Rattan furniture serves both function and form. Rattan chairs and tables are not just to look stylish but these are affordable and long lasting as well. Rattan is considered as one of the strongest woods in nature, which has a solid core and grows wildly. Before you begin decorating your outdoor patio with wicker furniture, it's best to start with a clean slate. Take any old furniture plants, toys and gardening equipment and move them to another location. If your patio is paved, give it a good sweep so that you can visualize your new space. Measure your patio area so that you will know exactly how much furniture you will be able to fit in your outdoor space.

The exotic nature of rattan makes the furniture especially appropriate for use in homes and rooms with a tropical or Asian theme. It is widely preferred by hospitality industry and is often used as outdoor furniture for patios. Not just outdoors, rattan furniture is manufactured for indoor use as well. There are many companies which offer beautiful dining sets, living room furniture sets and even bedroom suites made of rattan. Virtually any kind of furniture can be made from rattan, from tables and chairs to desks and bed frames to sofas and decor.

The first thing you will want to do is create a sitting area with your outdoor wicker furniture. Decide whether you want to create a traditional seating area with a lover's seat or sofa facing two chairs, or perhaps you want a modern lounge feel with a wraparound modular sectional sofa. How many people do you want to be able to provide seating. Sectional furniture and larger sofas can seat more people than lounge chairs and rocking chairs.

Since rattan is a natural material, furniture made out of it stands for a long period when maintained properly. Unlike furniture made of wood, rattan furniture is easy to maintain as it does not require any kind of periodic moisturise with oil and also it retains its shape, colour and strength for a number of years. No special chemicals and materials are required to clean rattan just wiping it with a damp cloth is all you have to do. Unlike metal lawn chairs and tables, rattan stands up well to all kind of climatic conditions when kept under a patio.

If your outdoor patio is exposed to direct sunlight or is uncovered, you will probably want to purchase synthetic wicker furniture that is fade resistant and moisture resistant. If your patio is screened in or covered by an awning, you can look at both natural wicker furniture and synthetic furniture. Add cushions, pillows or shawls to your outdoor chairs and lounges. Furniture accessories in the form of cushions, pillows and shawls are a great way to add color to your outdoor lounging areas, especially when you want to coordinate your outdoor color scheme with that of your interiors. Throw on a couple of shawls in rich colors and interesting patterns over a rattan chair or hammock to create a modish look.

Once you have picked out where you want to place your outdoor seating, you will want to add some tables to your patio arrangement. End tables, coffee tables and breakfast tables come in many different designs. Some tables have a glass top, while others are made completely made out of wicker. If you are creating a casual atmosphere or if there are children or pets around, you should opt for the simple tables, but for a more sophisticated feel, the glass topped tables are an elegant touch.