Fans of the Golden Girls should be familiar with the nature of the natural woven furniture style in the photo above. But what is it called? The Girls refer to it as “wicker”. But it also looks a lot like the trendy rattan furniture we’ve seen so much of lately. Is “rattan” just a fancier way of saying “wicker” or is there a bigger difference? Savannah Sher breaks it down for us an article on BobVila.com. Here’s what to know.
The difference between rattan and wicker
Given the explosive popularity of rattan and wicker furniture in recent years, you’d think we’d tell the difference by now, but it’s not as easy as you think. This is because the two words are often used interchangeably, although it doesn’t always work that way. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Wicker is a style, rattan is a material
That’s the main difference right there. Although we consider wicker as a material, it is actually the name of the fabric that is used in the manufacture of wicker items such as furniture and baskets. Rattan, on the other hand is the materialand it comes from certain types of palm trees. (This makes it an ideal choice for four mature women who live in Miami.)
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While wicker furniture can certainly be made from rattan, by this point wicker has become an umbrella term for most types of woven furniture. In addition to rattan, wicker furniture and products can also be made from bamboo, reed and synthetic materials such as resin.
A closer look at rattan
Speaking of bamboo, what’s the difference between bamboo and rattan? Although they look similar when used in furniture, bamboo is hollow in the center while rattan is solid. Both materials are quite light and therefore much easier to move than traditional furniture.
And if you’ve noticed that rattan furniture has both solid wood pieces and thinner, meshed areas, they’re actually made of the same material (rattan). The cane (thin part) is the outer layer of the rattan and is commonly used to make chairs because of its durability and flexibility.
When should you use rattan versus wicker?
It depends on where and how you use the furniture. Any furniture or decorations that live outdoors should be made of a synthetic material. Natural rattan (or bamboo, reeds, etc.) can cause water damage if left outside. Instead, keep these parts indoors. For the same reason, in rooms where water is used frequently, such as a bathroom, Be careful with natural rattan in kitchens and bathrooms.
