Rattan and wicker furniture are often spoken about interchangeably, but this is based on a fundamental misunderstanding.
Rattan is a material made from a particular palm plant (the same plant that produces cane material), while wicker is a weaving technique that can be used on anything from bamboo to plastic.
Conflating rattan and wicker is a little like confusing wool and knitting. Wicker furniture can be rattan furniture, but wicker isn’t necessarily made from rattan.
As leading retailers of furniture and home décor in Australia, House 2 Home offers both wicker and rattan furniture.
Many of our most popular pieces (like our Rattan and Iron Chair), utilise mixed materials, which offer both aesthetic appeal and functional properties.
In the following article, we’ll talk more about rattan vs wicker furniture, including the key differences, cost, and which is better for outdoor use in Australia.
What is rattan made from?
Rattan comes from a group of climbing palm plants that grow naturally in tropical forests in Asia, Africa and Australia.
The long, solid stems of these palms are harvested, dried and used as the raw material for furniture and woven products because they’re strong, flexible, lightweight and easy to work with.
Rattan can be used in its whole stem form for frames or peeled into thinner strips for weaving, and is prized for both indoor and covered outdoor furniture.
What is wicker made from?
Wicker isn’t a specific material— it’s the weaving method used to make furniture or baskets by weaving flexible strands together.
These woven products can be made from a range of materials including rattan, bamboo, reed, willow or even synthetic fibres like resin or plastic, depending on the look and performance needed.
Because wicker refers to the technique rather than the actual material, you’ll find wicker pieces in natural plant fibres for indoor use and in weather‑resistant synthetic weaves better suited to outdoor furniture.
Rattan vs cane vs wicker: Key differences
Rattan and cane are two more terms that are often used interchangeably.
Cane and rattan are made from the same plant: the tropical rattan palm. Rattan is made from the stems, while cane is made from the outer bark which is split into strips for weaving.
One of these weaving patterns is wicker.
The following table takes a closer look at wicker vs rattan vs cane.
|
Feature |
Rattan |
Cane |
Wicker |
|
What it is |
A natural plant material made from the solid stems of tropical rattan palms. |
The outer bark or skin of the rattan plant, split into thin strips for weaving. |
A weaving method or style, not a specific material. |
|
Material vs Technique |
Material. Used as actual structural material for furniture frames and weaving. |
Material (part of rattan). Used mainly in woven cane panels and detailed work. |
Technique; can be used with natural fibres (rattan, cane, reed, bamboo) or synthetic fibres. |
|
Strength & Durability |
Stronger and more robust — suitable for larger furniture pieces and structural frames. |
Lighter and more flexible but not as strong as full rattan; better for accents. |
Varies depending on material used — resin or synthetic wicker can be weather‑resistant; natural wicker is less durable. |
|
Common Uses |
Furniture frames, large woven pieces (chairs, tables), baskets. |
Chair backs, seats, drawer panels, decorative woven sections. |
Furniture and decor items made by weaving various materials together. |
|
Appearance |
Natural wood‑like texture, thicker and solid. |
Smooth, thin strips with a lighter look used in webbing or mesh patterns. |
The woven look itself; appearance depends on the material used (can be rattan, bamboo, synthetic). |
|
Flexibility |
Good flexibility for shaping frames; strong and bendable. |
Very flexible as thin strips for weaving but less structural strength. |
Technique can be applied to flexible materials — overall flexibility depends on material. |
|
Indoor vs Outdoor |
Natural rattan is more suited to indoor or covered outdoor use; can degrade in direct weather unless synthetic. |
Generally used indoors or protected spaces; thinner strands can be sensitive to weather. |
Synthetic wicker is suitable for outdoor use; natural wicker needs protection. |
|
Maintenance |
Moderate; keep dry and dust‑free, avoid direct sun and moisture for natural rattan. |
Moderate; handle with care due to thin strips, clean gently and avoid moisture. |
Depends on material — synthetic wicker usually low maintenance; natural wicker needs more care. |
Wicker vs rattan: Which is better for outdoor use in Australia?
If you’re weighing up rattan vs wicker outdoor furniture, here’s what you need to know.
Rattan is an organic, renewable material which looks beautiful, but that doesn’t mean it stands up well to the harsh Australian conditions.
We recommend that most of our rattan pieces, like the Seville Rattan Two Seater, be kept out of the sun and inclement weather.
Wicker on the other hand, may or may not be suited for outdoor environments. This will depend on what the material is, as wicker only refers to the weaving technique.
Certain weather‑resistant synthetic weaves (like resin or plastic) are well-suited for outdoor furniture.
Costs of rattan furniture vs wicker
Natural rattan furniture is often priced higher than wicker because it’s made from solid palm material and is traditionally associated with a more premium aesthetic.
High‑end rattan sets can run several thousand dollars for larger lounge or dining pieces, and even mid‑range rattan chairs and sofas typically start in the higher price bracket.
By comparison, wicker furniture (especially when made from synthetic fibres) often offers lower‑cost options that are still sturdy and suitable for outdoor use, with budget sets available for a few hundred dollars up to around a couple of thousand for larger lounge or dining configurations.
Why choose House 2 Home?
For over 15 years House 2 Home has been an independent family-run business dedicated to providing the perfect balance between design, quality and affordability.
Now that we’re online our aim is to continue to offer our trademark good old-fashioned, family-run customer service to valued communities beyond our Crows Nest base.
So, whether you are just moving in, renovating or simply wanting a fresh new look, you will find homeware essentials and home decorating items to transform your space into your own personal work of art.
