Rattan Bed Buying Guide
Looking to add a beautiful bed to your home that has a classic look? Then a timeless rattan bed frame is a perfect choice. You may have read about this on-trend bed type in glossy interiors magazines, but what is a rattan bed, and what even is rattan itself? There are plenty of questions surrounding rattan beds, so we've looked at some of the most frequently asked questions and answered them.
What is a rattan bed?
Rattan beds are a specific type of wooden bed with a distinctive 'weaved' rattan headboard and/or footboard. A common feature of rattan beds is that they are often very light in appearance when in their natural state, looking similar to oak or pine wood.
Whilst it's more common to see rattan furniture such as chairs or baskets, rattan beds have become popular in recent years due to their fresh, minimalist appearance. And - even better - if you have a bed frame with a detachable headboard, there are even rattan headboards to add instant style to your bedroom!
What is a caned bed?
A caned bed is also a rattan bed, though cane results from a rattan plant being stripped. This means that cane is usually thinner than rattan, making it ideal for creating 'accent' furniture parts. Some people might use caned beds interchangeably with rattan beds, but they generally mean the same regarding bed frames.
Are rattan beds good?
A rattan bed is an excellent choice if you're looking for a long-lasting bed, as rattan itself is durable enough to last many years. It maintains its beautiful appearance over time, requiring minimal maintenance to keep it clean. As well as this, rattan bed frames are incredibly on-trend, with many contemporary designs that add a modern touch to your bedroom.
What kind of material is rattan?
Rattan is a plant that naturally grows in Southeast Asia. It is a vine plant and exceptionally flexible, allowing it to be bent into various shapes for furniture. Despite this, it is one of the world's strongest types of wood, making it the perfect choice for furniture.
Are wicker and rattan the same?
No, wicker and rattan are not the same, as rattan is a plant and material, whereas wicker is a weaving technique. So which is better, wicker or rattan? The answer is neither, as they're effectively the same thing! In other words, you would use rattan to create a wicker chair or table! It's one of the oldest types of furniture craftsmanship, with examples of wicker furniture found in Ancient Egyptian tombs!
How do you clean a rattan bed?
Cleaning a rattan bed is easy - phew! We recommend giving your rattan frame a light clean every week and a deeper clean every month. Similarly to cleaning a wooden bed frame, it's essential that anything that could potentially stain your bed, such as food or drink, is cleaned up immediately!
Dust or vacuum your rattan bed frame once a week to keep it in good condition. Use a microfibre cloth or an upholstery brush on your vacuum cleaner to get into all the awkward spots in your rattan headboard - ensuring you get all the dust and dirt. Given rattan furniture's woven nature, you must get into all the small spaces to keep it looking clean.
If there's any particularly stubborn build-up of dust or dirt, then use some compressed air to dislodge it before using a soft-bristled toothbrush to carefully and efficiently clean the area.
We also recommend that you check your rattan bed frame at least once a year to ensure there are no major issues. For example, this might include mould or mildew, which can happen if your bedroom is frequently either excessively humid in summer or suffers from low humidity in winter.
Our range of rattan beds and headboards
At Happy Beds, we stock a variety of rattan beds so you can find the perfect fit for your bedroom. We even stock rattan headboards so you can introduce this on-trend look to your room without replacing your bed in full.