The Wonderful World of Wicker Furniture

Wicker is a furniture material with a long and rich history. Perhaps you remember your granny relaxing in her wicker rocking chair on the porch in days long gone by. Or it can evoke the scene of colonial planters sipping their stenghas on a balcony on the fringe of a rubber plantation.
But you don't need exotic surroundings to enjoy the pleasures of wicker furniture. It can grace any home both indoor and out and is the perfect material for arm chairs, chaise lounge and tables.
So what exactly is wicker?
Wicker is fiber woven into a solid state. The fibers are traditionally of plant origin but nowadays synthetic wicker is made from plastic fibers.
Wicker fibers can come from many parts of many plants. For example, rattan stalks, willow switches, reed or bamboo. The most common is rattan vine.
Wicker furniture has the desirable blend of lightness and sturdiness that makes it perfect for furniture that's moved often such as porch, patio and poolside items. The only problem is that natural wicker is not weather resistant and needs to be moved under cover when it rains. For this reason, a number of synthetics have been developed.
Outdoor Wicker Furniture is now being crafted from materials such as resin and polypropylene. This has the look, charm and lightness of the natural item but with high durability and weather resistance. It also has the advantage that it doesn't dry out and break like natural wicker.
Another great plus for wicker, both natural and synthetic is that it's easy to maintain. Just use mild detergent and water. It's a good idea too to vacuum or brush excess dirt from the textured surfaces. For natural wicker, cracking indicates dryness which can be treated with boiled linseed oil.
So the next time you're choosing furniture for your home, whether inside or out, take a look at wicker. You're sure to fall under its spell.
Nothing adds tone to your home quite like a chaise lounge. Whether made or wicker, teak or metal, they have an unique blend of style and function. To find out more check out the Chaise Lounge Furniture Guide and Patio Chaise Lounge.
By Colin Fisher