Rattan Furniture Inspiration That Proves It Will Never Go Out of Style

 "I wanted the area to just seem collected with no specific style," says designer Ellen Kavanaugh, of her Wellington, Florida, ranch home's living room. A vintage Paul T. Frankl rattan chair and vibrant floral sofa ground the room in Old Florida whimsy.

We called our 2019 Idea House on Crane Island, Florida, "the ultimate Southern dream home" based off spaces like this positively soothing screen porch area. The addition of a fireplace makes this outdoor den livable year-round, and a cozy rattan set is the perfect place to sink in.

This Watercolor, Florida, home is a masterclass in neutral paint colors. In the kitchen, natural elements like rattan barstools and woven window coverings pair beautifully with green-gray cabinets and shiplap walls.

Throughout this 1931 Dallas home, cheery hues meet timeless style. Designers from beloved brand Madre used a beachy green fabric and rattan furniture to define this sunroom space in an open layout.

Designer Emily Painter brightened up a brown, tired Palm Beach, Florida, rental and turned it into a true island escape. "You can't come to Palm Beach without encountering rattan," she says. This rolling bar cart was a vintage find.

When New Orleans designer Grace Kaynor was entrusted with warming up the interior of a 100-year-old Pass Christian, Mississippi, pink beach cottage, she knew she wanted to honor the natural wood walls, floors, and ceilings. Those rich bones would need casually elegant furniture and décor. "We purchased a new rattan daybed with plans to re-cover its tufted mattress and add our own custom bolsters and accent pillows," says Kaynor. "The more polished embroidered fabric we chose gave the piece the über-custom look we desired."

Editor in Chief Sid Evans turned a small, underused porch into the ideal spot to sip an afternoon cocktail or read a book. The 130-square-foot space couldn't fit a full dining table or sofa, so he chose four chairs with leather-wrapped rattan fretwork "that remind me of an old fishing camp" and arranged them in a conversation-friendly circle.

"I wanted it to feel like a true tropical getaway," says designer Emily Painter of the guest bedroom in her remodeled Palm Beach, Florida, rental. There's no quicker way to set the scene for a seaside snooze than with a coat of coral paint (in Benjamin Moore's Salmon Peach) and a vintage rattan canopy bed.

In an otherwise bright and patterned Dallas home, the calming white and blue kitchen offers a soothing breather. "A kitchen creates its own clutter, so it's nice to keep the look clean," says designer Mia Brous. Rattan and plastic combine into an easy-to-wipe-down barstool that bumps up the texture in the room.

"The rattan furniture is from my mom's collection of 'good stuff.' I redid the cushions in a Sunbrella fabric, so we're not dragging them in and out of the weather," says Haile McCollum, who revived a tired, old beach cottage in St. Teresa, Florida with her "white paint strategy" and a mix of vintage treasures like this set.

Designer Sarah Bartholomew showed us how to master classic Georgian style with the design in this timeless home. In a living room that's otherwise on the dressier side, a pair of rattan club chairs next to a bay window create a sunroom-like moment.

Designer Ellen Kavanaugh's Wellington, Florida, ranch-style home celebrates Old Florida charm in every corner, starting with the cozy entry. She defined the space with a clear cypress ceiling with a limewash finish, a gift from her father who owns Florida Cypress Wood Products. An ornate mirror and rattan bench provide a perfect blend of high-and-low that sets the tone for the entire house.

In a neutral Watercolor, Florida, home that's full of design inspiration, one of our favorite spots is the sitting area off the main bedroom. A vintage rattan chair found on Etsy for a steal adds a bit of beachy whimsy to an otherwise feminine, elevated space.

A well-stocked (and stylish) bar cart is a sure sign of a good host. Because it's sturdy, rattan is a great material for a bar cart. Additions like wheels, bottle holders, and multiple shelves are practical and pretty. Now all you need is our editor-approved advice for styling your perfect bar cart. 

Interior designer Andrew Howard decked his Cape Cod-style Jacksonville, Florida, home out in big doses of color and bold patterns, which isn't a secret in the guest room. A vintage rattan four-poster bed and side table are just quirky enough to play well with an exuberant wallpaper and ceiling paint color.

This playroom from our 2019 Idea House on Crane Island, Florida, isn't just meant for the kids. Game tables with acrylic tops can be used for working, playing, or dining. Botanical prints and rattan and bamboo chairs keep the look coastal.

Accessories designer Winslett Watson didn't take any shortcuts when creating her family's dream farmhouse on Georgia's Vernon River, but that doesn't mean every aspect was a splurge. The bamboo and rattan pieces on the back porch were inherited from her great-aunt and reupholstered with hardy outdoor fabric, and she grabbed the table at a thrift sale for $10. "This is truly our 'den,' " Winslett says. "We live here, especially around the fireplace."

Our 2017 Idea House in Bald Head Island, North Carolina, is the ultimate dream beach house. And no Southern home on the water is complete without a sleeping porch, right? This one uses a fantastical combination of natural rattan furniture and bright colors.

Everything is bigger in Texas, including our biggest before and after of all time, the 2018 Idea House. "When it's too hot to be outside in Austin, people still want to be in sun-filled areas," says designer Meredith Ellis, who conceptualized this room to mimic being on vacation. "It's also the place where you can sit and have a drink after the kids are in bed." Dark rattan furniture and natural fabrics work to create that getaway vibe.

This 100-year-old Pass Christian, Mississippi, beach cottage is full of spots to sit a spell. The best seat in the house just might be this rattan rocker, placed ever-so-conveniently next to the sideboard that serves as a bar.