I’ve written about the benefits and versatility of outdoor wicker furniture and natural wicker furniture. So, which one is better?

Okay, to answer this question, let’s first take a look at the natural wicker furniture. You will notice that some natural wicker furniture do not seem able to withstand the ravages of weather and time. This is quite true if you left it outside to suffer the rain and the sun and the cold.

Why is that? This type of inexpensive plain wicker furniture have wicker are mostly woven rattan or water hyacinth without a long-lasting finish, thus it is susceptible to changes in temperature.When it is placed under the hot sun, natural wicker will dry out faster and when it dried up, it will start to crack and the fibers will start coming apart. As for leaving it out in wet weather, too much moisture will loosen the glue used to hold the wicker design together and then the wicker will warp. So, it seems that natural wicker furniture is best left indoors away from the extreme heat and moisture.

Now, on to the new generation of outdoor wicker furniture which is also known as the all-weather wicker furniture. This new line of elegant and yet durable wicker furniture is a whole different league altogether. This new line is guaranteed to withstand all sorts of weather without bending out of shape, becoming brittle, fading or becoming warped from dampness. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it is true, all thanks to modern technology. Your common wicker furniture was given the magical addition of polyethylene resin fibers and it is these fibers that guarantee strength in the frame with a resistance to all kinds of weather.

Other than the resin wicker furniture, there are also wicker furniture which is a combination of teak and rattan. This combination is also weather resistant as teak is wood that is very weather resistant. The other option is to go for outdoor wicker furniture made of bamboo because bamboo is another natural material that is strong and weather resistant.

So, do choose your outdoor wicker furniture carefully before buying a set for your garden or porch.

Although outdoor wicker furniture are long lasting and durable, you will still need to clean and care for them to keep it dust-free and clean.  You will need to clean woven wicker furniture regularly with the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. When using the vacuum, you should follow the direction of the weave and make sure you vacuum thoroughly to get rid of all the dust stuck in the crevices and corners.

If the crevices are too small for the vacuum brush to get to, you can remove the debris using an old toothbrush or a small paintbrush with short bristles (or you can trim the bristles to half its length).

Once you get the dust out, you can wipe down your wicker furniture with a damp rag to remove any stains or build up especially at places where it is mostly handled such as the arms and backs of chairs and the tabletops. You can dampen the rag in a mild soapy solution first and then rinse the rag in clear water and wipe again to remove the soapy residue.

As for some wicker furniture that is combined with wooden components, you will need to take good care of the wooden components the same way you care for wood furniture. You will need to regularly clean and polish these components to maintain the finish of the wooden surfaces.

Natural wicker furniture can dry out over time especially in places with low humidity so it is best that you do not place your natural wicker furniture near heater vents, fireplaces, radiators or any place with sources of dry heat. This is to maintain the moisture content of the natural wicker.  You should also avoid placing natural indoor wicker furniture outdoors under direct sunlight as sunlight may also dry out and fade your furniture.

If your natural wicker furniture do not have a protective finish, it will dry out over the years. So, if you notice the wicker becoming brittle, you can restore the moisture content of the wicker by rinsing the piece of furniture with clear water. You can also use this opportunity to give your wicker furniture a ‘washing’ with your garden hose. Just add a mild soapy solution and use a soft bristle brush to scrub it free of dirt and grime. Just remember to scrub gently in the direction of the weave so as not to damage the weave.

After soaping and scrubbing it, then rinse it with clear water and you can use moderate water pressure to get at debris and dirt caught in between the weave and crevices. When you finish washing it, elevate the furniture to let the water run off and then use a dry rag to wipe it dry as much as possible. To completely dry it, just place it out in the open on a sunny day.

Remember to let your wicker furniture dry completely before taking it back in for use.

So, a lot have been mentioned about the versatility of outdoor wicker furniture and how long lasting it is. It is economical too and of a high quality with an elegant look to it.

If those reasons are not enough to have you ordering your first set of outdoor wicker furniture, let me explain to you in detail the benefits of having outdoor wicker furniture. Let’s take a look at the much mentioned trait of it’s versatility. Outdoor wicker furniture is versatile in the sense that you can use it outdoors, indoors, in-between, anywhere you fancy. You can place it on the porch, on the balcony, on the patio, in the sun room, in the dining room, in the garden, by the poolside, in the living room, in the bedroom or even in the attic. Yep, you can get wicker furniture for practically any room or living space you fancy. If that’s not called versatility, I don’t know what else is.

The reason it is so versatile is because it comes in many different design and the choices are so varied, you’d be hard press to make up your mind. In fact, if you start browsing through the many wicker furniture designs available, you’d be tempted to get a set for the porch, a set for the living room, a set for the dining area, etc. The possibilities are endless.

Then, we talk about long lastingness. There are many households with natural wicker furniture that has been around for decades and the furniture is still as good as new. Though, it may have faded or the finishing may have been scratched or dulled over the years, this can easily be remedied with a touch up.

But if you are talking about outdoor wicker furniture or all-weather wicker furniture, then you won’t even see scratches on it and it does not even need to be touched up at all! This is because it is made from a resin that holds the color of its finishing very well unlike natural wicker furniture which could get scratched, dented or damage but is easily reparable with touch ups.

What do you do if you have a set of old wicker furniture that badly needs a makeover?

Well, other than throwing it out and getting a new set or taking it to a professional crafter to re-finish it, there is an easier, DIY way to giving it a new breath of life. Wicker furniture is very versatile, so much so that you can accessorize wicker furniture with cushions of any color or material.

You can have a deluxe custom cushion made for the furniture and there are plenty of custom fabric you can choose from. However, if your wicker furniture is not designed to be used with cushions, you can’t force a cushion on it. You can think of other ways like adding a colorful blanket on it or even placing throw pillows (instead of custom fit cushions) on it.

If you are keen on adding custom fit cushions, do check your furniture first. It will prove to be more comfortable if you use it with wicker furniture that is specifically made to to accept cushions. If you insist on placing custom-made cushions on wicker furniture that is designed without cushions, it may prove to be uncomfortable to sit on.

The best way to determine if a wicker furniture is suitable to have cushions on it or not is to sit on it. Is it very comfortable without cushion? Then this means it is designed without the need for cushions. But if it felt as it is lacking in something, that means you need to add some cushions to it!

In choosing your cushions, you will have to make sure that you get high quality deluxe cushions that are comfortable, fits the furniture and is long lasting. To bring a sharp contrast and some colors to your wicker furniture, you should choose bright colors that matches your furniture and does not clash unnecessarily.

So, go ahead, give your outdoor wicker furniture a lift with some bright splashes of colors!

Before I start with more information about outdoor wicker furniture, let’s take a brief look at wicker furniture in general.
So, what is wicker?
Natural wicker is woven from rattan palm, willow, reeds of any other natural material. The material will be dried and then soaked in water to soften it before it was woven by hand to form wicker items.

Wicker can be weaved into extraordinary designs of elegant and beautiful furniture by skilled crafters.  Amongst the products that can be made from wicker are furniture, baskets, carpets, planters, hampers, wall hanging, lamps, trunks, baby cribs, trash baskets and more.

So, wicker furniture is usually hand crafted, durable, lightweight and very comfortable. Wicker furniture can be designed for use inside homes, outdoors, on patios, in plant conservatories, wherever.

All wicker furniture are extremely versatile, thus it is easy to care for and very practical to own. The best part is that wicker furniture is economical and it suits most types of décor.

Now, we go to the outdoor wicker furniture.

This type of wicker furniture is all the craze nowadays and it is wicker made of man-made weather proof materials. Outdoor wicker furniture is also known as all-weather wicker or resin wicker. This type of furniture have increased in popularity due to their versatility, elegance and durability in its ability to withstand all sorts of weather out of doors.

That’s not all, there are a lot of color finishes to choose from and outdoor wicker furniture are practically low maintenance. So, what if you want to have outdoor wicker furniture indoors? No problem. Outdoor wicker furniture is different from natural wicker as it has a smooth finish and looks and feels like elite high finished furniture with light and sturdy aluminum frames and long lasting resin wicker.

So, these furniture will look just as perfect for your dining rooms, living rooms, study rooms, sun rooms, bedroom or anywhere else you want to have it. Some of the outdoor wicker furniture available includes gliders, rockers, chairs, loveseats, gliders, lounge chairs, patio tables, patio chairs, ottoman and coffee tables.

Patio Furniture Cushions

If you have a set of wicker furniture, it is always a fun idea to dress it up with patio furniture cushions. Other than giving your furniture a new look, it also adds a great deal of comfort and a beautiful splash of colors as you could have a variety of different-colored patio furniture cushions made especially for your outdoor furniture.

Outdoor Rocking Chairs

Another way for a more comfortable relaxation outdoor is to get some outdoor rocking chairs. These pieces of outdoor furniture are amazingly relaxing for a quiet evening outdoor as you enjoy the cool crisp air and watch the sunset. Not only that, outdoor rocking chairs are great for some quiet time outside and you could even take a nap on these ultra comfortable outdoor furniture.

Teak Outdoor Furniture or Teak Patio Furniture

Other than wicker furniture, another type of popular furniture to look for is the teak outdoor furniture which is also known as teak patio furniture. Teak is a very hardy wood and is quite weather-proof too although it requires a certain amount of care. So, if you are not all that into wicker furniture, teak outdoor furniture is worth a try since it also comes in a variety of styles and designs with also a touch of class. There are also a lot of different Teak Patio Furniture in varying colors for you to choose from.

Discount Patio Furniture

If you feel that patio furniture is expensive, you could always look for discount patio furniture to get really great prices for beautiful pieces of outdoor furniture. You can always search online outdoor furniture stores for great bargains and discount prices. There are also some discount patio furniture stores online that sells only discount furniture so there are plenty of choices out there.

Patio Furniture Covers or Outdoor Furniture Covers

Although outdoor wicker furniture are all-weather and durable, it is a good idea to get some really great patio furniture covers or outdoor furniture covers to protect it. Covering up your patio furniture with waterproof covers will be good to keep out the rain and at the same time, keep out dirt and dust. If your patio furniture has cushions, getting patio furniture covers or outdoor furniture covers are pretty practical to ensure the cushions do not get damaged due to rain and snow.