Pay attention to your Instagram feed, friends’ houses, and interior design sites (like this one!) and you’ll see rattan furniture everywhere these days. No wonder: the woven reed-like wood works both indoors and outdoors, in a variety of pieces, from light fixtures to bar stools to coffee tables. Rattan is as versatile as it is strong as it is casual, with its island vacation vibes. All those qualities combined make for desirable furniture pieces in any area of your home.
Let’s clear up one common misconception about rattan though: rattan and wicker are not the same things, though they’re often confused. Rattan is a material; wicker is a form of weaving. So while rattan can be wicker, not all wicker is made from rattan.
Now, let’s have a look at 17 ways top interior designers have been including rattan in rooms of all kinds, from living rooms to offices to bedrooms and beyond. You just might be inspired to include a woven element into your space soon.