How to Tastefully Use Rattan Decor for a Modern Coastal Vibe

Updated August 16, 2023

One home decor material that instantly gives off a coastal look is rattan. This type of material has been making its way into home trends for the past few years and it may be here to stay. Especially last year, when one of the top trending themes for home decor (and more) is “Coastal Grandmother” – rattan has made quite an appearance that year. You can use it to create a modern look in your home that is also timeless. It also proves to be an excellent material for emanating a coastal atmosphere. When you incorporate rattan correctly, it has the potential to uplift the visual appeal of your coastal home. However, too much can create an outdated look so it’s important that when designing with rattan you don’t overdo or overuse it. Let’s look at some ways to use rattan for a modern coastal home.

The Perfect Way to Add Texture

Rattan is the perfect way to add texture to your home. One of the keys to create visual interest with home decor is to use a variety of textures and patterns. Woven pieces add that extra visual interest, giving the eye a way to bounce around, highlighting areas around your home.

Varying materials with rattan can also help create depth in your space. For example, if you were to use leather with upholstery and a touch of rattan, it will create a more visually appealing design than just upholstery alone. Rattan, with it’s golden-hued color, adds warmth to a room as well.

A great tip to keep in mind when creating this depth and texture with this type of material is to incorporate one to two pieces in your space and create that focal point. Just these subtle touches will bring an elevated look. If you go with too much, there’s a chance it may be too much. Going overboard takes away from the visual appeal you are going for. Just think – can you imagine a room with all-wicker furniture? This loses the positive effect of visual interest, not to mention, it can instantly date a space.

This material can also be mixed and matched with ease. They also pair well with most color palettes. Anything from grays, blues, and neutrals to warmer tones will look great with rattan pieces throughout any room of your home.

A Neutral Vibe that Feels Coastal

When this material first emerged into the world of home decor, was used primarily in outdoor dining furniture. The reasons why? Firstly, it is super durable. It can endure tropical-type weather. The beautiful material that makeup rattan are actually sourced from tropical areas, so it withstands warm and humid climates. Naturally, seeing the material can be reminiscent of these places, so it gives off that coastal vibe effortlessly.

Also, since it’s made from a natural material, it’s a way to bring the outdoors in. It helps keep spaces light and airy, even in the darkest of hues. It also adds subtle warmth, which is often a reminder of being on the coast.

Lastly, since rattan typically comes in shades of brown, it’s the perfect neutral to add to your home. The best part? Creating a neutral palette gives a serene backdrop, and is the perfect piece to give neutral spaces some personality.

Four Ways to Bring Rattan into your Home

There are many ways you can use rattan successfully as in your home. And it’s one thing we love doing for our designs. CASS Design Co. has even been featured in Redfin about this topic.

Accent Furniture

Maybe steer clear of an all-wicker outdoor set or living room set, but search for pieces of accent furniture that can fit into your current furniture selections. Rattan chairs, a coffee table, and bar carts are all great stand-alone pieces that can be mixed and matched with ease in your living space.

Decorative Accessories

Baskets are the first to come to mind when searching for rattan decor. Not only are baskets decorative, they are also functional. Because they make it easy to store things like blankets, throw pillows, and other essentials throughout the home, they are a great choice to use anywhere in your home. They can create great dimension in places like your entryway or in built-ins that need levels of height.

Trays are another place where you see rattan materials being used. They’re the perfect accent to give visual interest to dressers, console tables, kitchen islands and more.

You may even see rattan or wicker baskets on walls, typically seen in sets of varying sizes. They can be mixed and matched with picture frames or other pieces of art. Rattan mirrors are also trendy and fun. Frames are easy to find on sites like Amazon or Pottery Barn and in stores like World Market or Michaels.

Lighting

Rattan lighting is currently trending and it’s perfect addition for the coastal home. From a rattan lampshade to pendants, this unique texture and style is an easy way to add it into your space without going overboard!

Larger Rattan Furniture Pieces

If you want a bolder piece, search for beds, a patio table or even sofas made with rattan. They can bring a light and airy feel to your bedroom, living room, and outside space, especially if you have neutral linens and upholstery. Cane is beautiful on dining chair backs and barstools to create an effortless coastal look.

Tips to Use Rattan Successfully in your Home

If you’ve been thinking about how to add rattan decor to your home, here are a few tips.

If you are new to using this type of material, begin with smaller pieces like a wall basket, trays or lampshades. These can be easily integrated into your current decor without overwhelming the space. Pair rattan with contrasting textures such as soft fabrics like indoor/outdoor pillows, cushions and blankets. This helps create a balance to the overall space.

Rattan has a light and airy appearance so it works best in well-lit spaces. Place rattan furniture or accessories near a window to take advantage of the natural sunlight. Using larger pieces like a desk in a home office or a headboard in a bedroom will help create the focal points for the whole room and create a statement.

Limit the amount as moderation is key. Be sure to avoid overloading your space with too much rattan as it could make the room feel cluttered or dated. However, repeating an element more than once helps create cohesion and brings your room together nicely.

Bottom line, rattan is a beautiful material that works perfectly in the coastal home. There are countless ways to seamlessly infuse it into your home. Let me know your favorite ways to use rattan in the comments below!