Everything about rattan lamps
Key takeaways:
- A rattan lamp is a light fixture whose base, frame or shade is made of rattan canes, a light, flexible and sturdy plant fiber, most often woven.
- Choose it according to the available space and the light you want: table lamp for accent lighting, pendant light for central lighting, shade alone to dress up a lamp you already own.
- Fit it with an LED bulb, which gives off little heat, dust it with a soft, dry cloth, and keep it for dry rooms, as rattan does not tolerate humidity well.
A rattan lamp is a light fixture whose base, frame or shade is made of rattan canes, a plant fiber that is bent and woven to let the light filter through. It brings a natural and elegant touch to your interior, whether you are looking for a table lamp, a pendant light or a simple rattan shade to top a base you already own.
These light fixtures combine design and function, and transform a space without cluttering it. Rattan, a natural and lightweight material, is ideal for creating a warm and attractive ambiance in any room of the house, as long as it is dry.
The advantages of rattan lamps
Rattan lamps offer several advantages, starting with the touch of nature they bring to your decor while remaining very light. Rattan is a material that is both flexible and sturdy: it bends without breaking, keeps the shape it has been given, and, combined with an LED bulb that gives off little heat, it diffuses a soft light safely.
Moreover, these lamps diffuse a soft and warm light, filtered through the mesh of the weave, which creates a soothing ambiance in any room. They come in different sizes and shapes, from the small bedside lamp to a more imposing model, enough to suit all spaces and all decoration styles, as shown by our full range of lamps.
The different types of rattan lamps
Rattan can be worked into thick canes, for a lamp base, as well as into fine strands, for a woven shade, which explains the variety of models. There are three main families: table lamps, pendant lights and shades.
Rattan table lamps
The table lamp is the simplest to adopt, since it plugs into an outlet and fits on a bedside table, a console or a sideboard. Three variants come up most often:
- Rattan and fabric lamp: a table lamp whose rattan base carries a fabric shade, perfect for accent lighting. This model improves the ambiance of your living room or bedroom, by softening the light.
- Natural rattan lamp: a table lamp left in its original shade, ideal for a bohemian decor. Its wood-colored finish adds an exotic and warm touch.
- Bohemian lamp: a bohemian-spirited lamp, dressed in rattan, which brings a touch of nature to your space. Its sturdy structure makes it a quality product.
Placed on a nightstand, a lamp of this type joins our bedside lamps, from which a soft light is mainly expected. In a living room, the model with a fabric shade is closer to our fabric lamps, with which it shares the muted halo.
Rattan pendant lights
Hung from the ceiling, the pendant light becomes the central lighting of the room, and its openwork shade draws play of shadows on the walls that a table lamp does not produce. Two models are the favorites:
- Rattan pendant light: for a natural and soothing ambiance. It is perfect for lighting a dining room or a living room with elegance.
- Straw light fixture: for a rustic and authentic touch in your dining room or your living room. This large model offers a pleasant, diffused light.
Above a table, the bottom of the shade is set 70 or 80 centimeters from the tabletop. Unlike a table lamp, a pendant light is connected to the ceiling, and its installation should be entrusted to a qualified electrician. These models are gathered among our rattan pendant lights.
Rattan shades
The rattan shade is the simplest way to bring this material into the home, since it mounts on a lamp base or on a pendant light. Two shapes dominate:
- Round shade: a shade for a natural rattan lamp, available in several sizes. It is ideal for bringing a bohemian touch to your interior.
- Two-tone shade: a natural rattan shade, perfect for table lamps as well as for pendant lights. It also comes in black with rattan, for a more modern style.
Before choosing it, check that its fixing ring matches the lamp holder of your lamp. Above all, keep an LED bulb: it is the only one to use under plant fibers, because it gives off very little heat. Any work on the lamp holder or on the cable should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
| Type of rattan lamp | Where to install it | Role in the room |
|---|---|---|
| Table lamp | Bedside table, console, sideboard | Accent lighting |
| Pendant light | Above a table, in the center of the living room | Central lighting |
| Shade alone | On a table lamp or a pendant light | Natural touch on an existing lamp |
| Wall sconce | Hallway, headboard, small space | Light with no floor footprint |
How to choose the perfect rattan lamp?
When you choose a rattan lamp, first consider the available space, then the style of your interior and finally the type of light you want. For a living room or a bedroom, a rattan pendant light or a table lamp can bring a warm and welcoming ambiance.
Rattan shades are perfect for adding a natural touch to any existing lamp, without changing the entire fixture. Woven rattan offers a unique and natural look, since no mesh is quite identical to its neighbor, which makes each decorative piece exceptional.
Finally, look at the density of the weave: a tight mesh gives a muted, enveloping glow, whereas an open mesh gives more light. A warm white bulb, between 2700 and 3000 K, goes best with the honey shade of the fiber, in the spirit of our living room lamps. To match several light sources, browse our full range of rattan light fixtures.
Current trends in rattan lamps
Current trends include minimalist designs and organic shapes, all in curves. Rattan is often combined with other natural materials, such as wood and bamboo, for a cohesive and elegant look: it then sits effortlessly alongside our wood lamps.
Rattan lamps with metal or glass details are also very popular, as they bring a modern touch to a traditional material, like our metal lamps. Oriental rattan pendant lights and wicker lamps are particularly fashionable for creating a chic bohemian ambiance.
Care of rattan lamps
Rattan lamps are easy to maintain. Simply dust them regularly with a soft, dry cloth, or with a soft brush, which reaches the hollows of the mesh better. For stains, use a slightly damp cloth, after unplugging the lamp, and avoid abrasive chemicals.
With proper care, your rattan lamps will keep their beauty, as this resistant material withstands daily use very well. Rattan does not tolerate humidity well, however: keep your lamps for dry rooms, and keep them away from a radiator, whose very dry air eventually makes the canes brittle.
Frequently asked questions about rattan lamps
What are the advantages of rattan lamps for my home?
Rattan lamps bring a natural and elegant touch to your interior. They are made from natural fibers, and offer a soft and warm light.
These lamps adapt perfectly to different decoration styles, from bohemian to modern, and improve the ambiance of any room.
How do I match rattan lamps with my interior decoration?
To match rattan lamps with your decoration, choose the models that complement the colors and materials already present in your space. A natural rattan lamp goes well, for example, with wooden furniture and linen textiles.
You can also opt for rattan pendant lights for central lighting, and for table lamps for accent lighting.
Why choose a rattan lamp for my living space?
Because rattan lamps are not only attractive, but also practical. They bring a unique and natural touch to your interior, while providing a soft and diffused light.
Rattan is a resistant and easy-to-maintain material, which makes it an excellent choice for sturdy and functional lamps, which you keep for a long time.
What types of rattan lamps are available on the market?
There is a wide variety of rattan lamps: table lamps, pendant lights, floor lamps and wall sconces. For a reading nook, see for example our rattan floor lamps.
Each type of lamp can be used for different lighting needs and decoration styles, which offers a suitable choice for every room of your home.
How do I maintain a rattan lamp?
Maintaining a rattan lamp is simple: just dust it regularly with a soft, dry cloth. For stains, use a slightly damp cloth, with the lamp unplugged.
Avoid abrasive chemicals, to preserve the natural beauty of rattan, and let the fiber dry completely before switching the lamp back on.
Which bulbs are best for rattan lamps?
For rattan lamps, it is recommended to use LED bulbs with low energy consumption. They offer a soft and warm light, while being economical and giving off little heat, which spares the fiber.
Observe the base and the maximum power indicated on the product page. Some models directly integrate their light source, like our LED lamps.
Are rattan lamps suitable for outdoor use?
A rattan lamp is used outdoors only if its product page expressly says so, with a suitable IP rating. Indoor models must be kept sheltered from humidity and bad weather.
To decorate a terrace or a garden, turn to light fixtures designed for this use, like our outdoor lamps.
What styles are available for rattan lamps?
Rattan lamps are available in many styles: bohemian, Scandinavian, modern or exotic. Fans of clean, uncluttered lines can also look at our Scandinavian lamps.
You can choose rattan lamps with natural finishes, dyes or combinations with other materials, such as metal and glass, for a unique and personalized look.
How do I fit a rattan lamp into a small space?
To fit a rattan lamp into a small space, opt for compact models, such as table lamps or wall sconces. These lamps provide sufficient lighting without cluttering the space.
Rattan pendant lights can also serve as central lighting without taking up floor space. Mounted on the wall, our rattan wall sconces also free up the furniture, and their installation is a job for a qualified electrician.
What are the current trends for rattan lamps?
Current trends include minimalist designs, organic shapes and combinations with other natural materials, such as wood and bamboo.
Rattan lamps with metal or glass details are also popular, to bring a modern touch to a traditional material.
Can a rattan lamp be installed in a bathroom?
No, not an indoor table lamp: only a light fixture designed for damp rooms, rated IP44 at minimum, belongs there, in compliance with the safety zones of the NF C 15-100 standard.
Rattan does not tolerate steam and water splashes well, which eventually deform the fiber. The installation of a bathroom light fixture is entrusted to a qualified electrician.
What is the difference between rattan, wicker and bamboo?
They are three different plants: rattan is the solid and flexible stem of a climbing palm, wicker the young shoot of the willow, and bamboo a hollow and rigid stem.
Rattan bends and is woven into regular meshes, wicker gives a tighter basketry, and bamboo is rather used in slats. All three filter light with the same softness.