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5 Valuable Facts to Know Before Buying Wicker Furniture


Posted on November 17, 2020 at 4:00 PM by Deonna Adams

What is Wicker Furniture?

Wicker dinning set

For some when they hear wicker furniture what comes to mind is a certain style of furniture. If you thought that as well, you’re not necessarily wrong; however, wicker furniture actually describes the weaving process. We thought Wikipedia explained it best:

“Wicker is a technique for making products woven from any one of a variety of pliable plant materials, a generic name for the materials used in such manufacture, and a term for the items so produced. Wicker is light yet sturdy, making it suitable for items that will be moved often like porch and patio furniture.”

Wicker furniture is very versatile. There are so many colors and styles to decorate your home with, both indoors or outdoors. Anything from sofas to chairs or a table, styling your home will be a breeze.

1. Caring for Wicker

Rattan chairs aged look

As with any item of furniture, regular cleaning and maintenance can make the piece last a long time. The same goes for wicker. With proper cleaning, drying, and dusting, the product set will remain in good shape.

Better Homes and Garden has great tips on how to clean your wicker furniture. 

“For routine cleaning of wicker that's made of bamboo, rattan, or willow, brush off or vacuum as much of the surface dirt as you can. Then wash it with a soft brush and soapy water to which you've added one or two teaspoons of ammonia.”

When cleaning natural wicker, it is essential to make sure it is completely dry. This will prevent mold from growing. Also, avoid sitting on the piece until it’s completely dry; sitting down while it’s still wet can cause the seat to droop. 

If you have outdoor wicker patio furniture, another thing to try and avoid is keeping it in the sun for long periods of time. This can cause unraveling and cracking, which will impact its color. Use a shelter or place your furniture in a shaded area. 


2. Material 

wicker sofa with cushions

There are several different materials used for wicker furniture, and two of the most common include rattan and synthetic fiber materials.

Rattan 

When it comes to wicker, wicker rattan, or wicker made from natural fiber,  is probably the most popular. The longer you have a piece of naturally made wicker you will be able to see the beautiful aging process, which is what gives wicker the character that we love.

Synthetic materials

Since wicker describes the weaving style and not the material it’s made from, you will often find synthetic wicker furniture made with “chemical synthesis” (synthetic chemical materials). Some of those wickers come from materials like plastic and resin.

One benefit of owning a piece made from synthetics is that the materials won’t, peel, crack, or lose their color, making it low-maintenance. 


3. The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor 

Outdoor wicker furniture set

 

The differences between indoor-outdoor wicker mostly come down to the material it’s made from. If you're looking for outdoor furniture, such as gorgeous dining set for your patio,  we recommend purchasing furniture with a resin material and aluminum frame.

Our Bar Harbour wicker furniture seats have a synthetic strapping and second inner frame, making them extremely comfortable and durable for years and years of enjoyable outdoor use.

Indoor wicker furniture is mostly made of natural materials, and they can come in different styles, stains, and paint colors. 


4. Weaving

Wicker armchair

The weaving process is the same for both natural and synthetic materials. It’s a very labor-intensive process, requiring a very skilled furniture maker. In fact, there is a wide variety of weaving patterns within wicker furniture, including under-and-over, double weaving, pairing, waling, and triple twist, just to name a few. With such a variety of patterns, colors, and styles to choose from, wicker furniture truly is an art and very eye-catching. 


5. Where to Buy Wicker Furniture

American Country has a variety of Wicker rattan furniture. For those who love more of a bistro look, we have a line of Parisian bistro chairs that we know you’ll fall in love with.

American Country's Bar Harbor

Wicker furniture is featured in the March/April Veranda Magazine. Designer Mark D. Sikes contacted us to help decorate the sunroom with emerald green painted wicker furniture. See before and after and complete article at https://bit.ly/2NBepkQ

FYI: We offer the widest range of cushion fabric options and paint colors. Or, we will create cushions using your fabric at no additional charge (C.O.M).

Although natural wicker furniture can be on the pricey side, the long-lasting, durable quality of wicker will make any purchase well worth it.


Are you ready to purchase a wicker set? Find the perfect set!

There is such a variety of wicker styles. If you would like to see what’s available, click the links below!


 

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