The Ultimate Guide to Decorating with Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Posted on February 16, 2021 at 9:38 AM by Becky Smith
Wicker and Rattan, What does it all Mean?
For some when they hear wicker furniture what comes to mind is a certain style of old or vintage furniture.
If you thought that as well, you're not necessarily wrong; however, the "wicker" in wicker furniture actually describes the weaving process.
We thought Wikipedia explained it best:
"Wicker is a technique for making products woven from any one of a variety of pliable plant materials, a generic name for the materials used in such manufacture, and a term for the items so produced. Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it suitable for items that will be moved often like porch and patio furniture."
So when it comes to wicker furniture where does rattan fit in? That's a great question!
Rattan is a material that most wicker furniture is made of and commonly referred to as a style of wicker furniture.
Keeping reading below to find out about this beautiful material.
Wicker furniture is very versatile. There are so many colors and styles to decorate your home with, both indoors or outdoors. Anything from sofas to chairs or a table, styling your home will be a breeze.
Let's Talk Rattan Furniture
The furniture style of rattan is becoming more and more popular. It is a natural material from abaca strands of a climbing or vine-like palm that generally grows in tropical areas.
Sika Design, (a favorite designer of American Country) whose furniture we offer a wide selection of, explains what rattan furniture consists of:
"Rattan is also remarkably hardwearing and resistant to heat, cold, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. It grows as a vine in the rainforest, up the trees from the very bottom, and has been known to grow up hundred of meters.
When it's processed, the cane is debarked and sanded down for a beautiful smooth surface, which can be polished in the natural yellow state, stained and lacquered in any desired color, or left with the bark for a more rustic feel.
There is a common misconception that rattan is just a different kind of bamboo” but that isn't right. Bamboo doesn't bend, whereas rattan does. Bamboo is hollow, whereas rattan is solid. In addition to that, rattan furniture can truly last generations."
As you can see, ratan is a truly fascinating natural element! It has also been utilized to create all types of furniture.
These pieces can offer a modern furniture style in a contemporary design or even be used to enhance a traditional design, as you will learn next.
Looking for the perfect rattan furniture for your space?
With so many styles and colors to choose from it can be hard to decide the perfect chair for your space. Click the links below to see a selection of rattan chairs and bistro tables!
How Popular Are Rattan Chairs?
Rattan chairs are very popular. They are often styled with bistro tables to complete the look, like the Parisian style we spoke about earlier.
Rattan bistro chairs are also seen all over New York City and in other major cities throughout Europe at sidewalk cafes.
Ideal for home, bar, cafe, or restaurant, the options are wide and vary. The classic woven texture is easily recognized, bringing a refined yet trendy look right into your very own dining room, office, or patio.
Due to its popularity and classy, recognizable style, we have plenty in stock and offer a variety of pieces and kinds of weaves.
Most of our available pieces are in a matte weave, which is made from polyethylene.
We do stock the shiny weave (polyamide-nylon) in the Montmartre chair, our highest quality offering. However, the matte is just as strong as the shiny weave and less expensive.
The classic look of the French Rattan bistro chairs has proven over the years to be a very decorative and comfortable material to use. So, consider adding a quaint bistro look to your home, or maybe you prefer the feel of a comfortable armchair.
Whatever option you are considering, the added pieces will bring an element of sophistication to your outdoor or interior design style.
3 Factors to Consider: Different Styles for Different People
When it comes to rattan furniture the design possibilities are endless. Rattan chairs come in many different neutral color combinations. Everything from a burgundy and ivory Montmartre chair to a black and white Lyon chair. Choosing the right rattan chair for you really depends on what type of statement you want to make!
1. Placement. Consider a few factors such as where you will be placing the chairs. Here are a few great questions to ask yourself before making your purchasing decision:
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Will they be used as office chairs?
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Are you aiming for a traditional style?
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Would you prefer a more modern design?
Rattan could even be utilized in a shabby chic office space! If you are considering using rattan outdoors, remember they do well outside, but they should not be exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time because it might damage the natural material, impacting its color.
2. Comfort. Perhaps you want a little more room than the traditional Parisian Rattan Bistro Chair. Purchasing a rattan armchair that is wider will help you to sit more comfortably, to really relax, and enjoy a nice cup of tea and a book.
3. Height. Depending on the placement of something like a chair or stool, you may need something a little taller. For example, selecting rattan bar stools offers the possibility of giving your kitchen island or bar area an upscale yet classic look.
Need some help picking out the style and color of your next rattan chair?
American Country offers a wide variety of rattan chairs, bar stools, and benches. It can be overwhelming when deciding, but guess what? We are here to help! Contact us at 1-800-765-1688 or check out the links below for some styles of our rattan chairs.
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Montmartre Rattan Chair
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St. Germain Rattan Bistro Chair
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Parisian Rattan Chair
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Trocadéro Rattan Chair
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St. Germain Rattan Bar Stool 26" Seat
All About Wicker Furniture
What You Should Know About Wicker Furniture?
My first thought about decorating with wicker furniture I must admit was not a pleasant one. It seemed out of date and old-fashioned.
However, after doing a little research I have come to love decorating with it. Decorating with wicker often adds a soft and traditional style to a room. It can also give your space a contemporary look depending on what you pair it with.
But before you decorate with wicker what are few things you should know?
1. Caring for Wicker
As with any item of furniture, regular cleaning and maintenance can make the piece last a long time. The same goes for wicker. With proper cleaning, drying, and dusting, the product set will remain in good shape.
Better Homes and Gardens has great tips on how to clean your wicker furniture.
"For routine cleaning of wicker that's made of bamboo, rattan, or willow, brush off or vacuum as much of the surface dirt as you can. Then wash it with a soft brush and soapy water to which you've added one or two teaspoons of ammonia."
When cleaning natural wicker, it is essential to make sure it is completely dry. This will prevent mold from growing. Also, avoid sitting on the piece until it's completely dry; sitting down while it's still wet can cause the seat to droop.
If you have outdoor wicker patio furniture, another thing to try and avoid is keeping it in the sun for long periods of time. This can cause unraveling and cracking, which will impact its color. Use a shelter or place your furniture in a shaded area.
2. Material
There are several different materials used for wicker furniture, and two of the most common include rattan and synthetic fiber materials.
Rattan
When it comes to wicker, wicker rattan, or wicker made from natural fiber, is probably the most popular. The longer you have a piece of naturally made wicker you will be able to see the beautiful aging process, which is what gives wicker the character that we love.
Synthetic materials
Since wicker describes the weaving style and not the material it's made from, you will often find synthetic wicker furniture made with “chemical synthesis a (synthetic chemical materials). Some of those wickers come from materials like plastic and resin.
One benefit of owning a piece made from synthetics is that the materials won't peel, crack, or lose their color, making it low-maintenance.
3. Indoor and Outdoor Wicker Furniture
The differences between indoor-outdoor wicker mostly come down to the material it's made from. If you're looking for outdoor furniture, such as gorgeous dining set for your patio, we recommend purchasing furniture with a resin material and aluminum frame.
Our Bar Harbour wicker furniture seats have a synthetic strapping and second inner frame, making them extremely comfortable and durable for years and years of enjoyable outdoor use.
Indoor wicker furniture is mostly made of natural materials, and they can come in different styles, stains, and paint colors.
4. Where to Buy Wicker Furniture
American Country has a variety of Wicker rattan furniture. For those who love more of a bistro look, we have a line of Parisian bistro chairs that we know you'll fall in love with.
American Country's Bar Harbor Wicker furniture is featured in the March/April Veranda Magazine.
Designer Mark D. Sikes contacted us to help decorate the sunroom with emerald green painted wicker furniture. See before and after and complete article at https://bit.ly/2NBepkQ
FYI: We offer the widest range of cushion fabric options and paint colors. Or, we will create cushions using your fabric at no additional charge (C.O.M).
Although natural wicker furniture can be on the pricey side, the long-lasting, durable quality of wicker will make any purchase well worth it.
5. Weaving
The weaving process is the same for both natural and synthetic materials. It's a very labor-intensive process, requiring a very skilled furniture maker.
In fact, there is a wide variety of weaving patterns within wicker furniture, including under-and-over, double weaving, pairing, waling, and triple twist, just to name a few.
With such a variety of patterns, colors, and styles to choose from, wicker furniture truly is an art and very eye-catching.
How to Decorate with Wicker Furniture
1. Use Wicker in Your Dining Room
Does this Piano arm wicker chair look like your grandmother's wicker chair you remember when you were a kid? Wicker can be very stylish and versatile! Change up the look by using mix match chairs, or a modern farmhouse table.
2. Wicker Outdoor Furniture
Wicker furniture is a comfortable choice for seating on your patio. Not only is it cozy but this Chesapeake Outdoor Wicker will last for years. Changing out the seat fabric makes this a versatile option for your cozy outdoor space.
American Country Outdoor Wicker is a Designer quality featuring woven resin on a rustproof aluminum frame.
3. Wicker Home Decor
From wicker baskets and wicker planters, the choices are endless. This is an excellent option if you want to spend less money. Incorporating wicker elements into your home will not only add a rustic touch, and charm but also a warm traditional feel.
Wicker furniture is usually forgotten about when it comes to cottage decor. For a more modern wicker look check out our Sika Design Outdoor Wicker
Are you ready to purchase a wicker set? Find the perfect set!
There is such a variety of wicker styles. If you would like to see what's available, click the links below!
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Bar Harbor Wicker
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Rockport Wicker
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Harbor Front Wicker
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Outdoor Wicker
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Wicker Bistro Chairs and Tables
Wicker Furniture Brings Relaxation and Soothes the Soul
Downtime is vital for maintaining a positive attitude and good health, and soothing surroundings can make all the difference in your ability to unwind.
Generous and comfortable seating, attractive painted furniture with storage to put clutter out of sight, and appealing color and texture choices can all make your home an easier place in which to relax.
Mixing an earthy color such as golden ochre with beachy sea-inspired colors gives an added element of depth to nudge you into a contemplative mood. Woven wicker patterns and chunky rugs may put you in mind of a cozy cottage in which you once spent a pleasant sabbatical.
If you're considering your options to add wicker furniture to your relaxation retreat, we recommend our Windsor Wicker Sofa.
The Windsor sofa is clean and classic in design. Straight lines and a traditional look, handwoven of natural rattan, it is ideal for the covered porch or covered patio, but looks great in the interior, too. Plus, it's even suitable for commercial/contract use!
Silence is known to comfort the soul, but so is gathering with friends and family. With spring finally here and summer around the corner, another great benefit of wicker is that the right combination of furniture can add class and sophistication to your outdoor entertainment area any time of year!
Poolside or spread out in the sunroom, we recommend the Legacy Outdoor Wicker Sofa for ultimate comfort in your gathering space!
Why American Country Loves Rattan and Wicker Furniture
Imagine taking in the beautiful views and delightful smells of charming, historic Paris. Suddenly you decide to sit at one of Paris's many sidewalk cafes just to take it all in. You enjoy a delicious bite to eat while chatting with friends about this dynamic experience of traveling abroad. You are simply living in the moment.
Now, what if you could bring a piece of that comfort and relaxation with you when you return home? That's exactly what we have done here in American Country. Our French Bistro Rattan Chairs by GLACSEAT gives us that sense of sitting at a cafe in Paris over and over again every time we see these beautiful furniture pieces.
The French bistro rattan chair frames are made from natural rattan (not plastic!), which is a very popular design element at Paris sidewalk cafes. These chairs are so versatile and will, without a doubt, elevate any room or space you put them in.
