Rattan or cane furniture is very common in North Eastern India

Rattan or cane furniture is very common in North Eastern India where it is a cottage industry.

Most homes will have cane furniture for tow reasons.

First because they are affordable compared to wood furniture.

Secondly, the houses being small, heavy wooden furniture will crowd the living space.

When we lived in a University campus in the North East of India, the housing we were given was furnished with cane furniture: sofas, matching chairs, center and side tables.

Every one had complaints about this ‘official furniture’ because they were badly made, with nails protruding dangerously all over it and they collapsed easily. Broken furniture being dumped outside homes was soon a common sight.

This should not however, put you off from furnishing small rooms with attractive rattan or cane furniture.

When well made, they come in a variety of lovely designs. We had our living room furnished with wide, three seater rattan sofa and four matching chairs, glass topped center and side tables.

We also had cute accessories shaped like birds or animals to give a touch of rustic beauty to the room.

Even now I have a tall cane vase which is perfect for a display of a huge bunch of artificial flowers with trailing leaves. It is always commented on by our visitors.

The main problem with rattan furniture is that they could collect a lot of dust and be difficult to keep clean if one lives in dusty area. But for this, they are charming.