The origins of cane furniture date back as early as the second century and this practice of furniture making was most commonly known in India and China. However, over time it became known globally and in recent years has been making a big impact in the furniture and design world. As with most natural materials, furniture made with cane has a specific type of care required in order to help it hold up well against the test of time. And clearly cane furniture isn’t a trend, it is timeless and long-lasting addition to your home. So, in order to help you hold onto your cane pieces for as long as possible, here are our tips for caring for cane and incorporating it into your homes.
The Janna Black Armchair, as seen styled in the Cedarbreeze Remix project by Leclair Decor.
WHAT IS CANE FURNITURE?
Cane is a natural material that is a part of the rattan tree, which is why many people use the terms cane and rattan interchangeably. An important differentiation between the two is that cane is the outer bark-like part of the rattan tree, which is peeled off and woven to create cane furniture. Rattan on the other hand is typically used in furniture in it’s larger, reed-like form as the structural component of the piece. This difference is demonstrated below through comparaison using products from LD Shoppe.
The Ubud Desk, as seen styled in the showroom at LD Shoppe.
INCORPORATING CANE INTO YOUR HOME
From a styling perspective, our designers have proven that cane furniture can be incorporated in essentially every room of your home. But, it is important to note that there are specific environmental factors to consider when deciding where to style cane furniture in your home. These environmental considerations are similar to those you must consider when buying plants: the amount of direct sunlight it will get and the humidity of the environment.
Because cane is a natural material, much like your house plants, you need to think about the way the environment will impact it. When it comes to sunlight, it is recommended to not have cane furniture placed in areas with a lot of direct sunlight as this will dry out the material over time and make it more prone to stretching or breaking. The humidity of your space also comes into play and can impact the longevity of your cane furniture too and, as you likely guessed, dry spaces make for dry cane fibres. However, even if your space may contribute to the cane drying out, all hope is not lost as there are ways you can care for your cane!
CARING FOR CANE
Taking care of your furniture is important when you’re investing in high-quality, long-lasting furniture that you hope to keep around for many, many years. The kind of care that we’ll be highlighting here is around cleaning and moisturizing your cane furniture. One of the reasons we love cane in furniture so much is because of it’s beautiful, textured appearance that brings an organic and relaxed feel into your space. But, this texture can also be a place where dust and dirt can gather if your furniture is not cleaned every once and awhile. It is recommended you softly vacuum or dust cane furniture, and then follow this cleaning by gently wiping it down with a damp cloth that has been dipped in warm water mixed with a touch of mild detergent.
It is important to remember that if the cane is on a piece of furniture that you sit or lean on, like a chair seat or backing, that you do not use it for a couple of days after cleaning. The natural fibres of the cane soften when cleaned, so if you proceed to sit on them post-cleaning the fibres can stretch and appear saggy once they’ve dried. You can moisturize your pieces even further by lightly spraying them with a solution of water and a small amount of oil furniture soap. If it is a piece that you would typically sit on, like a chair or bench, consider only spritzing the solution on the bottom side to avoid getting any oil stains on your clothing.
Antoinette Armchair, styled in the Richcraft Addison Model by Leclair Decor
Though this all may sound slightly high-maintenance, cane furniture really doesn’t need any more care than other pieces, it just needs a different kind of care. And when cared for properly, these are timeless and beautiful pieces that you’ll be able to love for a long time.
What Our Designers Are Saying About Cane Furniture
MEREDITH
"I love that cane furniture works so well with a multitude of styles. It is also such a great way to add texture and dimension to a space."
Robertson Nightstand : Natural mango frames woven cane, for a textural look with fresh organic allure.
EVE
"Using cane furniture is an easy way to mix materials within one piece of furniture for a layered look, and the pieces that mix cane with a black stained wood or a darker wood add such a beautiful contrast."
Ubud Cabinet : Washed black acacia shelving with natural cane weave to cover the mango-framed doors.
JAMIE
"I enjoy modern-bohemian design - so I find cane, with it’s natural tones and texture, is a great way to subtly incorporate this style into a space."
Robertson Bed : This beautiful mango wood and cane bed adds a detail-rich touch to any bedroom.
DINA
"Cane furniture combines modern and vintage vibes. I love how it integrates in any space with different design moods, feeling fresh and light with its natural texture."
Clark Armchair : The retro design paired with cane detailing evokes a unique and eclectic feel.
Now that you've heard all of the good things our designers have to say about cane AND you know how to care for it, you're ready for some cane pieces of your own! LD Shoppe offers many pieces of furniture that feature cane and we encourage you to discover all of these beautiful pieces that they have to offer!