A cozy and original, but at the same time eco-friendly interior is the dream of many residents of megacities. One way to achieve this effect without unnecessary difficulties and costs is to dilute the usual pieces of furniture with rattan products. Wicker shelves, rocking chairs, lampshades, mirror frames or flower pots made from this material will add those bright touches to the decoration of any room or other living space, such as a hallway. Rattan wicker furniture is so comfortable and versatile that it will successfully fit into the interior of a country house, the veranda of a restaurant or cafe, and even into a relaxation area in an office.

What is rattan

Rattan is a plant material that is actually a common palm tree. In addition to the most famous name for this type of wood, you can also find synonymous names - “rattan” and “calamus”. All of them refer to the peeled and dried stems of a tropical palm tree, which grows mostly in Southeast Asia (Malaysia) and Indonesia. By the way , Indonesian raw materials are valued higher than Malaysian ones, as they are stronger.

The length of the described stems can reach 300 meters, so the aborigines gave it the nickname “devil’s rope”.

Structurally, rattan stems consist of three layers:

• bark;
• porous layer;
• hard core.

The thickness and porosity of the stem affects the strength of the manufactured furniture. This principle of different stems forms the basis for dividing it into classes in the production of furniture.

There are three of them: A, B and C, with class C considered the lowest. The cost of such furniture is significantly lower than that of the other two. The price of the same piece of furniture of class A and class C usually differs by 2-2.5 times.

Preparing natural rattan

At the first stage of production, the trunks are cleared of bark, polished and sorted by diameter and class of wood. And at the second stage, the calibrated rattan is treated with fire and steam, after which it is placed in templates to dry and maintain the desired shape. This technology gives the stems the highest degree of strength, making them very hard. That's what rattan is.

Typically, the thickest stems in diameter are used for load-bearing and massive parts of various furniture, and the thinnest ones are cut into strips for braiding all corners, ends or joints. Rattan furniture is braided with natural thick leather or bark.

Beautiful openwork weaving is obtained from the durable core of a split stem, which gives the product not only decorative value, but also the ability to withstand constant load without sagging or bending and maintaining its shape for many years.

The process of producing rattan furniture is completed by varnishing the finished products.

What is synthetic rattan and how is it made?

In addition to furniture and other design items made from natural rattan, products made from its artificial counterpart are also interesting. The latter is also called techno- or poly-rattan - it is a particularly durable, high-quality and, importantly, environmentally friendly artificial material, the invention of which made it possible to furnish not only a house and a cottage, but also garden verandas, gazebos and landscapes with wear-resistant and beautiful furniture.

The innovative material was invented by German chemists back in the 90s of the last century. Since then, such furniture has become popular both among buyers all over the world and among designers.

Artificial rattan is produced by extrusion, that is, pressing melted synthetic raw materials through holes of a certain size. The resulting technorattan resembles a plastic tape or cord and comes in the following modifications:

• tape with imitation tree bark;
• round rod;
• flat texture stripe.

The length of such a blank can be arbitrary, which allows you to have no joints when making furniture. This feature of artificial rattan makes furniture made from it the most comfortable. Additional strength is given to technorattan by reinforcement with silk or This material can be of various colors, which allows you to create furniture for any interior of an apartment or country house, which attracts designers from all over the world.

Artificial rattan: pros

Now at the peak of popularity. But the main question, which is better - an artificial or natural option - often remains with those who want to purchase wicker furniture for the first time.

The most important advantage of the artificial option is the price of finished furniture. Only a small percentage of the population in any country can afford to choose interior items without looking at price tags, and artificial rattan is much cheaper than its natural counterpart.

The flexibility of rattan, which makes it attractive in furniture production, ensures demand for it. Magnificent examples of wicker designer furniture are obtained due to this feature. And artificial rattan has higher flexibility than natural rattan. In addition, due to the arbitrary length of the source material, finished products made of artificial rattan may not have any joints at all.

In terms of its characteristics, furniture made from artificial rattan is generally higher than that made from natural rattan, since its production uses unique technologies that increase strength, and it is able to withstand greater weight and a greater number of people sitting, for example, on one sofa. At the same time, over time, the condition of such furniture remains almost unchanged.

It is also important that furniture made of artificial rattan can be installed outdoors, which allows you to decorate country houses, greenhouses and garden plots with it - after all, it can withstand changes in humidity and temperature, sun rays or precipitation longer. Such furniture lasts much longer and is not as difficult to maintain as natural wicker lacquer furniture, although it is still not recommended to leave it without any care.

Advantages of natural rattan

At first glance, natural rattan furniture is inferior to artificial furniture, but still there are no fewer fans of everything natural in the world. If funds allow, it is better to give preference to natural materials. It is environmentally friendly, safe and simply more pleasant to use.

In addition, furniture made from natural materials can be made without metal structures - rattan trunks are so strong that they can easily withstand loads, such as the weight of a person. And the unique flexibility of the plant can never be recreated by synthetic analogues, this is especially true for armchairs. Rattan bends to the shape of the human body, providing maximum comfort and relaxation.

Where is rattan furniture appropriate?

Everyone imagines what rattan is and what it looks like, but in the minds of many people it is associated only with a wicker chair on the veranda. However, not only furniture can be wicker.

Wicker can look very stylish as a screen for a heating radiator and a flower pot. They even create designer paintings from it. Polyrattan is used in the production of accessories not only for the home, but also for women and men. They decorate furniture, balconies and loggias with it, and weave fantasy hedges from it.

The largest and most popular group is wicker rattan in outdoor garden furniture. She looks very impressive and respectable. Artificial rattan is good for living spaces in combination with metal, leather, textiles, glass, ceramics, stone and wood, which makes things made from it irreplaceable and unique in any interior - from the Middle Ages or classics to a modern cool loft, which is softened by such details.

Rattan furniture has been popular for centuries. Armchairs and sofas of openwork weaving have always been considered the privilege of aristocrats and cost crazy amounts of money. With the development of international trade, wicker furniture became available to the masses. And thanks to technological progress, polyrattan products have also appeared on the market.

In this article we will compare two materials according to the main parameters and help you figure out which is better: artificial or natural rattan.

So, let's begin:

Natural rattan

What is this?

Definition, Wikipedia:
Rattan ( outdated Spanish cane, "devil's rope") - a material consisting of peeled and dried stems of calamus, or rattan palm ( Calamus rotang) is a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia.

This is a plant with “climbing” vine stems that reach towards the light and capture every free piece of terrain. The length of these stems sometimes reaches 300 meters. Local residents have long learned to use this plant material for their benefit. Rattan is used to make sheds, houses, household items and, of course, furniture.

Nowadays, vines are grown on special rattan plantations, and not only in the Asian tropics. But the best raw materials are produced in Indonesia and Malaysia, due to the unique climatic conditions. And the most skilled craftsmen live there. It just so happened historically that the art of weaving in these countries is passed on from generation to generation.

What's good?

1. Environmental friendliness. The natural origin of natural rattan indicates its unconditional environmental purity.
2. Strength. Despite its apparent fragility, the material is quite strong. For example, the chair can withstand a load of up to 100 kg.
3. Ease. The products are lightweight and allow you to move them without much effort. An excellent option for a country house or cottage. In good weather, you can easily take the furniture out onto the veranda and bask in comfort under the warm sun.
4. Durability. With proper care, it retains its impeccable appearance for up to 20 years.
5. Care. It is necessary to follow a number of simple rules that apply to all wooden products.

• Do not water excessively; the furniture may swell and become deformed. Of course, nothing will happen just once. But if you keep watering it on a regular basis, it will eventually happen.
• Do not use household chemicals to remove dirt. Problem areas can be rubbed with a soft brush dipped in soapy water. The only condition is to wipe it dry after treatment.
• Store in a dry, warm place. Do not install near heating appliances, the furniture will dry out and crack. Do not leave it outdoors, especially in winter. Favorable temperature for preservation is from -2 to 40C°.

Artificial rattan

What is this?

Artificial rattan is a synthetic material made from a mixture of polymers and rubber using the extrusion method. It has the appearance of a ribbon or cord.

As often happens, polyrattan was invented for completely different needs, but found worthy application in the furniture industry. Over the years of research, it has been possible to significantly improve consumer qualities. The material turned out to be durable, resistant to high humidity, temperature changes and ultraviolet radiation. This made it possible to produce durable outdoor and garden furniture.

What's good?

1. Environmental friendliness. No harmful impurities are used for production, which means we can say with confidence that the material is absolutely safe for health.
2. Strength. The plastic tape does not stretch and has a large margin of strength. Thanks to this, the weaving is able to withstand high loads.
3. Ease. Weighs a little more due to the metal frame. Tables and chairs have a more stable design. Can be safely used in open areas without fear of tipping over in windy weather.
4. Durability. Due to its high resistance to external influences, artificial rattan furniture remains visually attractive for a long period, up to 30 years.
5. Rules of care. The furniture is absolutely unpretentious and does not require any special care. You can relax and enjoy life.

Rattan Calamus rotang

Porous structure of rattan stem

Making a rattan chair

Rattan furniture

Rattan fiber wickerwork

Rattan(obsolete spanish cane, "damn rope") - material consisting of peeled and dried stems of calamus, or rattan palm ( Calamus rotang) - a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, and some related species (Calamus bluish Calamus caesius, Calamus smoothstem Calamus leiocaulis and etc.). The main growing area of ​​calamus is tropical Asia - more than 330 plant species are concentrated there. Several species of rattan plants are also present in the African and Australian tropics.

The length of the plant stems varies from 80 to 300 meters. In this way, the rattan vine, with the help of modified leaves, reaches the crowns of trees in the tropics. Basically, all types of rattan have a very flexible structure, although there are types that look like erect stems 5-8 meters in height. One of the most famous upright rattan plants is the tree rattan. Calamus arborescens and Rattan upright Calamus erecta.

Rattan wood has a three-layer structure and consists of a very strong bark, a softer and more porous middle layer and a hard core. Rattan stems of varying thicknesses are traditionally used for making furniture and wickerwork in Southeast Asian countries, mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines - that is, wherever the rattan palm grows. Rattan furniture combines environmental friendliness, comfort and beauty.

When producing products, the bark is removed from rattan trunks, then the cleaned stems are calibrated by diameter (standard rattan sizes are usually multiples of 0.5 inches). After steam treatment, rattan bends well, then when dried it retains any given shape, acquiring hardness and greater strength. The thicker stems are used to make load-bearing parts of the furniture structure; the thinner ones, in turn, are cut into strips for braiding joints, ends, and corners. For openwork weaving, the core of a rattan palm is split lengthwise. Finished products are coated with varnish or wax. The bark is used to make mats and mats.

Rattan cane

Canes are also made from rattan due to its flexibility and elasticity. rattan cane) for corporal punishment.

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Synonyms:

See what "Rattan" is in other dictionaries:

Or DRAGONS REED Rast. family palm trees with a cranked stem and prickly leaves, about 1 foot thick at the base and up to 300 feet in height, native to East India, used for various products and in Europe used for making canes, under the name of the Spanish... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Kalamus Dictionary of Russian synonyms. rattan noun, number of synonyms: 6 wood (618) ... Synonym dictionary

rattan- a, m. rotang m. Malay rotan. bot. Climbing vine fam. palm trees, the stems of which are used to make light furniture and weave baskets. Krysin 1998. Large dishes, vases... were actually nothing more than baskets woven from thin... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language

- (calamus) vines of the genus Calamus of the palm family. In the tropics of the Old World. Many rattans, so-called. rattan palm, etc., are used to make furniture, used as a building material, etc. Sometimes palm trees of several more are called rattans... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Rotan, vines from the palm family, mainly species of the genus Calamus and related genera (Daemonorops, etc.). R. stems are thin, usually up to 3-5 cm in diameter, very long (up to 150-180 m, according to other sources up to 300 m), climbing at ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

- (Calamus), vines of the genus Calamus of the palm family. In the tropics of the Old World. Many rattans, the so-called rattan palm and others, are used to make furniture, are used as building material, etc. Sometimes palm trees are also called rattan... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

- (Calamus L.) a species-rich (up to 100) genus of palm trees growing in tropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the islands. In all species, the stem is very weak, thin, with elongated interstices, spreading from tree to tree in tropical forests and... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Ephron

M. 1. Liana-shaped tropical palm. 2. Flexible, thin stems of such a palm tree, used for making furniture, baskets, etc. Ephraim's explanatory dictionary. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Efremova

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What is rattan?

Rattan furniture is now at the peak of popularity in Ukraine. How the tropical liana, whose homeland is Southeast Asia, won the hearts of our citizens is difficult to answer. Perhaps the exotic appearance of the material played a certain role. However, not the least influence could have been the excellent wear-resistant qualities of rattan, the environmental friendliness of the material, as well as the ability to make almost any piece of furniture from it.

Wicker furniture has been known to mankind since ancient times. Armchairs made of tropical vines were discovered during excavations of the tomb of Tutankhamun; mats, chests and benches made of reeds were widespread in the homes of artisans and even patricians of Ancient Rome. Masters of wicker weaving were also highly valued in Kievan Rus. In the nineteenth century, wicker furniture was present not only in country houses, but also in the city residences of the nobility of England and France. After World War II, Italian designers revived the use of wicker furniture.

Advantages of wicker furniture

Wicker furniture is steadily becoming fashionable. The love for natural, environmentally friendly materials makes us buy wicker furniture for our home. Although what can I say, this is not only safe furniture, but also a stylish accessory. In general, wicker furniture has come to us since ancient times. Many peoples have successfully used it and have preserved this tradition to this day.

The main materials from which wicker furniture is made are reed, straw, wicker and vines. These durable, eco-friendly and beautiful things will undoubtedly decorate your home. Moreover, changing fashion prescribes decorating not only country or country houses with wicker furniture; now wicker furniture is not uncommon in an ordinary city apartment. This is an excellent alternative to conventional furniture, and wicker has a number of advantages. Firstly, wicker furniture is made by hand from natural materials. That is, it is good for health and does not harm the environment. It is also worth noting that manual labor brings a piece of exclusivity to the furniture; you will not find an exact copy of it.

Secondly, it is durable and moisture resistant, so it will last much longer than wooden furniture. Wicker furniture is not at all capricious and does not require special care or expensive polishes. It is enough to wipe it from dust occasionally and that’s it. Wicker furniture is also lightweight, which is convenient when transporting or rearranging furniture. The natural smell and texture of wicker furniture will give you a lot of positive emotions and micro-massage.

Combined furniture is also very fashionable, for example, a wicker table with a glass top, or weaves made of various other materials.

Wicker furniture will give you coziness and comfort and will serve faithfully for many years!

The most common material for making wicker furniture is rattan. This is a vine up to two hundred meters long, native to Indonesia, tropical forests of Africa and Southeast Asia. The stem of the vine is split into individual fibers, from which rattan fabric is made using various weaving methods. It can be dense, openwork, made of flat or voluminous fibers. The canvas is attached to a bent rattan frame using wooden pins or pulled together with strips of leather. The joints are masked with weaving. The denser the fabric and the fewer joints, the stronger the wicker furniture. Rattan goes well with other materials such as leather, abaca, fabric strips, wood, plastic, metal and glass. Not only armchairs and chairs are made from it, but also cabinets, sofas, beds, tables, stands, lamps and much more.

Initially, rattan products were supplied to Europe from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Later, Europeans mastered the technique of weaving rattan furniture. Our factory located in Ukraine, as well as Italian, Spanish, Polish, Swedish and Finnish manufacturers, purchase only materials and components from these countries. The main difference between European models is the level of design and complexity of structures.

If the first rattan furniture that began to be sold in Ukraine was limited to chairs and armchairs, today it is difficult to find a piece of furniture that could not be purchased in rattan. Chairs, armchairs, loungers, banquettes, tables, bedside tables, wardrobes, bedrooms, bookcases, display cases, bars, chests of drawers. Our rattan weaving masters, also from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, are ready to fulfill any furniture whim. Today you can find both entirely rattan weaving and pieces of furniture where rattan is used only partially along with other materials - metal, abaca, wood, glass, etc.

From the buyer's point of view, rattan products have several undeniable advantages. In most cases, rattan furniture does not require any assembly (unless we are talking about furniture where the rattan fabric is used only as decoration), it weighs relatively lightly for independent transportation, and, in addition, all rattan products are made by hand with minimal the use of industrial processing methods, and therefore the number of defective cases here is significantly less.

The cost of a rattan product depends on several factors - in particular, what part of the rattan is used, how the material is processed and how it is woven or fastened. Today, with the growing popularity in Ukraine, rattan furniture has appeared even in economy class. Rattan interior items began to be imported not only from the countries of Southeast Asia, but also from Europe, and recently our factory has independently started producing rattan furniture.

About the world's longest palm tree

Rattan ("rattan") - This is a rattan palm, similar to a calamus vine, which grows in the subtropics of Southeast Asia and is the longest plant in the world (up to 200 m). This palm has a perfectly smooth trunk without knots and side branches and an equal stem diameter (from 5 to 70 mm) along its entire length. Its wood consists of a very strong bark, a soft and porous middle layer and, finally, a fairly hard core. This is an elastic and strong material that is not susceptible to the destructive effects of water and is not inferior to high-strength materials. Rattan bends freely, and with appropriate steam treatment it can take almost any shape. However, of the six hundred species of palm trees, only a few are suitable for furniture production.

The texture of a rattan vine most likely resembles bamboo, only the latter has a hollow stem, and the rattan is filled from the inside with a hard spongy mass - its bent and dried trunk looks as if it had grown in the shape of the back of a chair. Moreover, when you sit down in a rattan chair, you can feel how the seat slightly “diverges” under the weight of your body, and when you get up, it seems to compress and tighten. Rattan furniture looks elegant and has a minimum of joints, which guarantees its strength. When you see processed rattan, you can’t even believe that it is a plant material: the furniture parts turn out smooth, with smooth curves.

The furniture does not require special care. If it becomes dirty, it should be vacuumed or cleaned with a brush soaked in saline solution or ammonia. Such furniture will last 20-25 years.

Various pieces of furniture are made from rattan: dining sets, chests of drawers, sofas, bedroom sets with dressing tables and bedside tables, living rooms.

How lace is woven into chairs

Wicker furniture has a long history, as evidenced by archaeological data from excavations of the Egyptian pyramids. The ancient Egyptians, sending Tutankhamun on his last journey in order to provide him with a comfortable life “there”, even buried two wicker chairs with him. It is known that before rattan furniture came to Europe, it made a long journey on board ancient caravels. And in the XIX century, it decorated only princely and royal residences in England, Spain, Portugal and France. In modern times, rattan, on the contrary, gives freshness and newness of spirit to venerable interiors in palaces. The work of a rattan master is akin to the work of a painstaking knitter: with amazing speed and ease, he weaves lace and arcs in the backs of chairs, clearly connecting the smallest details. The production technology is practically waste-free: the bark is removed from rattan trunks, after which the trunks are calibrated by diameter on a special machine. Then they are treated with steam, and they become obedient and flexible. The bark is cut into even strips for braiding joints, ends or corners. The result is strong and durable furniture.

Rattan itself usually has a natural wood color - light or dark yellow. To give the furniture an original look, it is treated with special vegetable dyes of any shade. Woody shades remain the most popular - from golden pine to dark walnut. The paint lays down very smoothly, in fact it is absorbed into the surface. It turns out that the paint shines through the fibers, which is why the color of the furniture becomes muted, almost natural. In addition, rattan goes well with leather, glass, metal or fabric. The popularity of rattan furniture is so great that many manufacturers of cabinet furniture are increasingly using decorative rattan inserts. With the help of rattan furniture you can comprehensively solve almost any interior.

Where can I buy?

Company VIP - LOZA offers decorative rattan furniture, as well as a variety of rattan wall and floor flower stands, plant pots and flower boxes. Due to their qualities - water resistance, durability, environmental friendliness, these products can be used in the pool, in the sauna, on the country veranda and in the winter garden, as well as in the office and bedroom. As well as furniture made from rattan palm, which is distinguished by its unusual design, strength, lightness and flexibility. It is possible to carry out custom color schemes for products.

Rattan or wicker?

When you see it processed rattan , I can’t even believe that this is a plant material: the furniture parts are smooth, with smooth curves. Wicker furniture looks elegant and has a minimum of joints, which guarantees its strength. Famous domesticrattan competitor- willow vine. If we compare these two materials, the vine will lose because it does not have the listed qualities rattan . Its stems are not uniform in diameter, so you have to make furniture from short fragments. The structure of the vine is fibrous, so bending it is more difficult than rattan . Both are first steamed, cleared of bark, and then given the desired shape. But willow, if it gets too dry, can crack. Rattan the texture slightly resembles bamboo, but bamboo is hollow, and rattan the inside is filled with a hard spongy mass of fibrous structure filled with internal juices. When a piece of furniture is shaped into the desired shape under the influence of hot steam, these juices act as a natural glue and harden better than epoxy resin. No vine or willow can compare with rattan in terms of strength and unlimited design possibilities. In order for rattan to crack, a very large force must be applied - a product made from it can withstand a weight of 500-700 kilograms. Although it is better not to overdry this furniture. The higher the humidity, the better it is for it, because this is the climate in which rattan grows.

Furniture manufacture

Rattan wood has a three-layer spongy internal structure and consists of a very strong bark, a comparatively softer and porous middle layer and a very hard core. Production technologyrattan furniturepractically waste-free. The bark is removed from the trunks, then the cleaned trunks are calibrated by diameter. And after the steam bath, load-bearing parts of the furniture structure are made from them. The bark is cut into even strips of equal length for braiding joints, ends, corners, as well as making mats and mats. When fixing a joint - for example, between the back and the seat - it is not treated with glue, but tied with bark. The core is used for openwork weaving rattan , which is cut into spaghetti of various diameters. In its natural state, rattan has a woody color - light yellow, turning into beige. To give the furniture an original look, it is treated with special vegetable dyes - blue, green, red. The paint applies very smoothly to this material and is absorbed into the surface.

Operation and care

Rattan accustomed to changes in temperature and pressure, which is important for the climatic conditions of Ukraine. Products made from it are not subject to deformation due to sudden changes in weather conditions.Rattan furnitureIt can be used perfectly indoors, outdoors and even in a sauna without losing its presentation. After several years of outdoor use, rattan furniture can be easily restored at home by simply applying furniture varnish.

Rattan is one of the most popular materials for making furniture. Rattan products look great in interiors of various styles, creating an original space filled with a feeling of calm and comfort.

Knowing what rattan is and what its advantages are, you can competently choose the necessary furniture products without making a mistake in quality and price.

Rattan - what is it?

Devil's rope and Spanish cane, calamus and rattan all refer to the rattan palm, which grows in the tropical forests of southwest Asia, primarily in Malaysia and Indonesia. Rattan palm forests are impenetrable because the trees grow close to each other, reaching 300 m in height.

Therefore, rattan is the name given to dried and processed shoots and stems of palm trees.

What is rattan in furniture production:

• this is a material with increased strength;
• the stems are flexible, and after processing they become very plastic, which allows them to be given any shape;
• from long shoots you can create furniture of different sizes;
• The stems are even and smooth, so the furniture turns out beautiful and does not require painting.

Furniture manufacturers

Rattan furniture is produced in many countries, primarily Asian:

• in China;
• Indonesia;
• Malaysia.

It is believed that the highest quality products are made by Indonesian manufacturers.

Rattan stem structure

The cut stem of calamus clearly shows what rattan is. The three-layer structure ensures the quality of furniture made from it. A rattan stem in cross section looks like this:

• a layer of durable bark;
• middle layer, porous and soft;
• dense core.

The thickness of the rattan stem depends on many conditions, such as climate and weather, and the age of the plant.

Thick stems are used to create the base of a furniture product; braided strips are created from thinner shoots; they cover corners, ends, and joints. The core of the rattan palm is also used: it is split into fibers, woven, and wicker rattan is obtained, suitable for making mats.

Depending on the core structure, thickness and density of the middle layer, rattan is divided into classes.

Definition of rattan class

Experts suggest when purchasing products to pay attention to the class of rattan. Traditionally, the material is divided into 3 classes:

1. Class "A" is the best. It includes large, thick stems with a large core and small pores. The cut of the shoots of Class A rattan is light. Furniture products made from top-class rattan have excellent strength, high performance characteristics, and can withstand significant loads for a long time. At the same time, the furniture does not change color, even when outdoors. From the “A” class stems, the highest quality shoots are selected, which are free from the slightest defects, and these are used to make up the premium category.
2. Sometimes class “B” rattan is combined with “A” to make the product more affordable. Class “B” calamus stems are less thick, and therefore less durable, the core is not so thick, and the stem is darker when cut. Class “B” is more flexible, but also less able to withstand the load. Therefore, it is used in combination with class “A” as a braid or decorative elements.
3. What is Class C rattan? These are even thinner stems with a porous structure that has various natural defects. All this is reflected in the strength and quality of furniture products.

Products made from class “A” and “C” rattan differ in price by 2 times.

How is rattan processed?

At the first stage, the stems of the calamus are cut off, the leaves and bark are removed from them.

Then the shoots are standardized, trimmed to the same length and selected by diameter.

At the next stage, the rattan is disinfected and steamed, after which the stems become plastic, easy to weave and durable. The shoots are placed in templates, where they dry, acquiring the desired shape.

A rattan product is coated with a protective compound to ensure that the natural level of humidity is maintained.

Features of the material

Why is rattan so popular among furniture manufacturers? The reason lies in the fact that this material has high environmental characteristics, it is comfortable and safe, easy to care for and durable.

Manufacturers guarantee that rattan furniture will last at least 20 years.

Color range of natural rattan

Natural rattan has a natural pleasant color, so it is not painted, but treated with vegetable coloring components. Rattan comes in 4 warm shades:

• olive;
• cognac;
• coffee;
• honey

In order not to damage the natural color and integrity of the surface layer of the stem, rattan products are coated with a translucent varnish that creates a protective film.

If the furniture is painted black or brown, you should take a closer look - most likely, various defects in the stems are hidden under the dark paint.

Natural and artificial rattan

Natural rattan has been used to create furniture since time immemorial. Artificial rattan appeared at the end of the last century. It is produced in 3 types:

• strips of various textures 4-12 mm thick;
• round rods 2-4 mm thick;
• fibers imitating tree bark, 4-12 mm thick.

Artificial rattan is produced using various technologies from cellulose, polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene, adding rubber, synthetic, silk or reinforced threads for strength and ductility.

Artificial rattan has its advantages, namely:

• the rods in the product are always equally even in thickness;
• the material does not have natural defects (spikes, roughness, abrasions, thickening);
• perfect color;
• the weaving is smooth and even.

In addition, furniture made from artificial rattan is much cheaper and there are many more different options for such furniture products on sale.

Rattan furniture in the interior

More than half of the wicker furniture products sold on the Russian market are rattan furniture. Where wicker furniture looks appropriate:

• in stylish cafes and restaurants;
• on a dacha or cottage plot;
• in the winter garden;
• in saunas, baths, spa complexes;
• in the kitchen;
• in the hall;
• bedroom;
• recreation area.

Furniture made from artificial rattan, like furniture made from natural rattan, has become not just a utilitarian object, but is turning into high art, embodying bold design ideas. Thus, well-known Spanish and Italian companies Rattan Deco, Gabar, Rattan Wood, Bonacina, Roberti Rattan and others create furniture-art objects using textiles, glass, metal, and various wood species.

Therefore, today the presence of artificial rattan or real rattan furniture in the living room or bedroom is a sign of good taste and availability of finances.

Types of wicker rattan furniture

Asian craftsmen weave all kinds of furniture designs from rattan, which vary in composition.

Furniture can be made entirely of rattan (a frame of thick stems braided with thin branches).

An option is possible when the frame is made of wood and decorated with rattan weaving.

Finally, some designs use:

• cane;
• plywood;
• metal;
• plastic;
• Textile elements (pillows, bolsters, mattresses) are created for seating.

When purchasing a combination product, you must carefully examine all the details. If the joints and corners are poorly covered with braid, there is a risk that the furniture will fall apart very quickly. If some of the rattan rods are replaced with reed strands, this is a sign of poor quality of the product.

The following are woven from rattan:

• stools, chairs, armchairs, incl. rocking chairs;
• tables of different sizes and purposes;
• sofas, beds, cradles, chaise lounges;
• cabinets, shelves;
• chests, chests of drawers.

Features of the use of rattan furniture

If you take into account that rattan furniture has specific operating, storage and care features, like any other furniture, and carefully observe them, then the products will delight you for many years.

How to use it correctly:

• Do not leave in the rain or hot sun.
• Do not place close to open fire.
• Rattan can be accidentally cut or scratched by sharp objects.
• Do not put your feet on the seats.
• Do not exceed the permissible weight load.

Daily care

Wipe regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and moisturize the surface. Do not use aggressive chemicals or various detergents.

If the structure is heavily soiled, it can be washed.

Small weaving parts need to be vacuumed.

Rattan chairs and sofas

Rattan sofas and chairs are the most popular products.

Furniture can be created in any style: colonial, ethnic, office, Provence. Designers create exclusive models of rattan chairs that look original and unusual. A rocking chair always remains in fashion.

You can complement the set with a shelf, a flowerpot or a rattan cabinet.