The natural chandelier, the light of plant fibers
Key takeaways:
- A natural chandelier is a ceiling light fixture, pendant light or decorative ceiling light, whose rattan, bamboo, wood, straw or paper shade filters the light and warms the room.
- The most useful criterion is the material: rattan for a bohemian feel, bamboo for large, light volumes, pleated paper for a clean look, always in a dry room.
- Mounting and wiring should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, with an LED bulb that gives off little heat, and care comes down to regular dusting with a soft brush.
A natural chandelier is a ceiling light fixture whose shade is made of a plant-based material, such as rattan, bamboo, wood, esparto, straw, raffia or jute. Woven, knotted or pleated, these materials let the light filter through and draw soft, shifting shadows on the ceiling and walls, with a texture and a warmth that metal or glass do not offer.
This Lustria selection brings together chandeliers, pendant lights and ceiling lights in natural fibers or with a natural inspiration: rattan domes and drops, woven bamboo in organic shapes, cane webbing, wicker, light wood, large woven nets and pleated balls. They provide a soft light and a discreet elegance, and the exact composition of each model is listed on its product page. To see all of our models, browse our chandelier collection.
The strengths of natural chandeliers
The first strength of a natural chandelier lies in its look: the fiber brings relief, a warm tone and an organic pattern. Lit, it softens the light and, when switched off, it remains a decorative object that feels almost alive, bringing a touch of nature to the room.
These light fixtures also come in a wide range of styles, from rustic to Scandinavian and chic bohemian. Bamboo and wood, both light and sturdy, last a long time when cared for properly, and each weave, with its slight irregularities, gives the light fixture a singular look.
One material, one mood
The rattan chandelier: bohemian elegance and versatility
Rattan gives soft shapes and a bohemian look. Available as a dome, a drop or a cage, our rattan chandeliers are particularly suited to living rooms and bedrooms where a cozy atmosphere is desired.
Its honey tone fits as easily into a modern decor as into a rustic interior. Close to rattan, wicker and cane webbing offer tighter weaves, which project a regular pattern of shadow and light onto the walls.
The bamboo pendant light: lightness and warmth
Bamboo, a light and sturdy material, is highly valued for natural light fixtures, because it allows large, airy volumes. A bamboo pendant light gives a natural, soft lighting, while bringing a warm touch to the interior.
Its structure, often woven from thin slats, plays with the light to create play of shadows on the walls and ceiling. Wood, in slats or rings, gives a crisper look, found among our wooden chandeliers.
Plant fibers: straw, raffia, jute and paper
Chandeliers in straw, raffia or paper rope suit an original decor, with a more rustic or tropical touch. These materials are particularly suited to spaces that call for soft lighting and a relaxing atmosphere, such as a bedroom or a reading nook, and their pattern blends with bohemian and ethnic interiors.
Pleated paper, for its part, offers a clean look, in a Japanese or Scandinavian spirit, and some feather models create a soft, vaporous effect. With our paper chandeliers, only an LED bulb, which gives off little heat, is suitable.
| Material | Look | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Rattan | Soft shapes, openwork weave | Bohemian, warm |
| Bamboo | Large, light and airy volumes | Natural, exotic |
| Wood | Clean lines, slats or rings | Rustic, Scandinavian |
| Straw, raffia, jute | Raw texture, subdued light | Bohemian, tropical |
| Pleated paper | Diffused, even light | Clean, Japanese |
How to choose the ideal natural chandelier for your interior?
Two points deserve your attention before ordering: the proportions of the light fixture and its bulb.
The key criteria for a successful purchase
Take into account the size of the room, the ceiling height and the style of your decor. A rattan or bamboo chandelier naturally finds its place in a large space, such as a living room, whereas a natural wall sconce, with a straw shade for example, is enough to light a bedroom.
Under a low ceiling, a natural ceiling light, mounted flush with the ceiling, leaves the passage clear: check the total height of the light fixture on its product page.
Customizing the lighting with the right bulb
For warm lighting and moderate consumption, choose an LED bulb with a soft light, in warm white, that is 2700 to 3000 K. Check that its base matches the lamp holder of the chandelier and respect the maximum wattage shown on the product page, because natural fibers must never be exposed to strong heat.
Some pendant lights have an adjustable cable, which can be adjusted at installation to suit different ceiling heights. If the chandelier is controlled by a dimmer, finally make sure the bulb is marked "dimmable".
Where to install a natural chandelier
Living room, dining room or bedroom: natural fibers feel at home in all the dry rooms of the house.
In the living room: the centerpiece of the decor
A rattan or bamboo chandelier can transform the living room into a welcoming, warm space. Placed above the coffee table or in the center of the room, a large woven living room chandelier becomes the focal point of the decor.
Complete it with a lower source, for example a natural floor lamp near the sofa, which simply plugs into an outlet: the light is then spread over several levels.
In the dining room: a convivial atmosphere
Above the table, choose a plant-fiber pendant light, a rattan dome or a cascade of fibers, which lights the meal and creates a convivial atmosphere. It highlights the natural elements of the decor, such as a raw wood table.
The usual guideline is to leave 75 to 90 cm between the bottom of the pendant light and the tabletop, to light without causing glare. Above a long table, two aligned dining room chandeliers spread the light better than a single one.
In a bedroom: soothing lighting
A straw or rattan shade, a pleated ball or a raffia pendant light give a subdued light, ideal in a bedroom. This type of light fixture creates a soothing atmosphere, well suited to a room devoted to rest.
Among our bedroom chandeliers, prefer a dense weave, which softens the light more and avoids dazzling you when lying down.
Kitchen and wet rooms: precautions
Natural fibers do not tolerate humidity and heat well: reserve them for dry rooms and, in a kitchen, place them above the table, at a good distance from the cooktop and its steam.
In a bathroom, where standard NF C 15-100 defines safety zones and requires an IP rating of IP44 at minimum, look instead, among our bathroom chandeliers, for a model designed for this use, whose IP rating is shown on the product page.
Matching a natural chandelier with your decor
Natural fibers go well with raw wood, linen, terracotta, ceramic and plants. In a white, clean interior, they bring warmth and texture, and a Scandinavian chandelier in light wood or paper blends in effortlessly. A light of warm tone brings out their color and their relief.
With their natural materials and organic lines, these chandeliers create a welcoming, elegant atmosphere that fits as well into a contemporary decor as into a rustic interior. Paired with black, the fibers take on a more graphic look: a model combining dark metal and rattan brings a note of authenticity to a workshop-style living room, in line with our industrial chandeliers.
Installation, safety and maintenance
Installing and cleaning a natural chandelier follow a few simple rules.
An installation to entrust to a qualified electrician
A chandelier connects to the electrical network: entrust its mounting and wiring to a qualified electrician, who follows the manufacturer's instructions and checks that the support can bear the weight indicated on the product page, especially for a large model with several lights.
These light fixtures are intended for indoor use, in dry rooms, and are not installed outdoors. Once the chandelier is in place, all that remains is to screw in a suitable LED bulb.
The right way to clean your light fixture
Before any cleaning, turn off the power and let the bulb cool. Then dust the chandelier regularly while dry, with a soft brush, a feather duster or a soft cloth.
On a stubborn mark, a barely damp cloth, with a little mild soap diluted in lukewarm water if needed, can be wiped over the wood or the smooth parts, without soaking the fiber or going near the lamp holder. Avoid harsh chemicals, which damage plant fibers as well as wood.
Preserving your chandelier over time
Protect your light fixture from variations in humidity and temperature, which damage natural materials: avoid the immediate vicinity of a radiator or a source of steam.
When dust builds up in the joints of the weave, a brush or a vacuum cleaner fitted with a soft attachment allows for meticulous cleaning, without pulling on the strands.
Where to find a natural chandelier?
Lustria offers a wide range of natural chandeliers and pendant lights. Each product page specifies the dimensions, materials, base type and price, which makes it possible to compare models before choosing.
Start from the material or the room to be lit and, if you hesitate between two sizes, our customer service will answer your questions.
Frequently asked questions about natural chandeliers
The answers to the most common questions before choosing.
What is a natural chandelier?
It is a pendant light or ceiling light whose shade is made of a natural material, such as bamboo, wood, esparto or raffia. Most often woven, these materials bring an ethnic note and authenticity to the decor.
Thanks to their varied shapes, these light fixtures create a warm atmosphere in a living room, a bedroom or a kitchen.
What are the advantages of chandeliers in natural materials?
They combine a sturdy material, a singular style and great ease of decorating. Bamboo and esparto, well maintained, last a long time, and each model, in jute, palm or rattan, brings a natural, current touch.
Their woven lines blend effortlessly into a bohemian decor as well as a modern interior.
How do I choose the right natural chandelier for my interior?
By matching its size, material and style to the room. A rattan shade suits a medium-sized space, whereas a large room can take a wider chandelier, complemented by a wooden floor lamp.
Bamboo gives an exotic touch, raffia a cozy atmosphere, and a black metal model highlighted with esparto suits an industrial decor.
Which material for which mood?
Rattan for a bohemian feel, bamboo for large, light volumes, pleated paper for a clean look, feathers for a vaporous effect.
Wood brings a rustic touch, esparto and rattan an elegant woven finish, jute and palm a bohemian atmosphere, and the combination of metal and fabric a more contemporary look.
Are natural chandeliers suitable for every room?
For all dry rooms, yes. In the living room, a vintage-style wooden pendant light creates a welcoming atmosphere, and in the bedroom, woven rattan softens the light.
In the kitchen, a bamboo shade lights the table well, away from the cooktop. Only the bathroom calls for a light fixture designed for wet rooms.
Can a natural fiber chandelier be installed in a bathroom?
No, natural fibers do not tolerate humidity well. Reserve them for dry rooms.
In a bathroom, standard NF C 15-100 requires an IP44 rating at minimum: only a light fixture designed for this use, whose IP rating is shown on the product page, can be installed there by a qualified electrician.
Are natural pendant lights easy to install?
Their light weight simplifies installation, but the wiring should still be entrusted to a qualified electrician. They fix the pendant light to the ceiling, adjust the cable length when it is adjustable and follow the supplied instructions.
All that remains for you is to screw in a suitable bulb, preferably a soft-light LED.
Which bulb for a fiber chandelier?
An LED that gives off little heat, in a warm tone, within the wattage limit shown on the product page.
A warm white of 2700 to 3000 K brings out the honey color of rattan or bamboo. Check the base before buying and, on a dimmer, choose a "dimmable" bulb.
Which decor styles go with a natural chandelier?
Almost all, from bohemian to contemporary. Plant fibers such as jute signal a bohemian decor, and wood sets a rustic, warm atmosphere, which a matching floor lamp gladly extends.
In a contemporary interior, prefer a model that combines black metal and rattan, with a more graphic design.
How do I maintain a natural chandelier?
With the power off, dust it regularly with a soft brush or a feather duster, without water or products.
Only a stain on the wood or on a smooth part justifies a barely damp soft cloth, with a little mild soap, never a harsh chemical. Finally, keep rattan and bamboo away from humidity.