Looking to revamp your dining room? But not sure where to start?
Dining Chairs is where you should start!
Aldgate and Seabreeze Dining Chairs
What is a rattan chair?
A rattan chair is a chair made from rattan — the strong, flexible stem of a fast-growing climbing palm native to Southeast Asia. The stems are steamed and then either bent into a solid frame or woven across the seat and back, creating a chair that is lightweight, hard-wearing and naturally warm in appearance. Because untreated rattan absorbs moisture, genuine rattan dining chairs are best suited to indoor use.
Rattan vs wicker vs cane: the quick answer
- Rattan is a material — the stem of a climbing palm.
- Wicker is a weaving technique, not a material. Rattan, willow, seagrass or synthetic resin can all be woven in the wicker style.
- Cane is the peeled outer bark of the rattan stem, wrapped around a solid frame for a tougher, more weather-resistant finish.
So a chair can be rattan and wicker at the same time: made from the rattan material, using the wicker weave. Below we break down each one in detail, plus how to care for them and which suits your dining room.
As of now, the most in style dining chairs are none other than the styles commonly known as Rattan dining chairs, Wicker dining chairs and Cane dining chairs.
They have been here for centuries but have recently made a huge comeback.
There are certain things that we wish would remain in the 70s, but certainly rattan, cane and wicker furniture is not one of those.
These styles are generously being used by designers all around the world for both outdoor as well as indoor furnishings.
Mainly for the versatile style sense they add to the room their light weightedness and also because they are made using natural materials.
Pinnacles Arm Chair and Kelmscott Dining Chairs
But are they fit for the modern-day dining room?
If you are picturing your grandma's old rattan chair in your dining area, stop right now.
With modern-day advancements, new styles of rattan, wicker and cane dining chairs have taken the interior design industry by a storm.
The design and style sense of today's cane, wicker and a large range of rattan dining chairs set may be new, but the techniques are still ancient.
The mix of modern design and ancient techniques result in dining chairs that go perfectly with most decor and interior styles, including a medieval, farmhouse, mid-century and more.
In fact, contemporary settings are also carrying rattan, cane and wicker dining chairs well.
Are they all the same?
Often the terms Wicker, Cane and Rattan are used interchangeably.
Which makes it all the more confusing for clients to actually understand what each term is being referred to.
If I were to explain this in a sentence, using these terms interchangeably is like using the terms tomato and dicing interchangeably.
Where tomato is the material like cane or rattan and dicing is the method of cutting like wicker.
At Only Dining Chairs, we promote mindful buying, which means that we promote the culture of knowing what you are buying.
We want clients to be fully aware of what they are purchasing before they have finalized their purchase.
And that is the entire purpose of our blog.
Today we are going to learn:
The key difference between the three popular types of dining chairs -
Wicker Dining Chairs:
What is wicker, you may ask.
Wicker is basically the process of weaving natural materials like bamboo, willow, rattan, etc., in order to make a dining chair or any other piece of furniture.
It is a collective term that describes woven furniture as a whole.
A Dining chair that is made using the wicker technique will be described as a Wicker dining chair.
As wrongly believed, wicker doesn't refer to the material used in the making of dining chairs. Instead, it refers to the process of weaving, which creates those finely textured designs.
Did you know traces of the wicker technique were found more than 3000 years back in Egypt?
Wicker Dining Chairs are made using different materials, both natural as well as synthetic. Basically, anything that can be weaved.
Natural materials include the use of:
- Rattan
- Cane
- Reed
- Seagrass
- Bamboo
- Willow
- Jute
- Natural fabrics and more.
If you are setting up an outdoor dining area, there is no way you can use wicker dining chairs made out of natural materials.
Natural materials are typically used in furniture made for indoor use. The outdoor weather can have adverse effects on both the look and durability of the wicker dining chairs made using natural materials.
But inside, these wicker dining chairs can last for decades.
No wonder your Grandma still has those typical pasty white pieces of wicker furniture that she refuses to throw away.
In ancient times, the cane was one of the most popular or maybe the only used material. But in today's modern-day age, there are tons of materials that are being used to make modern wicker furnishing.
The idea remains the same, but the use of different materials makes the present-day wicker dining chairs different and more adaptable to modern settings.
Synthetic materials include the use of:
- Resin
- Vinyl
- Engineered fabrics
Wicker dining chairs made using synthetic materials can be used efficiently, both indoors and outdoors.
They are far more durable and resistant to damage compared to the wicker furniture made using natural materials.
These materials are also referred to as HDPE wicker and all-weather wicker.
But the main reason why wicker dining chairs have become increasingly popular in the last few years is the structural soundness of this age-old technique.
They are sturdy enough to hold weight yet extremely lightweight compared to typical furniture.
Not to forget they are extremely comfortable and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
This makes them a popular choice of dining chairs among frequent movers, families with children, and people who prefer casual and comfortable seating arrangements for their homes.
Rattan Dining Chairs:
Rattan is the material that's popularly used to make sturdy yet lightweight furniture, often using the wicker technique.
So unlike wicker, which is a technique, rattan is a material. So when a description says rattan dining chairs, this means that the dining chairs or any furniture for that matter is made up using the material rattan.
Now what is rattan, you may ask.
Rattan is one of the fastest, naturally growing species of palm trees.
It starts to grow like a tree, but after it grows to a certain height, which is often up to 100m, it bends down towards the ground, from where it starts to grow like vines, spreading its roots all over.
Due to its fast growth rate and perpetual spreading, it can be found in great abundance. Making it one of the most widely used furniture materials dated as far back to Ancient Egypt.
But that isn't the only reason why rattan is so widely used in the making of dining chairs and other furniture. It is known as one of the strongest woods to exist. Yet, it's malleable.
Hence we call it the king of all material!
Not to forget, their abundance in nature makes them a source of renewable, sustainable and environmentally friendly choice of material.
In case you are wondering, there are over 600 species of these palm trees, which are spread all across Southeast Asia.
The major importer of rattan mainly includes the Philippines.
Rattan is often confused with bamboo, as they both look starkly similar. But bamboo does not bend and is not malleable, unlike rattan.
Rattan or Wicker dining room chairs and furnishings are made for the indoors. Just as your skin can not tolerate the UV rays of the sun, rattan furniture can't either.
They either need a weather protectant or sealant to go on top of them to keep them protected, or you need to invest in coveralls.
But a general rule of thumb indicates that rattan furniture should be used indoors and indoors alone.
Going against this will result in cracked, dry and pale looking furniture that is neither appealing nor durable.
Not to forget, rattan is a porous material, which means it can and will soak up any moisture in the environment, which results in a breeding ground for mildew and mould—eventually resulting in a rotten piece of furniture.
Which is neither appealing nor useful.
So unless you have a covered patio, make use of rattan seats in your indoor dining area alone.
In case you have no choice but to use it outdoors, do not exceed the use for more than a few hours. Make sure to store them in a cool and dry place until the next use.
That being said, indoor wicker and rattan living room furniture are highly durable and can withstand years of use without any sign of serious damage.
However, they do require some amount of care, like every piece of furniture.
Often entire dining chairs are made using rattan, as it is a sturdy and flexible material that can withstand it all.
Rattan is a durable (especially when UV coated), lightweight and attractive material. It is also one of the greenest choices you can make for indoor living-room and dining furniture.
To see our collection of woven rattan seats and dining chair sets, visit OnlyDiningChairs.com.au.
How to clean rattan dining chairs:
To clean rattan dining chairs, whisk a little mild dish soap into warm water until you have a bowl of foam. Dip a soft cloth into the suds only — not the water itself — and wipe the chair down gently. Using the foam rather than soaking the chair matters, because rattan readily absorbs water and can swell or warp, spoiling the finish.
For the gaps in the weave, work the foam in with a soft brush (an old toothbrush is ideal), then wipe away any residue with a barely-damp cloth. Let the chair air-dry completely, away from direct heat, before you use it again.
The golden rule: always clean rattan with foam, never by soaking it in water.
Cane Dining chairs:
Like rattan, the cane is a material used for making furniture.
But unlike rattan, it does not occur in its form naturally. Although natural, it is given its particular form using a peeling technique.
The same rattan tree, used for making rattan furniture, is the source of cane.
The difference is that the thorny outer covering of the rattan is what is actually used to wrap around an already sturdy material such as metal, aluminium or wood. This is then called cane.
The largest importer of cane today is Indonesia.
Both materials come from the same source, yet they react widely differently when used.
Cane is sturdier than rattan and can easily withstand harsh weather conditions.
The reason being that this outer covering of rattan used in cane furniture is less porous; hence it does not absorb any moisture, which increases its durability.
This also means that cane dining chairs can stand well against spills; therefore, it is a perfect pick for large families that host often or even for regular use if there are kids in the house.
Easy cleanup, light in weight and durability, all add up to the increasing popularity of cane dining chairs.
Now that we have explained in detail the difference between each, let's move on to some basic benefits and care tips for dining chairs made of rattan, cane or other material, using the wicker technique.
Benefits of wicker, rattan and cane dining chairs:
- Light in weight - can easily be dragged around. Particularly good for moving from one room to another. A recommended choice for frequent movers.
- Easy cleanup - a sponge and soapy water can clear out any stain. As for debris and collection of dust, regularly wiping with a microfibre cloth.
- Durable - Resistant against years of usage, without any evident signs of damage, if cared for.
- Low maintenance - a regular coat of polish and protection against harsh weather (especially rattan) is all you need to keep the dining chairs to last long.
- Cost-effective - They are durable and last for decades, making them a one time purchase, compared to other dining chairs that may not last as long as these.
- Go with most interiors - Adds the right amount of modern and classic touch to any interior.
- Eco friendly - a source of renewable and sustainable material for dining chairs and other furnishings.
- Add warmth to the interior - Various range of Rattan dining seats can be a breezy addition to an otherwise clumpy interior.
- Comfortable - Wicker Dining chairs are as comfortable as they are durable and lasting.
- Sturdy - They can withstand any amount of weight as comfortably, just like any other furniture material.
How to take care of wicker, cane and rattan dining chairs set:
If your grandma's old rattan armchair is still in mint condition, it is because she must have taken some care required to keep the wicker, rattan and cane furniture looking as good for decades.
Like expensive wood, rattan and a range of cane dining chairs can last for a good while on their own. But add in some basic care techniques, and they will last longer than any other furniture in the house.
Wicker furniture, however, is a little more high maintenance, given its textured design, which collects more dust and debris. Cane dining chairs require the least amount of care out of all.
Here are a few things you can do to keep them looking as new:
- Regular clean up of stains using mild soap water and sponge.
- Avoid collection of dust by regularly wiping with a microfibre cloth.
- A coat of weather sealant or lacquer every one to two years will provide protection against harsh weather conditions.
Whether you are looking for cane, wicker or rattan dining room chairs, Only Dining Chairs has some of the finest quality dining chairs in Australia, backed by a 2-year warranty for value and peace of mind.
Read more: