Cane, Wicker & Rattan: What's the Difference?
The simple update to make your home feel like summer year-round.
Cane, wicker, and rattan are words we see floating around Instagram, Pinterest, and beyond. We understand if you're confused by the different trends. You may be wondering, "What is cane? What is rattan? What is wicker? And how are they different?" To help answer these questions, we've done the research for you – keep reading below.
What Is Wicker?
Wicker is a collective word used to describe any type of woven furniture. Wicker furniture is often made with natural materials like reed, cane, rattan, seagrass, bamboo, and willow, but it can be made with synthetic materials like resin and vinyl, too. Natural wicker materials are great choices for home furniture because they are environmentally friendly. The fast growth rate makes these plant species highly renewable.
Wicker is perfect for any home – from tropical houses to suburban condos – because it is airy and lightweight. You'll usually see wicker furniture on patios, but it works just as well as an accent chair, coffee table, decorative basket trio, or dining chairs.
Tip!
Many of our items on Joss & Main are classified under wicker, rattan, and cane interchangeably. Make sure to click the Product Overview tab to decipher which material the product is made with.
What Is Rattan?
Rattan is created from tropical palm trees found in Southeast Asia. It grows upward of 100’! Once rattan grows to a certain point, it bends back down to the ground. It can even grow back into the ground like vines. It is one of the strongest wood species in the world. While it looks and feels like bamboo, the main difference between the two species is that bamboo doesn't bend like rattan does.Rattan is a popular choice for large pieces of furniture like coffee tables or accent chairs. Balance out your rattan furniture with a soft area rug and cashmere throw blanket.
Cane is the outer "bark" part of the rattan tree. It's created by peeling the top layer off of the rattan vine and wrapping it around solid furniture (think hardwood, steel, or aluminium frames). Cane is a great, on-trend choice for a bedframe, credenza, and even light fixtures. Cane is not as porous as rattan, so it can stand up against water and does well in damp environments.
An easy way to differentiate? Most of the time, cane is used in thin, woven accents like the back of a dining chair or a dresser's cabinet door. Rattan is used in larger, reedlike features, like a papasan or outdoor lounge chair.
Just because cane and rattan have a few differences doesn't mean you can't style a room with both materials. These trends work happily together to make a beautiful, transitional living room or bedroom retreat. Pair with soft fabrics like velvet or linen throw pillows to create balance. Add a couple of faux plants and you'll have the bohemian-inspired home of your dreams.
Wicker furniture is great for any home because it's so easy to care for. Simply dust and polish with clear furniture polish, and you're set. For any spills, you can easily clean wicker with soap and water. Once every year or two, apply lacquer to protect both outdoor and indoor wicker furniture.
So easy and on trend.
