The rattan chandelier, natural and bohemian
Key takeaways:
- A rattan chandelier is a ceiling light fixture, either a pendant light or a ceiling light, whose shade is made of curved or woven rattan canes that let a soft, warm light filter through.
- Its shape and size are chosen according to the room and the ceiling height: a large woven dome above a table or in a living room, a ceiling light or a small model in a bedroom.
- The fixing and connection must be entrusted to a qualified electrician, the bulb is an LED that gives off little heat, and rattan, which is reserved for dry rooms, is dusted with a soft brush.
A rattan chandelier is a ceiling light fixture whose shade or structure is made of rattan fibers, curved or woven around the light source. Light and flexible, this natural material lends itself to an almost infinite variety of shapes, from the classic circle to the most elaborate dome.
Rattan is a flexible and resistant tropical vine that can be woven, curved and bent into any shape. In a light fixture, it produces domes, drops, spirals, drums or twisted volumes of great lightness, and its openwork weave lets the light filter through, casting warm shadows on the ceiling and the walls.
This Lustria selection brings together chandeliers, pendant lights and ceiling lights in rattan or woven fibers of the same spirit: woven domes and ceiling lights, Japanese-inspired drops, twisted or hourglass shapes, cane webbing pendant lights, spirals with a shadow effect, layered shades and large sizes. The exact composition of each model is given on its product page. To see all of our models, browse our chandelier collection.
Why choose a rattan chandelier for your interior?
Opting for a rattan chandelier means choosing a warm and welcoming atmosphere, which the fiber creates by its mere presence, in a living room, a dining room or a bedroom. This natural material blends easily into very different decor styles, from chic bohemian to modern industrial, where it softens the lines of the metal.
Rattan also has the advantage of a sober look: its honey tone and the grain of its canes hardly ever go out of fashion, and this sturdy material follows changes of furniture without a hitch.
The shapes of rattan
The woven dome remains the most classic shape, ideal above a table. The drop and the drum give a cleaner silhouette, in a Scandinavian or Japanese spirit, while spirals and twisted shapes play on cast shadows. Cane webbing, woven in a regular openwork pattern, brings an elegant retro touch, which you will find on our cane webbing pendant lights.
Natural rattan has a honey tone; dyed black, it takes on a more graphic look. The type of installation matters too: the rattan pendant light hangs down on its cable, above a table or in the center of the room. Fixed flush to the ceiling, the rattan ceiling light keeps the same weave in a more compact volume.
| Shape | Light effect | Where to place it |
|---|---|---|
| Woven dome | Light directed downward, soft shadows around | Above a dining table |
| Drop or drum | Filtered light, clean silhouette | Bedroom, Scandinavian or Japanese style living room |
| Spiral or twisted shape | Play of shadows on the walls and ceiling | Living room, as the centerpiece of the decor |
| Cane webbing | Regular openwork pattern, retro touch | Dining room, office |
| Woven ceiling light | Diffused lighting, flush with the ceiling | Low ceiling, hallway, small bedroom |
The benefits of rattan chandeliers
Naturally sturdy, rattan stands up well to daily use. Its lightness makes ceiling installation easier and allows the light fixture to be handled effortlessly, even when it is a large size. Fixing it to the ceiling nevertheless remains a job for a qualified electrician.
Rattan chandeliers also offer a multitude of options: hanging models, ceiling lights, circle shapes, domes or woven shades. The material can even be echoed elsewhere in the room, since a rattan table lamp, simply plugged into an outlet, extends the ceiling's woven decor onto a piece of furniture.
A soft and warm light
Thanks to its woven structure, the rattan chandelier gives off a soft light that creates a welcoming atmosphere conducive to relaxation. The canes partly hide the bulb, and the gaps in the weave let rays of light through.
The choice of bulb adjusts this effect. Pair the light fixture with a neutral white LED bulb, around 4000 K, for a more direct lighting, or with a filament LED bulb, in a warm white of 2700 to 3000 K, for a retro touch. On a dimmer, check that the bulb is marked "dimmable".
Where to install a rattan chandelier
The living room is the ideal place for a large rattan chandelier: it brings a natural and refined touch there, and a large woven piece becomes the centerpiece of the decor. Woven rattan pendant lights pair particularly well with wood or black metal there, as our living room chandeliers show.
In a bedroom, a rattan pendant light gives a soft light, for a cozy and restful mood; place it in the center of the room rather than above the bed. Beige or black rattan shades create a distinctive play of light there, which sets off the decor, like our bedroom chandeliers.
Above a dining table, a rattan dome or a series of drops creates a friendly atmosphere. Pendant lights mixing bamboo and rattan and woven models are very well suited to this use, and pair with metal for a chic industrial style. Allow 75 to 90 cm between the bottom of the light fixture and the tabletop, the usual guideline for our dining room chandeliers.
Rattan does not tolerate humidity and heat well: keep it for dry rooms, never in a bathroom or outdoors, and keep it away from the cooktop. A wet room calls for a model designed for this use, like our bathroom chandeliers, in compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard, its safety zones and an IP44 rating at a minimum.
How to choose the ideal rattan chandelier?
Take into account the size of the room, the ceiling height and the style of the existing decor. A hanging model is ideal in a space with a high ceiling, while a ceiling light suits smaller rooms better, where a pendant light would get in the way.
Proportions matter as much as shape: a chandelier that is too small gets lost in a large living room, and a model that is too wide overwhelms a small bedroom. So note the dimensions on the product page, to compare them with those of the room.
Pairing rattan with your decor
Rattan goes well with wood, linen, jute, terracotta and plants, in a bohemian or Mediterranean spirit. Pair your chandelier with wooden, metal or linen elements for a harmonious result: a natural fiber model will be perfect in a bohemian setting, close to that of our wicker chandeliers.
Paired with black, white and simple lines, it brings a natural touch to a contemporary or Scandinavian interior. A black rattan chandelier highlighted with metallic touches thus gives a very current style, in the vein of our black chandeliers. A warm-toned light brings out the honey color of the natural fiber.
Installation, safety and care
A chandelier is connected to the electrical network: entrust the installation to a qualified electrician, who also makes sure that the fixing supports the weight of the light fixture. These light fixtures are intended for indoor use, in dry rooms. Use an LED bulb that gives off little heat and respect the maximum wattage stated on the product page: natural fibers must never be exposed to strong heat.
For care, switch off the power, let it cool down and dust with a soft brush, a soft cloth or a feather duster, without water or cleaning products. Avoid excess humidity, which damages the natural structure of the material, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which fades the fiber: these precautions preserve the sturdiness of the chandelier.
Where to buy a rattan chandelier?
Lustria offers a wide selection of rattan chandeliers online, from the small dome to the large woven size. Each page states the dimensions of the light fixture, its materials, the compatible bulb type and its price, which makes it possible to compare models before choosing.
For a room that stands out from the ordinary, look at the most elaborate shapes, spirals or hourglasses, and at neighboring fibers, like those of our bamboo chandeliers. Our customer service answers your questions.
The final word
Whether it is lighting a living room, a bedroom or a dining room, the rattan chandelier is a safe choice for a natural and elegant decor. Its sturdiness, the variety of its styles and its ability to fit into every interior make it a ceiling light fixture that you adopt for a long time.
Browse the collection to add a warm touch to your home, and complete it if needed with rattan wall sconces, also installed by a qualified electrician.
Frequently asked questions about rattan chandeliers
Here are the answers to the most common questions about choosing, installing and caring for one.
Why choose a rattan chandelier for your interior decor?
Because it adds a natural and bohemian touch to an interior: made of natural fibers, rattan creates a soothing atmosphere that is also warm in the room.
It suits modern, rustic and Scandinavian styles, and its lightness and sturdiness make it a light fixture built to last.
How to bring a rattan chandelier into different interior styles?
Easily, because it is very versatile: in a bohemian interior, choose a woven or natural rattan model, and, for a modern decor, a black rattan chandelier or one combined with metal.
Pair it with wooden furniture for a harmonious result. For a Scandinavian touch, favor beige and white tones, perfect in a living room or a bedroom, in the manner of our Scandinavian chandeliers.
What are the advantages of a rattan chandelier over other materials?
It is light, sturdy and easy to live with, and its woven structure gives off a subdued light, ideal for creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Its care is simple: regular dusting is enough to keep its natural shine. Finally, it suits every dry room of the house, from the living room to the dining room, including the bedroom.
How to choose the ideal size of a rattan chandelier for a room?
By making it proportionate to the space: in a living room or a dining room, a large model of 60 cm or more is often chosen, and, in a bedroom or a small space, a model of 30 to 50 cm.
Also check the ceiling height, to choose between a height-adjustable model and a rattan ceiling light. The exact dimensions are given on each product page.
How to care for a rattan chandelier?
With the power off, dust it regularly with a soft brush or a feather duster, without water or cleaning products. A dry, soft cloth also works.
If a mark resists, gently wipe the fibers with a cloth barely dampened with lukewarm, slightly soapy water, without chemical products, then let it dry completely in the open air.
Which bulb for a rattan chandelier?
An LED that gives off little heat, in a warm tone, within the wattage limit stated on the product page. LED bulbs light well for low consumption, and avoid overheating the natural fibers.
Choose a white light for a contemporary style, or a filament LED bulb for a retro and warm look, checking the base before buying.
What styles of rattan chandeliers are there?
From chic bohemian to modern industrial, the styles are many: woven models, in natural, black or dyed rattan, and, depending on the product pages, designs combining the fiber with glass or metal.
They come in circular shapes, domes or hanging shades, to suit every interior decor.
Can a rattan chandelier be used outdoors?
No, the light fixtures in this collection are intended for indoor use, in dry rooms. Humidity and sunlight damage and fade the fiber.
On a patio or under an open veranda, only a model designed for outdoor use is suitable, with a finish that resists bad weather and an IP rating stated on its product page, to be found among our outdoor light fixtures.
What is the difference between rattan and wicker?
Rattan is a tropical vine, more flexible; wicker comes from the willow and is woven more finely. The product page states the material of each model.
Once woven, the two fibers look very much alike: rattan readily gives arched structures, and wicker tighter basketwork.
How to install a rattan chandelier?
By entrusting the installation to a qualified electrician, because a chandelier is connected to the electrical network and must be firmly fixed to the ceiling.
The professional switches off the power, fixes the support to the ceiling after checking that it carries the weight stated on the product page, connects the wires according to the wiring diagram, hangs the chandelier and adjusts its height, then fits the bulb and restores the power.