Elegant, finely crafted and comfortable wicker furniture continues to stay popular among homeowners looking to add a bit of old-world charm to their living spaces. An integral part of European and American homes over the ages, wicker furniture has since evolved to keep pace with contemporary lifestyles, presenting itself in a myriad of types, designs and colors to suit the needs of modern homes.
Shopping for wicker furniture today has become a relatively easy task, with several dealers and manufacturers showcasing and selling their products online. Enthusiasts should, however, have a basic knowledge of the furniture type, its look and feel in real time, and the maintenance needs before opting to shop online.
Types of Wicker
Novices should note that wicker is not a specific type of material in itself, but refers to a category or style of furniture woven from different fibers, both natural and synthetic.
Wicker made from natural fibers such as willow, bamboo or the cane, reed and stem of the rattan vine usually is known as natural wickers. Rattan wickers, however, have earned a distinct name for themselves. Natural wickers, including rattan, need to be sealed and finished suitably to weather the climatic conditions and use.
Synthetic wickers are man-made usually from PVC variants, making them more sturdy and durable than their natural variants.
Colored wicker furniture too is available to suit the theme of the existing home décor. Shoppers can use a wicker color guide to even match furniture of multiple shades to enhance home settings with an interesting play of color.
Tips for Shopping for Wicker Furniture
Wicker furniture can adorn both home interiors and exteriors. However, outdoor furniture pieces should be adequately treated to sustain continuous exposure to natural elements.
For neatly woven, eco-friendly and cost-effective indoor furniture, natural wicker, especially rattan, is more suitable. Wicker furniture may not, however, add bulk to an otherwise sparsely furnished room, when compared to pieces made from solid wood. Living rooms and even the dining rooms can attain a new look with just a new wicker chair or table, while complete sofa sets accessorized with colorful cushions and centre tables tend to totally transform the space.
Synthetic wickers – apt for exteriors – are usually woven on powder-coated steel frames or aluminum frames. High-quality synthetic wickers may get slightly expensive, given their durability and near zero-maintenance or repainting needs. Stain-resistant, waterproof, available in almost all conventional styles of rattan furniture, and even stackable, synthetic wicker furniture is ideal for stylish exteriors.
The fiber, weave and the frame determine the quality and worth of the product. It is important to check these aspects and compare the warranties before making the purchase, and not simply opting for cheap wicker furniture.
While it is well-known that natural fibers, despite best care and maintenance, need careful maintenance and periodic re-sealing, painting and finishing, synthetic fibers definitely are an advantage. Thick fibers are more durable, and so are dense weaves. Again, there are two different fibre types – flat as well as round ones – with the latter known to be more robust.
Opting for UV-protected wicker is especially useful when buying outdoor furniture, as this minimizes fading of color. Aluminum frames, particularly solid frames, are both sturdy as well as rust-free.
It is important to watch out for quality of recycled plastics when opting for artificial wicker. Dark, thin and flat plastic wickers often have poor UV protection.
Furniture Designs
Both natural and synthetic wicker furniture are available in most common styles, ranging from rocking chairs, chaise lounges, sofa sets, coffee tables, side tables, centre tables, accent tables, to ottomans, love seats, dining tables and chairs. Branded furniture is also available at several online shops.
It is important to take note of the availability of space and its specific function before opting for a suitable piece of wicker furniture, as they tend to fill up the space.
Contemporary furniture with curvy designs and wide arm rests are suitable for large spaces, while conventional sleek pieces with sharp lines and narrow arm rests allow for more moving space in compact interiors.
There’s no dearth of choice when it comes to styles, designs or colors of wicker furniture. Modern, custom pieces also make for unique, yet functional additions to the home environment. Quality, durability and maintenance play a key role in the choice of wicker furniture.