Rattan, Wicker & Bamboo: How to decorate with them

We like natural fibres

We like them because as well as being the most sustainable materials, we can take advantage of their aesthetics in in decoration.

As with all natural materials, with natural fibres, we brighten up interiors making them more welcoming.
They allow us to give a formal touch which is inviting and makes you want to stay and be in those places which have Rattan chairs, Wicker armchairs and furniture which is combined with elements of bamboo.

Rattan, it is more than just fibre

What is Rattan?

The natural rattan which we usually find in furniture today, generally comes from Asia. In reality it is not a wood itself, but rather the woody and secindary stem of a type of palm tree.

In fact there are more than 600 species of plants (climbing plants) from which the rattan can be extracted  de las que se puede extraer el Rattán natural. It is more popularly known as Liana. 

Why is natural Rattan and ecological alternative?

It has been highly valued in decoration, among other uses because it is very abundant and its flexible character makes it easy to work with. It is also known as Manila or Malaca as these were the ports were this natural material was traditionally sent from to the west.

It is a sustainable alternative as it is natural and completely recyclable. In addition to this, if done in a proper way and without over exploiting the plants, it prevents tree falls and encourages the maintenance of the forests as it only requires the use of the lianas that grow quickly around them.

Why do we like Rattan at MisterWils?

It isn’t the first time that we have talked about Rattan in our blog.  We usually find Rattan in baskets and chairs, but it is so much more than an alternative to wicker.

If we use the stems completely and use the more thicker varieties, it can be worked integrally like wood. It’s treatment is similar as it can be painted, stained or varnished.

We like it because it is resistant (it’s fibers are almost impossible to break) and furniture and decorative accessories which are made with it have a long and useful life as well as being very lightweight. Precisely for their light weight they are highly valued in restaurant and hospitality decoration with them being easy to stack and move. 

If we talk about styles, Rattan fits in very well wit different decorative trends. Thus, in vintage style we have always evocative Bistro chairs, as they are worked with the latticework in Rattan, they fit so well and emphasize the Parisian spirit in cafe’s.

Within the Nordic style, Rattan chairs fit perfectly. This isn’t surprising as the origin of the natural fiber fabrics come from the Viking culture.

For these reasons, Rattan allows us to maintain this natural spirit of materials which are admired in such devotion in this decorative style.

There are many decor references that we find of chairs and armchairs in the Nordic style and at MisterWils we have a wide variety of furniture that will fit you perfectly to recreate the authentic Escandi spirit in your interiors.

Other uses of Rattan

In addition, in decoration, we can find it as a highly valued material for the diffusion of essential oils, with their threads being very porous and allow the oils to be absorbed and gradually distribute the aromas into the air.

And of course, its fibers have traditionally been used in the creation of decorative details and crafts, and we can find them in baskets, baskets and even canes or umbrella rods and parasols.

It is also used in alternative medicine, to make some sports elements, such as reeds for martial arts, as a dye and even as food (some varieties have a flavor similar to that of citrus fruits in their seeds)

What other alternatives do we find in natural Rattan?

Not only do we have natural rattan, we can also currently find synthetic rattan as an alternative in decoration.

Synthetic ways began to be explored to favor outdoor use, mainly and to extend the life of rattan furniture.

Thus, we find the advantages that artificial rattan hardly requires maintenance and is resistant to environmental changes.

They are flexible and durable, can be cleaned with soapy water, and maintain a great natural look.

They are made of high-density polyethylene, which makes it resistant to water, humidity and sea water. Therefore, they are perfect for terraces in wet areas and on the coast.

At MisterWils you will find both natural rattan and synthetic rattan furniture, and also, every week, you can discover news and new designs in our catalog, always up to date, do you want to discover MisterWils rattan furniture? Click here

Wicker, a classic

If we think of a natural fiber with which to create furniture and accessories, undoubtedly, the first that comes to mind is wicker.

We already have references to it in Ancient Egypt and the Bible is full of references where baskets made with this fiber appear.

Wicker has been very popular since the Middle Ages and although its use has been maintained, especially in basketry, we currently find other alternatives that together with the decline that for years had the craft, its cultivation and use in the West has been lost considerably.

In Spanish, we think of wicker as a material but if we look at the origin given in Germanic languages, wicker is a technique, that of weaving with any type of flexible natural fiber, of vegetable origin, which is left to dry to build with them furniture and household utensils.

But if you are one of those who relate wicker with a natural fiber, wicker is recognized as a shrub of the willow family and is often used for the production of baskets and furniture, where both the branches and the trunk are applied. Depending on how the work is to be produced, either the stronger and thicker parts (for the frame) or the lighter parts (for weaving) are used. Like rattan, it is a flexible, lightweight and durable material.

Currently, given the trend towards the exotic and exports of Asian furniture, rattan is gaining ground over wicker, whose cultivation has declined significantly due to the human effort required for its extraction. In Spain, the wicker that is consumed is produced almost entirely in the province of Castilla la Mancha (almost 90% comes from Cañamanes, Cuenca).

Therefore, the functionality of rattan and wicker is so similar that if you choose one of the two, it will be because of the style you find in the piece and the finish that is achieved with each of them.

Bamboo, an eco-friendly alternative

What is bamboo?

It is a fast-growing, woody plant that grows in tropical areas with moderate temperatures and high humidity.

Its rapid growth as well as its properties (lightness, flexibility and strength) have made it a natural and ecological alternative to felling trees for furniture production.

Bamboo in decoration

In addition to being used for weaving and assembly techniques, its fine rods allow us to build furniture, combining them with other fibers, where the trunk is visible and easily identifiable.

Thus, we find tropical-style tables, chairs, armchairs, mirrors or screens, which became popular in the 70s in Europe and America thanks to exports from Asia.

Currently, the world of industrial production has set its eyes on this ecofriendly material and is innovating, applying new pressing techniques on bamboo, with which bamboo can be converted into large sheets, with the same functionalities as traditional wood.

Bamboo boards are used to build tables, cabinets and other types of furniture, standing out for being sustainable and resistant in equal parts.

At MisterWils you will also find a wide selection of bamboo furniture, do you want to discover them?

Our catalog is always up to date

In our catalog, always up to date, and in our online store you will always find Rattan, Wicker or Bamboo furniture, certainly to your liking.

You can also ask us in our chat which is attended by our commercial experts to know which furniture is the most suitable for your project.