What Is the Difference Between Wicker and Rattan Furniture?
Rattan and wicker are often used as if they mean the same thing, but one is a material and the other is a technique. Rattan comes from a climbing tropical palm with solid stems that can be bent into frames or split into cane for weaving, while wicker describes the weaving method itself and can be worked in willow, seagrass, bamboo, paper cord or synthetic resin. This guide explains how to identify genuine rattan, how different weaves change the look of a piece, and why the natural versus synthetic question matters more in daily use than the terminology does. We cover which option suits indoor rooms, conservatories and open gardens in the British climate, along with realistic lifespans, cleaning routines for both natural and resin fibres, cushion considerations and simple styling advice for pairing woven texture with glass, gloss and painted surfaces....
