There are a number of really good reasons for choosing natural products when picking out new furniture. They are very beautiful to look at, they are made from sustainable material, they go with any colour scheme, they last for years and they are more eco-friendly. Conservatory furniture tends to be made from natural products like rattan, cane, bamboo, wood and banana leaf, but what are all these different materials and how are they made?
Often these two words get linked together, but they are different things. Wicker is simply the weaving technique, and any number of things can be woven to make a wicker piece – seagrasses, cane, rush as well as plastic strips. So look out for natural wicker if you don’t want your conservatory furniture constructed of manmade materials, sometimes the synthetic material looks very convincing at first glance.
Rattan is the name of a plant which grows in the jungle – it is a strong vine with a tough core which is very hard to break. It can grow in very long lengths and comes in varying thicknesses. Often the body of a piece of furniture is made from rattan because it is strong, and other materials are used to create a specific look, like wood, cane and fabric.
In Indonesia, banana leaves were traditionally used to make rope, so it is a very robust material. The banana fibres are collected, treated to prevent mould, and woven into strong lengths. When conservatory sofas, chairs and coffee tables are produced from banana leaf, patterns and intricate designs can be created to make beautiful pieces of furniture. In fact, they are far too beautiful to just have in the conservatory, so why not add an elegant chair to the hallway, or a coffee table to the living room?
Bamboo and cane are very similar, they are both a type of grass which grows very quickly and is a sustainable material because of this fact. These two grasses do come from slightly different families, and have different uses. Bamboo is strong but it can split quite easily so needs a different approach when manufactured. Cane is more flexible and can be woven.
The craft of furniture caning uses peeled bark to either bind corners together, or to create seating by weaving. It was an especially popular look in Victorian England and it can give a piece of furniture a classical, timeless look.
Using a combination of natural materials, there is a huge range of furniture available. Contemporary sofas and chairs, classic bistro sets, modern coffee tables and comfy footstools can be found.
As well as furniture, there is a range of room accessories in natural material which would complement the look. Baskets made from banana leaf, floor coverings crafted from seagrass and rattan table lamps will give a room a tropical feel.
Furniture made from natural material can last for many years with just a little care. It is important to place the furniture away from a heat source, such as a radiator, to prevent the material from drying out. Cleaning should only consist of a wipe down with a damp sponge and a gentle vacuum to remove any dust and particles that might have fallen through the weave. You can also brush the woven parts with a dry, soft paintbrush to dislodge any crumbs.
