What is the difference between bamboo and rattan furniture?
There is a common misconception that bamboo and rattan furniture are the same thing. Rattan and bamboo are drastically different materials however and this quick guide should help you understand the differences between the two:
- Bamboo does not bend. It is harder than mahogany and cannot be curved.
- Rattan is a solid while bamboo is hollow.
- Despite being one of the world's strongest woods, rattan is flexible and can be shaped into intricately designed furniture. Therefore an easy way to check if your furniture is rattan or bamboo is to see if any of the canes are curved or bent and if so, your furniture is rattan.