What Are Rattan Chairs?

Materials

• Rattan is a round, hollow plant material that grows as a tropical vine in countries like Indonesia. This material is often compared to bamboo, but it is stronger and more durable when used for furniture making, says the Utah State University Cooperative Extension. The rattan vine contains more joints and nodes than the grass known as bamboo, making bending it without breaking it easier. The tough outer skin of rattan is removed but works as a binding and tying material to attach chair parts together.

Wicker

• Wicker chairs are also made of rattan even if they aren't labeled as so. Wicker is the result of weaving thin pieces of rattan or split pieces of the core of the rattan vine. This finely woven mesh allows better airflow than other chair materials while still offering the same solid feel as an upholstered piece. Due to the thinner diameter, wicker isn't as strong or resilient as larger rattan pieces, but it is durable for a light use chair.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• All rattan chairs allow for better airflow around your body than upholstered or wood chairs due to the open weave pattern required by the material, keeping you cooler in the summer, which makes rattan a good choice for patio or deck chairs if they are used in a covered area to prevent sun and water damage. Rattan chairs are just as strong as those made from other materials, but low quality rattan leaves you with a chair that cracks or splits after a short time of use.

Styles

• Rattan chairs come in a variety of styles due to the flexibility of the material. These chairs are usually stained to create different colors but can be painted as well. Many pieces of furniture made from this vine follow a tropical style, mimicking the islands where it naturally grows, but modern pieces that use steel and leather for very different styles are also available.