Many people ask about whether their rattan, wicker or bamboo furniture can be used outdoors.  We often hear the questions, "Is rattan furniture waterproof or water resistant?  Can my rattan furniture get wet?  What will happen if my rattan patio furniture gets wet?"  

Although many people do use their rattan, wicker and bamboo furniture outside, this is not the ideal scenario for the longevity of your furniture. These materials absorb water and can be damaged by it. Bamboo, if it gets wet, will often crack and then split open, because it is hollow. Rattan can warp and loose its shape and beautiful color if it is damaged by water.  And, wicker fibers may bend or break if they are exposed to water.  If your wicker is made of natural materials, like hemp or rattan, then it may be vulnerable to water damage.  Wicker can also be made of polyethylene, in which case, it can better withstand some exposure to water. Not sure if your furniture is actually wicker, rattan or bamboo?  Click here to see the differences between rattan, wicker and bamboo.

Rattan, even if it is finished and sealed, is not fully waterproof.  If it is continually subjected to water or sun damage, rattan furniture will not have the longevity it otherwise would have had. 

Rattan, bamboo and wicker can all be painted, and paint can help to protect these natural plant fibers as well as  increase the useful life of your furniture.  Rattan can be stained, but the natural golden color of rattan, with a clear finish, is far and away the most popular color.  

Every piece of our vintage rattan furniture at Harveys on Beverly and Tropical Sun Rattan has been painstakingly restored and refinished.  Each piece that we acquire is restored, and then receives a fresh new clear finish, both to enhance its natural beauty, and to increase its durability and longevity.  

If you live in an area like Los Angeles, where rain is very infrequent, you may opt to use your vintage rattan furniture outside or in a covered patio area.  Hollywood model celebrities Cara and Poppy Delevingne chose rattan furniture from Harveys on Beverly this fall (for both inside their home and for their pool area), and their new LA home was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest in September, 2019.  Want to see what they chose?  Check out the video of the new home of Cara and Poppy Delevingne.

If you are wondering how to take care of rattan furniture, it is ideal to keep your rattan furniture indoors, and just dust it as needed.  If you do this, you'll be able to enjoy your vintage rattan furniture for many, many years to come. 

Here is a vintage rattan piece which has a beautiful stain.  For contrast, some of the strands of rattan here are stained in a darker color, and some are painted green, to match the chair's pillows.