Wicker Furniture

Wicker is the process of weaving natural materials like willow, rattan, cane, bamboo into various patterns. Wicker furniture is made from weaving interlaced slender branches around a frame and molding it into desired shapes such as tables, chairs, bed or sofas. Most wicker furniture is manufactured by hand and they originate from Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia, Philippines and China. Wicker furniture became popular in the Victorian era, as its smooth surfaces and clean lines were believed to be more clean and hygienic than upholstered furniture.

Wicker furniture can be broadly classified into two categories: loom woven and synthetic wicker furniture. Loom woven wicker pieces use natural materials such as rattan, cane or bamboo. These materials are dipped in resin emulsions to form a moisture resistant shield. Synthetic wicker furniture is made from hand-woven polyethylene, fiber glass or resin, a material that resembles natural wicker and is washable, waterproof, colorfast, and ultraviolet and frost-resistant.

Synthetic woven furniture usually has aluminum frames for increased strength and durability. It often contains UV inhibitors that repel the damaging effects of the sun, harsh weather and temperature changes. Some variety of wicker furniture is dipped in a special coating to resist fading and reduce flaking and cracking.

Wicker furniture is available in natural, stained or painted surfaces. It offers comfort, durability, versatility and livability. Because of its natural finish and color, it mixes well with upholstered pieces. It is popular as outdoor and patio furniture because it is easy to clean and is lightweight.

Wicker furniture can last for several years, provided a little bit of care is taken with its upkeep. Although wicker furniture is easy to maintain and attracts less dust, it is advisable to vacuum or dust the furniture regularly and treat it with furniture polish. A layer of lacquer should be applied for restoring its finish.

Wicker Furniture provides detailed information on Wicker Furniture, Outdoor Wicker Furniture, Wicker Patio Furniture, Wicker Bedroom Furniture and more. Wicker Furniture is affiliated with Teak Outdoor Furniture. By Jimmy Sturo

Modern Wicker Furniture Makes Wicker Furniture More Versatile

Modern wicker furniture works in more environments than most people realize. Wicker furniture was once only used for outdoor furnishing, but today all kinds of different looks and styles exist. Whether you are looking to put a lounge by the pool or add distinction to your bedroom with a new headboard, you should at least consider wicker.

Wicker is not a specific material but rather a weave. Traditionally, wicker was made from rattan, but today all manner of materials are used for colorful wicker creations. Resin wicker furniture is often used for robust outdoor furniture while bamboo wicker may be used for a comfortable but casual indoor area. You can even find aluminum wicker for outdoor or indoor use.

The effect of the weave can help the furniture have longevity. For example, whereas a glass of water spilled on a straight wood chair may cause water stains, in a wicker piece the water will likely just drip through to the floor. Additionally, the weaved parts create surprising strength for such lightweight furniture.

Traditionally, wicker made for lightweight pieces of furniture. However, if you seeks a fancier piece, it is now possible. Manufacturers are now blending different materials with wicker for a more versatile look and feel. You might find a wicker coffee table topped with an attractive piece of glass, for example.

Wicker styles have evolved and become more broad as well. You can now find some very sleek, modern designs with smooth curves and low profiles. This may go against your stereotype of that old ornate stuff you saw at your grandmothers.

Last but not least, you can use all kinds of cushions on modern wicker furniture. This gives you flexibility in both the look and feel of the furniture. With large cushions placed at both the seat and the back you can create a really comfy, cushy wicker couch.

This should give you a good idea of the increased versatility of modern wicker furniture designs. Wicker furniture can work into both your bedroom and your patio, you just have to look around for the right style.

To learn more about this versatile modern furniture and to help you find the best deals online, read the Wicker Furniture Blog.
By Sasha Jenkins

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

How to Maintain Your Wicker Furniture

Wicker furniture is popular across the world because it's beautiful and quite inexpensive. It is usually made from different parts of plants that mainly grow in South Asia. Apart from famous furniture made from different types of natural wicker like rattan, cane, bamboo and resin, furniture made from synthetic wicker like plastic is getting quite popular too. It is a perfect choice for decorating interiors as well as exteriors of your home. Proper maintenance can ensure that it will keep looking beautiful for many years.
In order to keep the dust off your wicker furniture, simply clean it by using a soft cloth or pad. You can vacuum clean the furniture using the brush attachment or manually clean it with a soft paintbrush once every month to remove the dirt from deeper areas. It will be easy to clean the hard to reach areas if you use high pressure air.
For more thorough cleaning take your furniture in an open area and dust off the dirt manually or by using vacuum cleaner and wash it carefully with a solution of gentle dishwashing liquid added to a bucket full of warm water by using a soft clean rag or pad. Care should be taken to not to wet the furniture too much. Use another piece of clean and damp cloth to get rid of the soap residue. After this, you can wipe it with a dry piece of clean cloth or a soft sponge in order to dry off the furniture completely.
To clean the wicker furniture off any molds and mildew, you can use the mixture of 2 tablespoons of ammonia mixed in a bucket of water. After getting rid off the dust by vacuum cleaning, place the furniture in an open area and apply the ammonia mixture and immediately rinse it off by using water and wipe off the access water with dry cloth or a soft sponge. You can place the furniture in the sun to dry off completely but don't keep it out in the sun for too long. Too much sun can damage your furniture. In order to make it more resistant polish can be applied to some of the furniture. Apply small quantity of furniture polish. You can do this in the beginning of every season.
You can also apply paint to freshen up your wicker furniture. After cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner simply spray it with an enamel spray paint for uniform coverage. Don't forget to place the furniture in an open area before doing so. Allow it dry for a day and then apply the second coat. If the finish wears off or changes color or becomes dull don't try to strip it off. It can damage your furniture completely. Simply spray paint over the existing surface.
Another thing you can do to maintain your wicker furniture and to make it last longer is to avoid placing in the outdoors where it is exposed to direct sunlight, especially when not in use. Store your outdoor furniture in an area that is climatically controlled. For indoors furniture avoid placing them near the items that produce like fireplaces, wall heaters and stoves. Remember too much water can cause the furniture to rot and too much heat can make it crack, flake and weak.
For more information on wicker furniture, please visit our wicker furniture website.
By Darren W Chow