Wicker Chairs

Wicker chairs for the outside of your home can also be classed as wicker deck chairs, since they are usually found on deck surfaces whether in the garden, yard, or around the house on a porch. Wicker chairs are not easy to clean and can also collect spiderwebs and bugs quickly, so they are usually placed on clean deck surfaces rather than in garden dirt or on grass.

Wicker has been around awhile, with wicker furniture found that dates back as far as ancient Egypt. It has been used extensively for baskets and furniture. Wicker refers to the woven 'material' made from a variety of substances. Most wicker is made of fibers from the core of rattan or cane stalks, though can also be made of whole stalks (if they are thin enough) like willow shoots; bamboo cut into fine strips, and reed, are also used. Modern day wicker can also be made from plastic, resin and other synthetic materials, and another common wicker 'fiber' is wire wrapped with paper.

The narrow, thin strips of whatever material is being used are then woven into the shapes desired; the tight weaving makes the final material very rigid, but the weaving pattern also allows the material to have some amount of softness in the 'give', making wicker sturdy yet also somewhat comfortable to rest on. Cushions can be added to make wicker furniture more cozy.
     Below: wicker chairs in all their rustic glory, from hanging wicker chairs to plush interior chairs, to simple visitor chairs and to wicker patio and den sets.

Wicker chairs and other wicker furniture can be made entirely of the wicker weave, but more often than not the wicker is actually woven around a more sturdy frame, made of solid wood, metal, plastic, bamboo, or whatever is desired for the strength and look. Wicker chairs come in all shapes, from being used as the backrest and seat support for simple deck chairs, to being woven into large chairs and sofas resplendent with design. They look beautiful - unless the wicker is becoming frayed - and they are long-lasting if treated well and kept out of constant weather changes. Wicker is often painted and this coating helps their longevity, but there's something to say for the beauty of the natural, rustic look of uncoated wicker. Synthetic wicker chairs can last practically forever in the elements, but if you want your natural wicker to last you'll have to treat it well and keep it out of damaging weather.