Before you buy a rattan storage unit, check three things: whether the weave is natural rattan or synthetic, what the supporting frame is made from, and where in your home the unit will live. Natural rattan offers warmth and character but dislikes direct sun, damp and very dry heat, while synthetic weaves are tougher and easier to clean. A well made piece pairs either weave with a rigid frame, and you will find both approaches among our modern storage furniture UK.
Get those points right and a rattan cabinet or chest can be one of the most characterful pieces in a room. Get them wrong and it may sag, fade or split sooner than you expect. Here is what to look for.
These words are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things. Rattan is a climbing palm that grows in tropical regions. Its solid stems are strong and flexible, which makes them useful for frames and bent shapes. Cane is the thin outer skin stripped from the rattan stem; it is the glossy material used for the fine open mesh you see on cabinet doors and chair backs.
Wicker is not a material at all. It describes the weaving technique, and wicker furniture can be made from rattan, cane, willow, seagrass, paper cord or synthetic fibres. When a listing says wicker, it is worth checking which material has actually been used.
Synthetic rattan, often made from polyethylene, imitates the look of natural rattan while resisting moisture and fading. It is common on garden furniture and increasingly used indoors for bathroom and utility storage. It lacks some of the subtle variation of natural fibre, but it is more forgiving in demanding rooms.
Most rattan storage units are not woven all the way through. Instead, woven panels are set into a frame of solid wood, engineered board or metal. The frame carries the weight, so it deserves as much attention as the weave.
A solid wood or good quality engineered frame should feel rigid when you press on a corner. Doors should close flush, and hinges should be screwed into the frame rather than into the woven panel. Shelves inside are usually solid board; rattan shelves look charming but are better suited to light objects.
Fully woven pieces, where rattan forms the entire structure, have a lighter, more crafted look. They suit baskets, small side cabinets and occasional storage, but they are less suited to heavy books or crockery.
A good weave is even and tight, with no loose ends visible on the front faces. Run your hand across it: it should feel smooth, without sharp fibres catching on fabric. Where the weave meets the frame, look for neat edging strips that hide the cut ends and stop them unravelling.
Some variation in colour is normal with natural rattan and is part of its appeal. What you should not see are dark patches, which can indicate moisture during storage, or brittle, cracked strands. Synthetic weaves should be uniform in thickness and colour, and the strands should be firmly fixed at every turn.
In living rooms and bedrooms, natural rattan settles in easily. It pairs well with linen, wool and pale timber, and it softens rooms dominated by hard surfaces such as glass coffee tables or tiled floors. Rattan storage looks at home among wider living room furniture UK sale pieces, particularly in rooms with plenty of natural light and plants.
Sunlight is the main thing to watch. Natural rattan gradually lightens and can become brittle if it sits in strong direct sun every day. A spot near a window is fine; a position pressed against a south facing pane is not. Radiators are the other risk. Constant dry heat draws moisture out of the fibres, so leave a gap of at least 30cm between a radiator and any natural rattan piece.
Bathrooms are more challenging. Steam and splashes can cause natural rattan to swell, discolour or grow mould. If you love the look in a bathroom, choose synthetic rattan or a unit where woven panels are used only on doors and the frame is moisture resistant. Our range of bathroom storage units UK includes designs built for humid rooms, which are a safer starting point than a living room cabinet moved into a shower room.
Rattan reads as lighter than solid wood, so a woven cabinet can look smaller than its measurements suggest. Measure the space anyway, including the swing of any doors. Woven doors are often slightly thicker than painted ones, and they need clearance from skirting boards and neighbouring furniture.
Think about what you will store. Open cane mesh lets you glimpse the contents, which is pleasant for folded throws or neatly stacked tableware and less so for chargers and paperwork. Close weaves or solid backed panels hide more. Many people combine a rattan unit with plain storage elsewhere; pairing a woven cabinet with our shelving units UK lets you keep display items on open shelves and practical items behind the weave.
Check the stated load for shelves and drawers. Woven drawer fronts on wooden runners are attractive but can stick in damp weather, so metal runners are worth looking for on pieces you will open daily.
Natural rattan needs gentle, regular care rather than intensive cleaning. Dust it weekly with a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner, working along the direction of the weave. For marks, wipe with a cloth barely dampened in mild soapy water, then dry it thoroughly. Never soak natural rattan, and avoid harsh cleaning sprays.
If the fibres start to look dry, a very light application of furniture wax suited to natural fibres can help, though many pieces are supplied with a protective lacquer that only needs dusting. In very warm, dry rooms, a humidifier or simply some houseplants nearby can slow drying.
Synthetic rattan can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive pads, which can dull the surface.
Rattan is more resilient than it looks, but open weaves can tempt small fingers and cat claws. If you share your home with a scratching cat, a tight synthetic weave or a design with woven panels only at higher levels may be wiser. For families, units with smooth wooden top surfaces are easier to wipe clean than fully woven tops. Our guide to storage furniture for UK homes where children share rooms covers practical storage planning for busy households in more depth.
The risk with rattan is tipping into a themed look. The simplest way to avoid it is to let one woven piece be the textural focus and keep everything around it clean lined. A rattan cabinet beside a plain sofa, a pale rug and a simple floor lamp looks considered. Surround it with several other woven pieces, palm prints and bamboo accessories, and the room starts to feel like a holiday rental.
Colour matters too. Natural honey rattan sits comfortably with warm whites, sage, terracotta pots and oak. Black or dark stained rattan feels more graphic and works well with charcoal, deep green and brass. White painted rattan is lighter and more coastal, which can suit bedrooms and bathrooms.
Accessories can reinforce the look without overwhelming it. A ceramic lamp base, a stack of linen bound books or a single trailing plant on top of a rattan cabinet will draw attention to the weave. Metallic objects in brushed brass or blackened steel add contrast, which stops the natural textures blending into one another.
Finally, give the piece room. Rattan is at its best when the light catches the weave, so avoid wedging it into a dark corner or covering the top with clutter.
We bring together storage in natural and modern materials at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, so you can compare woven and solid designs side by side.
Yes, when the woven panels are set into a rigid wood or metal frame. Fully woven pieces are better for lighter items such as throws, towels and small accessories.
Natural rattan can swell or mark in steamy rooms. Synthetic rattan, or a unit with a moisture resistant frame and good ventilation, is a safer choice for bathrooms.
Dust regularly with a soft brush, wipe marks with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then dry thoroughly. Avoid soaking the fibres or using harsh sprays.
Natural rattan gradually lightens in strong direct sun. Positioning it away from bright windows, or using blinds during the sunniest hours, helps preserve its colour.
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