Choosing a rattan rocking chair

Rattan is a tropical plant, a palm tree native to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and other countries of Southeast Asia. Furniture, including rocking chairs made of this material, is not a cheap pleasure. Therefore, over time, manufacturers have found a worthy replacement for natural rattan. What are models made of artificial and natural materials, how they differ from each other is the topic of our article.

Rattan furniture has long been known in the palm-growing countries. But, Once in Europe, she quickly gained popularity, because it has the following advantages:

• the furniture is environmentally friendly;
• traditional models of rocking chairs are quite mobile, while suspended models take up even less space;
• it is easy to care for such products, and they will last a long time;
• they are very beautiful, in such an armchair not only the body but also the soul rests;
• despite the external openwork, the chairs are strong enough: models designed for two can withstand up to 300 kg;
• manufacturers offer a wide range of models;
• made by hand, they are exclusive pieces of furniture.

But any potential buyer will say that the main disadvantage of rattan furniture is the price... The second drawback is the creaking of new furniture while the stems rub against each other. The third disadvantage is susceptibility to mechanical damage: the stems are easy to scratch.

The traditional rocking chair seems to us on runners. Supports-half-arcs allow you to swing back and forth. On some models, they blend into the armrests. This chair can be with or without a footrest. But this is not the only type of such furniture.

• Papasan can be on runners or a round spring stand that can swing from side to side or be stationary. There are chairs that rotate 360 ​​degrees. In any case, this model resembles a half of an orange, that is, the seat and backrest are one whole here.

• Mamasan Is an elongated papasan designed for two. If such a sofa has a stand - the base, then the chair ceases to be swinging. But there are hanging models when you can swing the sofa, pushing off the ground.

• Generally, pendant models can have different shapes: an ordinary chair (of course, without runners), papasan, or a round design that resembles an egg. Such a nest is attached to the ceiling on a hook (the most dangerous fastening), to the ceiling beam, or suspended on the rack that comes with the chair. This is a mobile version of such furniture.

Ordinary four-legged chairs are also made from rattan. You cannot swing on it, but this makes it no less comfortable.

According to the completeness, rocking chairs can have a retractable or stationary footrest, armrests, a headrest, a stand for the hanging version, a pillow or mattress, and a removable cover. But all this may not be.

Regardless of the manufacturer, there are several models that are most popular with buyers. The name of the model will help determine the functionality and appearance of the chair.

• "Dynasty" - This is a traditional rocker on skids with a footrest.

• Solar - a hanging chair on a metal stand, very similar to a wicker nest.

• Papasan Rocker produced in two versions: on runners or on a spring stand, which allows the chair to bend back and forth, left and right.

• Rocco - this is a rocking chair of a classic look, but the front runners go into the armrests.

But there are a lot of models.

In Russia, despite the fact that rattan palms do not grow here, rattan furniture is very popular. The reason is that it is made not only from natural vines, but also from artificial polymer fiber.

The technology for preparing the stem is such that in some cases the bark is removed from it, in others it is not. But so that the product does not creak later, it is treated with hot steam. No glue or metal parts are used for fastening.

Peeled natural rattan looks smoother and more beautiful than unpeeled. It is this factor that greatly affects the price. Moreover, the smooth stems practically do not creak. To improve the appearance, the stem is covered with varnish or wax, although the natural smell of the tree is lost.

Synthetic cellulose, plastic, rubber, nylon reinforced thread - materials for creating artificial rattan. In many ways, artificial material wins:

• it is malleable to create any shape;
• can be of any color;
• not afraid of heavy weight, natural influence;
• will last a long time;
• easy to care for;
• is cheaper than natural.

Mass-produced furniture can often be found in public places: cafes, recreation areas. Designer models can be very expensive, but in a single copy or in a very limited edition.

In the manufacture of furniture from artificial material, marble, stone, glass are often used. But when decorating armchairs, you can often find inserts made of leather, hemp, cotton ribbons.

The homeland of rattan furniture is called Indonesia. Therefore, most of the Asian furniture is produced there. Even if you see in the advertisement that this furniture is from Malaysia or the Philippines, please read the accompanying documents more closely.

Indonesians are true craftsmen who make all the furniture by hand using a minimum of technology. They try not to paint products, leaving them in a natural woody color. The created masterpieces are not so much furniture for a summer residence as for an expensive colorful interior. But Indonesia imports some of the raw materials to other countries, so armchairs and other furniture are made in China, Russia, Europe and other parts of the world.

On the Internet, you will not find the name of Indonesian brands, it is possible that they do not exist at all.

For example, Russian Rammus is furniture made of ecotang... This innovation is called "RAMMUS fiber". The products are appreciated not only in Russia, but also in Europe.

Ukrainian Komforta offers technorattan furniture. All of it is hand-made by master weavers. For suspended structures, metal racks are used, which are safe even for children's rooms.

And here Spanish Skyline offers luxury faux rattan furniture, which in appearance is difficult to distinguish from natural. There are a lot of such manufacturers in Europe, and furniture is also available to Russians, but the price is quite high.

So what kind of furniture is better to choose: artificial or natural? And how to take care of her in the future?

In order to like the furniture, the following aspects should be considered:

• the age of the person to whom the rocking chair is intended: an older person is more suitable for a classic model with a footboard, a child will like a hanging nest;
• the footrest will reduce leg swelling;
• an artificial chair will support more weight (up to 150 kg);
• natural products are more suitable for enclosed spaces, artificial ones can be used both at home and as garden furniture;
• at first, a natural chair will creak;
• before buying, you need to sit in a rocking chair in order to combine your dimensions with the dimensions of the chair: your legs should be comfortable, the seat should not fall under the weight, your hands should be comfortable on the armrests;
• the fewer joints and gaps in the vines, the better the furniture;
• papasan with a 360-degree rotation mechanism will allow you to get objects without getting up from the chair.

To preserve natural rattan furniture longer, do not leave it for a long time in the sun or near heating radiators. To avoid drying out, the chair can be poured with water and waxed to prevent moisture evaporation. Use a dry or damp cloth to remove dust. Wash off stubborn dirt with soapy water. No other cleaning agents are used for natural materials. Artificial rattan will carry them.

You can find many beautiful rattan furniture on the internet.

• For example, this faux rattan chair design is perfect for relaxing, relieving stress from your legs and back.

• And such a hammock made of liana or polymer can be hung in the garden or in front of the fireplace, and relaxation is guaranteed.

• It is very important for every child to have their own cozy corner in the house. This papasan is perfect for this purpose.

A rattan rocking chair with a footrest is shown below.