Rattan storage boxes have been a hot home decor item for the past few years. I've wanted them for just as long -- but I couldn't justify the price. That is, until I came across a Facebook Marketplace deal I just couldn't resist.

The listing was for two rattan storage boxes with latch closures and glass lids in good condition. For $30. Oh my word. Let the auction begin!

1. Should I really be buying this?

2. Is it really in good condition? 

3. Is it really a fair price?

4. Is the driving distance worth it?   

Most Facebook Marketplace users can probably relate. But as my daughter says, "It's the Hunger Games out there, Mom!" So I've gotten a bit bolder in hitting that comment as soon as I see something that I love (that fulfills #1-4 above, of course). And recently, I've been pretty happy with the results.

But the prices were too high for this thrift-loving girl. So I waited. And I was rewarded with this $30 spectacular find just a few miles away. After bringing them home I researched it, and this is what I found: 

 Overstock: $198

  Home Depot: $175.42

I mean, can you believe those prices? Obviously, I jumped at the $30 price. 

While they're usually displayed on a shelf, I decided to display them on my vintage Queen Anne Buffet. 

My boxes are darker in color than some you see showcased today. They also have metal clasps, although not all rattan boxes do. They're also larger than many rattan box sets you see today, which I actually love.  

While the seller said that they hadn't been used, once I got them home I saw that they were, indeed, used. Not used hard, but I saw a few spots that seemed worn and had lost their dark brown color.

But no worries, I had a plan.

We had a stash of Guardsman Wood Furniture Markers so I picked the one I thought was the closest in color to the box -- Walnut. Then I used the pen to color in the few spots that needed some TLC.

While not perfect, it made a huge improvement. So then it was time to style the rattan storage boxes. As the expensive examples above show, you can use the boxes to store jewelry or maybe even beauty supplies. But I had other ideas.  

It being fall and all, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. 

I'm a huge fan of mixing orange with blue and white chinoiserie, just like I did in Chinoiserie Fall Tray Decor.

Sometimes a pop of orange is all you need to brighten up a fall display. 

So what would you display in them/use them for? 

I had a few other ideas:

1. sea shells

2. salt cellars

3. butter pats

4. small plates

5. acorns

6. pine cones 

7. tabletop Christmas tree(s)

8. dried flower display 

9. battery-operated candles

10. small vintage books

11. teas

12. coffee pods

13. coasters

14. remote controls

Don't forget you can use Guardsman Wood Furniture Markers to restore any troubled spots, and let me know what you'd do if you had these rattan boxes in your home!

Well, that's it for today, friends!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about

 How to Style Rattan Storage Boxes 

and 

How to Restore Them

and that I've inspired you in some way.

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