This Autumn, green is continuing to have its moment in interior décor with Pinterest’s autumn trends report revealing that searches for ‘Green home decor’ are up +2670% and searches for ‘Forest green house’ have increased by +220%. The report has also revealed that ‘Harmonious Japanese style’ will be popular this autumn. The principles of Japanese design include incorporating natural materials like rattan and wood, and utilising a neutral colour palette.
2024 has seen a shift towards embracing imperfections in interiors, with four-fifths (83%) of Brits agreeing that a home should be styled with natural elements in mind, rather than being ‘polished’, ‘perfect’ and ‘refined’. Interior designers are embracing this through the use of natural materials and colour schemes that reflect an earthy, warm colour palette. Pinterest searches for ‘earthy home’ are up 30% month-on-month, and up 200% year-on-year.
Alongside the increased interest in creating an earthy and calming environment in the home, ‘rattan furniture’ and ‘rattan’ more generally is on the rise, clocking up 19K and 34k Google searches in the UK in the past month alone.
Weighing in on why rattan is making its triumphant return as an interiors main stay, Ali Edwards, Head of Design at online furniture retailer MADE explains how to incorporate rattan into your home, as well as giving the lowdown on which colour schemes work best.
The shift towards a natural aesthetic:
Ali explains: “Rattan is showing us it’s here to stay by quickly becoming the new neutral in many people’s homes. It has the versatility to blend with other pieces as easily as oak furniture and is the ideal way to add a tactile material into your living space – making it cosy and comfortable.”
Styling rattan furniture:
Almost two thirds of Brits (59%) have a soft spot for rattan furniture, however less than half (49%) feel confident in how to style it.
“The best way to make a statement with rattan is through large furniture pieces, like a rattan sideboard, cabinet or even a headboard.”
“To embrace the 70’s roots of rattan, opt for chairs, coffee tables or dining sets in the style, and dress with softer accents like velvet cushions or a boucle throw. These larger pieces are also perfectly complemented by colours such as terracotta, buttery yellows and olive green, or deep coffee hues.
“When it comes to accessorising larger pieces, choose statement shapes in solid colours to avoid the area looking messy, and try to use a range of varying heights and playful shapes to create depth.”
Accents of rattan:
“If you live in pre-furnished accommodation or are not in a position to replace your larger pieces of furniture, there are still ways to embrace the rattan trend by introducing smaller interior features.
“Lighting is a great way to embrace rattan, as it often impacts the whole room by dispersing delicate patterns of light across the space.”
Autumnal colour schemes:
- Greens
“Warm-toned shades complement rattan furniture as both elements exude a warm, cosy feel . A fail-safe combination is an olive green paint, styled with accents of white, stone and other natural materials, to create a relaxing space that feels grounded in the natural environment.
- Warm earth tones
“Rattan is an earthy material and colour, which means you can’t go wrong when styling it with most other organic shades. Rich terracotta or clay shades create a curated atmosphere, while lighter creams, peaches and oatmeal tones offer a refreshing autumnal feeling – helping to make a room feel more spacious and airy.”
Complementary patterns & artwork:
“Rattan furniture’s intricate structure creates the same visual impact as a printed pattern, and it’s important to consider which patterns you place nearby, to avoid an overload of focal points in a small space.
“For rattan chairs, keep the accompanying soft furnishings simple and opt for a statement rug in a two-toned pattern or monochromatic colour scheme.”
For those looking to introduce rattan into their home, check out MADE’s wide range of rattan ceiling lights, indoor furniture and garden furniture.
