Interior Trends 2017: Rattan — Manchester Lifestyle Blog

I thought it was only recently that I developed a love of rattan (and bamboo and wicker, while we're at it) but it appears, after being donated my childhood rattan armchair from my mum and dad, that it started many year's ago. The chair used to be in my bedroom when I was little and it instantly evoked memories of me keeping my dolls on it like a throne when I was a kid. I currently don't have much use for it, but of course with my new love of rattan I can't possibly get rid of it, so it's in the spare room amidst lots of other useless items that I don't seem to be able to part with.

...My childhood vintage rattan chair

After moving to Manchester last year, I have rediscovered my love of charity shops and finding a bargain (in London charity shops there was never such a thing as a 'bargain') and in our local village alone, there are 5 charity shops. Each time I visit these days, I normally come back with something and more often than not recently, this purchase has been made out of rattan. Clearly unlike myself, the people living in our village are not a fan of rattan, but I bet they'll be kicking themselves when they see just how much of a trend it's becoming for 2017. Whilst eagerly shoving rattan tables and chairs into the boot of my car, I myself didn't realise I was ahead of the game, purchasing one of the big interior trends of the year.

...A rattan side table I bought at Stockport's Vintage Emporium for £12.

... A rattan table from my local charity shop for £9.99

My love of rattan does not just stop in the world of vintage and retro as I also bought a few high-street pieces last year, including this Ilse Crawford for Ikea light; which I had to go to Ikea especially to buy as I could not stop thinking about it, Homesense laundry basket and Ikea Sundnes bed, which I bought second hand for a budget-friendly £35.

As you can see, rattan began to feature in some high-street stores last year but it really is going to hit stores in a big way this year. The great thing about rattan is that it is really versatile and is something that can easily be slotted into every room in your home; from the bathroom to the kitchen to the bedroom, and it's also a style of furniture that can be utilised as much indoors as it can outside in the garden. It is a look that works well in homes mixing both modern and retro and it can also be easily slotted into another big trend this year; Safari Jungle, working perfectly within a tropical style decor. It also doesn't seem to date but if you do ever get bored of it, you can spray paint rattan easily enough.

Spray painted vintage rattan nest of tables

... Copper and gold spray painted nest of rattan tables bought at Stockport's Vintage Emporium for £10.

One of the most exciting ranges to come this year for me is the new limited edition Jassa range at Ikea, which I absolutely love. The range, inspired by Indonesia and South Asia, features curvy natural-fibre furniture (hint hint, rattan) along with hand-woven baskets and vibrantly coloured textiles and is available to buy from next month. I have selected my favourite picks of the range below and I would really like to buy ALL of it.

If you're not as lucky as me and you don't discover any rattan buys in your local charity shop or antique markets, and you can't wait until next month when Ikea's Jassa range goes in-store, then fear not, as there are plenty of other rattan options on the high street. Here are some of my favourite buys.