Rattan is a material we use a lot in the production of our natural products. We use rattan to manufacture furniture, lamps, lighting, and baskets.
There are many ways that you can use rattan to manufacture furniture, lamps, lightings, woven caning, and mats. Rattan is a very versatile material used traditionally for many years. Rattan is a vine that grows naturally in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It is also a material that is relatively easy to work with and will bend into shape quite quickly.
Table of Contents
- Ways You Can Use Rattan?
- What Is The Material Rattan?
- Parts of Rattan Used For Manufacturing
- Frequently Asked Question
- Related Content
Ways You Can Use Rattan?
The rattan material is a highly versatile product. It can be used for many different types of products and has many other uses.
There can be a common misconception that bamboo and rattan are the same material. The truth is that they are both very different materials. Bamboo is tough to bend, and it is hollow inside. Rattan can easily bend, and it is solid inside
Because of the natural qualities of rattan, it can be used in many ways, particularly in home decor and furniture manufacturing. Here are some of the most common ways that the rattan material is still used today:
Rattan Furniture, Lamps, And Home Decor Accessories
Rattan is traditionally used for furniture production. This furniture production would include chairs, tables, sofas, and other excellent pieces. It is an ideal material for furniture as it can bend into a shape. Rattan can also be used for all kinds of lamps and lighting products.
If you want to see how quickly a piece of rattan can be bent into a shape, you can watch our short video that shows the bending of rattan.
This video shows how versatile rattan can be and why, traditionally and even today, it is considered an excellent material for all types of natural furniture. This is because the rattan is versatile enough to be made into a variety of shapes.
Caning And Other Woven Materials
Rattan is also traditionally used for weaving, such as cane and other weaves. Some of the cane weavers will be using a kind of loom. All these weaves are done by hand and using the rattan material.
You can watch a video about hand-woven products to see some weaving done by hand using a cane. As part of this video, we show you some other hand weaving done using rattan.
Basket Production
Rattan has always traditionally been used for basket weaving. In particular, rattan is used to weave the wicker weave on baskets.
This is because the rattan is not only strong, but it’s also relatively easy to weave. Rattan is also an extremely sturdy material traditionally used on many baskets, including the traditional bicycle and other woven baskets. Rattan is used for these baskets because, unlike other natural materials, rattan can handle changes in weather and temperatures.
Woven Sleeping Mats
Many parts of Asia use hand-woven rattan as woven mats for sleeping. This is why for many traditional or antique beds, you may find that there is a woven mat on the bed. This is because rattan, especially in some of the hotter climates, can be considered a cooler type of material than cotton sheets or bedding.
What Is The Material Rattan?
Rattan which can sometimes be spelled as ratan, is a natural kind of tropical palm plant. Worldwide, there are over 600 species of rattan.
Because of the many ways rattan can be used, it is considered to be a significant palm species. Most rattan production worldwide is still harvested from wild-harvested plants in the jungles of Southeast Asia or other tropical parts of the world.
Here are a few aspects of rattan that make it an excellent material for all kinds of products. Rattan is exceptionally sturdy in a product. This makes it an ideal product to be used for items such as furniture or home decor accessories.
- Rattan Is Very Sturdy – Rattan is exceptionally sturdy for rattan product production. This makes it an ideal product to be used for items such as furniture or home decor accessories.
- Rattan Is Great In All Kinds Of Temperature – The great thing about the rattan is that it can be resistant to heat and other types of temperature fluctuations; this again makes it an ideal material to use in many different types of climates.
- Rattans Are Versatile – A great thing about Rattan is that it is a highly versatile material. It can be shaped in many different types of shapes. Or it can be painted, polished, or left natural.
This is why rattan is a popular material, especially in home decor and home furnishing. Rattan has an incredibly natural look but is also strong, sturdy, and highly versatile while handling temperature changes exceptionally well.
Parts of Rattan Used For Manufacturing
When you are manufacturing rattan, two types of rattan are used. Each of these parts of the rattan will have different uses in home furnishing, home decor production, and manufacturing.
Peel Or Outer Core Of Rattan
The outside of the rattan vine or palm is known as the peel or the outer core of the rattan. This is the outer part of the rattan core that is taken off the rattan. It is used for weaving items such as the caning weave, famous for all kinds of furniture.
To learn more about Peel of Rattan, you can watch our video,
One of the reasons why the peel or outer core of rattan is used for weaves such as caning is because the peel or outer part of the rattan is considered very strong. The outer part of the outer core of the rattan can give some added strength and character to the rattan.
We also use the core or outer part of the rattan for furniture production. When we use the outer core of the rattan for furniture production, it gives off an excellent natural color.
Inner Core Of Rattan
A lot of the rattan used in home decor and home furnishing products uses the inner core or what is known as the inner part of the rattan. This is essentially the rattan vine where the outer part has already been cut off, so the inner part of the rattan is being used. As rattan is a solid material, its inner part can also be cut into different sizes and shapes.
That is why you can find rattan in different sizes, from a thinner rattan that may be used to weave baskets and a thinner rattan that can be used for furniture production.
If you are interested in seeing how Mondoro can help you with your rattan furniture and other home decor products – we would love to talk to you about how we can help you.
Find out more about how Mondoro can help you create, develop, and manufacture excellent home decor and furniture products – don’t hesitate to contact me, Anita. Check out my email by clicking here or become a part of our community and join our newsletter by clicking here.
Mondoro gives out a FREE Lookbook to anyone interested. You can receive a copy of our latest Lookbook by clicking here.
Listen to our Podcast called Global Trade Gal. You can find it on all major podcast platforms. Try out to listen to one of our podcasts by clicking here.
Subscribe to our Mondoro Company Limited YouTube Channel filled with great videos and information by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Question
What is rattan?
Rattan is a type of vine that grows naturally in the jungles of Southeast Asia. It is widely used as a material for manufacturing furniture, lamps, lighting, baskets, and other woven products.
Why is rattan popular for manufacturing natural products?
Rattan is popular for manufacturing natural products because it is a versatile and durable material. It has been used traditionally for many years and offers a unique and natural aesthetic appeal.
What are the advantages of using rattan in furniture production?
Rattan offers several advantages in furniture production. It is lightweight, yet strong and sturdy. It is also flexible, making it easy to bend and shape into various designs. Additionally, rattan is resistant to weathering and can withstand outdoor use.
What are the different products that can be made using rattan?
Rattan can be used to manufacture a wide range of products such as furniture (chairs, tables, sofas), lamps, lighting fixtures, woven caning for seatbacks and chair arms, as well as mats and baskets.
Is rattan an environmentally friendly material?
Yes, rattan is considered an environmentally friendly material. It is a renewable resource as it grows quickly and can be harvested without causing significant damage to the environment. Using rattan helps reduce the demand for non-renewable materials.
How durable is rattan furniture?
Rattan furniture is known for its durability. When properly cared for, it can last for many years. Rattan’s natural strength and resilience make it suitable for everyday use in various settings.
Can rattan furniture be used outdoors?
Yes, rattan furniture can be used outdoors. It is naturally resistant to weathering, especially when treated and protected with appropriate finishes. However, it is still recommended to provide some protection from extreme weather conditions to prolong its lifespan.
How do you clean and maintain rattan furniture?
To clean rattan furniture, use a soft cloth or brush to remove dust and debris. Wipe it down with a mild detergent solution and rinse with water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the rattan. Regular maintenance includes keeping it away from direct sunlight and applying protective coatings as needed.
Related Content
What Is Stronger Rattan Or Bamboo?
Bamboo is stronger than rattan. Some bamboo is known even to have a higher tensile strength than steel; this is why bamboo is used as scaffolding in construction in many parts of Asia. Rattan is a vine that grows in the jungles; when rattan is manufactured into furniture, it can be solid.
You can discover more by reading What Is Stronger Rattan Or Bamboo? by clicking here.
Can You Paint Plastic Rattan Or Faux Rattan Furniture?
The short answer is that you should not paint your plastic or faux rattan furniture. The plastic or faux rattan material is not made or manufactured to be painted. If you paint on your plastic or faux rattan furniture, the paint will eventually peel and crack; the painting could also damage the furniture.
You can learn more by reading Can You Paint Plastic Rattan Or Faux Rattan Furniture? by clicking here.
Hand Weaving Rattan Mats for Home Decor Products, What You Need To Know
The rattan mats are woven by hand on handlooms with a small electrical motor. The rattan is cut into small pieces and either dyed or left natural before handwoven. The workers who weave the rattan must be highly skilled and be able to work very quickly and accurately. There are various home decor and home furniture products that the rattan mats can use.
By clicking here, you can learn more by reading our blog Hand Weaving Rattan Mats for Home Decor Products, What You Need To Know.
