Making frames for rattan wicker furniture. Making wicker furniture with your own hands. Photo gallery: various pieces of wicker furniture

If you master the technology of weaving from natural or artificial materials, you can decorate your home, apartment, or summer cottage with stylish original furniture and interior items at no extra cost. It is not difficult to make artificial rattan furniture with your own hands; the prepared frame is braided with rattan cord or ribbons, and a pattern is created according to the chosen pattern.

What materials are used for wicker furniture?

In our region, willow vines are traditionally used for weaving; in tropical latitudes, rattan palm stems (calamus) are used. Vine is an accessible raw material, but harvesting it yourself is a rather labor-intensive process. Wicker furniture is less strong and durable compared to rattan. Natural rattan, like vines, is harvested and subjected to multi-stage processing - the stems are cleared of bark, sorted by thickness, steamed, acquired elasticity and straightened. Thick stems after this treatment can be bent, giving the shape necessary for the frame elements, and dried. Thin stems and bark are used for weaving; they are cut into fragments of the required length. It will not be possible to prepare natural rattan with your own hands - it does not grow here, and purchasing prepared raw materials, taking into account transportation costs, will be very expensive.

Natural rattan has a synthetic analogue - polyrottan or technorattan. It is made by extruding a soft polymer through holes of different diameters and cross-sections. The material has many modifications:

• flat strip with a textured surface, ribbed surface, possible imitation of tree bark;
• tape, braid with a smooth surface;
• round or oval cord;
• cord with a crescent-shaped cross-section;
• rattan rod.

Artificial rattan is more popular compared to natural rattan for a number of reasons:

• the price is significantly more affordable;
• synthetic rattan is superior to its natural counterpart in flexibility and elasticity;
• environmental friendliness and safety are not inferior to natural raw materials, does not have a specific odor characteristic of some polymers;
• Polyrattan is more durable, furniture made from it can withstand significant loads without deformation;
• the furniture is moisture-resistant and frost-resistant, not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity conditions;
• the furniture is easy to care for and can be cleaned of dirt using various detergents;
• rattan strips and cords are available in any length, which allows you to weave furniture without joints;
• the raw materials are completely ready for use;
• A large selection of modifications of different shapes, colors and textures allows you to create attractive furniture that will fit into any interior.

The disadvantages of technorattan include its relatively low rigidity, so furniture made from it necessarily needs a rigid frame. There is a risk of damaging the weave during use, and it will begin to unravel.

For lightweight furniture that will be used in conditions of high humidity, for example, in a bathroom or outdoors, it is better to use a plastic or aluminum frame rather than a wooden frame. If the furniture will be subject to significant loads, a frame made of metal or wood is preferable.

Furniture making technique

To weave artificial rattan furniture with your own hands, you need to choose a model, decide on the frame configuration and weaving pattern, draw up a project and draw a sketch of the product, and calculate the amount of material. To make a chair, 2 kg of poly rattan is enough, for a small two-seater sofa it will take 5-7 kg, for a large sofa - up to 10 kg.

It is better for beginning craftsmen to stick to regular checkerboard weaving; if you combine rattan of different colors or textures, even a simple pattern will look impressive. If you have experience, you can choose a more complex pattern, openwork weaving.

To create furniture you will need:

• a frame that you can assemble with your own hands or order a blank from a carpentry workshop or a hardware workshop;
• tape or rod for guides that are attached to the frame; a pattern will be created on them;
• ribbon, braid or cord for weaving;
• fasteners for fixing the guides to the frame;
• pins, bolts or thin strips of leather to connect parts of the finished product (if it is assembled from separate elements).

Sequence of work:

1. Assemble or buy a ready-made frame (frame elements).
2. Fix a number of guides on the base. A rod or tape is wrapped around the frame; as a rule, one turn is enough, but for reliability, several turns can be made with overlap, after which the end is attached to the base. For high-quality weaving, strong tension and density of the guides are important; it is better to connect 2-3 strips of tape and use them as one guide.

Depending on the frame material and the thickness of the rattan rod, it can be fastened with self-tapping screws, using a regular furniture stapler (to wood), or a pneumatic stapler with narrow short staples (to an aluminum frame). The most difficult thing is to fix the guides to the steel frame made of furniture pipes. There is a way out - the frame is wrapped with rattan tape, the end is braided with an overlap, the touching fragments of the tape or rod are welded with a soldering iron with a point tip. Then the guides are welded to the base with the same soldering iron.

1. The ends of the rods extending beyond the frame are cut off with a construction knife, scissors or wire cutters.
2. A pattern is created on the basis of the guides in accordance with the selected pattern.
3. The weaving is constantly trimmed to ensure a neat pattern without distortions, and at the end the final alignment is carried out. The cord (tape) can be moved, compacting the rows as necessary or increasing the gaps between them; during the weaving process, alignment is done by hand; when the fabric is finished, you can use a sharpened pencil to move the tightly closed rows apart in some places.
4. The ends of the cord are fixed with a stapler or soldering iron to the base from the inside out, the excess is cut off.
5. The frame itself, legs and similar elements are braided; a special tool with a curved tip is useful for pulling the tape.
6. If the product consists of several elements, they are connected after each is braided with rattan; after final assembly, the ends are masked.
7. If desired, finished furniture can be painted with acrylic spray paint, but a sufficient selection of technorattan colors allows you to do without additional painting.

You can make it easier to pull the tape or cord between the guides and avoid scratches and abrasions by wiping the weaving material with a piece of rag soaked in vegetable oil.

It is better to create complex rattan furniture (for example, a sofa) in the following sequence: first, the frames of individual elements are braided - the back, the seat, the sides and armrests, and then they are connected to each other with bolts or another method. To seat a large area, it is necessary to attach longitudinal and transverse rigidity strands made of dense nylon tape to the frame before starting weaving.

If you master the technology of weaving from natural or artificial materials, you can decorate your home, apartment, or summer cottage with stylish original furniture and interior items at no extra cost. It is not difficult to make artificial rattan furniture with your own hands; the prepared frame is braided with rattan cord or ribbons, and a pattern is created according to the chosen pattern.

In our region, willow vines are traditionally used for weaving; in tropical latitudes, rattan palm stems (calamus) are used. Vine is an accessible raw material, but harvesting it yourself is a rather labor-intensive process. Wicker furniture is less strong and durable compared to rattan. Natural rattan, like vines, is harvested and subjected to multi-stage processing - the stems are cleared of bark, sorted by thickness, steamed, acquired elasticity and straightened. Thick stems after this treatment can be bent, giving the shape necessary for the frame elements, and dried. Thin stems and bark are used for weaving; they are cut into fragments of the required length. It will not be possible to prepare natural rattan with your own hands - it does not grow here, and purchasing prepared raw materials, taking into account transportation costs, will be very expensive.

Natural rattan has a synthetic analogue - polyrottan or technorattan. It is made by extruding a soft polymer through holes of different diameters and cross-sections. The material has many modifications:

• flat strip with a textured surface, ribbed surface, possible imitation of tree bark;
• tape, braid with a smooth surface;
• round or oval cord;
• cord with a crescent-shaped cross-section;
• rattan rod.

Artificial rattan is more popular compared to natural rattan for a number of reasons:

• the price is significantly more affordable;
• synthetic rattan is superior to its natural counterpart in flexibility and elasticity;
• environmental friendliness and safety are not inferior to natural raw materials, does not have a specific odor characteristic of some polymers;
• Polyrattan is more durable, furniture made from it can withstand significant loads without deformation;
• the furniture is moisture-resistant and frost-resistant, not afraid of changes in temperature and humidity conditions;
• the furniture is easy to care for and can be cleaned of dirt using various detergents;
• rattan strips and cords are available in any length, which allows you to weave furniture without joints;
• the raw materials are completely ready for use;
• A large selection of modifications of different shapes, colors and textures allows you to create attractive furniture that will fit into any interior.

The disadvantages of technorattan include its relatively low rigidity, so furniture made from it necessarily needs a rigid frame. There is a risk of damaging the weave during use, and it will begin to unravel.

For lightweight furniture that will be used in conditions of high humidity, for example, in a bathroom or outdoors, it is better to use a plastic or aluminum frame rather than a wooden frame. If the furniture will be subject to significant loads, a frame made of metal or wood is preferable.

To weave artificial rattan furniture with your own hands, you need to choose a model, decide on the frame configuration and weaving pattern, draw up a project and draw a sketch of the product, and calculate the amount of material. To make a chair, 2 kg of poly rattan is enough, for a small two-seater sofa it will take 5-7 kg, for a large sofa - up to 10 kg.

It is better for beginning craftsmen to stick to regular checkerboard weaving; if you combine rattan of different colors or textures, even a simple pattern will look impressive. If you have experience, you can choose a more complex pattern, openwork weaving.

To create furniture you will need:

• a frame that you can assemble with your own hands or order a blank from a carpentry workshop or a hardware workshop;
• tape or rod for guides that are attached to the frame; a pattern will be created on them;
• ribbon, braid or cord for weaving;
• fasteners for fixing the guides to the frame;
• pins, bolts or thin strips of leather to connect parts of the finished product (if it is assembled from separate elements).

1. Assemble or buy a ready-made frame (frame elements).
2. Fix a number of guides on the base. A rod or tape is wrapped around the frame; as a rule, one turn is enough, but for reliability, several turns can be made with overlap, after which the end is attached to the base. For high-quality weaving, strong tension and density of the guides are important; it is better to connect 2-3 strips of tape and use them as one guide.

Depending on the frame material and the thickness of the rattan rod, it can be fastened with self-tapping screws, using a regular furniture stapler (to wood), or a pneumatic stapler with narrow short staples (to an aluminum frame). The most difficult thing is to fix the guides to the steel frame made of furniture pipes. There is a way out - the frame is wrapped with rattan tape, the end is braided with an overlap, the touching fragments of the tape or rod are welded with a soldering iron with a point tip. Then the guides are welded to the base with the same soldering iron.

1. The ends of the rods extending beyond the frame are cut off with a construction knife, scissors or wire cutters.
2. A pattern is created on the basis of the guides in accordance with the selected pattern.
3. The weaving is constantly trimmed to ensure a neat pattern without distortions, and at the end the final alignment is carried out. The cord (tape) can be moved, compacting the rows as necessary or increasing the gaps between them; during the weaving process, alignment is done by hand; when the fabric is finished, you can use a sharpened pencil to move the tightly closed rows apart in some places.
4. The ends of the cord are fixed with a stapler or soldering iron to the base from the inside out, the excess is cut off.
5. The frame itself, legs and similar elements are braided; a special tool with a curved tip is useful for pulling the tape.
6. If the product consists of several elements, they are connected after each is braided with rattan; after final assembly, the ends are masked.
7. If desired, finished furniture can be painted with acrylic spray paint, but a sufficient selection of technorattan colors allows you to do without additional painting.

You can make it easier to pull the tape or cord between the guides and avoid scratches and abrasions by wiping the weaving material with a piece of rag soaked in vegetable oil.

It is better to create complex rattan furniture (for example, a sofa) in the following sequence: first, the frames of individual elements are braided - the back, the seat, the sides and armrests, and then they are connected to each other with bolts or another method. To seat a large area, it is necessary to attach longitudinal and transverse rigidity strands made of dense nylon tape to the frame before starting weaving.

Wicker furniture is considered an excellent solution for different interiors and exteriors. It has many advantages and is presented in numerous forms; you can create wicker furniture with your own hands quickly and easily, and at the same time it can fully meet the needs of direct users. The whole process is divided into simple sequential steps, so if you first make a drawing, watch a training video and follow the instructions exactly, you will get a reliable and durable design.

The advantages of creating wicker furniture include:

• low costs for obtaining unique designs that are original;
• environmental friendliness, due to the fact that wicker furniture is made exclusively from safe and natural materials that do not cause any harm to people or the environment;
• the lightness of the resulting products, so they can be easily transferred from one place to another;
• the technology for making wicker furniture is considered not too complicated if you carefully understand it, so this process is accessible to every person;
• the structures do not have any unpleasant or specific odor;
• they are easy to care for, and this does not require the use of unusual care products, but it is not allowed to leave them outdoors for a long time, as they will lose their attractiveness and high parameters under the influence of ultraviolet radiation or rain;
• since it is planned to make wicker furniture with your own hands, unique designs can be obtained that cannot be found in stores;
• The long service life of the structures makes it possible not to think about buying new furniture for many years.

To learn how to competently weave different designs, it is recommended to practice first, for which you can create different products for dolls or other toys.

The disadvantages of DIY wicker furniture include the fact that it does not withstand exposure to various atmospheric factors for a long time, so it is not allowed to leave it outside for a long time. Also, regular use leads to the fact that some elements of such products will begin to unravel, and repair is a complex process.

Materials suitable for weaving

The manufacture of wicker furniture can be carried out using various materials. The main requirement for them is high flexibility and durability. The most commonly used materials are:

• banana leaves - they are up to 350 cm long and highly durable. This material is considered suitable not only for creating various unique and unusual furniture, but also for producing a variety of ropes or ropes. It is lightweight, and furniture made from the material has a dark brown color;
• bamboo - it is considered quite tough, so it is rarely used by novice craftsmen. It is difficult to obtain any specific products from this material. Bamboo shavings are usually used, which are effectively used to obtain unique decorative elements;
• rattan - any wicker product made from this material is distinguished by its sophistication. It is considered easy to use, inexpensive and makes it possible to obtain original furniture. The production of various designs is considered so simple that it is accessible to every person. The resulting products are durable and also resistant to moisture;
• willow - weaving furniture from willow is a popular procedure, since this material is chosen most often. It has good strength and excellent flexibility. The disadvantages of willow construction include its tendency to crack, which significantly spoils its appearance, and it is almost impossible to correct this drawback. Also, the rods are considered quite rigid, so difficulties often arise when bending them;
• paper - it is not used to create any interior or exterior items, but weaving from newspaper tubes or plain paper is considered popular. It allows you to make furniture for dolls or various decorative elements that fit perfectly into a variety of interior styles.

Having figured out what furniture is woven from, you can begin the actual weaving process.

banana leaves

Required Tools

How to make wicker furniture? This process is not considered too complicated, but you must first prepare for it so that all the tools and materials are at hand. To do this, you must have:

• hammer and screws;
• high-quality glue designed for fixing different materials;
• direct material for weaving, which can be represented by different rods.

For beginners, it is recommended to use rattan, since this material is considered the easiest to use, but if you want to make wicker furniture from willow with your own hands, then you need to prepare for a rather complicated process, since the rods are quite rigid.

In addition to preparing the materials, you should decide what kind of weaving will be used:

• single, in which you need to work with only one rod;
• combined, using several rods at once, but this technique is considered quite complex, so it is suitable only for experienced craftsmen;
• openwork, which allows you to get truly unique and unique in appearance designs, however, such work will have to spend a lot of time, and it is also considered quite complex.

Single

It is necessary to ensure in advance that all components of one piece of furniture are firmly fastened, otherwise it will not last too long. The connection of individual elements can be detachable or permanent. In the first case, any structure can be disassembled if necessary, and then reassembled, but this method is not used too often. The most optimal technique is considered to be a permanent connection, which ensures the strength of the resulting structure.

Sofa manufacturing technology

A master class of this process for beginners is presented step by step below. The procedure does not have any specific difficulties, so it can be performed even by people who do not have complex skills.

The following steps are performed in advance:

• the material used for the work is selected, and most often artificial or natural rattan is purchased for this, since these elements are affordable and easy to use;
• it is important to check that the purchased rods do not have any defects, and if natural materials are purchased, it is advisable to sand them to ensure smooth surfaces;
• it is determined what dimensions and other parameters the future sofa will have;
• it is advisable to make a special diagram of the future structure according to which all work will be carried out;
• The weaving method is determined, and since a beginner acts as a master, standard single weaving, which does not require experience or special skills, will be optimal for him.

After completing all the preparatory steps, you can begin the actual process of creating a sofa.

Required Tools

Seat frame

First, the frame is made. Some wicker furniture can be made without it, but not a sofa, since it will certainly be subject to quite significant loads during operation.

The frame can be made of wood or metal. It should completely match the shape and size of the future seat. It is important to use materials coated with special protective agents that prevent the process of corrosion or rotting. Self-tapping screws or other fasteners can be used to connect individual parts. The resulting frame is braided with selected rods, for which you can use different weaving technologies.

Wooden frame

The frame is gradually braided with rattan

Legs and back

Either three or four legs can be selected. Their height can also be different, and for this purpose the height and other dimensions of the people who are the main users of the resulting sofa are assessed. Their optimal height is considered to be 40 cm. They are fixed to the seat using self-tapping screws, and the distance between them should be the same.

To create the back, a metal rod or wooden stick is prepared. The length of this element should be slightly longer than the seat. It is fixed to the rear legs with self-tapping screws. The resulting structure is covered with wicker elements that are connected to each other securely and tightly.

Work is best done on a stand

Add rigidity

A sofa made of wicker elements must be reliable, for which in the process of its manufacture it is imperative to give it rigidity. To do this, follow these steps:

• identical wooden sticks are attached with self-tapping screws between the side legs;
• they must be at the same height;
• to connect the rear legs, two sticks are also used, and they are fixed diagonally;
• the rod of the selected material is rolled into an arc, after which it is fixed to the left side of the back, and its ends are attached to two legs, with the upper arc connected to the back;
• the same work is done on the other side of the back;
• another large rod is taken, which is also rolled into an arc;
• its ends are fixed to the front legs with small nails, and the upper part is attached to the seat.

Wicker furniture has always been in demand and testified to the wealth and refined taste of the owners. Its cost is quite high, since the products are made by hand and are original in their design. Natural rattan is considered the most popular material for its manufacture, but it is quite expensive and not everyone can afford it. To make rattan furniture more affordable, an artificial analogue was invented, which turned out to be much cheaper and stronger than natural rattan.

Wicker furniture has always been in demand and testified to the wealth and refined taste of the owners.

Amazing structures are also made from artificial rattan: houses for cats and indoor dogs, flower stands and other products.

After its invention, specialists began to quickly master it, and in a short time, artificial rattan products appeared on the furniture market, characterized by elegance, comfort and durability.

To make rattan furniture more affordable, an artificial analogue was invented, which turned out to be much cheaper and stronger than natural rattan.

Home craftsmen immediately appreciated the advantages of the new material, and those who did not yet have weaving skills looked with envy at the amazingly noble and beautiful products. But there is nothing in our life that cannot be mastered. Therefore, more and more often there are beginning home craftsmen who want to learn how to weave furniture on their own. Practice shows that the science of weaving is within the capabilities of everyone, especially since such a durable and comfortable material as artificial rattan, which is most often used in weaving furniture, today can be purchased relatively inexpensively.

Home craftsmen immediately appreciated the advantages of the new material, and those who did not yet have weaving skills.

To make artificial rattan furniture with your own hands, you will need the material itself for the work.

Making wicker furniture from artificial rattan at home has its advantages:

• significantly saves the family budget;
• has a long service life;
• low weight of products;
• with external lightness and delicacy, it retains strength and reliability with careful handling;
• not subject to temperature changes and exposure to sunlight;
• does not contain harmful or toxic components;
• hypoallergenic;
• easy care.

But there is nothing in our life that cannot be mastered.

Important! The material itself is lightweight, easy to transport, attractive from an aesthetic point of view, has high strength, and is not subject to deformation from moisture.

Therefore, more and more often there are beginning home craftsmen who want to learn how to weave furniture on their own.

It must be taken into account that the material has different lengths and differs in material thickness and width.

It is convenient to work with artificial rattan, as it is flexible and comes in the form of long threads, which does not require constant gluing or other methods of connecting small parts of the material.

Making wicker furniture from artificial rattan at home has its advantages.

Deciding on design and construction

The material provides ample opportunities for the implementation of design ideas. It can be used to make products of varying complexity, including relaxation sets consisting of wicker chairs, a sofa, and a table of an original shape. Interesting bookcases, bedside tables, chests, ottomans. Amazing structures are also made from artificial rattan: houses for cats and indoor dogs, flower stands and other products.

Significantly saves the family budget.

It is available with a smooth and ribbed surface and is available in a variety of colors and textures.

Attention! With all the breadth of choice, a novice craftsman should start with the simplest products that allow him to master weaving skills. The easiest way to start is by making an ottoman: an elementary design, the opportunity to master weaving skills, and in case of failure, it is easy to remake the defect, which turns out to be preferable in the first stages of mastering the skills of weaving from artificial rattan.

With external lightness and delicacy, it retains strength and reliability with careful handling.

In addition, you cannot overdo it so as not to overtighten one of the sides, otherwise the result will not be satisfactory.

Necessary materials

To make artificial rattan furniture with your own hands, you will need the material itself for the work. In this case, you can select the desired configuration, taking into account the fact that it is available in the form

• long stripes
• braids
• rod
• imitation tree bark.

Not subject to temperature changes and exposure to sunlight.

At the initial stage of work, when a simple product is selected for manufacturing, a minimum of equipment will be required for weaving.

It must be taken into account that the material has different lengths and differs in material thickness and width. It is available with a smooth and ribbed surface and is available in a variety of colors and textures.

The material itself is lightweight, easy to transport, and attractive from an aesthetic point of view.

But if you want to make it even more elegant, you can use bright soft blankets and pillows as decoration.

Required Tools

At the initial stage of work, when a simple product is selected for manufacturing, a minimum of equipment will be required for weaving. To get started, you will need:

• stapler - for attaching rattan to the base if a wooden base is used;
• small pliers;
• small hammer;
• a convenient sharp knife or cutter;
• soldering iron for soldering connecting elements of the material or glue.

It is convenient to work with artificial rattan, as it is flexible and comes in the form of long threads.

In order for the manufacturing process to proceed without unexpected interruptions, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of experienced craftsmen.

Manufacturing process: step-by-step instructions

In order for the manufacturing process to proceed without unexpected interruptions, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of experienced craftsmen who suggest organizing it in a certain order:

1. Prepare the structure chosen as the base, wooden or metal. It can be made with your own hands, but you can also use a ready-made one.
2. To make it convenient to work, install the guides on the base and secure them with self-tapping screws, a stapler or bolts.
3. Level the surface of the frame by cutting off the protruding rods with scissors.
4. The next step is weaving on the frame. Its type is chosen according to your taste and depending on the selected raw materials.

1. Excess material is removed after completion of the work, and the ends are “masked” on the finished product.

The material provides ample opportunities for the implementation of design ideas.

In order for the product to be smooth, durable and neat, when weaving, it is necessary to constantly check how the rows of rattan “lay down”.

Attention! In order for the product to be smooth, durable and neat, when weaving, it is necessary to constantly check how the rows of rattan “lay down”. In addition, you cannot overdo it so as not to overtighten one of the sides, otherwise the result will not be satisfactory: the product will turn out to be lopsided and it will be impossible to use it.

Interesting bookcases, bedside tables, chests, ottomans.

Wicker furniture made from artificial rattan looks rich, it is elegant and graceful.

The final stage is decoration

Wicker furniture made from artificial rattan looks rich, it is elegant and graceful. But if you want to make it even more elegant, you can use bright soft blankets and pillows as decoration.

With all the breadth of choice, a novice craftsman should start with the simplest products that allow him to master weaving skills.

The product will be lopsided and will be impossible to use.

VIDEO: Making artificial rattan furniture

Fashion goes in circles. And now, once replaced by upholstered furniture, wicker interior items are returning to homes. Wicker furniture and rattan products can not only replace any ultra-modern furniture, but also have many advantages over it. After all, the material itself is extremely versatile, high-quality, durable and lightweight. Therefore, the demand for wickerwork is growing again. And many people want to not only order or buy them, but even make rattan furniture with their own hands. After all, then one more thing will be added to all the known advantages - pride in yourself and your creation.

Rattan furniture is high-quality, durable and lightweight products, the production of which can be used to organize a profitable business.

Wicker furniture: what should you know about it?

You can learn any business if you have the desire. And with the right approach, such a hobby can turn into a well-paid occupation. You will need skills that are acquired in the process of work, as well as knowledge of certain nuances.

What, from what and how to weave?

First of all, you should know that wicker furniture is divided into soft and semi-hard. There are several types of products:

• stick products - the sticks you use will serve as a supporting structure;
• frameless products - sticks are needed to act as stiffening ribs for the structure, you will need a lot of them, and they must be very strong;
• frame (compositing) and joinery-frame products, here a ready-made frame in the form of steel rods or duralumin tubes will be used, and weaving will be carried out between them.

Weaving methods are also different. You can use simple single weaving, openwork or even combined (for several twigs). In the process, you can stick to one continuous weave for the entire product, or you can try to create some patterns and combine them later.

It's worth paying attention to how you connect all the parts of your product. After all, you want the furniture to last a long time and be of high quality. To do this, all nodes and elements must be securely and firmly connected. Be sure to ensure that there is the necessary rigidity. Choose the way you will connect the parts. It can be detachable. Then you will be able to assemble and disassemble furniture without any obstacles in the future. But there are restrictions on using this type of connection, because the nature of this furniture is quite specific. The second method is one-piece. You will need nails, a hammer, glue and self-tapping screws. With it, your furniture will really last a long time and reliably, but keep in mind the lack of mobility (in case of moving or transportation).

You can weave furniture from a wide variety of materials. For these purposes, they use willow, alder, bamboo, bird cherry, hazel and even nettle and raspberries. Apart from the fact that, in parallel with them, rattan material is also widely used for making furniture. It can be either natural or artificial. What to choose?

Wicker furniture or rattan furniture?

Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. True, the shortcomings are mostly small and they pale in comparison to the many advantages.

Vine is a universal material. You can weave anything from it. Any furniture made of wicker and various decorative elements look incredibly beautiful, stylish and elegant. It is also important that products made from it are natural and environmentally friendly. To weave, you will have to prepare the rods (boil them in boiling water), peel them from the bark, then soak them until maximum elasticity, and prepare additional cut strips. Usually they work with willow. Willow furniture is a very suitable option for decorating a yard and garden. The vine is resistant to moisture, so you can safely place the products outside.

Rattan furniture can be made from natural material. This process is quite labor-intensive, since the rods also need to be carefully processed before the weaving process. As in preparing the vines with your own hands, rattan also needs to be cleared of bark. But the material also needs to be ranked by thickness, steamed, and straightened. Even rattan bark is used. Various rugs, mats, backs of chairs and sofas are woven from it. Thin stems are well suited for decorating corners or weaving a pattern, and thick ones will be used to make the frame itself.

To do this, you will need to give the stem the desired shape (before this it must be well steamed). Then the stem is fixed on a special machine to secure the necessary structure. After a day you can remove it and make grooves and notches on the parts, drill holes. All elements are also connected with rattan. If the product is treated with varnish or wax, it will retain its natural shade and texture for a long time.

Rattan furniture is made using a virtually waste-free method. It is environmentally friendly, has high strength, relative moisture resistance, is easy to assemble and transport, weighs little and can serve for a long time. But among its disadvantages is that natural rattan is very expensive. It also does not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations or close proximity to heating devices or open fire. Such products require careful care.

Artificial, or technorattan, does not require such a labor-intensive and complex process as natural one. All you need is to find a ready-made frame. It can be made of metal, plastic or wood. Next, you will need to attach guides to its base in order to later create a specific rattan pattern. This can be done using a furniture stapler, screws, and bolts. The rods that protrude beyond the frame must be cut off with a knife or sharp scissors. Then start weaving the frame. You can simply weave in a checkerboard pattern or choose some interesting and complex openwork when you have practiced enough. If you try a combination of several varieties of rattan, you will get a very original and beautiful pattern. Anything that is superfluous and extends beyond the frame must be cut off, and the ends of the finished product must be masked.

If you make rattan furniture using artificial material, the product will be very functional and practical.

The advantages of technorattan include the fact that products made from it are non-toxic, light in weight, moisture and ultraviolet resistant, they do not deform due to sudden temperature changes, are easy to care for, and have no synthetic odor. When handling them, you can use detergents and apply heavy loads. Such furniture has no joints, it is reliable and durable. Prices for finished products and the material itself are more than acceptable. The downside is that due to the rigidity of artificial rattan, a plastic or iron frame is required. And when the weaving is damaged, the product may lose strength and even fall apart completely.

From study to art

Making wicker furniture yourself is not difficult, but how much joy it will bring to you and your loved ones. Try to start small, gradually moving to more complex shapes, patterns, and products. You can weave for yourself, or you can turn weaving into an entire art and organize a profitable business.