Guide
Rattan vs. Wicker vs. Cane: What's the Difference?
AgungFurniture14 July 20261 min read
The terms are used interchangeably, but they mean different things. Here's a clear guide for buyers.
Clearing up the confusion
Rattan is a material — a solid climbing palm vine.
Cane is the outer skin of the rattan vine, peeled and used for weaving.
Wicker is not a material at all — it is a weaving technique. You can have wicker made from rattan, cane, bamboo or synthetic fibres.
Which should you choose?
For natural, indoor pieces, solid rattan frames with cane weaving are the classic choice. For outdoor and hospitality use, synthetic wicker over an aluminium frame offers weather resistance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is wicker the same as rattan?
- No. Rattan is a material; wicker is a weaving technique that can use rattan, cane, bamboo or synthetic fibres.
Looking to stock rattan furniture?
We export handcrafted rattan worldwide. Request our catalogue and wholesale pricing.
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