Rattan, Cane and Woven Materials

Rattan and cane have been used in furniture for centuries — and they've been periodically declared in fashion and out of it for almost as long. Right now they're very much present, but the more interesting question is why they keep returning. The answer has less to do with trend and more to do with the particular qualities of woven natural materials — their lightness, their texture, their ability to bring something of the natural world into a room without being heavy-handed about it. In a dining chair or occasional piece, they offer something that upholstered or solid wood alternatives don't.

Understanding the materials themselves — what they are, how they're made, and how they behave over time — is useful both for choosing well and for living with them comfortably.

Rattan vs cane: the distinction

Rattan is a climbing palm that grows primarily in tropical Asia. The whole stem — solid and flexible — is used to make furniture frames. Because it's extremely strong for its weight and can be steamed and bent into curves, it's been used for chair frames and outdoor furniture for generations.

Cane, by contrast, is the outer skin of the rattan stem, stripped and woven into panels. This is what you see in cane webbing — the open-weave panels used for chair backs, seat bases and cabinet door inserts. The terms are often used interchangeably in furniture marketing, but they describe different things: rattan is the structural material, cane is the woven surface.

Wicker: a third term

Wicker describes a technique rather than a material — it refers to any weaving done with natural plant stems. Rattan wicker, willow wicker, seagrass — all are wicker in the technical sense. In furniture retail, 'wicker' tends to be used for the more rustic, open weave associated with traditional garden furniture, while 'rattan' describes the smoother, more refined furniture that's become popular in contemporary interiors.

How these materials behave

Natural rattan and cane are relatively robust indoors. They handle regular use well and can last for many years if kept out of direct, prolonged sunlight (which can dry and crack them) and away from consistently damp conditions. A light application of linseed or tung oil every year or two helps maintain flexibility.

For outdoor use, natural rattan is less suitable — it doesn't handle sustained exposure to moisture and temperature variation well. Synthetic rattan (high-quality polyethylene woven over an aluminium frame) is the more practical choice for outdoor furniture that will live outside through UK weather. Good synthetic rattan is difficult to distinguish visually from natural and handles the elements far better.

Using woven materials in a contemporary interior

The versatility of rattan and cane lies partly in their neutrality. A cane-back dining chair works with solid wood tables, marble tables, and painted furniture. It brings texture without strong colour. It lightens a room visually — particularly important in smaller dining spaces where solid-backed chairs can feel heavy.

The most successful contemporary uses of woven materials tend to avoid the overtly 'boho' associations by pairing them with other materials that provide contrast: black or brass metal frames, solid timber seats, upholstered cushions in linen or leather. This combination keeps the natural quality without the nostalgic one.

Care and longevity

Natural cane and rattan can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking. If a cane panel becomes very dry and slightly slack, a light spray of water on the underside can help it tighten back up as it dries. For frames, periodic cleaning and an occasional light oiling will keep the material supple.

These aren't high-maintenance materials — they're honest ones. They show their age, but they age gracefully. And for furniture chosen with the long view, that's a quality worth valuing.