From Rainforest to Your Bedroom: The Story Behind Our Handmade Rattan Bedside Tables

From Rainforest to Your Bedroom: The Story Behind Our Handmade Rattan Bedside Tables

Jun 07, 2025Jacob Y

Not everything in a home needs to be brand new, flashy, or clever. Sometimes, the most meaningful pieces are the ones made quietly — by hand, with care, and with a story behind them. That’s exactly the case with our handmade rattan bedside tables at Furnt.

Each one begins its life in the rainforests of Indonesia and ends up in your UK bedroom — a calming, natural addition to the space where you start and end your day. This is not just furniture — it’s handcrafted homeware steeped in culture and tradition.

It Starts with Nature

Rattan is a climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. It’s light, strong, and quick to grow — a sustainable alternative to traditional timber, especially for furniture that’s meant to feel soft and natural.

Local harvesters collect the rattan using simple tools and methods passed down through generations. The rattan is sun-dried and processed using traditional techniques that honour the environment and preserve Indonesian craftsmanship.

From Rainforest to Your Bedroom: The Story Behind Our Handmade Rattan Bedside Tables

A Material with Meaning

In the UK, rattan is most often thought of as an outdoor material — ideal for garden chairs or patio sets. But across many Asian cultures, it’s woven deeply into indoor life. From bed frames to sideboards, natural rattan furniture plays a central role in everyday homes.

More than just practical, rattan carries symbolism. Its flowing, organic shapes are viewed in some cultures as a sign of long life and good health. Its natural bend — without breaking — reflects balance and resilience. Bringing rattan into your bedroom is more than a design choice; it’s a quiet nod to intentional living and well-being.

Crafted by Hand — and by Heart

Once prepared, the rattan is handed to skilled craftswomen — often grandmothers in rural Indonesian villages — who shape it into elegant forms in their home workshops. There is no assembly line here. Every bedside table is made slowly, precisely, and individually.

This is where function meets soul. Each table is slightly different, bearing the unique fingerprint of the person who made it. You’re not just buying a bedside table made from natural materials — you’re bringing home a story.

Crafted by Hand — and by Heart

A Quiet Journey to Your Bedroom

Once complete, the table is polished and packed with care, using eco-conscious materials wherever possible. It makes its journey across continents and seas before settling beside your bed — ready to hold your book, your lamp, your evening tea.

Simple, understated, and warm — a piece of sustainable bedroom furniture that effortlessly complements any interior style, from minimalist to boho.

Further reading:

The Hands Behind the Weave: Meet Ibu Sari, Our Rattan Craftswoman


Why Rattan Works in the Bedroom

There’s something inherently calming about rattan. It adds texture, softens hard lines, and echoes the peacefulness of nature. A natural bedside table works across styles and colour palettes, grounding your space without demanding attention.

More importantly, knowing it was handmade by someone who’s spent decades honing their craft adds depth. It’s furniture with feeling — not just function.

A Small Piece with a Big Story

In a time when so much is mass-produced and impersonal, choosing something handmade is a quiet act of care. Our rattan bedside tables aren’t just furniture. They’re a connection — to nature, to culture, and to craftsmanship.

Bring home a piece that’s travelled through rainforests, across generations, and into your space — offering more than utility: offering story, soul, and sustainability.

In Summary

At Furnt, we believe the best furniture doesn’t just fill a space — it tells a story. Our handmade rattan bedside tables do just that. Carefully crafted from sustainable materials and steeped in heritage, they offer warmth, texture, and a quiet elegance to your bedroom. Whether you’re creating a peaceful retreat or simply looking for something more meaningful, this is a piece that delivers — naturally, beautifully, and with purpose.



More articles

Comments (0)

There are no comments for this article. Be the first one to leave a message!

Leave a comment