Finding The Perfect Complements: What Goes Well With Rattan Furniture?

Rattan is a natural material that is used to make lightweight, durable and attractive furniture. Rattan can create a variety of furniture products, suitable for different styles and living spaces. However, to enhance the harmony and impression of your space, you need to know how to combine rattan with other elements in the interior. In this article, we will introduce you to some suggestions on what goes well with rattan furniture.

1. Where did rattan come from?

Rattan is the common name for about 600 species of climbing palms belonging to the subfamily Calamoideae. Rattan originates from the tropical forests of Asia, mainly Southeast Asia, where the most diverse rattan species and genera are found. Rattan can grow up to hundreds of meters long, clinging to other trees with sharp spines to climb up high.

Rattan is one of the most valuable non-timber forest products in the world. Rattan is used to make furniture, baskets, sticks, mats, ropes and other handicraft products. Some rattan species also have fruits with crispy shells that are edible or have delicious palm hearts. Most rattan products come from rattan trees harvested from natural forests. Rattan also plays an important role in the tropical ecosystem, as it creates a link between plants and other animal species.

2. How is rattan furniture made

Rattan is a type of climbing plant that originates from Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia. Rattan can be used to make many types of furniture such as chairs, tables, beds, cabinets and lamps. To make furniture from rattan, one has to go through the following steps:

• Rattan Harvesting: Rattan is harvested when the plant reaches the desired size and maturity. The long rattan branches are cut and removed of leaves, thorns and outer bark. This process requires care to ensure that rattan is harvested efficiently without harming the original plant and natural resources.
• Rattan Drying: The harvested rattan branches are dried, usually by using a dryer or under sunlight. The goal of this process is to reduce the moisture content in rattan to increase its durability and prevent the formation of mold. It is important that the drying process also helps rattan have a better color and is easy to bend as desired.

• Rattan Treatment: The dried rattan branches can be treated by soaking in hot water or chemicals to remove impurities, insects and bacteria. This process also helps rattan have a smooth and glossy surface.
• Rattan Bending: The treated rattan branches can be bent into desired shapes by using molds or bending machines. Rattan has the ability to bend easily and can create curved, twisted, circular or other shapes depending on the design of the furniture.
• Rattan Assembly: The bent rattan branches are assembled together by using nails, screws, glue or cords. Details such as cushions, covers, fabrics or leather can be added to increase comfort and luxury for the furniture.
• Rattan Finishing: Finally, the product from rattan will be finished by painting, coating or decorating according to customer preferences. The product from rattan can have different colors, styles and designs to suit the living space of each user. This creates flexibility and diversity in choice.

2. What Goes Well With Rattan Furniture?

Rattan furniture is having a moment, which is why we are here to introduce to you some of the best rattan furniture ideas for every space of your home.

2.1 Use it in small-ish doses

To get rattan right, make sure to mix in plenty of contrasting aesthetics. A good rule of thumb is a 90/10 proportion; 10 percent rattan, alongside 90 percent other materials, patterns, colors, and even houseplants. Using just a little bit of rattan in your space will have a subtly uplifting effect, without overwhelming the room.

If you have to pick just one or two rattan pieces, go with rattan dining chairs, bar stools, or a single statement chair. If you’re working with a larger room or an indoor-outdoor room and feel like the space can afford a little bit more rattan, Wholesale Rattan Baskets or rattan pendant light fixtures are a great way to add rattan in a subtle way. 

2.2 Pair it with other biophilic elements

Because rattan has such a natural, neutral colorway, it pairs beautifully with greenery, botanicals, rattan planter basket nature-inspired prints and patterns, and other natural textures and textiles, such as linen, and wool. These sorts of biophilic elements can be used to compliment rattan and tie it into the rest of the room. 

Rattan also looks best when doused in sunlight. So, when you’re laying out your rooms and deciding where to incorporate a rattan furniture piece, you can feel free to be heavy-handed with rattan in spaces that get plenty of natural light and/or indoor-outdoor spaces.

2.3 Use rattan to in outdoor and indoor-outdoor spaces

Rattan is really well-suited to outdoor spaces. (Think patio furniture.) As such, it’s also really well-suited to indoor-outdoor spaces, which are especially trendy right now. Just as you would when styling rattan inside of your home, make sure to mix in plenty of opposing textures, such as stone, iron, cement, and wood when using rattan in an outdoor space.

If you are using rattan in an outdoor format, there are a few things you should keep in mind. In general, rattan is best used in warm and dry places. If your rattan is exposed to water—even a little bit of water while cleaning up a spill, for instance dry it out in the sun or with a hair dryer on low heat. This will prevent warping.  You should also be cautious of exposing rattan to direct sunlight.

2.4 Use cane or wicker, which are derivatives of rattan

Rattan is a unique and interesting material that can create contrast and liveliness for the elegant spaces in the house, such as the dining room or the office. In the dining room, you can combine artistic rattan chairs (not only beautiful but also more comfortable than regular chairs), Rattan Lampshade with a dark wood dining table with clear lines. Or you can also choose a different material for the dining room, such as glass or marble, if you like the combination of two different styles.

2.5 Be bold with black rattan

Rattan is a charismatic and compelling material, finding itself at home in almost any atmosphere, from retro to coastal, modern organic to modern chic. With black rattan, you can attain a whole new look while still paying homage to the intricate weaves of this handcrafted material. Black rattan promises a bold and timeless appeal, clashing natural materials with inky style and dramatic design.

3. FAQs

3.1 Is Rattan Furniture sustainable & eco-friendly?

Rattan is a natural resource that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Rattan grows fast, reaching 2cm per day, equivalent to 3 meters in 6 months and can be harvested after two years, while some hardwoods take 20-30 years to mature.

Using Rattan in furniture production helps protect forests by reducing the demand for wood from trees and preventing deforestation. The process of harvesting and processing Rattan is completely done by hand and does not require machinery, which means creating more jobs for local people to help promote and maintain a sustainable economy.

3.2 Can rattan furniture be left outside all year?

Our rattan furniture can be left outside all year as it is UV and weather resistant. The aluminum frame of our rattan furniture is also coated in a weather resistant paint. However, we recommend storing it inside or under a cover during wetter winter months to better extend the furniture’s life. You should also bring cushions inside or cover them when the furniture is not in use.

3.4 Where can i buy rattan furniture?

If you are looking for a place to buy rattan and bamboo furniture, you cannot miss Thanh Cong Craft. This is one of the units that produces and supplies high-quality, beautiful and durable rattan and bamboo furniture products. Thanh Cong Craft has established its position in the market for many years through the process of continuous construction and development. You can find products such as chairs, tables, beds, cabinets, shelves, sofas, lamps… with different styles, colors and sizes. You can also order according to your own requirements to get products that suit your living space. Contact Thanh Cong Craft today for consultation and detailed quotation email: [email protected] or Tel/WhatsApp: +84967485411. Hope to serve you soon! Best regard!