Eco-Conscious Interior Design: Fresh Ways To Add Rattan To Your Decor

Rattan is having a revival as more interior designers are using this sustainable material to add life and vitality to minimalist and contemporary homes.

This material reached a massive peak in popularity during the 1970s as it fit right into the era’s love for earthy and free-spirited decor. But today, instead of a bohemian or hippie vibe, designers are using rattan to add a natural and sophisticated feel to living spaces. 

Furniture makers, artists, and professional designers love this material since it connects people to nature while still being versatile and refined. It’s also one of the most sustainable furniture materials in the world since it grows quickly, is harvested by hand, and naturally breaks down safely at the end of its life cycle.

Artist and interior designer Robert McKinley says that the casual elegance of rattan inspires him to create interesting pieces and designs. “There’s something effortless about it, something that is timeless and works in so many situations,” he explains. For a home that’s eco-friendly, classic, and quietly elegant, here are fresh ways to add rattan to your decor. 

Sculptural Rattan Couches and Chairs

When you think about rattan furniture, what often comes to mind are the pieces that you often see on porches, decks or beach resort rooms. There’s the Peacock chair, an iconic 70s home decor staple which features a dramatic, high-backed flared open weave, and the breezy style makes it ideal for relaxing on warm summer days. You may also remember seeing traditional rattan living room sets with curved pole frames, tight wicker bindings, and thick floral or solid cushions.

In contrast, today’s rattan pieces are less kitschy and more sculptural, with clean lines and organic shapes. This makes them the perfect addition to  a Scandinavian, minimalist, Japandi, or Organic Modern home. 

If you’re thinking about changing sofas or living room sets, consider upgrading to a rattan sofa with a tight weave and a curvy shape. You may also choose to have two curved rattan loveseats instead of one big piece to make a style statement.

Check out award-winning furniture designer Kenneth Cobunpue’s Balou loveseat, made from natural rattan vines woven over a steel frame with cotton twine and abaca rope.

For a completely different vibe, choose rattan furniture in the Kobe weave style, popularized by artisanal weavers from South Africa. The Kobe weaving technique involves using long, unblemished, continuous strands of rattan, which results in a smooth, seamless, and highly durable surface.

Pair your seats with a round or oval coffee table made of stone or teak to match the organic feel of rattan, or pick a table with a glass top to keep the space feeling airy and open. 

Choose the Right Weaves for Key Pieces and Areas

Rattan comes in different weave styles, with flat weaves being the most common and budget-friendly, while fully rounded weaves provide luxury weight. Open weaves like solihiya or open mesh create an airy, lightweight, and translucent look, and it’s best for cabinet door inserts, dining chairs, and radiator covers.

Meanwhile, closed weaves like basket or full round weaving produce a dense and solid surface that adds robust visual weight to rooms. This type of weave is best for headboards, storage baskets, and room dividers, basically any piece that needs to be sturdy and durable. 

Complex decorative weaves like lace or geometric waves are best for adding intricate patterns or shadow play to living spaces. If you need just one statement rattan piece, look for an accent screen or a sculptural lighting fixture with a decorative weave to serve as a focal point.

Pick Rattan Accent Pieces for Visual Appeal

It can be tempting to fill your home with different types of rattan furniture and decor, but too many woven pieces in one space can turn a soft accent into an overwhelming wall of texture.

If you want to incorporate just a few rattan pieces to your interiors to refresh your home, think about adding rattan poufs or ottomans to your living room, or an oversized globe or flower-shaped pendant light to your dining area.

You may also want to consider a rattan bar cabinet in the living room or kitchen, or add some rattan to your table decor. Set your dining table with solihiya weave rattan plate chargers and coasters, then add organic cotton table napkins with rattan napkin rings. 

Rattan pieces can add a natural and sophisticated feel to your home. Consider these decorating ideas to incorporate this sustainable material into your abode, and see how it helps you create effortlessly beautiful living spaces.