Why Rattan Lighting Deserves a Place in Your Home Year-Round

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Summer is almost officially here, and if you want to bring that easy, breezy feeling to your home, there’s no better material to reach for than rattan. Like every other decor trend, rattan has fallen in and out of style over the years, but it’s back in the spotlight—literally. Right now, the it material is appearing all over sconces, lamps, and pendants. But that doesn’t mean it’s a trend, per se.

For Rudy Saunders, design director of Dorothy Draper & Co., rattan lighting isn’t anything new but yet another sign of a 1960s and 1970s decor comeback. “People have really become obsessed with the glamour of Palm Beach and that mod, authentic Lilly Pulitzer aesthetic,” he explains. “Incorporating rattan lighting is somewhat unexpected, and there is something refreshing about it returning to the forefront.” Thanks to shows like Palm Royale, the retro and mod designs that were popular nearly 60 years ago look as relevant as ever today.

Why Designers Love Rattan Lighting

The best rattan lamps and sconces might feel very “in” right now, but Grey Joyner argues that they have a timeless quality that gives them serious staying power. “If you look back 40 years and if you could look forward 40 years, rattan will still be used for furniture and lighting,” the North Carolina designer explains. “We like to bring natural materials into the home, and rattan is a wonderful way to do this.”

Augusta Mini Table Lamp

Harwich Rattan Pendant Light

Larkspur Petite Table Lamp

These fixtures offer a dash of visual intrigue—creating a hint of tropicana that feels so right for the warmer months ahead—but they also bring a sense of levity that iron or solid wood pieces simply can’t. “Since rattan is lightweight in look and feel, it adds a softness to a room,” Joyner adds.

How to Use Rattan Lighting at Home

Rattan lamps and light fixtures bring a light, airy ease into your space—and, as it turns out, they’re pretty easy to incorporate in any room. “It’s just coastal,” Joyner says. “Rattan can be used in multiple architectural and design styles to add layers and texture.” Not only is the ceiling the limit for this trend—rattan looks great in table lamps, floor lamps, sconces, and pendants—but it can also seamlessly fit into your existing decor.

“Unless you are in a sun room or really leaning into a tropical look, I would stay away from rattan lighting if the furniture in the space is all rattan.” Sauders says. “It can look like a Florida sun room.” Instead, he recommends juxtaposing styles by adding a rattan chandelier to a room with upholstered sofas and traditional furniture.

Meanwhile, budding maximalists might take a cue from Joyner, who often treats her rattan fixtures a neutral. “I love to use rattan sconces or a rattan overhead light in a powder room or bathroom—especially paired with a busy patterned wallpaper,” she says.

Speaking of a more-is-more mindset, don’t be afraid to get a little crafty with your woven wares. While rattan is undeniably striking in its natural form, Joyner says painting vintage rattan fixtures can “add a bit of drama to a room.” “I also appreciate the embellishments being used on rattan lighting, like beading, trim, and even some brass accents,” she adds.

But whether you leave your fixtures au naturel or zhuzh them up, one thing’s for sure: This it material is your home’s secret to a gorgeous glow.

Luna Wall Light

Palm Pendant

Addison Rattan Table Lamp

Issa Chandelier

Braxton Rattan Table Lamp

Bellamy Pendant Light

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