Bamboo And Rattan Furniture

Bamboo And Rattan Furniture: The Perfect Summertime Gift

Both bamboo and rattan are well-known to most people, coming as they do from various plants. But did you know that very useful furniture is made from these plants?

Bamboo and rattan furniture both begin, of course, with the plants themselves. Did you know that there are over 1,000 species of bamboo - some of which are edible? Bamboo is a staple product of Asian countries, where it has been grown and utilized for centuries.

Rattan, also from a plant source, is extensively used for furniture manufacture. In bamboo and rattan furniture, the 'skin' of the plant is peeled off, providing a material that is useful for weaving. The rest of the rattan plant stock is not discarded, but is also used in furniture making.

Both rattan and bamboo are prized as furniture materials because they are very lightweight, but extremely durable - and small pieces of the plant can be woven, carved or shaped to fit specific furniture design needs.

One important note: bamboo as a wood is very susceptible to insects, and can be easily infested. This danger can be greatly minimized if the wood is treated and kept very dry - so make sure that if you purchase bamboo and rattan furniture that the wood has been treated with wood preservatives.

Rattan furniture is not only very durable and light, it is a furniture-maker's dream: it accepts various types of paints, stains and varnishes, just like wood. It's flexibility ensures that it can be worked into many furniture design styles. The inner core of the bamboo and rattan furniture can be separated from the rest of the plant and worked into a wicker (woven) style of furniture.

Bamboo And Rattan Furniture: Cutting-Edge Eco-Furniture

Many today are concerned about the toll on our forests and jungles from indiscriminate tree cutting. One positive benefit of buying bamboo and rattan furniture is that one is actually helping the environment, as these plants are much easier to cultivate, and because of their fast growth rates, are also easier to replace, than traditional woods from trees, which take many more years to grow. For this reason bamboo and rattan furniture are sometimes called 'eco-furniture.'

Bamboo And Rattan Furniture: Not Just For Sitting

One of the most remarkable aspects of bamboo and rattan furniture making is the sheer variety of products that are made from these materials. In addition to traditional furniture, other items are also made into bamboo and rattan furniture: tables, beds, sofas and even kitchen cabinets and other storage facilities!

Bamboo And Rattan Furniture: How To Choose The Best

If you are shopping for bamboo and rattan furniture, it is important to buy from a trusted source, as this material is grown in many locations around the world, and the quality of the finished product can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. This is of particular concern if the bamboo and rattan furniture will be imported. If possible, try to view the item before purchasing. Online dealers can provide you with good-quality pictures of their listed bamboo and rattan furniture, so you can be assured of their quality before you buy. If the bamboo and rattan furniture will be shipped, make sure that they will be insured, in case of loss or breakage. Make sure that you also have the right to return these items if you decide that they are not right for you after they have been delivered.