Wicker, Bamboo, and Cane? The Latest Eco-Friendly Craze in Home Decor

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Love furniture made from wicker and bamboo? Then you may be up for the latest eco-friendly furniture material of the summer: cane.

Cane is actually the peeled bark of rattan, which is a climbing palm that’s been used to make furniture for hundreds of years. And what’s old is new in the world of furniture as witnessed by the latest crop of caned pieces flooding the home decor market.

In fact, site searches on Wayfair for “cane” are up over 100% over last year—and with homeowners hunkering down and looking for ways to improve their decor, there’s no better time to consider this material.

“Cane’s time to shine is here, in part because it’s both durable and eco-friendly,” reports Brenda Raftlova, editor and shopping expert at Offers.com. And cane’s popularity may be due in part to the microtrend known as Grandmillenial style, which embraces granny-chic decor.

Credit also goes to none other than Leanne Ford, co-star of the hit HGTV show “Restored by the Fords,” who has worked retro cane into her stylish new line from Crate & Barrel, including chairs, storage cabinets, and bar carts.

Wondering where to put caned pieces? “The beauty of cane is its flexibility—and while caned dining chairs are very of the moment, we’re also seeing sideboards, couches, dressers, and headboards featuring the material in new ways,” reports Rebecca Breslin, design manager at Wayfair.

Here’s more about caning, including its interesting backstory, how to use it in your home today, and some chic examples you can pick up this summer.

A brief history of cane

Photo by Houzz

You’ll find examples of cane as early as the second century in both India and China, says Breslin, though it became fashionable in England and the Netherlands when it was imported there in the 1600s.

“Caning was brought to both the American Colonies and European territories, though its popularity really peaked much later in 1970s seating, and it became tied to the end of the midcentury modern design era,” she adds.

Photo by Sherri Blum | Jack and Jill Interiors, Inc.

Two factors are helping to underscore the rise of cane today: organic appeal and a nod to history.

“Consumers are looking to surround themselves with elements of nature, such as wood, ceramics, stone, and natural cane,” says Breslin.

And cane has a vintage aesthetic, making it ideal for layering with contemporary, minimalist decor.

“There’s a nostalgia to caning, and that familiarity, with a modern twist, is playing a big role in its comeback today,” she adds.

For some shopping help in the cane world, here are some pieces to consider.

Cane accent chair

Choose from charcoal or a white and natural combination.

Crate & Barrel

This perch is an excellent mashup of a barrel chair’s familiar curves and classic caning. The frame is made from solid oak and comes with a soft cushion in muted gray. Try this restful accent chair in a den or bedroom ($849.15, Crate & Barrel).

Storage cabinet

This Indonesian import works in the bedroom as an armoire.

Crate & Barrel

Who doesn’t need a slim cabinet with shelves and a large nook? This cool find stands apart from others in the category, thanks to its rounded edges—and the caned front offers texture for visual interest ($2,199, Crate & Barrel).

Upholstered Bench

Curvy lines win the day.

Wayfair

We love the linen accents on this distressed bench—plus the caning extends to the sides, peaking out from under each arm. This elegant bench would be right at home in an entryway with baskets for boots and sneakers underneath or as a settee in a guest bedroom, piled with soft throw pillows ($1,029.99, Wayfair).

Wall lamp

Surprise! A caned sconce is an unusual detail.

Etsy

Delicate light filters through the pretty lattice in this stunning wall lamp that comes with either black or natural cane trim. You can also choose a switch and cable to use it as a lamp or get yours hardwired to the wall ($201.74, Etsy).

Sideboard

This caned sideboard adds instant class to your home.

Wayfair

Sideboards and hutches are workhorses in the home, but that doesn’t mean these utilitarian pieces can’t be fashionable. Caning is the focal point here on the drawer fronts and cabinet, deftly hiding the contents while still allowing for airiness. Use this piece as a buffet in the dining room to store table linens and cutlery ($6,899.99, Wayfair).

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