The Difference Between Rattan and Other Furniture

Countless types and styles of furniture currently exist but none are quite the same as rattan furniture in natural beauty and function.

There are many different types of furniture on the market today. Perhaps as many styles and designs exist as the imagination can bring to mind. These various types are available in just as many different types of materials. In the past, some were not even a consideration for becoming furniture but today are just as commonplace as household kitchen utensils that we use to cook and eat with.

One type of furniture that has been around for ages is rattan. Rattan furniture is said to have origins which source back to the early Egyptian era when it was fashioned into chairs and baskets and other pieces of functional furniture that provided beauty, resilience and long lasting use. This gives rattan a distinction from many other types of furniture just by virtue of its ability to withstand years of use and remain both functional and fashionable.

Furniture can be constructed from a great deal of materials today. These materials include manmade materials such as aluminum, steel and recycled plastic. The difference between rattan furniture and furniture fashioned from these manmade materials is that rattan is a natural product that is grown in jungles of areas such as Africa and Asia. In additional to be a naturally grown product, rattan furniture is used in its same state by being cut, steamed and bent in constructs that are long lasting and sensitive to the earth when they must be disposed of. The manmade exception is recycled plastic, which is Green friendly but lasts for years and is not disposed of that readily.

It should not be misconstrued, however, that rattan is the only natural material used to make furniture. There are many other natural materials used today. Some of these natural products include many types of wood such as oak, cherry, pine, chestnut and walnut. When it comes to these wood materials, they are not as easily turned into furniture as rattan is. Additionally, they require treating, are typically not as visually appealing, provide less comfort due to their inflexible nature and can have tendencies to splinter, warp and need regular staining or painting touch up to keep a polished look.

If you are considering furniture and want to consider the difference between rattan and other types of furniture, take the time to research the various kinds of furniture that are currently on the market. Determine what the primary use for your furniture will be and where it will be located. Although rattan furniture can work well both indoors and outdoors, like wicker some care must be taken when using rattan for outdoor furniture.

For example, painted or stained rattan should not be left in prolonged sunlight for extended periods of time as this may cause fading or partial discoloration to such surfaces. Likewise, rattan furniture is sturdy and meant for regular use but it should be protected from direct exposure to rain and moisture that can cause damage to tied joints and other parts of rattan furniture. With the right research, you can make the choice on where to place rattan furniture in your decorating scheme of things.