Rattan Nightstands

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 without breaking. It is not wicker, which is a weaving technique rather than a material, and not quite cane, which is the outer bark of the rattan stem cut into strips. Most woven drawer fronts are cane webbing set into a rattan or wood frame.

How tall should a nightstand be?

Level with the top of your mattress, within about two inches either way. These stand 24 to 30 inches high, which sits at the taller end of the nightstand range and suits a thicker mattress or a higher bed frame. Measure from the floor to the top of the made bed rather than to the frame, since bedding adds real height.

Why woven panels beside a bed?

Texture without pattern. A woven front breaks up what would otherwise be a flat slab beside the bed, and it does it in the same color as the rest of the piece, so it adds interest without adding a competing tone to the room. An open weave also reads lighter than a solid front, which helps in a small bedroom where two bedside units can look bulky.

What size fits your bedside?

These run 23 to 37 inches wide and 12 to 18 inches deep. The wider end is really a small bedside chest and needs a proper stretch of floor beside the bed. Depth varies more here than in most nightstand ranges, so check it against your bed frame: a nightstand deeper than the bed breaks the line of the wall.

How do you clean woven fronts?

Vacuum with a soft brush attachment, which is the only reliable way to lift dust out of the weave, then wipe with a barely damp cloth and let it dry completely. Never soak it. A dry paintbrush reaches the tight corners a vacuum head misses. Twice a year is enough for a bedside piece.

How does rattan last?

Well in a bedroom, which is close to ideal conditions. Rattan is a natural fibre, so sustained direct sunlight fades and dries it, and a very dry room can make an old weave brittle over years. Neither happens quickly. Keep the piece off a radiator and away from a wall prone to condensation and it will outlast the room's decor.

What are they built on?

The rattan sits on engineered wood and metal carcasses in this collection rather than solid wood. Several models include a built in charging station, which matters at a bedside because it removes the trailing cable, and some add an open shelf beneath the drawer. Construction: engineered wood and MDF.