Possibly the most airy, bright option for your conservatory is rattan conservatory furniture.  Dating  back to ancient Egypt, wicker is the art of weaving, and rattan is the most common material used.  The term, rattan, is a vague term in and of itself, referring to one of 600 different palm plants and trees indigenous to Africa and South America.  The reeds of these plants are particularly desirable for rattan conservatory suites because the fibers run lengthwise along the reeds, rather than across them.  This makes the reeds extremely strong and long lasting.

The History of Rattan Conservatory Furniture

While the art of weaving rattan into furniture pieces and baskets does date back to ancient Egypt, rattan conservatory furniture gained particular popularity in England during the Victorian period because it seemed more sanitary with less surface space to gather dust that its upholstered counterparts.  After the Victorian period, however, rattan conservatory furniture lost some ground to furniture with sleek lines and right angles.  Today, rattan has been rediscovered because of its natural beauty and the fact that its presence does not fill up the room like that of overstuffed upholstered arm chairs.  A conservatory furnished in rattan will retain its sunny, airy atmosphere.

Modern Rattan Style Sets

If there is one drawback to Rattan Conservatory Furniture, it has been its relative fragility compared to wooden or wrought iron framed chairs.  Manufacturers have answered this concern in a couple of ways.  First, some manufacturers have added an aluminum frame that supports the chair and its occupant.  The frame is completely covered by the rattan weaving, making it virtually invisible, while it gives the chair more stability.  However, with this method, the Rattan Conservatory Furniture will still fade and become brittle over a period of time.

The second modernization of rattan conservatory suites are not made of rattan at all.  It is made from a resin made from a synthetic plastic combined with an organic agent made with minerals.  This resin is poured into molds and cooled to create artificial strips of rattan and is then woven around steel or aluminum frames.  The result is a beautiful set of rattan conservatory furniture that will last years longer than a natural rattan set would, is easy to clean, and is fade resistant.  This resin Rattan Conservatory Furniture is also lightweight just like the rattan is and is therefore easy to move an maneuver.

Conservatory Furniture Cushions

The final detail to make the most of your rattan conservatory suite is the cushions.  There are countless options with a wide range of designs, so you can choose exactly the look, colors, design, and texture that suits the room and your tastes for your rattan conservatory furniture.  In fact, you can choose a few options and change your room’s look from time to time.  If your conservatory gets particularly warm in the summer, be sure to choose cushions that will not stick uncomfortably to the backs of your legs, and also remember that the sun will fade them over time.  In fact, one great idea for your rattan conservatory suite is to purchase one set of cushions with a variety of cushion covers, making it easy to wash and change them.