Take Your Home from Drab to Darling with Vintage Rattan Furniture

If you’re looking for a way to make your home comfortable and timeless, vintage rattan furniture is the way to go. But what exactly is rattan? Where’s the best place to buy it? How do you maintain its beautiful weave? Let’s answer these questions and learn about rattan together!

What is Rattan?

You may have seen items advertised with the word, but what is it really? Rattan is a versatile and sustainable natural material derived from a vine-like plant native to the tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is lightweight and flexible, yet durable enough to be commonly used in baskets, crafting, and furniture.

Note: “Rattan” is often used interchangeably in Melbourne antique malls with “wicker,” but it is important to understand that the two aren’t the same thing. Rattan is a material; wicker is a weaving technique.

When Did Rattan Furniture Become Popular?

Rattan has been used for centuries in various cultures, but it wasn’t until the late 1800s that it hit mainstream design. Upon “discovering” its versatility, Victorian era designers began utilizing the material to create ornate rattan chairs and rattan tables for both indoor and outdoor use.

Though it never truly died out, wicker furniture was less and less sought after in the following years. That is, until the hippies of the ‘60s and ‘70s brought it back into style! Rattan furniture has been connected to bohemian interior design ever since.

Why Do People Love Rattan Furniture?

If you’ve been following the latest trends in interior design, you might have noticed that rattan furniture has made quite the comeback recently. Some shoppers seek out rattan chairs for the patio due to their incredible ability to withstand weather and day-to-day use. Others buy rattan bookcases and rattan cabinets to suit their boho-chic aesthetic. Whatever the individual reason, one thing is clear—rattan is here to stay!

Is Vintage Rattan Furniture Expensive?

One of the main concerns when furnishing your home with vintage designs is always, understandably, price. As far as vintage rattan furniture goes, designs can often be on the pricier end, often ranging between a few hundred dollars for a single authentic antique rattan bookcase or a few thousand for full sets of rattan tables and rattan chairs.

But that isn’t always the case! If you find a rattan cabinet priced lower than normal, the vendor that has it on display may not know what treasure they have. The more you understand the different factors that affect a piece of rattan furniture’s value, the more prepared you’ll be when you shop at an antique mall in Florida (an excellent state for wicker finds!).  

Factors that Affect the Cost of Rattan Furniture:

• Rarity

• Designer

• Durability

• Condition

• Market demand

Where is the Best Place to Buy Vintage Rattan Furniture?

When you’re in the market for rattan furniture, there’s really only one place worth your time: your local antique mall! While sitting at home and browsing online can feel productive, there is no better way to shop for vintage furniture than walking up and down the aisles of a vendor mall. There, you’ll come across a wide variety of designs of all different price points and get an up-close-and-personal look at every rattan table, chair, and cabinet in the joint.

5 Rattan Furniture Designers to Keep a Look Out For:

1. Gabriella Crespi: a Milanese designer known best for her “Rising Sun” line in the ‘70s, which featured hand-woven bamboo rattan chairs, side tables, and lamps inspired by her spiritual connection to the universe and sun

2. Paul Frankl: a major American mid-century modern designer, praised for his “pretzel” rattan chair, which was low to the ground and featured a carefully crafted frame and geometric armrests

3. Franco Albini: an Italian furniture designer and architect renowned for merging minimalist designs with traditionalist craftsmanship, as seen in his iconic ‘50s round, bare-bones rattan ottoman

4. Nanna Ditzel: a Danish designer who invented the hanging egg chair, a closely woven rattan chair that hangs either from the ceiling or a sturdy metal frame

5. Henry Olko: a now-acclaimed American designer who created uniquely shaped rattan chairs in the ‘70s, including ribbed lounge chairs, pointy peacock patio chairs, and more

How to Showcase Vintage Rattan Furniture in Every Room of Your House

If you’re looking to upgrade your spaces, the perfect collectible figurine or vintage art can only go so far. To fully transform your home, you need to set a solid furniture foundation.

With a little inspiration from us, anyone can incorporate rattan furniture into their existing décor. Head to your local antique mall, scoop up a few of these key pieces, and try it out today!

Elevate Your Study with a Rattan Bookcase

If you work from home or consider yourself an avid rare book collector, it’s time to consider grabbing a rattan bookcase or two. With a durable build and intricately woven patterns, rattan bookcases offer a functional yet fun alternative to the same old BILLY bookcase everyone and their mother has from IKEA.

Pro tip: for a bit more out-of-sight storage, consider purchasing a rattan cabinet with closing doors. That way, you can enjoy the cottagecore look without evidence of clutter!

Make Your Living Room Cozy with Rattan Chairs

Odds are, your living room is one of the most well-loved rooms in your house—and it deserves comfortable and cute furniture to match! Swap out those peeling leather chairs and deflated beanbags for a set of rattan chairs. With the right cushions (something that is often completely customizable if you’re crazy enough), you can set up a cozy sitting space that guests will rave about.

Transform Your Porch with Rattan Patio Furniture

Many people forget that the exteriors of their houses can be decorated too! Luckily, a majority of rattan tables and rattan chairs available at antique malls were crafted for outdoor use. The next time you’re in a vendor mall, keep your eyes peeled for a matching bistro set, rattan rocking chair, or rattan bench and transform your porch or patio.

Take it from us—rattan furniture is timeless. If the idea of sprucing up your home office with a rattan table or adding a rattan bookcase to your guest bedroom has grabbed your interest, start shopping! We can’t wait to see what pieces you find at America’s Antique Mall.