As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, you’re probably dreaming of sunny days out on the patio relaxing with family and friends. If you are ready to upgrade your outdoor furniture, there is undoubtedly a wide variety of materials, styles, and other options to choose from. Before you head out to do some shopping, be sure to add wicker patio furniture to your list of options. This durable, lightweight material is a great choice for practically any style of home. Here are some tips to pick the right wicker patio furniture, so you can make the most of your investment.
Think About Your Climate
Where you live and common weather conditions can play a role in what type of patio furniture you choose. If you live in an area where it’s extremely hot and dry, wood patio furniture might be at risk of splitting, cracking, or warping. Wood is also vulnerable to nasty insects that can “bore” inside the wood, eating your beautiful new furniture from the inside out. Thankfully, wicker is not prone to these nasty pests, so it’s a good choice if insects are a concern. If you live in a region that gets a lot of high winds, make sure your patio furniture is heavy and strong enough, so it won’t blow away or tip over. While wicker is extremely lightweight and easy to move around, it can be made sturdier and heavier when it comes with a nice heavyweight iron frame.
Sunny regions are perfect for lounging on the patio, but this weather can also make the finish of your patio furniture fade or become discolored with too much direct exposure. One of the best tips to pick the right wicker patio furniture is to make sure it’s UV treated. Most manufacturers today make wicker patio furniture that can handle lots of sunlight. The key is to store your wicker patio furniture after summer is over to prolong its lifespan. Even furniture with a special finish will eventually break down, so always keep your patio furniture securely stored during the off-season. If you don’t have extra storage space, a protective furniture cover should do the trick.
Tips to Pick with Right Wicker Patio Furniture: Choose A Versatile Style
Wicker patio furniture comes in a huge range of styles that go from sleek and modern to casual and traditional. When you’re looking at wicker patio furniture, try to choose something in a style that will be pleasing season after season. An easy way to do this is to find pieces with removable cushions so you can change things up if you want to. For example, an outdoor sofa made of wicker can include soft, comfortable cushions with a removable cover. When you’re tired of a color or pattern, simply change the cover to update your style.
Another key part of picking versatile wicker patio furniture is to select something in a basic shape or design that won’t go out of style. If the boho-chic look is trendy this year, it might not be the same next year. Look for versatile pieces that will match just about anything you have, and that will provide a timeless look to your patio. Basic pieces can always be dressed up with colorful throw pillows, a fun area rug, and other outdoor décor items. The more versatile your furniture is, the more enjoyment you’ll get out of it every single year.
Design Your Layout First
You wouldn’t buy a sofa for your living room that causes the space to be cramped and overcrowded. That same principle should apply to your patio furniture, too. Before you start shopping for new pieces, it’s always a good idea to draft a layout first. Measure the dimensions of your deck or patio and write them on a piece of paper. Don’t forget to account for the shape, either. If you have a long, narrow balcony or deck, you’ll need to make note of it so that your new patio furniture fits. Think about how much space you’ll need around the furniture so people can easily walk around it when they’re heading over to the grill for another burger. You can apply the same concept you use indoors to your patio when you do this so that everything flows nicely.
If your patio happens to be on the smaller side, look for wicker pieces that you can stack on top of one another or tuck away. A nice wicker outdoor table and a set of matching chairs will look nice, but if the chairs are too big, they could make your patio feel crowded. Instead, try a wicker outdoor dining set that has chairs you can slide all the way under the table to free up space. A gorgeous wicker bar and a set of matching bar stools is a fantastic substitute that will not just add a casual touch to your patio but will also take up a lot less space. A charming bistro set is another great alternative to a full-sized patio dining set. Do the same thing with your seating pieces, too. Write down a few different layout ideas, then measure the furniture before you buy it to make sure that it will fit nicely in the space.
Natural vs Synthetic Wicker
The natural trend is definitely hot right now, but it’s not exactly a great choice for patio furniture. While a beautiful woven seagrass or bamboo chair looks lovely, this material is highly prone to drying out, cracking, and losing its shape. You can find a lot of natural wicker products for the inside of your home, but most patio furniture is typically constructed of the synthetic version. Look for terms like PE rattan or the word polyethylene, which means that the wicker is made of a high-quality, durable plastic. This version of wicker won’t crack or split, and it should maintain its shape over time without an issue.
Synthetic wicker pieces are usually treated with a special weather-resistant product to keep them protected from the elements. The wicker is then made into shapes and formed over a sturdy metal or hardwood frame. Choosing synthetic wicker might seem counterintuitive, but it’s really the only way to guarantee that your new patio furniture will last for years to come. A perk to choosing this option is that you can find these furniture pieces in a variety of colors. You don’t have to settle for typical brown colors when you buy wicker patio furniture. Keep an eye out for more modern, fun options like a contemporary gray outdoor table or some fun blue or green wicker chairs.
Whether you love to host backyard cookouts or simply enjoy relaxing on your patio alone, keep these tips to pick the right wicker patio furniture in mind when you’re ready to update your space. Thanks to its durable properties and stylish looks, wicker is an excellent choice for any outdoor setting. Make sure you choose wicker pieces that are heavy enough to withstand high winds if you live in an area that gets inclement weather. Top your beautiful new wicker patio furniture with some colorful cushions and get ready to enjoy spending quality time in the great outdoors all summer long.
