Rattan is a component of the biophilic design trend, a broad design movement that ties indoor spaces to the natural world. Additionally, rattan is a material that most people genuinely embrace for their home because it is biodegradable, economical, lightweight, strong, and created sustainably compared to other types of furniture.
So if you’re looking for ways to style your home with this amazing material, here are seven rattan decoration ideas to bring texture, warmth, playfulness, and the outdoors inside.
The Origin Of Rattan


The tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia are where rattan, a form of naturally regenerating palm, is most frequently found. In addition to being exceedingly light, rattan is renowned for its hardiness; it is a wood species that grow quickly and tall and is sturdy.
Rattan became popular for furniture and household items in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was praised at the time for its tolerance to hot conditions and insect resistance.
As a result of intercontinental trade and travel, rattan furniture started to appear in the United States by the 20th century after flourishing in the British Empire during the 19th century. Rattan was popular in the 1970s and in 2019, and the versatile material is now having a moment.
7 Approach To Decorate With Rattan


Rattan furniture has swiftly become one of the hottest trends in home décor, and you won't have to search far to see it adorning homes and outdoor venues all over the world. With texture and intricacy at the centre of the design, rattan furniture has soon proven to be one of the trendiest in home décor.
However, don't worry if you're stumped on how to style rattan furniture. Here are seven ideas that might inspire you.
Consider The Time Of The Year
Rattan's appearance and colour, which spans from beige to yellow to golden brown, naturally lend itself to warm climates and beachy interior design. However, you can style rattan quite effortlessly to suit any season, design aesthetic, or ambience. For instance, a rattan chair will instantly become rustic if you add plaid cushions and a wool rug.
Use In Small Doses
Rattan works best in interior design as a statement piece—not just because it is a trend that will likely fade from style at some time but also because too much rattan may make a room look outdated.
Make sure you incorporate a lot of contrasting aesthetics while using rattan. A decent general guideline is a 90/10 ratio, which includes:
- 90%: various materials, patterns, colours, and even houseplants
- 10%: rattan
Rattan has a slightly uplifting effect when used sparingly in a place without overpowering it. Choose rattan dining chairs, bar stools, or a single statement rattan chair if you can only have one or two rattan items in your space.
If you're working with a larger room or an indoor-outdoor space, rattan baskets or pendant light fixtures are a terrific way to introduce rattan in a discreet manner.
Complement With Other Environmental Decor
Due to its natural, neutral colour palette, rattan pairs well with any of the following decor, such as:
- Foliage
- Botanicals
- Nature-inspired prints and patterns
- Other natural textures and textiles (linen, jute, and wool)
These kinds of biophilic components can be incorporated to tie the rattan into the rest of the space and complement it.
In addition, rattan looks best when exposed to sunlight. As a result, when planning the layout of your rooms and choosing where to place rattan furniture, feel free to use a fair amount of it in rooms with lots of natural light and/or indoor-outdoor areas.
Utilise Rattan In Indoor-Outdoor Area


Rattan works incredibly well in outdoor settings. As a result, it also works exceptionally well for indoor-outdoor areas, which are currently very popular.
Just as you would when decorating rattan inside your house, be sure to incorporate a variety of opposing textures into your outdoor rattan arrangements, such as:
- Stone
- Iron
- Cement
- Wood
There are a few considerations to make if you're using rattan outside. Rattan is typically used in warm, dry environments.
If your rattan is exposed to water, even a small amount, while cleaning up a spill, let it air dry or use a low-heat hair dryer to speed up the process. This will keep the material from warping.
In addition, avoid exposing rattan to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight exposure can make the fibres weak and brittle.
Give A Formal Space Some Playfulness


If you're searching for an unconventional, surprising method to use rattan in your home, consider formal places like the dining room or home office, which tend to have a little less visual playfulness than the rest of the house.
Rattan can be used in a formal dining room, despite the fact that you might not think of it in that context. For example, you may pair sculptural rattan dining chairs with a dark wood, angular dining table. If you enjoy contrast, you might use a streamlined material for your dining room, such as glass or marble.
Additionally, rattan can be utilised as an accent in a home office to add warmth and texture to the space. Consider any of the following accessories that are made out of rattan:
- Garbage cans
- Lighting fixtures
- Storage baskets
Incorporate Wicker Or Cane
Cane furniture may appeal to you if you enjoy the colour and feel of rattan furniture. The outer layer of the rattan stock is used to make cane. In order to make furniture, the cane fibre is weaved into a variety of designs. Furniture made of cane has the following benefits:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy to maintain
Additionally, rattan can be used to weave wicker. Consider using wicker in your patio or indoor-outdoor area if you like how it looks woven.
Remember that wicker makes a bold statement, so if you're going to use it in your home, do it as an occasional ornamental element. For an indoor space, one sizable wicker item is more than enough.
Use Tried-And-True Colours And Material Combinations


There are many colour options that will look spectacular and natural next to rattan because it has a very neutral aesthetic. You can get ideas from these five tried-and-true colour and material combinations if you don't know where to begin.


Start Creating A Unique Space For Your Home With These Rattan Styling Ideas
There are countless ways to discover the fascinating world of rattan, and these are just a few of them. This extraordinary material has a unique appearance that fits in various settings and is highly adaptable, strong, and beautiful.
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