How to make faux rattan furniture

All artificial rattan furniture is made using materials created using new technologies. It is distinguished by its durability, light weight, excellent appearance and ease of use. If you want to try yourself as a rattan weaving master, why not.

To do this, you need to figure out what kind of rattan is, what are its advantages and disadvantages, and how to actually weave such furniture. Moreover, if there is no experience or it is not enough, it is worth trying to do something very small in order to understand the process itself. And then start weaving pieces of furniture.

Difference between natural and artificial rattan

Many people are interested in what is the difference between natural and artificial rattan?

Real rattan is a tropical vine found in Africa, Australia and Asia. It is rightfully considered one of the most durable plants that exist on our planet. If this vine is heated, it softens and becomes a very malleable material. When it returns to normal temperature, it hardens, and it is worth looking for a stronger material.

Rattan, which is made using synthetic materials, is practically indistinguishable from natural. But thanks to innovations, it is less susceptible to external factors, such as temperature, humidity, ultraviolet light, precipitation, etc. At the same time, furniture made of synthetic material looks no worse than the one used for weaving natural vines.

What can be made from rattan

There is a great variety of interior items made of rattan at this time. Here is some of them:

• tables of all kinds;
• armchairs, chairs, stools, poufs;
• sofas, bed, cradles, sun loungers;
• lockers, shelves, wardrobes;
• chests, baskets, bags;
• cabinets, furniture sets, lampshades, etc.

These products have become so popular due to their properties that they are present literally everywhere.

Feature of wicker furniture

The main quality of rattan wicker furniture is the ability to use this furniture under conditions of high humidity. Pools, saunas, baths, the seaside in such places, rattan furniture is a must. Such furniture also has not very good features.

Fasteners, if they are not made very conscientiously, you should expect an early breakdown of the furniture. Weaving also sometimes plays a bad role. If it is not dense enough, then soon the material will sag, which will lead to damage, and, as a result, breakage of this object.

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Synthetic rattan is called polirotang. It is an artificial tape that varies in length and width. Its production takes place with the method of extrusion from rubber and polyethylene with various additives. In the last century, in the fifties, it was first created and then called hularo.

There are three types of rattan made of artificial materials:

1. Polyrotang rods.They are plastic and solid polymer fibers, their thickness is 2-4 mm.
2. Polirotanga strips. A fiber shape that is flat and rectangular. The width is from 6 to 12 mm.
3. Imitation of tree bark. Semicircular fibers, available in thickness from 4 to 12 mm.

Natural rattan is divided into four main types:

1. Manau. Most popular material. Furniture made of it is found everywhere.
2. Himalayan rattan. Originally from the Himalayas. This type is durable and resistant to temperature extremes. Priced above average, but this is justified by its properties.
3. Cerotolobus. Not a very good material, weak in its properties and faded in color. But in this case, baskets, frames for paintings and photos, lampshades for lamps, etc. are made from its leaves by craftsmen. Then these products are varnished.
4. The Devil's Rope is a translation. The real name is Daemonorops. It is in demand for both home and outdoor furniture. Has a yellowish color with a white tint. Often such furniture is not painted with anything.

Advantages and disadvantages

The benefits of rattan furniture are well known to many. This is probably why she has so many fans. The pluses include:

• strength, some products serve without problems for more than ten years;
• non-fading color;
• elasticity and flexibility;
• environmental friendliness;
• excellent shape and beauty.

The disadvantages of such furniture include:

• instability to changing weather conditions;
• high price;
• tendency to dry out.

But when using artificial rattan, these disadvantages disappear.

How to weave faux rattan furniture

Weaving products from this material is an exciting experience. Even if this is a production, and not homemade furniture, furniture is still made by hand. Most likely, this is the reason for the high cost of rattan furniture. And of course at the cost of the material itself. The main rules for making rattan furniture with your own hands:

1. The thinner the threads of the material for weaving, the finer the pattern and the more time spent. For bulky items, choose a wider material width.
2. Furniture seats are best made of semicircular rattan. Interesting: a thread 1 mm thick, correctly intertwined, can withstand the weight of a large, adult person.
3. Make the right choice of frame. The more practical and durable it is, the more durable the furniture will be.

Selection of design and construction of furniture

If you decide to make home furniture from artificial rattan with your own hands, you must:

1. choose the model itself;
2. rattan weaving pattern;
3. draw a sketch to understand how your work will look;
4. decide on the design;
5. calculate the amount of rattan itself for this product.

Using the internet, you can find some really beautiful pieces of furniture. Some of them look like works of art. Everything is in your hands, turn on your imagination and get creative. Simple weaving, openwork, classic checkerboard, Various colors and their combinations. You have the opportunity to independently create a unique creation.

Required materials and tools

Before you start weaving, make sure you have all the tools and materials you might need for this:

• Knife. Use a knife sharp enough to cut the threads with ease.
• Soldering iron. It will be needed so that you can fasten the used rattan thread without leaving a trace.
• Frame. If it is not metal, but wooden, it should be treated with an antiseptic before work.
• Rattan bobbins. Calculate the quantity before purchasing the material.Although rattan comes in a variety of widths and lengths, bobbins are sold by weight.
• Superglue and stapler for furniture. In order to hold the threads together, you will definitely need them.
• Hammer and pliers. Without them, it will be difficult to both hammer in the staples and pull them out if necessary.

Manufacturing process

The process itself can be divided into stages:

1. Creation of a sketch of future furniture. You can come up with a sketch yourself or look at the blanks on the Internet.
2. Preparation of material for weaving. Based on what kind of furniture is presented, we select the desired color, width and footage of the bobbin.
3. Frame fabrication and processing. Frames are made of wood or metal. Metal ones are more durable, therefore they are more popular. You can make a frame from an aluminum pipe using a pipe bender and welding. Then the frame is painted in the color of the acquired rattan, so that the color scheme looks harmonious.
4. Weaving. At the beginning of work, the rattan is attached to the fabricated frame with staples. They are small and will be hidden by weaving in the future.

Important! The tension of the uprights should be maximum, this affects the operational properties of the piece of furniture. The seat is braided in two or three layers of rattan tape, thus maintaining its elasticity.

The weaving pattern chosen by the master can be completely different; they can be found on the net in large quantities. To prevent the tape from slipping during weaving, the end must be overlapped and secured with a soldering iron. Working with rattan strips will be much easier if you periodically wipe them with vegetable oil.

Furniture decor feature

The variety of artificial rattan colors is impressive. Products are braided with both a single-color ribbon and contrasting threads. This greatly facilitates the choice of such furniture for the place of its future installation.

Furniture is decorated in various ways: pillows attached to the seat and backrests, blankets, glass, ceramic or wood inserts, many ways of decorating. It all depends on the owner's imagination.

Where can you put wicker furniture

This furniture is popular with many. It is purchased in private households and various offices. It is especially in demand among the owners of cafes and restaurants. Lightweight, beautiful, low maintenance and durable. Summer grounds, terraces, balconies in high-rise buildings, parks, personal plots and many other places. Rattan furniture is appropriate everywhere.

And rattan cocoon chairs are just at the peak of their popularity. They look like openwork cradles for adults only. Moreover, hanging chairs of completely different shapes are now being made, it looks very unusual, and they are used to decorate interiors in various beauty salons.

Rattan furniture will be appropriate almost everywhere. The main thing is to choose the right color to successfully match the color scheme of the environment.

Video: the secrets of making rattan furniture

Design ideas and applications of rattan furniture in the photo