A rattan accent chair is a warm, light, natural chair that can make a small living room feel softer and more inviting, without taking up much space. It suits a small room, because it is usually lighter and more open than a heavy armchair, and it lets light and air through, so the room does not feel crowded. Here is how to style a rattan accent chair in a small living room, where to place it, what to pair it with, and how to keep the room calm.
Key takeaways
- A rattan accent chair works best as one statement chair, not a pair, in a small living room, so the room does not feel crowded.
- Place the chair at an angle, or in a corner, where it can be used for reading, without blocking a walkway or a door.
- Pair rattan with plain cushions, a small side table, and a plant, so the chair stands out, without competing with many patterns.
- Natural rattan suits warm wood, cream walls, and earth tones. Painted rattan suits a light room, or a room with a colour accent.
- Rattan is not a heavy, everyday dining chair, or a chair for very heavy use, unless it is made for that purpose. Check the weight limit and care instructions.
1. Why Rattan Suits a Small Living Room
Rattan suits a small living room, because it is light, open, and natural. A rattan chair, with an open weave, lets light through, so it does not block a room visually, in the way a solid, upholstered armchair can. It also feels warm, because rattan is a natural material, with a warm, honey colour, and it pairs well with wooden furniture, plants, and natural textiles.
A rattan accent chair is also versatile, because it can be used as a reading chair, a conversation chair, or a chair for guests, without needing a whole new furniture set. In a small room, one good chair, placed well, is better than two chairs that crowd the room, so choose one rattan accent chair, and style it well, rather than filling the room with chairs.
Rattan is not the best choice for every room, however. It is not a heavy, everyday dining chair, and it is not a chair for very heavy use, unless it is made for that purpose. Check the weight limit, and the care instructions, before you buy, and use a cushion, if the chair seat is hard, so it is comfortable for sitting.
2. Choosing a Rattan Accent Chair
Rattan accent chairs come in different shapes, from a simple armchair, to a peacock chair, to a tub chair, to a rocking chair. For a small living room, a simple armchair, or a tub chair, is the safest choice, because it is compact, with a clear shape, and it does not take up much floor space. A peacock chair, with a tall, fan-shaped back, can be beautiful, but it needs more wall space, and it can dominate a small room, so use it only if you have a clear wall and a calm room.
Natural rattan, in light honey or tan, suits a warm room, with wooden furniture and earth tones. Dark-stained rattan, in walnut or espresso, suits a room with dark wood or black accents, and it looks more formal. Painted rattan, in white, cream, or a soft colour, suits a light room, or a room with a colour accent, and it can make a small room feel brighter.
Check the chair size before you buy, by measuring the space where it will go, and by checking the chair dimensions, especially the width and depth. A chair that is 28 to 32 inches wide, and 30 to 34 inches deep, is a good size for a small living room, because it is comfortable, without taking up too much floor. A chair much larger will crowd the room, and a chair much smaller will feel like a child’s chair.
3. Where to Place a Rattan Accent Chair
Place a rattan accent chair where it can be used, without blocking a walkway, a door, or a window. A corner, at an angle, is a good place, because it creates a reading nook, without taking up the centre of the room, and it lets you face the sofa or the window, depending on the angle.
A chair beside a window, facing into the room, is another good place, because it gets natural light for reading, and it does not block the window, because rattan is open and light. A chair opposite a sofa, with a small side table between them, creates a conversation area, without needing a whole new seating set, and it works well in a small room, if the distance is comfortable, about 36 to 48 inches between chair and sofa.
Avoid placing a rattan chair in the middle of a walkway, or directly in front of a door, because it will block movement, and it will feel in the way, rather than inviting. Leave at least 24 inches of walkway, around the chair, so you can pass easily, and so the chair does not feel cramped.
4. What to Pair With a Rattan Chair
Pair a rattan accent chair with plain cushions, a small side table, and a plant, so the chair stands out, without competing with many patterns. A plain cushion, in cream, sage, or terracotta, on a rattan chair, adds comfort and colour, without hiding the rattan weave, and it can be changed seasonally, for a fresh look.
A small side table, in wood or rattan, beside the chair, gives a place for a book, a cup, or a lamp, and it makes the chair feel like a real seating area, rather than a chair alone in a corner. Keep the side table small, about 16 to 20 inches wide, so it does not crowd the chair, and so the room stays calm.
A plant, beside the chair, or on the side table, adds life and green, and it suits rattan, because both are natural materials. A small potted plant, or a trailing plant, is enough, in a small room, rather than a large plant that competes with the chair. A throw, over the chair arm, in a plain colour, adds warmth, without hiding the rattan.
5. Rattan Chair Styling by Room Style
For a boho living room, a natural rattan chair, with a patterned cushion, in earth tones, and a woven basket, beside it, suits the room well, because boho rooms use natural materials and warm colours. Keep the rest of the room calm, so the chair does not compete with many other patterns.
For a coastal living room, a painted rattan chair, in white or cream, with a plain blue or sage cushion, and a light wooden side table, suits the room well, because coastal rooms use light colours and natural materials. A plant, in a ceramic pot, beside the chair, adds a coastal feeling, without clutter.
For a modern living room, a dark-stained rattan chair, with a plain cushion, in black, grey, or cream, and a simple side table, in black metal or dark wood, suits the room well, because modern rooms use clean lines and limited colours. Rattan adds warmth to a modern room, without making it feel rustic, if the cushions and table are simple.
6. Small-Room Layouts With a Rattan Chair
Here are three small-room layouts, with a rattan accent chair, that work well.
Layout 1, corner reading nook: place the rattan chair in a corner, at an angle, with a small side table and a lamp, beside it, and a plant, nearby. This layout creates a reading nook, without taking up the centre of the room, and it works well if you have a corner that is not used.
Layout 2, conversation pair: place the rattan chair opposite a sofa, with a small coffee table or side table, between them, about 36 to 48 inches apart. This layout creates a conversation area, without needing a second sofa, and it works well if you have a small living room, with a sofa on one wall.
Layout 3, window chair: place the rattan chair beside a window, facing into the room, with a small side table, beside it, and a plant, nearby. This layout gets natural light for reading, and it does not block the window, because rattan is open and light. It works well if you have a window that is not used for a sofa.
In all three layouts, leave at least 24 inches of walkway, around the chair, so you can pass easily, and so the room does not feel cramped.
7. Care: Cleaning, Sun, and Wear
Care for rattan by dusting it regularly, with a dry cloth or a feather duster, and by wiping it with a damp cloth, if it gets dusty. Do not soak rattan, or use harsh chemicals, because rattan can swell, warp, or crack, with too much water or harsh cleaners. If rattan gets wet, dry it promptly, away from strong heat, so it does not warp.
Keep rattan away from very strong, direct sunlight for long periods, if you can, because sun can dry and fade rattan, over time, and it can make it brittle. Rotate cushions occasionally, so wear is even, and check the chair joints, periodically, so loose joints can be tightened, before they break.
If rattan starts to look dry, a small amount of furniture oil, or a rattan care product, following the maker’s instructions, can help, but do not over-oil, because it can make rattan sticky. For a valuable or antique rattan chair, a furniture restorer, or a maker, is a better choice than a home remedy.
8. Budget and Buying Tips
Rattan accent chairs vary in price, depending on size, quality, and whether they are handmade or mass-produced. A simple, mass-produced rattan chair, in a standard size, is usually the most affordable option, and it can look good, if the weave is even and the frame is sturdy. A handmade rattan chair, made by a named maker or workshop, is usually more expensive, but it carries a story and a skill, and it supports the maker directly.
When buying, check the chair in person, if you can, or check the dimensions, weight limit, and care instructions, if you buy online. Sit in the chair, if you can, to check comfort, and check the joints, for sturdiness, because a wobbly chair will not last. If buying online, read reviews, and check the return policy, so you can return the chair, if it does not fit or feel right.
For a small living room, one good rattan accent chair, styled well, is better than two cheap chairs that crowd the room. Save where you can, on cushions and accessories, which can be changed, and spend on the chair itself, which is the main piece, and which should last.
What to Avoid
- Do not buy a rattan chair that is too large for the room, because it will crowd the space, and it will feel in the way, rather than inviting.
- Do not place a rattan chair in a walkway, or directly in front of a door, because it will block movement.
- Do not use many bold patterns with a rattan chair at once, because the chair will compete with them, and the room will feel busy.
- Do not soak rattan, or use harsh chemicals, because rattan can swell, warp, or crack.
- Do not use a rattan chair for very heavy, everyday use, unless it is made for that purpose. Check the weight limit.
- Do not leave rattan in very strong, direct sunlight for long periods, because it can dry and fade.
Conclusion
A rattan accent chair is a warm, light, natural chair that suits a small living room well, because it is open and light, it lets light through, and it does not crowd the room, in the way a heavy armchair can. Choose one chair, in a size that fits the room, about 28 to 32 inches wide, and place it at an angle in a corner, beside a window, or opposite a sofa, with at least 24 inches of walkway around it. Pair it with plain cushions, a small side table, and a plant, so the chair stands out, without competing with many patterns, and care for it gently, by dusting and wiping, away from strong sun and harsh chemicals, so it lasts. One good rattan accent chair, styled well, is enough to make a small living room feel softer, warmer, and more inviting.
FAQs
Where should I place a rattan accent chair in a small living room?
Place it at an angle in a corner, beside a window, or opposite a sofa, where it can be used for reading or conversation, without blocking a walkway or a door. Leave at least 24 inches of walkway around the chair, so you can pass easily, and so the room does not feel cramped.
What size rattan accent chair suits a small living room?
A chair about 28 to 32 inches wide, and 30 to 34 inches deep, is a good size for a small living room, because it is comfortable, without taking up too much floor. Measure the space before you buy, and check the chair dimensions, so it fits the corner or wall where it will go.
What should I pair with a rattan accent chair?
Pair it with plain cushions, in cream, sage, or terracotta, a small side table, in wood or rattan, about 16 to 20 inches wide, and a plant, beside the chair. A throw, over the chair arm, in a plain colour, adds warmth, without hiding the rattan weave.
How do I clean a rattan accent chair?
Dust it regularly with a dry cloth or feather duster, and wipe it with a damp cloth if it gets dusty. Do not soak rattan, or use harsh chemicals, because rattan can swell, warp, or crack. If rattan gets wet, dry it promptly, away from strong heat.
Is a rattan accent chair comfortable for everyday use?
A rattan chair can be comfortable, with a good cushion, for reading and conversation, but it is not a heavy, everyday dining chair, or a chair for very heavy use, unless it is made for that purpose. Check the weight limit and care instructions, and use a cushion, if the seat is hard.
Can I use a rattan accent chair in a modern living room?
Yes, a dark-stained rattan chair, with plain cushions, in black, grey, or cream, and a simple side table, in black metal or dark wood, suits a modern room well, because rattan adds warmth, without making the room feel rustic, if the cushions and table are simple.
