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Wicker & Rattan

September 27, 2021
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Long gone are the days of rattan being described as dull and dated. This material and style of weaving are making a HUGE comeback. Years ago this texture was primarily used for outdoor furniture and became a staple of oceanfront home furnishings. Now, people are exploring how versatile rattan is. From furniture to light fixtures, this texture is popping up everywhere!

Rattan & Wicker: What's the Difference? Where Did It Come From?

The difference between rattan and wicker is simple: rattan is the material and wicker describes the specific weaving method and technique. Rattan is often used in making wicker pieces but other natural or synthetic materials could also be used.


Wicker has been around for thousands of years and is believed to be one of the oldest furniture making techniques in the books. Originally, it was primarily used as a basket making technique which is still widely common today, and it slowly was used to create all kinds of different pieces. Fun Fact: The first piece of wicker furniture to arrive in the United States was a baby cradle brought over on the Mayflower. How cool!

3 Ways to Incorporate These Textures in Your Home

1 - Storage

An easy way to begin incorporating wicker into a space is with storage pieces. As mentioned above, wicker baskets have been around for thousands of years and are common and easy to find at places like Pottery Barn. We've also seen wicker shelves and night stands popping up too!

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2 - Seating

Wicker seating is an easy way to elevate a space. It is durable and serves as an easy statement piece. Long gone are the days where wicker furniture has to stay outside. Bring your wicker seating inside and instantly add character to your living room!

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3 - Other Furniture & Accent Pieces

Wicker has also been used to add a light vintage accent to your spaces. It could be something as small as the framing on a mirror or a statement piece like a curved headboard or coffee table. Another popular trend at the moment is wicker coverings for light fixtures, perfect for adding character to a space without adding tons of visual weight.

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What are your thoughts on this trend? Love it? Hate it? We want to know! Be sure to check out our Pinterest board using the button below to explore more wicker pieces and ideas.

Wicker & Rattan

Note: All images above were collected for research and reporting purposes only. We do not own or claim ownership of these images. Please visit our Pinterest board for the origin of these images.