The Wicker Way

You may have thought that wicker and rattan had their heyday a long time ago, but we think they’re just getting started. The materials are appearing more and more in homeware designs and are frankly rather quite stylish. If you’re a fan of wicker or rattan but are unsure of how to incorporate them into your home, check out a few of these ideas.

‘Nogu Eye-shaped Vintage Rattan Mirror’ from La Redoute

This interestingly shaped mirror frame from La Redoute is a great way to include rattan in a bohemian themed room. There’s a sense of relaxed seventies décor to the piece, and would be a fun and eye-catching piece to have in a bedroom or living room.

A popular way to including wicker or rattan into a design scheme these days is with lighting, which can create a warm and inviting space. The use of Rattan in these shades from Nkuku allows the shape of the lighting to do all the talking, the perfect way to give a seating area a cosy feel.

‘Beru Rattan Lampshades’ from Nkuku

The form of this wicker pendant light from Maison du Monde, shows how the material can be incorporated into a modern, mid-century style home, plus it adds extra drama to a room with its intriguing shadow.

‘Jade Green Wicker Pendant’ from Maison du Monde

To use wicker in a more conventional way, but with a contemporary edge, I love these baskets from Luke Arthur Wells. The space between the reeds gives them a modern feel over a traditionally woven one, perfect for storing bits and bobs in.

‘Basket Nest Set’ from Luke Arthur Wells

I love the aqua frame that’s been added to this rattan bench from Oliver Bonas, giving the design a modern and fresh feel. With the addition of a few cushions it’s a great way to reinvent the wicker chairs and sofas found in conservatories or outdoors.

‘Miroco Rattan Bench’ from Oliver Bonas

Rattan has been given a distressed romantic look with this bedside table from Swoon Editions. The bedside is the perfect companion for a glamorous, vintage-feel bedroom.

‘Albie Bedside Table’ from Swoon Editions

Pair these chairs from Habitat with this bar stool from Rockett St George, for a dramatic black wood and rattan weave combination; which look striking against one another. It’ll add a sense of contemporary rustic feel to a kitchen and dining area.

‘Oregan Black Chair with Natural Cord Seat’ from Habitat

‘Moroccan Natural Black Rattan Bar Stool’ from Rockett St George

If you’re really feeling wild, this flamboyant headboard from La Redoute really packs a punch; perfect if you love glam bohemian style with an impact.

‘Tio Rattan Headbord’ from La Redoute

Wicker and rattan don’t always have to come in large forms of furniture; sometimes the devils in the details, and these home accessories are rather sweet. This glass and carafe from Rose & Grey have a great safari style element to them, giving an ordinary household item an unusual design.

‘Wicker and Glass Cup and Carafe’ from Rose & Grey

These metal wire baskets with some wicker frame detailing a super sweet combination of rustic and industrial style. Great for storing food in the kitchen, or documents in the study.

‘Koba Bowl Square’ from Nkuku

Keep your laundry somewhere stylish with one of these colourful baskets from Maison du Monde, which are a great way to add a little fun to a bedroom.

‘Wicker Baskets in Yellow and Green’ from Maison du Monde

Big or small, wicker is an adaptable material to use in your home, working with all sorts of themes. Whether you want to dress up a bedroom, or storage area, or add some new lighting, there are some fun and interesting ways to include wicker and rattan to your home.

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Pretty Useful

When it comes to de-cluttering we often think of having to bid a sad farewell to much loved items that are taking up space, or ditching that hefty stack of ‘things’ that are gathering dust that we can’t bear to throw away just yet. But actually, we can de-clutter in a way that skirts around having to make some Sophie’s choice kind of decisions, where you can keep almost everything as well as decorating your home by replacing a pile for stuff with a beautiful home accessory or storage unit. I’ve selected some gloriously nifty accessories that’ll show you can have style and substance.

‘Three Copper Trunks’ from Barker and Stonehouse

In my household, no matter how much we tidy and detox the house there is always a never-ending accumulation of things lying around and forming piles, all of which unfortunately is needed and can’t be tossed away. So instead of having unsightly clutter everywhere, purchasing something like these copper trunks is the perfect solution. On the outside they can be used as a feature or decorative piece in a room, but on the inside they can be filled with you secret stash of clutter!

A beautiful log burning fireplace can really capture the eye when entering a room, and there is no need for your log storage to be any different. This log holder from Cox & Cox acts almost as a frame, turning a pile of logs into something of an art piece.

‘Iron Log Holder’ from Cox & Cox

The same can also be said for your fruit and veg! You can add an instant pop of colour to you kitchen or pantry by using something like these wire baskets. Not only are they an easy and useful storage solution but they’re also a nice, simple attractive piece to give your kitchen a splash of character.

‘Wire Tier Basket’ from Cox & Cox

If you’re tired of seeing food packaging littering your kitchen, a few nifty jars and pots will sort that right out! For displaying teabags or whatever you fancy in a sweet way this Graham and Green jar with a pretty bear feature on top is rather lovely.

‘Glass Pot with Bear’ from Graham and Green

For more of a contemporary style, these jars from Skandium are just the ticket. These Palet storage jar were originally designed by Michael Bang in 1969 for Holmegaad, which have been relaunched this year in new colours and sizes. They’ll make a fantastic edition to a modern style kitchen.

‘Palet Storage Jars’ from Skandium

Baskets can be used for just about anything, socks, magazines, towels or even laundry, and whatever your style there’s always something to suit you. I love these two wicker baskets from Graham and Green and Rockett St George, both are super stylish and suitable for all sorts of storage needs.

‘Wicker Baskets’ from Graham and Green

‘Sequin and Wicker Baskets’ from Rockett St George

For something with a little humour, as well as a handy aspect, this adorable post holder from Anthropologie is ideal. It’s a sweet and easy way to add some character to a hallway or side table whilst still be useful.

‘Dachshund Letter Holder’ from Anthropologie

‘Wooden Crate Bathroom Cabinet’ from Not on the High Street

This crate style storage unit is ideal if you’re into the industrial style, it’ll work perfectly for storing anything you can think of! For an interesting look, buy two and use one vertically and the other horizontally to not only create an attractive feature in your home but utilise the storage space.

There’s so many amazing storage and organiser solutions out there that even the worst culprits will be able to turn their hoarder’s hell into a clutter-less haven!

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