Choosing Wicker Patio Furniture

Wicker is any woven natural material formed into a rigid structure, be it bamboo or any other types of reeds or strong grass. In some instances, plastic fibers are also used.

Wicker furniture is great for outdoors because it has a natural look and feel – it will make your patio merge in with the outdoors surroundings. Here are some pointers that will guide you in choosing wicker patio furniture,

Wicker is made of natural material and it tends to rot. If you are buying, look for a kind that has a coating or varnish on top to keep it from rotting if exposed to water. There are many kinds of coating, but buy the one which shows the natural color of your wicker furniture best. For instance, if you coat your light colored wicker furniture with dark varnish, and the beauty of the wicker just disappears. Try to match as close as possible the varnish to your furniture.

Choose a wicker material that is strong. As I mentioned, there are different kinds of wicker material that are used to make wicker patio furniture. Some will fall apart before long or will disintegrate if they are under extreme weight. Choose the strongest kind of wicker that you can get. The best way to do this is read about different kinds of wicker that are used to make furniture so that you can know the one that gives the most durable product. We suggest rattan, cane and bamboo as the best materials for wicker patio furniture. Reed is the least sturdy of the wicker variety.

You also need to check the way the wicker patio furniture has been joint or seam. All kinds of cane, rattan or bamboo furniture will usually use something to tie different sections together. Whatever is used to join or seam the furniture must be strong and must be able to do a good job even under heavy strain.

You have an option to incorporate a frame into the kind of wicker design that you choose. This type of wicker patio furniture will be much durable and long lasting. Opt for a steel frame so that the wicker material is wrapped around it to get the furniture done. This way, you won’t have to worry about joints and you will have much stronger furniture.

Wicker furniture comes in different sizes, so when looking at wicker furniture for your patio, choose the sizes that will help you use the space that you have in the best way. Choose pieces that will not clutter the patio. Remember to pick the color that complements the color scheme or theme of your existing patio.

Wicker is used to make beautiful accompanying pieces and if you are shopping at the right place, you can get pieces that will liven up your patio and make it much more beautiful. These can range from lamp shades to potted plant holders to magazine and wine racks. All these accessories, if cleverly used can truly enhance the comfort  for your patio.

Today, you will find synthetic as well as natural wicker and only a very experienced eye will be able to tell the difference on a finished piece. Synthetic can look really good and offers the advantage that it can last if made right. You can go for it if it suits your requirements.

There are some countries that are known to produce stronger, better wicker than others, especially those in Asia such as Malaysia and Indonesia. You can choose the perfect piece of wicker patio furniture by keeping in mind the above described qualities of various material and pick the ones made from the right kind of material. The choices could differ widely based on your individual taste and preferences. On a last note, don't forget to spice up your patio existence by using suitable outdoor cushions, furniture covers, lighting and other accessories to make the most of your outdoor living experience.

Below are our recommendations of some high quality Wicker patio furniture and premium wicker patio sets. Additionally, please check out some essential tips on buying patio furniture.