What is Wicker Furniture Exactly?

Wicker furniture is  made out of various materials such as rattan and cane in combination with other materials. It has a long history, going all the way back to ancient Egypt. In more modern times, the Arts and Crafts movement has had a heavy impact on the use.

Furniture made of wicker is sturdy, but remains light, making it ideal for furniture that gets moved around. An example being patio furniture.

What is Wicker?
Wicker is usually made of materials from plants, but it is also possible to use other materials, such as plastic fibers. Plants often used are the cane of rattan stalks, willow switches, reed, and bamboo. Wicker is then produced by forming the hard woven fiber into a rigid material.

When the fibers used are of a plant material, the wicker is sometimes referred to as natural wicker, while wicker using plastic fibers is known as synthetic wicker. Natural wicker is thought of as the most beautiful and comfortable alternative, but synthetic wicker is a lot easier to maintain in mint condition.

Besides its use in furniture, wicker is also used to produce baskets.

Furniture Using Wicker
Wicker furniture goes back all the way to ancient Egypt. However, the use of wicker experienced a revival with the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the 20th century. This movement praised traditional handcrafts and aimed at preserving and emphasizing the qualities inherent in a material.

Wicker gives furniture an interesting look. The surface becomes uneven and intricate, and every piece becomes slightly different. The furniture might have a tendency to look a bit old fashioned, but innovative designers combine the wicker with more modern materials, like steel or glass, to create a striking contrast.

When using wicker in the production of furniture, the frame is often made by stiffer materials, such as wood, metal or plastic. If used in tables, the tabletop is made of a more even material. A classic example is an outdoor patio wicker table with a glass tabletop.

If the furniture is designed for outdoor use, manufacturers have to consider the effects of the elements. Natural wicker is therefore coated with resin, reducing the effects of heat, sunshine, and water. Another popular solution is to use synthetic wicker.

Wicker furniture owes its popularity to a number of factors. Fans of the style tout its beauty. Others like the sturdiness and light weight. A third factor, that should not be ignored, is the fact that this type of furniture is relatively inexpensive.