Is rattan better than wicker?

No, rattan isn't better than wicker — they're not interchangeable terms. The use of rattan stretches from prehistory to IKEA. To clarify, rattan is not bamboo, which is a rigid, hollow reed. Stalks of rattan are dense, steamable and bendable, which is why it lends itself to curvaceous designs and infinite creative uses in a way bamboo does not. Nor is rattan synonymous with wicker, which is a broader term for woven items — often made of rattan fibers but also of willow, other pliable reeds or even synthetic materials. Wicker and rattan tend to get a bit of a bad rap, but they can actually mingle with a wide range of styles — when done the right way.

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