A rattan wall clock looks best in a dining room when it hangs on the wall the table faces, at a height where it relates to the furniture rather than floating near the ceiling, and when its natural texture is echoed in one or two other pieces such as chairs, a pendant shade or a sideboard. Keep the surrounding palette soft and earthy, give the clock enough clear wall around it, and it will bring a relaxed, sunlit warmth to the room without needing much else.
Rattan has moved well beyond conservatories and garden rooms. Woven into the frame of a wall clock, it adds texture to a flat wall and softens the hard lines of tables and chairs. Dining rooms benefit from that softness more than most rooms, because they are full of legs, edges and hard surfaces. If you are looking for woven and natural designs, our wall clocks UK sale collection includes rattan, wicker, cane and wooden options in a range of sizes. In an open plan home, our living room furniture UK sale range includes occasional pieces that help link the dining and living zones.
Rattan is a climbing palm whose stems are split and woven to make furniture and decorative pieces. As a material, it is light, flexible and full of character. On a wall, it does several useful things.
First, it adds texture without adding weight. A woven frame catches light and shadow in a way that a flat painted wall cannot. Second, it brings warmth. Natural rattan has a golden, honeyed tone that sits comfortably beside timber, linen and terracotta. Third, it introduces an informal note. Dining rooms can tip into formality; rattan reminds everyone that this is a place to relax as well as eat.
Rattan clocks are often generous in diameter because the woven frame extends well beyond the dial. That works well in a dining room, where the clock is usually viewed from a seated position across the table. As a rough guide, on the wall behind a table, choose a clock around a third to half the width of the table. In a smaller dining area, a clock of 40cm to 60cm is often enough.
Tight, close weaves look neat and suit more contemporary rooms. Open, airy weaves feel more relaxed and coastal. Radiating or spoked weaves give a sunburst effect that adds energy to a plain wall.
Many rattan clocks have a plain dial in cream, natural wood or white. A simple face keeps the attention on the weave. If the clock is a practical timekeeper as well as a decorative piece, make sure the hands contrast clearly with the dial so you can read it from the far end of the table.
Natural rattan is the most versatile, but you will also find darker stained and painted versions. A black or dark brown rattan clock looks striking against a pale wall and suits a more graphic, modern scheme.
On the wall the table faces. If your dining table runs parallel to a wall, the end wall or the main long wall opposite the window is usually the best spot. Diners see it naturally, and it becomes part of the view.
Above a sideboard. This is a reliable position because the sideboard anchors the clock and gives you a surface for serving dishes, lamps and decorative objects. Wooden and painted sideboards both pair naturally with a woven clock above.
On a chimney breast. Many period dining rooms have a fireplace. A rattan clock centred on the chimney breast creates a relaxed focal point that feels less formal than a mirror.
In a kitchen diner. In an open plan space, a rattan clock can help define the dining zone. Hang it on the wall nearest the table rather than above the kitchen units, so it reads as part of the dining area.
Height is important. Above a sideboard, leave around 20cm to 30cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the clock. On a bare wall, the centre of the clock should sit slightly above eye level when seated, which is usually lower than people expect.
A rattan clock looks most considered when its texture appears elsewhere in the room, but in moderation.
Dining chairs with cane backs, woven seats or simple wooden frames sit well beneath a rattan clock. Upholstered chairs in linen, boucle or soft cotton blends also work, as they add comfort and balance the textured wall. Our dining chairs UK sale include fabric, wooden and leather designs that complement natural materials.
Avoid matching everything. A rattan clock, rattan chairs, a rattan pendant and a rattan sideboard together can feel themed. Choose one or two woven pieces and let the rest of the room provide contrast.
Light and mid toned timbers, such as oak, ash and acacia, are natural partners for rattan. Painted tables in white or soft grey keep the look fresh. Stone or marble tops add a cooler note that stops the room from becoming too warm overall.
A sideboard is often the piece that sits directly beneath the clock, so its finish matters. Our modern sideboards UK include oak, walnut and painted designs that suit a woven clock. For layout ideas, our guide to styling dining tables with sideboards in UK homes shows how to balance the two largest pieces in the room.
A woven pendant above the table is a common pairing. It works, but consider the distance between the pendant and the clock. If they are close together and very similar in size and shape, they compete. A slimmer, smaller pendant, or one in a contrasting material such as glass or ceramic, often looks better.
Rattan is easy to work with, but certain palettes show it at its best.
One of the quiet strengths of rattan is how easily it shifts with the time of year. In spring and summer, pair the clock with fresh greenery, pale linen napkins and simple glassware, and the room feels light and open to the garden. In autumn and winter, swap in warmer textiles, such as wool throws on the chairs and a heavier runner on the table, and add candlelight. The woven frame picks up that warm glow and makes the room feel snug rather than seasonal. Because the clock itself stays the same, these small changes are enough to refresh the room without redecorating.
A dining room often has more than one wall to dress. If you are using a rattan clock on one wall, a mirror on another helps bounce light around the room, particularly in darker period properties. Our guide to coordinating dining chairs and mirrors in UK dining rooms explores how to balance the two.
Keep artwork on the remaining walls simple. Botanical prints, line drawings or calm abstracts suit the natural feel of rattan. Avoid clustering frames around the clock, as the weave already provides plenty of visual interest.
Humidity. Rattan is a natural material and can be affected by very damp or very dry conditions. Avoid hanging it directly above a radiator or close to a cooker in a kitchen diner.
Cleaning. Dust the weave regularly with a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. Occasionally wipe with a barely damp cloth and allow it to dry fully.
Sunlight. Strong direct sunlight can gradually lighten or dry out natural fibres. If the wall receives full afternoon sun, expect some mellowing over time.
Weight. Rattan clocks are usually light, which makes them easy to hang on most walls. Even so, use a fixing suited to your wall type, particularly on plasterboard.
A rattan wall clock is a simple way to make a dining room feel more welcoming. It adds texture and warmth, softens the room’s hard lines and quietly encourages people to linger at the table. Hang it thoughtfully, echo its texture with restraint and keep the palette calm.
You can browse woven wall clocks alongside dining chairs and sideboards at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Yes. Choose a tight weave or a dark finish, and pair it with clean lined furniture. The texture softens a modern room without making it feel rustic.
Leave around 20cm to 30cm between the top of the sideboard and the bottom of the clock, so the two read as one arrangement.
You can, but vary their size and shape. If they are similar and close together, they compete. A smaller or contrasting pendant often works better.
Dust regularly with a soft brush or vacuum brush attachment. For a deeper clean, wipe with a barely damp cloth and let it dry fully away from direct heat.
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