A Complete Buyers Guide to Rattan Furniture
Here at Where Saints Go, we are big worshippers at the shrine of rattan. Bringing warmth, texture and a splash of sun-soaked seventies nostalgia, this durable, natural material has been big news throughout the interiors industry for decades. We source a vast variety of different rattan furniture pieces for our Saintly shoppers, ranging from statement armchairs to high-end dog beds.
With rattan making up an extensive part of our entire range, we thought it was high time we compiled a buying guide to rattan furniture, which you can discover in our Q&A style guide below. Got queries about rattan? There’s a FAQ for that.
What is rattan furniture?
Rattan furniture is any item of furniture such as a chair, table or sofa made from rattan vines which are woven together to create a structure. A lot of the time, the look of rattan is associated with garden and conservatory furniture, but these are often made using plastic composite that has been made and woven to look like rattan. Up next, you might reasonably be thinking well, ‘What is rattan furniture made of?’ and we would love to fill you in.
Rattan is the name given to more than 600 ancient species of climbing palms belonging to the subfamily Calamoideae. In simple terms, rattan is a type of palm tree native to the tropical forests of Asia and Africa. It is the material used to make wicker and can also sometimes be referred to as ‘cane’. Fun fact - wicker is not a material but a type of weave made by using rattan
Where is rattan furniture made?
Rattan furniture is made by manufacturers all over the world, but the material itself is most commonly sourced from Indonesia, where 70% of all worldwide rattan is cultivated on the islands of Sumbawa, Borneo and Sulawesi. The remainder of the world’s supply comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Assam, India.
We source all of our pieces from authentic artisans based mostly in Indonesia, which is exactly why we support One Tree Planted. With each order, a donation is made to our chosen non-profit who are on the ground throughout Indonesia and India, championing reforesting efforts and providing essential livelihoods for the local people.
Can you paint rattan furniture?
In theory, yes - you can paint rattan furniture provided you have chosen a paint that is suitable for wood. However, each of our rattan pieces is already finished in black or treated to preserve the natural hues of the wood. For that reason, we wouldn’t recommend attempting to paint any of our rattan items, as they look good enough already.
Can you use rattan furniture in the garden?
Due to its bohemian look and tropical origins, rattan furniture has become associated with outdoor furniture for patios, terraces and lawns. However, when choosing natural rattan garden furniture, you should ensure that it has been properly treated to be left outside and cover it or bring it inside during the winter months. This is because it is a natural material, and any water buildup that sits between the weaves can result in mild or mildew. It may also become bleached and discoloured when left in direct sunlight. A good alternative for natural rattan outdoor furniture is PE rattan, which stands for synthetic Polyethylene rattan, a man-made thermoplastic resin-based solution that will remain completely resistant to water. (You can usually recycle PE rattan too, as it can be melted down.)
Can rattan furniture be left outside all year?
No - natural rattan furniture should be covered or brought inside during the wetter months. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with a mild all-year-round climate, your outdoor rattan furniture should fare well, but ensure to cover it in the case of rain.
Can rattan furniture get wet?
No - you should keep your rattan furniture from getting wet. Rattan is a natural, porous material, which means water can get into the fibres of the wood and cause mould or mildew.
What is the best quality rattan furniture?
When shopping for rattan furniture, you should always ensure that it is a genuine natural material and that it is sourced sustainably. Rattan furniture is a huge industry across the globe, and so has relevant regulatory bodies for the import and export of such goods, to make sure that the wood is from a legal, managed source. You can find out about our accreditations on the sustainability page.
Is rattan furniture durable?
Yes, rattan is incredibly durable. A common misconception is that rattan furniture is incredibly delicate and that bamboo should be favoured. This really all depends on the type of rattan used. Interestingly, while bamboo is hollow, rattan is whole righ the way through thanks to the way it grows as a vine. One of the more durable, sturdy forms of rattan is known as jawit rattan, which is used extensively throughout our pieces.
Is rattan furniture worth it?
We believe rattan furniture is a million times worth it. It’s durable, lightweight, timeless and incredibly low-maintenance. It’s also available in a range of styles and finishes so that you can suit it to your aesthetic.
How to clean rattan furniture
Due to its solid composition an our range of superior finishes, a Where Saints Go rattan piece will only need dusting from time to time, and can be done as infrequently as every few months. To clean your rattan furniture, we recommend wiping it with a slightly damp cloth.
Can rattan furniture be fixed?
Rattan is an incredibly durable material, which means it’s incredibly unlikely to become damaged. However, the beauty of rattan furniture is that it can be restored and fixed if necessary. Many iconic furniture pieces such as the sofa set in the Golden Girls, the poolside armchair in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and the ‘pretzel’ style 6-strand chair of Godfather fame were all restored rattan pieces from the 1950s. However, if you’re experiencing any issues with your WSG rattan piece, please don’t hesitate to contact us.