Contrary to popular notion, wicker refers not to the material from which the furniture is made but to the pattern of the weave that is used in the construction. Wicker furniture is made from a wide variety of materials including rattan, cane, bamboo, paper fiber rush or reed. Very often wicker furniture is constructed by weaving these materials over a core frame made of rattan. Because of the different characteristic of each material, wicker furniture differs widely in its looks and durability, depending on which material is used in its construction.

Rattan

Rattan has been used in the wicker furniture since ancient times and is till today the most popularly used material. The solid-core rattan pole, which is the stalk of the rattan plant, is used in the construction of rattan furniture, after its outer thorny layer is peeled off. Because of its solid core, rattan furniture is extremely strong, durable and comfortable. It accepts all kinds of paints and stains and does not splinter, break or warp, making it very versatile for all types of wicker furniture.

Cane

Cane is the second layer of the bark of the rattan palm, which lies immediately underneath the outer thorny layer. Also popularly used in wicker furniture, cane is generally used for weaving the seats and also for wrapping the joints. It is typically woven around a rattan frame. Because cane has a naturally glossy finish, wicker furniture made of cane cannot be stained or painted.

Reed

Reed wicker furniture is made of the inner pith of the rattan palm. This versatile material comes in different sizes and dimensions and is typically seen as weavers, spokes and embellishments. Obtained after removing the outer glossy layer of cane, reed is porous and accepts all kinds of paints, stains and polishes. It has a lengthwise grain and looks similar to wood, but is likely to snap and break when bent too much.

Bamboo

Though bamboo outwardly resembles rattan and is often mistaken for it, there is a huge difference between the two. Rattan has a solid core center and a blemish-free outer surface whereas bamboo has a hollow center and distinctive dark ridges where the leaves were attached. Because of its hollow center, bamboo tends to snap and break more easily and is not so popularly as rattan in making wicker furniture.

Paper Fiber Rush

Paper fiber rush is a man-made paper product that resembles a cord or a rope. Also called paper fiber reed, it has a distinctive diagonal twist and can be easily unraveled. The paper fiber strands contain a wire core that provides extra reinforcement to the weight-bearing spokes. It is often used in weaving chair seats.