Pinterest Has Spoken: This Is Australia’s Biggest Furniture Trend Right Now

Vintage furnishings and classic pieces are always in style, but fashion's fixation with the 70s (you've probably noticed wide legs and fringing everywhere from Instagram to the catwalk, and beyond) has filtered through to the world of interior design. The era that brought us psychedelic wallpaper and garish accents also introduced us to rattan; which is just about everywhere right now, in case you hadn't noticed.

According to a report published by the image-curating masters at Pinterest, searches for 'rattan furniture' increased a whopping 540% from January 2017 to January 2018. Safe to say, it's time to hit your local antiques market (if there's anything left) or raid your grandmother's collection (she'll be happy you did) to bring this natural and neutral trend into your home.

This year’s must-have trend

Rattan elevates contemporary furniture, boasts timeless appeal, and brings texture, interest and a fresh feel to any space. It's light, unobtrusive and works with just about every colour scheme. We love pieces finished with black cane and styled into a neutral palette, but if bold colours are more your thing, it works with blue hues, pops of green and even considered and curated pastels.

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But, actually, what is rattan?

Natural rattan comes from a vine-like plant from the palm family, which grows in rainforests. The plants grow quickly and requires little cultivation, which makes it an incredibly sustainable material, beyond its style chops. Light and bendy, rattan is easy to weave and manipulate, and the result? Limitless potential for striking forms, patterns and textures.

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Consider accessories and period pieces

You'll find that rattan fits seamlessly into contemporary, rustic and urban looks, even though it is most commonly associated with tropical or coastal interior decor.

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Back in the day, it was used almost exclusively for outdoor furnishings (being weather-resistant, and all) but now bed frames, wardrobes and occasional chairs (we love the Pierre Jeanneret statement pieces, which you've probably seen all over the 'gram) are crafted from this gorgeous fibre, as are smaller detail pieces. Think baskets, pendants lights and magazine racks, for example.

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Inspired? Us too. We'll be channelling the disco era in our winter home-flips... just don't expect the turquoise bathrooms to make an appearance. For now, anyway.

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