If you’ve ever been to your grandparents’ homes, there’s a good chance that you might have come across various assortments of rattan furniture, from seats to tables, to pillows. Rattan furniture in Singapore was a staple in the 1950s and after being modernised in recent years, has now been readapted by both Bohemian enthusiasts and those looking to retain South-east Asian flair in their homes. If this is a theme you’re looking to explore, here’s a quick guide on rattan furniture and how you can incorporate it into your home.

What is Rattan Furniture?

As its namesake suggests, rattan furniture is woven from rattan vines, a sturdy part of the rattan tree that gives these pieces of furniture their longevity (with the right maintenance). It’s why grandpa and grandma’s rattan furniture continues to function just as well today as it did 50 years ago. Fast forward to today, and modern rattan furniture in Singapore has been updated to complement today’s interior design trends. While older rattan furniture appears raw and rough, its contemporary counterparts are more refined, incorporating different colours and materials for a touch of style and substance. 

Benefits of Rattan Furniture

Unlike most wooden furniture that often requires whole trees to be felled for sufficient materials to be collected, rattan harvesters only need to cut down vines that will grow back relatively quickly, making the process of manufacturing these kinds of furniture eco-friendly and sustainable. Rattan furniture is also resilient and can last for generations with the right maintenance, outliving conventional wooden furniture. It can also withstand harsh weather conditions that other furniture in Singapore might not be able to, so if you want to place a rattan chair outside in the thick of Singapore’s summer, you can! While rattan furniture can’t soak up rain, applying a coat of lacquer to it will enable it to do so, making it a great option for outdoor furniture. 

Things to Look out for

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For all its advantages, there are certain things to note if you own rattan furniture in Singapore. For one, rattan seats aren’t necessarily very comfortable on their own, which is why there’s almost always cushions to go along with those. Rattan furniture also loosens over time, no matter how well woven it is, and will require periodic repairs. To maximise the longevity of your rattan furniture, check for loose pieces before purchasing. Lastly, rattan furniture, like all wooden furniture, requires proper care and maintenance. For instance, if you leave your rattan furniture outside, ensure that the fibres are treated and checked for sun or water damage. Additionally, rattan pieces will need to be cleaned and oiled once every few months. 

Adding South-east Asian and Bohemian Flair to Your Home

Let’s be honest, being in South-east Asia, we tend to associate rattan furniture in Singapore with bespoke tropical island resorts or our grandparents’ homes rather than an eccentric bohemian’s idea of alternative living. One suspects both styles are pretty much identical, the only difference being the lens that these styles are viewed, based on cultural and geological roots. However you choose to see it, here are some tips to help you achieve your desired bohemian/South-east Asian aesthetics:

Use rattan in moderation —

We get the eagerness to embrace a reviving trend, but it’s worth noting that rattan works best in moderation, as overdoing it runs the risk of making your home look too antiquated. For more subtlety, consider furniture with elements of rattan instead of one that is completely made of rattan. 

Embrace different colours —

Rattan furniture doesn’t always have to come in its original wooden hues; there are many colours to choose from, depending on your preferences. Generally, colours add a chic element to your interior, and they are easy to style, giving rooms a more relaxed vibe. Coloured rattan also goes well with both antique and contemporary pieces. 

Incorporate it with existing furniture —

In keeping with subtlety, rattan works great as a complementary piece to existing furniture, especially if there’s a stark contrast between the two materials (think rattan and velvet chairs placed side by side), as the contrasts create a visually intriguing space.

Now that you have a better idea of what rattan furniture can do for your home, check out Born in Color’s furniture shop in Singapore for all your rattan furniture needs. More information can be found on our website!