Rattan furniture has been around for centuries and can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians who first made wicker baskets and eventually furniture from rattan. Rattan furniture continues to be popular today for many reasons, which include its beauty, durability and economic and environmental value. Rattan furniture is especially perfect for the patio with its robust and weather resistant qualities.
A rattan is a vine-like palm plant, very similar to bamboo – without the hollow stems – of which there are over 600 varieties. Seventy percent of rattan comes from Indonesia and the remaining thirty percent can be found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Rattan grows very rapidly up to lengths of 600 feet, and it’s light-weight quality makes it more simple to harvest and transport than other tropical plants and trees. Although rattan plants are dependent on trees for growth, they are not parasitic and do no harm to the trees.
Because of the way rattan is grown, its short life cycle and method of harvesting, it is one of the most eco-friendly products used today for furniture making, which adds to its popularity. Over the years, increased creativity and improved design has made rattan furniture an even better option with a variety of styles and colors available.
After rattan is harvested, the different parts of a rattan plant are processed for furniture making. The outer skin of rattan is peeled and used for weaving and binding. The term “wicker” refers to the style that results from this weaving, and rattan is the most common material used for wicker patio furniture. The strong but somewhat flexible core of the rattan plant is commonly used for the frame of the furniture. When heated or steamed, the core can be bent or flexed into the desired shape but it will not break. Curved and bent rattan is viewed as higher quality because it is more difficult to achieve. Rattan also accepts paints and stains very well, making it easy to find in a variety of colors.
Rattan furniture became popular in the United States in the mid-nineteenth century when Cyrus Wakefield found large quantities of rattan on the shipping docks in Boston. He began a business of importing rattan into the U.S. and started to design his own furniture. In the early 1900′s, interest in wicker declined but experienced a resurgence starting in the 1960s and 1970s when demands for outdoor furniture increased. This popularity has continued to this day.
Since rattan is an all-natural plant that grows in rain forests, it is ideal for patio furniture. Rattan patio furniture, which includes sofas, chairs and tables, can be found in all different styles, colors and price ranges. Depending on the style it can have a casual island feel to it–or a slightly more formal look.
For those who are looking for outdoor patio furniture that not only has style and beauty, but versatility and durability, rattan patio furniture is the perfect choice. Quality rattan patio furniture that is well taken care of can last a lifetime.
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