common colors include natural, pewter, honey wheat, sage and bronze. Add
colorful cushions to make the furniture bright, cheerful – and softer to sit on.
Maintaining rattan and wicker deck furniture is easy. All it requires is
regular, light dusting with a damp cloth, or vacuuming with a brush attachment.
Any spill should be immediately wiped up with a mild detergent and a minimum
amount of water.
Furniture made of rattan and wicker include chairs, tables, footstools, and bar
sets. Because it is such a versatile material, chairs range from broad,
low-sitting styles with high backs and arm rests to basic dining-room styled
chairs. Table tops are made of wood, metal, or glass and occasionally rattan.
Rattan and wicker furniture add class to any deck, but depending on the style,
it is not always very comfortable. Cushions will solve that problem. Some sets
come complete with cushions in your choice of style, color and fabric.
Floral patterns, stripes and solid colors are common for outdoor cushions.
Florals have an advantage over solids as they do not show the dirt as readily.
However, all fabrics fade in the sun, and solid colors retain a more attractive
appearance as they fade.
With the exception of cushions, wicker and rattan furniture is durable and can
easily stay outside all year around. It is not susceptible to rust, mildew or
rotting, and paint will not chip. Rattan and wicker material expands and
contracts with a change in temperature – without damage – so it works well in a
variety of environments.
Discounts and environmentally friendly materials make wicker and rattan furniture
a good choice for any family.
Wicker Furniture – Beautiful, Affordable, and Durable
Are you in the market for new furniture? If you are, perhaps you may be interested in looking at some wicker furniture. Wicker furniture offers a whole new dimension to your home furnishing. Not many homeowners realize this, but there are actually many benefits that are overlooked.
Wicker furniture has been around for ages. In our modern society, we often see such furniture in hotel lobbies, holiday resorts, etc. We seldom see them in home. So that perception seems to have stuck. But why do you think hotels and resorts like to use wicker furniture as their chief furnishing?
Just ask yourself, how do you feel when you walk into a setting full of rattan furniture? Chances are, you start feeling more relax. The entire mood in the room is a relaxing one. That is because the furniture has this natural quality – it is able to create a relaxing environment.
Most people who visit hotels and resorts want to relax. Therefore, it makes good sense to place wicker furniture in such settings. But what about the home for the average homeowner? Is the furniture a suitable candidate?
The home is a place for relaxing. It is a sanctuary, where you can go back to after a busy day at work. Surely, you want your home to have a relaxing environment that welcomes you home each and every single day. That’s why more and more homeowners are buying wicker furniture for their homes.
Contrary to popular belief, wicker furniture cost less than other furniture types such as wooden furniture. Many people think that wicker furniture is expensive because they see such furniture in 5 star hotels. Clearly, that is not the case. Some wicker furniture are indeed expensive due to their rare and complex patterns, but in most cases, such furniture is actually more affordable than other furniture.
The furniture is cheap because they are manufactured in Asian countries where labor and materials are cheap. When the cost of production is cheap, the retail price tend to be cheaper too. If you really want to save more money, you may even buy wicker furniture at wholesale prices. That does mean having to buy more in a single order, but you also save a lot more.
Cane is well known for its toughness. After treating with heat in the manufacturing process, the cane is then allowed to cool. Once cooled, the cane quickly regains its tough qualities. You can’t easily bend it, and you certainly can’t easily break it. In other words, you can expect your wicker furniture to last for many years.
The furniture requires very little maintenance. Just wipe it with a wet cloth every now and then to prevent dust from accumulating in the gaps.
Wicker and Amish – A Perfect Combination
The arrangement of furniture articles in a well decorated home could translate into a prized possession. The combination of furniture pieces with different content plays a vital role in the entire scheme of things. You must be astute in selecting the perfect combination for your drawing room. A room with all-wooden stylish Amish furniture might seem royal but out of place to the demands of the modern homes. Similarly, all-wrought iron furniture or all-wicker furniture can make your ideal drawing room quite boring.
Combination is the order of the day. A good combination can achieve what expensive single-content furniture cannot. Wicker and Amish furniture make for a very intelligent furniture combo. Firstly, wicker furniture presents cost-effectiveness. Amish made furniture is stylish and therefore, a bit expensive. Having said that, beautiful Amish handcrafted furniture is an ideal choice for the drawing room of any age. By its very nature, the articles made from Amish Oak furniture are suitable for traditional as well as modern lifestyles.
For starters, wicker represents a process rather than the products or materials. It is a process to weave rods of reed, rattan, cane, grass, willow and split bamboo into the objects of desire that decorate your living and other rooms. Therefore, like Amish furniture, wicker furniture also dwells on quality craftsmanship instead of presenting gaudy and inferior stuff. Another advantage that wicker furniture offers is its durability and less maintenance. Wicker furniture is more resistant to sunlight and other weather related issues with the furniture. That’s why wicker furniture also makes out a perfect case for outdoor furniture.
Wicker furniture items are also easy to maintain. Usually, a vacuum cleaner does the job of cleaning and dusting with excellent results. The spills and stains can easily be wiped off by using a clean cloth or any good quality stain remover easily available in the market. Cushions on wicker chairs not only add comfort levels but also lend longevity to the furniture by preventing it from over-exposure.
Wicker furniture is available in all colors, shapes and sizes, which make it easier for a selection based on combination with Amish furniture. There is no uniformity in the pricing of wicker furniture in the market these days. This is because of varied business practices being followed by the dealers. There are retailers, wholesalers, direct suppliers, online furniture stores, furniture showrooms, mall-based furniture dealers etc. Based on the profit margin, dealers offer different price for their products. So, it is advisable to undertake a thorough market research to avail best bargain on offer.
You should also show some innovation in buying furniture. For instance, you can let the dealer know that your requirements are combination furniture and you will need regular supplies for your home needs. This will keep the dealer interested and he would actually offer handsome discounts in the hope of having a long-term client. This is just one tip for smart buying. You can actually talk to your peer group and hear for yourself the kind of techniques people adopt to strike a good deal.
