Rattan Bed Frames

What is rattan?

Rattan is the stem of a climbing palm, solid through its cross section, which is what lets it be steamed, bent and woven while staying strong. It is not the same as wicker, which is a weaving technique rather than a material, or cane, which is the outer bark of the rattan stem cut into strips. A rattan headboard is usually a cane weave set into a rattan or wood frame.

Why rattan on a bed?

An open weave headboard lets light and air through, so it reads much lighter in a room than a solid panel of the same size. In a small bedroom, or where the bed sits in front of a window, that matters: a solid headboard blocks the view and a woven one does not. It also brings texture to a room without adding pattern or color.

What sizes are here?

Queen, king and California king. The frames measure 84 to 91 inches long and 61 to 79 inches wide. A queen mattress is 60 by 80 inches, a king 76 by 80 and a California king 72 by 84, so use the frame dimensions rather than the mattress size when checking the room and the doorway.

How does rattan hold up?

Well, provided it stays dry and out of direct sun. Rattan is a natural fibre, so prolonged direct sunlight dries and fades it, and a very dry room can eventually make an old weave brittle. Neither is a fast process. A bedroom is close to ideal conditions. Keep it away from a radiator and off a wall that gets condensation.

How do you clean a woven headboard?

Vacuum the weave with a soft brush attachment, which is the only way to get dust out of the gaps, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and let it dry fully. Never soak it. A dry paintbrush works for the tight corners of a weave where a vacuum head will not reach. Doing this a few times a year is enough.

What are the frames made from?

Rattan panels on wood and metal frames, with some solid wood models. Finishes include natural, walnut and espresso. Check how the weave is fixed: a panel set into a grooved frame stays tight, while one stapled to the back of an opening can sag over years. Construction: engineered wood and MDF on select models.

Do you need a box spring?

Not on the platform frames here, which have a slat deck built in and take a foam, hybrid or latex mattress directly. Check the slat spacing, since gaps over about three inches let a foam mattress sag between them. Some models in this collection add under bed storage, which replaces the space a box spring would fill.