Exotically chic and whimsically light, rattan furniture isn’t taking the interior design world by storm as much as it is taking it by a warm, sultry breeze.
Renowned Sydney interior designer Kate Lawrence and impossibly stylish Geneva Vanderzeil of Collective Gen are just two devotees of the rattan trend, incorporating rattan furniture and pieces throughout their own homes for a spectacular effect.
Elevate your living spaces and amplify your style with natural rattan with these five decorating ideas for your home.
1. Use pink and mustard for pops of colour
Rattan’s beauty lies in its natural state and textures. It is often pale — the colour of a light timber — and unobtrusive. It is elegance indoors, and this airy colour palette is part of why chic rattan dining chairs and other stylish rattan furniture are so beloved for the organic modern home.
But all those calm neutrals and pale hues demand a little something. A little something that adds excitement, focal points, and glamour.
For style leaders and interior designers, that little piece of pizzazz is pops of pink or mustard. Both of these contemporary hues are the definition of warmth and radiance, both with the bold dynamism to shine against a rattan backdrop whilst also bringing out the best of the natural material.
2. Play with textures
At its true heart, rattan is all about intricate texture. Each hand-woven detail comes together in a delicate and dazzling design that makes a bold statement without overpowering a room. It’s the perfect fusion of neutral tranquillity and eye-catching features.
It’s oddly counterintuitive, but rather than maintain a single consistent texture throughout the rest of the space, have fun with it. Introduce multiple textures from other woven details to shining metallics, sanded timbers, and rugged natural materials. All of these textures will intertwine to tell a design story that offers something a little different and surprising at every turn.
Getting textural: The spectacular Tara Sideboard is joined by a celebration of textures, from a woven basket to a gleaming metallic bowl and a soft candle wax.
3. Incorporate Australian prints and designs
Australia’s personality is easily described as laid-back, natural, and coastal, and there are few adjectives that could summarise rattan furniture better. Perhaps that’s why Australian prints and design fit so effortlessly next to rattan pieces.
Explore local markets and art studios to find unique Australian pieces that reflect your personality and that will sparkle while sharing a space with rattan furniture. Look for pieces that could be described as ‘laid-back, natural, and coastal’, and bask in the glow of stunning interior design success as you put it on display at home.
We are galah-ving it: This framed Galah Sky Wall Art sits perfectly above a rattan sideboard or other large piece. It is quintessentially Australian with pops of pink and a light, laid-back ambience that will beautifully offset rattan.
4. Introduce greenery
Whether it’s a rattan chair or a full rattan outdoor set, this is a trend of natural, earthy hues, fibrous textures and timber touches. How better to complement and elevate this natural experience than with live plants?
Look for leafy plants that do well indoors and continue to add to the textural story of intricate rattan. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your plants, and always look for hand-woven or terracotta pots for a seamless flow between your greenery and rattan touches.
The Tara Rattan TV Unit pairs flawlessly with live plants, with the natural tones and textures working together to create a relaxing, chic, and organic aesthetic.
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.
"The Tara range reimagined in black is a sophisticated take on a Lounge Lovers' favourite. We absolutely adore the contrast between the black oak frame and the natural woven doors - it's dashing and creates a bit of drama...the perfect statement piece!" - Ellee Kuki-Kelekolio, Head of Buying at Lounge Lovers
Dark and dashing: Both the Tara Black Sideboard and Tara TV Unit are enveloped in midnight deep tones for a sleek and striking appeal ideal for the modern home.
Ready to embrace the rattan renaissance? Browse our rattan collection here.