Decorating With Cane & Rattan in Your Home

Rattan chairs in my Coastal California breakfast nook project (chairs from here*)

Every space needs a little bit of texture in my book, and one great way to add some is with woven natural fibers like cane and rattan. If those two bring to mind dated coastal homes or worn out outdoor furniture, it’s time to shift that image! These two gorgeous woven textures are back in the best way possible, and they’re not just for coastal homes either - they work wonderfully in homes with modern, boho, and even more traditional styles.

I’ve got some pretty spaces to show you with those today along with a roundup of some awesome pieces you can use in your own home! If you’re eager to see those, scroll on down!

What are cane and rattan anyway?

That’s an important question to answer before we jump into how to use it, huh? Well, the simple answer is that rattan is the material itself - it’s made from the core of a fast-growing vine. Its strength and flexibility make it a great material for furniture.

Cane is a particular type of weaving technique using rattan fibers. You can think of caning almost like a mesh. That mesh is then applied to things like chair backs, headboards, etc. It’s often confused with wicker, which is another weaving technique that can use multiple materials (not just rattan). Pretty interesting, right?

Using Cane and Rattan Furniture and Decor In Your Home

I’ve been seeing cane and rattan (and other woven natural materials) pop up everywhere lately and I wanted to share a few examples with you to show you how you can use it in your home too. It doesn’t take much to make a big impact - adding in just a bit of texture brings plenty of dimension and warmth.

One spot I’m seeing folks integrate these woven materials is in light fixtures. The two photos below are great examples. Basket pendant lights are really popular right now and I’m even seeing rattan being used to make lamp shades. I’ve included one of each of those in my roundup of cane and rattan at the bottom of the post, so be sure to head down there if you’re on the hunt for a light fixture!

via Leclair Decor

via Serena & Lily

Another popular use for cane and rattan is on chairs. That style has been around for centuries and I’m really loving the modern take on it I’ve been seeing recently. Take the woven dining chairs below for example. They add so much interest to what could otherwise be a pretty stark and modern space. It’s just the right amount of warmth and coziness!

via CB2

I’m not just seeing cane and rattan in dining chairs either as you’ll see in my roundup. Lounge chairs with this feature are having their moment too - here’s a great example of a lounge chair with a cane back. A pair of these would be perfect in a modern coastal space.

Then the final spot I’d say I’m seeing a ton of it is in storage furniture like cane-fronted buffets and accent cabinets. I so wish I had a spot for something like the one you see below in our house! Again, it’s paired with more modern furniture and decor (which I love!), and it softens the look a little bit overall.

via Green with Envy

Of course, you can find rattan and cane in all sorts of other pieces of furniture and decor, which you’ll see reflected in my roundup! I tried to find a variety of pieces to show you how much is out there and available right now. I’ve got pieces like side tables, light fixtures, a daybed, and even a candle holder - seriously, there’s something for everyone!

What catches your eye?

Rattan Barrel Chair | Rattan Wall Sconce | Modern Coastal Rattan Buffet | Rattan Wrapped Candle Holders | Rattan Lounge Chair | Modern Rattan Daybed | Boho Rattan Coffee Table and Side Table Set | Rattan Basket Pendant | Sculpted Rattan Mirror | Rattan Side Table | Set of 2 Rattan Baskets | Wood with Rattan Doors Accent Cabinet

Use the links above or the images below to shop these cane and rattan pieces!

So tell me, are you on board with cane and rattan? Where would you use it in your home?

*This post contains affiliate links, which means Mix & Match Design Company earns a commission from your purchase at no cost to you.