Are you planning to purchase furniture to enhance the aesthetics of your house and to serve a functional purpose? If yes, then you will probably find yourself stuck at the shop regarding what to choose. Buying furniture not just involves price or design factors but also the material and quality. This is where the confusion arises. People often confuse Rattan with Wicker or Wicker with Rattan and use it interchangeably. They don't realize that both are different. Rattan is a material, whereas wicker is a weaving technique/pattern, and both are part of the furniture-making process.
In this blog, you will understand the difference between rattan and wicker and its respective pros and cons. This will help you make an informed decision while purchasing furniture.
What is Rattan?
One of the second fastest-growing materials closely related to bamboo, Rattan belongs to the palm family and grows on tree branches and trunks. It is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and parts of Africa and Australia. Rattan is the hard outer layer of the palm plant, which makes it suitable for furniture making. Rattan is one of those natural materials that regenerate within 5 to 7 years.
Being robust and fastest growing material, it plays an important role in the making of furniture. It is considered as one of the popular choices for outdoor furniture by homeowners. Nonetheless, being a versatile material, furniture built from rattan material are often used as indoor furniture as well.
What is Wicker?
Many people consider Wicker also as a material used for furniture making. However, to steer clear of confusion, it is a weaving technique. The furniture is made by weaving natural materials and the process of weaving is called wicker. Furniture with wickering technique involves more material than just rattan.
This technique is used on different natural materials. For example; willow, bamboo and reed. Lately, this technique is also used for synthetic materials. The wicker technique not only requires different materials but also crafting knowledge and time to construct durable and useful products like boxes, baskets, floor matting and many more.
Pros and Cons of Rattan
Pros
Following are some of the major reasons people choose to buy furniture made with Rattan material.
Natural Aesthetic Appeal and texture - Since rattan belongs to the palm family and is closely related to bamboo, it has a natural texture and amazing visual appeal.
Tolerate extreme weather conditions - Rattan furniture can withstand harsh weather conditions with ease, be it hot climate or climate with high humidity level.
Highly Durable and Flexible - A high quality Rattan stays durable and can be used on a daily basis if you care for it properly. Since rattan is naturally flexible material, the weaving design and shape becomes customizable as per needs.
Easy to paint - Natural rattan can be painted with the desired color for a changed look.
Cons
Following are some of the reasons that make a buyer give a second thought before investing in Rattan furniture.
Requires Maintenance - Rattan furniture requires regular care as it gets affected by weather conditions. It is also vulnerable to moisture when kept outdoors. For example, fading or mold occurs in rattan furniture due to excessive exposure to sun, rain and humidity. Owing to these factors, regular upkeep is important.
Higher Price - If you choose a premium quality rattan furniture, you may need to pay higher. A good quality product ensures durability and firmness. However, it's worth spending because the durability of rattan will offset the price in the future.
Difficult to keep cushions - Due to the slippery nature of Rattan furniture, it's difficult to keep cushions on furniture.
Pros and Cons of Wicker
Pros
Design - The wicker weaving technique makes furniture stand out due to its intricacy and aesthetics in the design pattern. The style and design variations make it a preferred choice for many.
Suitable for outdoor space - All weather synthetic is a perfect choice for outdoor areas like patio or backyard.
Affordable - The best feature is that it's affordable, which means you can get your preferred furniture style within the budget.
Easy Mobility - The lightweight feature of wicker furniture makes it easier to move from one place to another. The reason for the change could be the aesthetics of a room or functionality.
Easy to add cushion - Cushions can be easily kept on wicker furniture.
Cons
Accumulates dust and debris - The loose weaves of wicker furniture can attract dust and debris which gets difficult to remove.
Less durable - Wicker furniture is less durable when compared to Rattan. Also, the synthetic fibers may fade away over the years.
Conclusion
The decision to choose either wicker or rattan is a tough decision because both of them have pros and cons. It all depends on your personal preference, weather conditions, and the intent (functional or aesthetic). Once you have clarity of why to have wicker or rattan or why not to have them, you can easily make the right choice.
