Rattan and woven pendant lights filter light rather than block it. The result is a warm, dappled glow and soft patterns across the ceiling and walls, which is why woven shades have become a favourite in Japandi and wabi-sabi homes. This guide covers how to choose the right material, size and height, so your pendant looks considered from day one.
Quick answer
- Room size: add the room's length and width in metres and multiply by 8. A 4 × 4 m room suits a shade of around 60–65 cm.
- Over a dining table: a shade half to two-thirds the table's width, hung 75–85 cm above the tabletop.
- Over a kitchen island: two or three smaller shades of 30–40 cm rather than one large one.
- Bulb: warm white (2700K). Clear or filament bulbs sharpen the patterns; opal bulbs soften them.
- Walkways: keep at least 2.1 m between the floor and the bottom of the shade.
In this guide
Rattan, woven or fabric?
All three bring softness to a room, but each handles light differently. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want pattern, texture or a calm, even glow.
| Material | How the light looks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rattan | Open weave casts dappled patterns on walls and ceiling; warm, honey-toned glow | Dining tables, living rooms, statement pieces |
| Woven fibre or paper cord | Tighter weave; texture without strong patterns, softer overall light | Bedrooms, hallways, layered schemes |
| Linen and fabric | No pattern; diffused, even light with a calm feel | Bedrooms, reading corners, quiet spaces |
Many homes combine them: a woven pendant over the dining table, with linen and fabric pendants in the bedroom for a softer, quieter light.
What size rattan pendant do you need?
Woven shades look larger than solid ones because light passes through them, so it's easy to oversize. Use these guidelines as a starting point.
- As the main light in a room: add the length and width of the room in metres and multiply by about 8. A 4 × 4 m living room suggests a shade of around 60–65 cm.
- Over a dining table: choose a shade roughly half to two-thirds the width of the table. A 90 cm wide table suits a 45–60 cm shade. Leave at least 15 cm between the edge of the shade and the edge of the table.
- Over a kitchen island: two or three smaller shades of 30–40 cm usually look better than one large one, spaced 60–75 cm apart.
- Bedrooms and hallways: 40–50 cm is often enough, especially with lower UK ceilings of around 2.4 m.
How high to hang it
Over a table or island, hang the bottom of the shade around 75–85 cm above the surface. That keeps the light low enough to feel intimate while leaving clear sightlines across the table. In walkways, leave at least 2.1 m between the floor and the bottom of the shade.
Sit down before fixing the final height. If you can see the bare bulb from a seated position, lower the pendant slightly. Our full guide to how high to hang a pendant light covers this in detail.
Choosing the bulb
The bulb changes a woven pendant more than any other light, because you see it through the weave.
- Colour temperature: warm white, around 2700K, brings out the honey tones of natural rattan. Cooler bulbs make natural fibres look grey.
- Clear or filament bulbs sharpen the shadows and patterns cast by an open weave. Good for a statement dining light.
- Opal (frosted) bulbs give a softer, more even glow. Better for bedrooms and living rooms.
- Dimmer: a dimmable LED bulb with a compatible dimmer makes one pendant work for both dinner and a quiet evening.
Styling woven lighting in a Japandi or wabi-sabi home
Woven shades work best alongside other honest materials: oak or ash furniture, linen, plaster walls and natural stone. Keep the colour palette quiet and let the texture of the shade do the work.
- One focal point per room. A single wide woven pendant over a dining table reads as intentional. Several large woven shades in one space can feel busy.
- Repeat the material, not the shape. Echo the rattan in a chair, basket or headboard rather than adding a second woven light.
- Layer with stone. Pair a woven pendant with travertine wall lights for a warm, natural scheme that feels consistent from room to room.
For more ideas, read our guide to Japandi lighting.
Woven and soft-shade pendants
Caring for natural fibres
Rattan and woven shades are easy to look after. Dust them every few weeks with a soft brush or a hairdryer on a cool setting. Keep them away from steam and direct heat, which can dry out the fibres, and avoid wet cloths. Small variations in colour and weave are a sign of natural, handmade material, not a defect.
Frequently asked questions
What size rattan pendant should I get for my dining table?
Choose a shade roughly half to two-thirds the width of the table. A 90 cm wide table suits a 45–60 cm shade, hung 75–85 cm above the tabletop.
Do rattan pendant lights give enough light?
An open weave lets plenty of light through, but some of it is scattered as pattern. Over a kitchen worktop or desk, add task lighting. Elsewhere, a woven pendant with a warm 2700K bulb gives a soft, ambient glow.
Which bulb is best for a woven pendant?
A warm white LED around 2700K. Use a clear or filament bulb for sharper patterns, or an opal bulb for a softer, more even light.
Can I use a rattan pendant in a bathroom or kitchen?
Avoid bathrooms, as steam can damage natural fibres and most woven pendants are rated for indoor dry use only. In a kitchen, hang it over a dining area or island rather than directly above the hob.
Do woven pendants need an electrician?
Yes. Ceiling pendants are hardwired, so they should be fitted by a qualified electrician in line with BS 7671, the UK wiring regulations.
Related reading
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