Some lights politely illuminate a room. The XXL Aramis Suspension Light shows up like it owns the lease.
It’s a big, airy, hand-braided rattan statement pendant that reads somewhere between “sunburst sculpture” and “the world’s chicest basket”
(said with affection, not shadeunlike the gorgeous kind it casts on your walls).
If you’re hunting for that sweet spot where natural texture meets architectural scale, Aramis XXL is a compelling case study:
handmade craft, a dramatic diameter, and an openwork weave that turns ordinary ceiling light into a soft shadow show after sunset.
This guide breaks down what it is, why it works, where it belongs, and how to install it without turning your ceiling into a cautionary tale.
What the XXL Aramis Suspension Light Actually Is
The Aramis XXL is an oversized suspension (pendant) light built around a metal frame that’s dressed in natural rattan.
The defining trait is its openwork construction: you get structure without heaviness, and glow without a solid shade blocking the room.
It’s crafted by hand, with the kind of labor that makes you stop complaining about “folding laundry” like it’s a war story.
Quick specs you can design around
- Size (XXL): approximately 135 cm diameter (about 53.1 in) and 55 cm height (about 21.7 in).
- Material story: natural rattan over a metal structure (so it’s sculptural but not flimsy).
- Construction time: reported to require roughly 40 hours of braiding.
- Suspension: typically supported by four fine cables (a helpful detail when you’re dealing with XXL scale).
- Lighting setup: often specified for four LED bulbs (bulbs not included), with electrification options depending on how it’s ordered/finished.
- Other sizes: commonly offered in smaller diameters (e.g., around 90 cm and 50 cm), for the same look in tighter rooms.
Translation: this isn’t a “cute accent pendant.” It’s a room-defining centerpiecemore like a lighting moment.
You choose it for big dining tables, large living areas, tall ceilings, or anywhere you want the overhead fixture to feel like intentional design
(not an afterthought you picked at 11:58 p.m. while panic-scrolling).
Why Designers Keep Falling for Oversized Rattan Pendants
The popularity of natural-fiber lighting isn’t random. Rattan does three things extremely well:
it adds warmth, it softens modern spaces, and it provides texture without visual clutter.
Scale it up to XXL, and the pendant becomes the “anchor” that makes a room feel finished.
1) Scale gives you instant architecture
Big fixtures help define zonesespecially in open-plan spaces. An XXL pendant over the dining area signals,
“This is where people gather,” even if the kitchen and living room are doing their best to photobomb the floor plan.
In practical terms, the 53-inch diameter can visually balance long tables, large sectionals, and wide rooms where small pendants disappear.
2) Openwork weave = shadow play (and less heaviness)
Solid drum shades can feel bulky at large sizes. Openwork rattan stays airy, which matters when the fixture is wider than some coffee tables.
At night, the weave can throw gentle patternssubtle enough for everyday use, interesting enough that guests look up mid-sentence.
3) Natural texture makes “new” rooms feel lived-in
If your space leans minimalwhite walls, clean lines, lots of “we don’t own clutter” energyrattan adds softness and depth.
It pairs beautifully with plaster, limestone, light oak, linen, boucle, and even sleek materials like steel or lacquer
(because contrast is how you avoid the dreaded “beach rental showroom” vibe).
Best Rooms for an XXL Aramis Suspension Light
XXL pendants reward rooms that can handle their presence. If your ceiling is low or your room is narrow, go smaller.
If you have breathing room, Aramis XXL can look spectacular.
Dining room: the natural home base
Over a large dining table, the Aramis XXL reads as intentional and balanced. The goal is to light faces and food
without blasting everyone like an interrogation lamp.
A dimmer is your best friend herebright for homework and table-setting, softer for dinner and “we should do this more often” conversations.
Living room: sculptural centerpiece without the chandelier formality
If you want a statement overhead fixture but hate the “crystal chandelier = formal dining only” stereotype,
a large rattan pendant gives you drama in a relaxed tone. It works especially well when the living room has
high ceilings, big windows, and a palette that benefits from warmth.
Entry or stairwell: instant wow, zero small talk required
In tall entries, you often need vertical drama. An oversized, textured pendant reads welcoming rather than cold,
and it looks good from multiple anglesimportant when people view it from below, from the stairs, and from the front door.
Lighting Performance: Bulbs, Brightness, and Color Temperature
The Aramis XXL is as much about atmosphere as illumination. Because it’s openwork, your bulb choice matters more than usual.
Think of the fixture as the “lantern,” and the bulbs as the “personality.”
Pick a warm, flattering color temperature
For most homes, a warm range (often around 2700K–3000K) keeps the rattan looking rich and cozy instead of straw-colored or grayish.
Cooler bulbs can make natural materials feel a bit… tired. Like they pulled an all-nighter in a fluorescent office.
Use lumens to control brightness (and your mood)
“Watts” don’t mean what they used to. For LEDs, look at lumens.
A common strategy with multi-bulb pendants is to use medium-bright bulbs and rely on dimming:
you get enough light when you need it, but you can dial it down for evenings.
Mind glare and viewpoints
Because the shade is airy, you may see the bulbs from certain anglesespecially if the pendant hangs low.
If glare is an issue, consider bulb styles that reduce harshness (for example, frosted bulbs instead of clear).
This keeps the fixture glowing rather than glaring.
Hanging Height and Placement: Make It Look “Designed,” Not “Accidental”
Oversized pendants have one job: look amazing while staying out of your line of sight.
The good news is there are well-tested guidelines to start with.
Over a dining table or kitchen island
A widely used baseline is to hang the fixture so the bottom sits roughly 30–36 inches above the tabletop/countertop.
Adjust based on ceiling height, fixture size, and the tallest person who regularly uses the space.
With a large pendant like Aramis XXL, err slightly higher if sightlines feel blockedyour guests should see each other, not just rattan.
Centering and scale tips
- Center the fixture to the table (not necessarily the room) if the dining set is the focal point.
- If your table is long, confirm that the pendant’s diameter won’t overwhelm the table width.
- For open-plan layouts, align it visually with other “anchors” (like a kitchen island or a fireplace) so the ceiling plan feels intentional.
Installation and Safety: XXL Means “Plan Like a Grown-Up”
Here’s the unglamorous truth: big pendants demand real hardware and responsible installation.
Especially when the fixture is large, multi-point suspended, or custom electrified, you want the ceiling support and wiring to be correct.
1) Confirm ceiling support (don’t guess)
Many ceilings are set up for standard fixtures, not oversized statement pieces. If you’re unsure about support,
use properly rated electrical boxes and bracing designed for heavier loads. This is where a licensed electrician is worth every penny:
you’re not just buying lightyou’re buying “my ceiling remained a ceiling.”
2) If electrification is custom, treat it seriously
Some artisanal fixtures are sold without wiring or are electrified to order. That’s not a red flag by itself,
but it does mean you should ensure the final installed product meets local safety expectations.
In the U.S., buyers often look for recognized safety certification (or at minimum, professional wiring practices) for peace of mind.
3) Add a dimmer (and make sure it’s compatible)
A dimmer transforms an oversized pendant from “bright overhead light” into “this room has vibes.”
Just confirm your bulbs and dimmer type work togetherLEDs can be picky, like cats, but with more paperwork.
Styling the XXL Aramis: How to Make It Look Expensive (Because It Is)
With natural-fiber statement lighting, the goal is balance. Let the pendant be the texture hero, then support it with calmer pieces.
Pair it with smooth surfaces
Rattan shines when it contrasts. Think plaster walls, stone, concrete, glass, lacquer, or a sleek wood tabletop.
The smoother the backdrop, the more the pendant reads as sculpture.
Repeat the material subtly
You don’t need a rattan apocalypse. One or two small echoeslike a woven tray, a cane chair back, or linen drapescreates cohesion.
Anything more and the room may start whispering “tiki bar,” which is fun… but usually not the goal.
Use layered lighting
A big pendant should not do all the lighting work alone. Add wall sconces, floor lamps, and lampshade-level glow.
Layering prevents harsh shadows and makes the pendant feel like part of an intentional lighting plan rather than the only overhead option.
Care and Maintenance for Natural Rattan Lighting
Natural rattan is durable, but it likes reasonable conditions. Treat it well and it will age beautifully.
Neglect it and it may look like it’s been through a sandstorm.
- Dust regularly: a microfiber duster or soft brush attachment keeps the weave crisp.
- Avoid prolonged moisture: in very humid rooms, keep ventilation strong to prevent warping or dullness.
- Be cautious with kitchen grease: if used near cooking, clean gently and often so buildup doesn’t yellow the fibers.
- Skip harsh chemicals: mild, barely damp cleaning is safer for natural materials.
Is the XXL Aramis Worth It?
If your room can handle the scale and you want a fixture that feels handcrafted and architectural at the same time,
Aramis XXL hits a rare niche: it’s bold without being flashy, natural without being rustic, and dramatic without the “formal chandelier” baggage.
It’s not the right choice for every ceilingbut in the right space, it becomes the piece everything else quietly supports.
The smartest approach is to treat it like you would a major furniture purchase:
measure carefully, plan the install, choose the right bulbs, and design the room around its presence.
Do that, and you’ll end up with the kind of overhead lighting people rememberoften mid-bite, which is the highest compliment a dining room can offer.
Real-World Experiences: Living With the XXL Aramis Suspension Light (Extra Notes)
Homeowners and designers who bring an oversized rattan pendant into a project often say the same thing first:
“It looked big online, but in person it’s BIG.” That’s not regretit’s usually relief, because the whole point of XXL is impact.
In one common dining-room scenario, the room feels slightly plain after a renovationfresh paint, nice table, maybe a rug
but it’s missing a focal point. The Aramis XXL becomes that “finish line” moment. Once it’s hung,
the room suddenly looks styled, even before art goes on the walls. The open weave helps, too:
it doesn’t crowd the ceiling the way a solid drum might, and the light feels more atmospheric than clinical.
Another frequently shared experience is how much bulb choice changes the fixture’s personality.
With warmer LEDs and a dimmer, the pendant reads soft and golden, highlighting the natural fiber.
With cooler bulbs, the same rattan can feel flatter and less invitinglike it got caught under office lighting.
People also notice the shadow effect: not a disco pattern, but a gentle texture on nearby surfaces that makes evenings feel cozier.
In open-plan homes, that glow can subtly “zone” the dining area without needing wallsuseful when the kitchen is ten feet away
and refuses to stop being the center of attention.
Installation stories are where the grown-up lessons live. Because the fixture is large and often supported by multiple cables,
planning matters. Many installers recommend double-checking the ceiling box and support before the light arrives, not after the ladder is up
and the room is full of nervous laughter. When ceilings are older, bracing upgrades are a common stepespecially if the homeowner
wants the pendant to hang confidently for years. Once it’s in, people often tweak the hanging height:
a half-inch up can improve sightlines, while a half-inch down can make the fixture feel more intimate over the table.
The “right” height tends to be the one where you can see everyone across the table and still feel the light’s presence.
In other words: you want conversation, not rattan-based hide-and-seek.
The most positive long-term feedback usually comes from people who treat the pendant like part of a layered lighting plan.
The Aramis XXL sets the tone, but wall sconces or lamps handle the “everyday functional” layerespecially on dark winter afternoons.
As for maintenance, the best habit is simple: quick dusting often. The openwork weave collects dust the way textured sweaters collect lint:
quietly, patiently, and with a talent for showing up right before guests arrive.
Keep it clean, keep it warm-toned, and the XXL Aramis tends to stay the room’s conversation starterwithout needing to shout.
