How To Incorporate The Rattan Trend In Every Room Of Your Home
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
If you're looking to inject comforting character, eye-catching texture, and earthy warmth into your home, there's a specific material that can achieve your goals. Rattan, known for its natural vibe and versatility, can give your space a distinct look in many ways. Sure, the thought of this trend may initially give you flashbacks to your grandma's squeaky patio furniture. However, rattan is back on the design scene in new, exciting, and innovative ways.
Furniture and decor designers are using the iconic material to craft pieces with elevated looks and modern silhouettes. Some are even thinking outside the box and combining it with unexpected elements like metal for a contemporary twist. Now that rattan furniture and decor are back in style, the market offers lots of unique ways for you to integrate it into each room of your home. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Rattan injects functional character into living spaces through tables
Adding rattan to your living room or great room is a perfect way to give it more character. Plus, with a rattan coffee table, you'll also gain functionality. The beauty of the material is that it works well with lots of upholstery fabrics and colors. For example, if you have furniture that fits in a white or gray color scheme in sleek fabrics like leather, a rattan coffee table can juxtapose the smoothness to add warmth and texture. On the other hand, if your room is full of multi-colored prints and patterns, a rattan accent can serve as a neutral piece, grounding the space.
Plus, with the wide variety of options on the market, you can pick a table that vibes with your living area's current aesthetics. For instance, rattan will work well in a room that already has a mid-century modern feel. Pieces like Ganooly's Rectangular Accent Table align with the style's iconic silhouettes while also providing you with handy storage. If you're looking to create an airy, boho vibe, rattan mixed with glass like Ruston's Two-Tiered Coffee Table can look less bulky while providing functional surface area. And surprisingly, the look can be right at home in sleek and modern spaces. FurSch Store's Set of Two Tables mimics a rattan weave in a contemporary material — iron.
Bedrooms can benefit from the texture rattan nightstands bring
Your bedroom should be a calming and welcoming retreat, and nothing gives off that vibe like earthy materials. Adding rattan to your bedroom decor can give it a laid-back, spa-like feel. Plus, it's a great alternative to traditional wood pieces as it's often lighter weight. It also doesn't visually weigh down a room like solid wood furniture can.
However, overhauling your bedroom look with a major piece like a rattan bed can cost a pretty penny. If you're craving the look on a smaller budget, flank your bed with rattan nightstands instead. If your room's dimensions require compact pieces with small footprints, look for sets like Mechyin's Rattan Nightstands that can work well in mid-century modern or Scandinavian spaces. However, rattan can look right at home in classic and traditionally-styled spaces, too. Sets like the Rattan Nightstands with Drawers by Sicotas have simple lines and clean silhouettes with touches of cozy texture.
If you're looking for a super budget-friendly option (or just want to create a custom piece) you can DIY your own nightstands. With a few low-cost supplies, you can make a caned bedside table using an IKEA hack. Simply add the rattan-like material to the drawer front and finish it off with a wood border. This project can be tweaked according to the size of the pieces that you want, the color you choose to stain it, and the hardware that you decide to add.
Aim for functional pieces when adding rattan to the kitchen
Those rattan over-the-island lights on your Pinterest feed might be tempting. However, in a busy kitchen with lots of cooking action, you may regret those textured light fixtures when it's time to clean them. That doesn't mean that rattan doesn't have its place in the kitchen. After all, it's one of the rooms where you want to create a warm and welcoming vibe. So, integrate the material in ways that are easy to clean and that make sense for how you use the space.
You can make your table setting feel more elevated and layered with accessories like Decvel's Set of Rattan Placemats, which come in various colors. Whitewash is ideal for coastal kitchens, while blackwash can add character to more modern ones. To add rattan to your island or countertop, opt for a piece like YangqiHome's Rattan Serving Tray. Pick the size that works best for the surface area and fill it with a vase of greenery, a stack of dishtowels, and even some fruit to create a casual yet functional centerpiece for your kitchen.
Bring a bit of warmth into entries and hallways with lighting
If you do have your heart set on those on-trend rattan light fixtures, simply look for a better place to add them. Hallways and entryways don't have the greasy dust and food splatters that are prevalent in a kitchen. Plus, the unique look of rattan can go a long way in making these spaces feel warm and welcoming.
So, add texture and draw the eye upward in your hallway with a statement-making fixture like this Hand Woven 2-Tier Rattan Chandelier. Or, bring a little earthy character to your foyer table with Henn & Hart's Rattan Table Lamp. You can even use the material to add functionality to tight spaces. For example, this Set of 2 Natural Rattan Wall Sconces provides ambient light while serving as unique pieces of wall decor.
Add rattan to little ones' rooms and play spaces in kid-friendly ways
Rattan can be a fragile material, but that doesn't mean it's not ok for kid-friendly areas. In fact, its accessible vibe makes it a perfect way to add texture to color schemes that are popular with little ones. It looks great with both pastels and bright hues, and its no-fuss feel makes it ideal for casual kid rooms and play areas.
If small hands are likely to wreak havoc on your rattan decor, just be thoughtful with its placement. Fairwood Way's Rattan Picture Frames are great for hanging on the wall and showing off everything from a kid's artwork to a vintage picture book cover. Or use charming wall decor like Bebe Bask's Handmade Rattan Moon to add a unique element to a nursery gallery wall. Mix in other rattan shapes like letters and flowers to create a cohesive look. You could even add some floating book and toy storage like the Good Bits Rattan Shelf Set as a warmer and more decorative alternative to solid wood shelves.
Bathrooms can benefit from rattan storage
Nearly every bathroom can benefit from additional hidden storage space to keep things neat and organized. So, why not lean into the rattan trend to create spots to stash your supplies while also boosting the aesthetics of the room? The material services double-duty, giving off that spa-like vibe while also concealing your serenity-busting clutter.
Luckily, rattan storage solutions come in tons of sizes and with diverse features to create the organization system you need. The Rattan Toilet Storage Cabinet from the Befrases Store takes advantage of vertical space while adding tons of character to your bathroom. Or, to organize countertop items like jewelry and hair ties, look for small containers that double as decor, like Sujun's Hand Woven Boxes.
There are a few things to keep in mind when adding rattan items to your bathroom. These spaces are notorious for getting dusty (thanks, linty toilet paper). So, you'll want to run a duster or handheld vacuum over it often so it doesn't build up in its textured weave. The second consideration is moisture. If your rattan pieces get wet, wipe them off and move them to a well-ventilated area to avoid them becoming a home for mold and mildew.
Add character to your office with rattan work area solutions
Rattan can bring loads of warmth to many rooms, and what space would benefit from some feel-good vibes more than your workspace? Break away from the traditional cold and sterile supplies and opt for earthier ones to create an office you'll want to work in. Not only will rattan pieces give the area inspiring interest, but they can also make it more functional, too.
If you want to add a few small touches to brighten your work hours, pop some greenery in a unique container like this Woven Glass Vase. Or to corral your pens and post-its, add containers like Lamoree's Rattan Storage Basket to your desktop. However, if you really want to make a statement and boost your office's functionality, add a rattan furniture piece. Ditch the traditional metal options and opt for something like Vingli's Locking Rattan Filing Cabinet to keep your records and documents stylishly secure.
Your dining room can get a boost of character from rattan accents
The dining room is a perfect place to sprinkle in rattan accents without needing to overhaul the look. Since rattan can blend with a variety of aesthetics from boho and biophilic decor to modern designs, you can strategically add pops of it while keeping the rest of your look intact. The trick is to add several rattan items throughout the space for an intentional and cohesive look.
For example, you can nestle this 5-Tier Wall-Mounted Corner Shelf from Vasagle on one side of the room. Then on the opposite side, mount a Set of Boho Wall Baskets or something to bounce the light around like this Rustic Rattan Mirror from Barnyard Designs. None of these pieces take up any of the room's valuable footprint, but they add lots of texture and visual interest for diners to enjoy.
Rattan seating is perfect for liveable outdoor spaces
When it comes to rattan furniture, patio sets are likely one of the first things that comes to mind. However, traditional rattan is vulnerable to two elements that are prevalent in the outdoors — sunlight and moisture. Luckily, outdoor furniture designers and technology have made it possible to achieve that iconic rattan look with more durability and less upkeep.
Synthetic and coated materials are designed to mimic rattan while being UV- and moisture-resistant. And thanks to their popularity, there are tons of styles available to make the most of your outdoor living space. You can go with a laid-back seating arrangement like Sophia and William's 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set. Or for more flexible seating for al fresco hosting, stock up on pieces like Amopatio's Outdoor Dining Chairs. Then, to tie your outdoor gathering space together, illuminate it with a charming set like TwinkVilla's Rattan String Lights.