The return of rattan: Why your wardrobe (and your home) wants cane back

Time of India

13-05-2025

Nandita is among the most respected Interior Designers in Bangalore and is the founder of The Studio by Nandita Manwani - a design & interior -works studio focused exclusively on lifestyle-based Residential Interiors. Nandita's work has featured across various national and international print & digital media. She was recently ranked among the top women interior designers in Bangalore and as one of the top upcoming interior designers in India. Her work has won the Best of Houzz acclaim for the last 3 years in a row and she is recognized amongst the top Interior Designers to follow by the magazine. Curating homes with designs that nurture life and allow families to grow and flourish has been Nandita's passion, much more than just a profession. LESS ... MORE
It's 2025, and your grandparents' furniture just became cooler than your modular flat pack bookshelf. Yes, I am talking about the humble, creaky, once-dismissed rattan and cane furniture that is now storming back into homes with all the grace of a well-aged classic and the flair of a design-literate Instagram influencer.
Once relegated to the dusty corners of the storeroom or mistaken for relics of an outdated aesthetic, rattan and cane are now at the heart of modern interior styling. Especially when it comes to wardrobes, these airy, tactile textures have become both a nostalgic nod and a
bold design choice.
A brief history of Rattan: From pickle storage to Pinterest
Ask anyone over 50 and they'll recall the unmistakable feel of cane chairs, or the rattan-front cabinet that housed decades-old pickle jars and rationed snacks. For a while, such pieces became outdated—pushed aside by sleek, glossy modular furniture with names that
sounded like IKEA pseudonyms.
But design is always cyclical. What was once 'outdated' is now 'vintage', and what was 'basic' is now 'bespoke'.
Rattan and cane are the darlings of this revival—not just because they look good, but because they feel good. Their tactile texture, airy weave, and eco-cred make them irresistible in an era craving warmth, sustainability, and a little soul in our spaces.
The rattan renaissance: What is available in the market today?
With popularity comes options—and confusion. Today, the market is flooded with:
– Raw rattan rolls – pure, natural, and perfect for DIY projects.
– Synthetic rattan – weather-resistant, low maintenance, but a bit too 'plastic' for purists.
– Rattan-textured laminates – all the visual appeal, none of the soul (or breathability).
– Engineered cane panels – crafted to be fuss-free and ready-to-install.
The offerings multiply weekly. It's like a new fashion drop—except it's for your wardrobes.
So, which should you choose for your home?
– If you want authenticity: Go for natural cane or rattan webbing. It brings texture, breathability, and depth.
– If you're afraid of maintenance: Sandwich the cane webbing in glass. Though the Shutter weight will still need to be handled.
– If you want drama without effort: Consider textured laminates or synthetic cane for the visual effect without the upkeep.
Here's a Design Tip: Mix and match! Use real cane for a statement wardrobe or headboard and go plain for secondary cabinets – this will highlight the units and balance the woody, mellow theme.
Where cane & rattan work best
– Wardrobe shutters: A dream combo of style and airflow—especially in warm, humid climates.
– Room dividers & screens: Light filters through them like magic.
– Kitchen cabinets: Not all the Kitchen shutters. Think rattan-front pantries with warm lighting.
– Vanity units: One can bring a spa-like vibe with cane-front drawers.
– Headboards: Though this will sag with time, but it accentuates the warm fulfilling theme right into the bedroom.
What NOT to Do with rattan
– Avoid untreated cane in wet areas.
– Don't overstretch the weave.
– No cheap staples or flimsy frames.
– Say no to synthetic if you crave authenticity.
– Use a sturdy material for the frames, else it will bend – Teak or sheesham Wood works best.
– Don't rattan-ify everything.
The final word: Nature's comeback kid
Rattan shutters aren't just a style statement—they're a cultural return. A small rebellion against flat-pack, modular fatigue. A reminder that textures matter. That furniture can feel as good as it looks.
And in an age where everything's algorithm-generated and factory-made, choosing something that's hand-woven, naturally grown, and beautifully imperfect… feels like a luxury in itself.
So whether you're renovating your home or just replacing that boring wardrobe shutter, consider rattan—not just for its looks, but for the story it brings with it.
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Views expressed above are the author's own.