Wicker furniture has seen a boost in popularity among home decorators over time. Gone are the days when wicker was viewed as old-fashioned and used only by the elderly. The appeal lies in the timeless beauty of the woven furniture. Today, people find different and creative ways to use wicker to improve their home interiors.
In this article, we will look at different wicker furniture ideas which you can use inside your home. But first, let us learn a little more about wicker and understand What is wicker?
What Is Wicker?
Wicker does not refer to the material used to make the object. Instead, it relates to objects woven out of natural materials such as rattan (cane, reed, pole, and peel), willow, palm, dried grasses, fiber (spun wood pulp), raffia, rush, bamboo, straw, and buri.
Almost anything can be made of wicker like floor mats, shoes, tea strainers, headrests, hats, boxes, spice containers; even hearses.
Some of The Main Wicker Furniture Materials
Rattan
This is a vine-like palm found mainly in the forests of Southeast Asia, parts of tropical Asia, and Africa. This palm grows tall and thin, bends well without breaking, and is very strong. Rattan is said to be one of the strongest wood species in the world. This material is great for outdoor furniture because of its glossy and water-resistant surface. It is often preferred for large pieces of furniture like accent chairs or coffee tables. However, it does not accept paint or stains well.
Cane
This is the outer part or bark of the rattan palm. Cane furniture is made by peeling off the top layer of the rattan and wrapping it around solid frames like steel, hardwood, or aluminium. This material is not as porous as rattan, making it perfect for outdoor furniture. Cane can also be used to make bed frames, light fixtures, and credenzas, and to wrap wooden parts like legs or stretchers together. Like with rattan, stain and paint do not stick well to cane.
Reed
Originally considered waste material, this is the inner part of the rattan and came into use in the 1850s. Reed is very pliant, with light lengthwise ridges. It comes in various sizes, may be flat, oval, or round, and takes well to stain and paint.
Swamp Reed
This material grows in marshy areas and is not the same as the reed taken from the center of the rattan palm. In earlier times, these swamp reeds were used to make baskets, thatch, and other work requiring weaving.
Willow
Sometimes called osiers, these are strong and plain twigs from certain willow species, like the purple, green, and Lemley varieties. The material is peeled before use and may have slight knobs or rubs at the spot where the leaf stems. Although the twig sizes vary, willow is still smooth and better suited for open weaving. Additionally, willow is soft, tough, and accepts stains very well.
History Of Wicker Furniture
Over the course of history, wicker has gone in and out of fashion many times, but it was trendy during the Victorian era. Wicker could be found in almost every room of the house. The oldest known piece of wickerwork is a hassock, coiled and woven into a round stool. This was depicted in a sculpture from Syria (circa 2600 BC). The oldest piece of wicker furniture still in existence is a toilet chest recovered from the burial site of Queen Menuthotep at Thebes (circa 1600 BC). The way the chest was constructed and its joints wrapped is very similar to the method today’s craftspeople use to make wicker furniture.
Additionally, wicker objects like stools, chests, baskets, matting and a pair of wicker sandals were found at the tomb of King Tutankhamun (who died in 1325 BC). Evidence of wicker has also been found in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Willows were specifically cultivated by the Romans for weaving chariot carts, utensils, agricultural tools, and other furniture.
Now, let’s look at some ways in which you can use wicker to brighten up your home interiors.
Wicker Furniture Ideas for Decorating Your House Interiors
Below is a list of wicker furniture ideas:
- Mix Wicker with Regular Seating in Your Modern Living Room
- Organize Bedroom Storage with Wicker Baskets
- Wicker Patio Furniture
- Store Fruit and Vegetable in Wicker Baskets
- Add Wicker Swing Chairs to Your Living Room or Patio
- Make A Rustic Bedroom with A Wicker Bedside Table
- Use Wicker Baskets as Planters
- Make Seating Comfortable with A Wicker Rocking Chair
- Set The Mood with Wicker Light Shades
- Cosy Up Your Nook with A Wicker Armchair
- Add Class to Your Laundry with A Wicker Baskets
- Wicker Bedside Lamp
- Wicker Bar Carts
Mix Wicker With Regular Seating In Your Modern Living Room
Change up your living room aesthetics by adding wicker furniture to the rest of your furniture in the modern living room. You can add a couple of wicker chairs or a wicker coffee table to the living room. Mixing in wicker with the rest of your furniture adds a rustic feel to your interiors, giving you a change of scene.
Organize Bedroom Storage with Wicker Baskets
Wicker baskets are great for storage and you probably have seen them being used in one way or another at someone’s house. They are relatively lightweight, stylish, and charming. You can add them to your bedroom to store clothes, bed covers, sheets, children’s toys, etc. They are a great way to keep your things organized and go well with any theme and colour scheme. Especially when it comes to kid’s room storage ideas, wicker baskets are a blessing in disguise.
Wicker Patio Furniture
Cane and rattan furniture are resistant to water, making them great for the outdoors. Place wicker patio furniture such as wicker lounge chairs or armchairs along with a glass-top table on your patio for a warm and comfy feel.
Store Fruit and Vegetable In Wicker Baskets
Wicker baskets are also great for storing fruits and vegetables. You can place these wicker baskets with fruits and vegetables on your dining table or kitchen island to add some character to the furniture.
Add Wicker Swing Chairs to Your Living Room or Patio
Wicker swing chairs are a great piece of furniture to have, especially in warm areas. You can hang them up on your patio or even in your living room if you have enough space. They can be hung directly from the ceiling or come with their own stand. There are many indoor swing ideas, which you can incorporate and relive your childhood. Wicker swing chairs can be used with or without cushions, depending on your preference. If you decide to add cushions, you can make them match the colour theme of the space.
Make A Rustic Bedroom with A Wicker Bedside Table
Every bed needs a side table, whether it is for storage or to be a statement piece. You can always opt for a wicker bedside table if you want to add a bit of charm to your bedroom. The wicker bedside table will look good on its own, even if it is the only piece of wicker furniture in the room.
Use Wicker Baskets as Planters
You can use wicker baskets for pretty much anything, including planters. Add splashes of natural colour to your home by placing fresh flowers and plants in wicker baskets. You can do this by placing a regular pot, vase, or mud directly into the basket. If you are worried about dirtying the basket with mud, you can always poke small holes in heavy plastic sheets and use them as liners. These DIY planters for your home will contribute to beautifying home interiors.
Make Seating Comfortable with A Wicker Rocking Chair
Wicker rocking chairs are comfortable seats that go well in the living room, patio, reading room, or bedroom. These wicker furniture are generally grand and rustic in their design and have a lot of interesting weave work.
Set The Mood with Wicker Light Shades
Pair wicker light shades with incandescent light bulbs, Edison light bulbs, or any other low-intensity light bulb for an ethereal setting. You can place these above your bed, in your study room, above your reading nook, or above your dining table.
Cosy Up Your Nook with A Wicker Armchair
Create your own little reading nook in the corner of your living room with a wicker armchair, a few plush cushions, and a blanket.
Add Class to Your Laundry with A Wicker Baskets
As previously mentioned, wicker baskets make great storage items, even as laundry baskets. Unlike regular plastic or cloth laundry baskets, ones made of wicker can be placed in almost any room without looking odd. You can place them in your bedroom, closet, bathroom, or basement. Their rustic charm will make them look good anywhere, even if they are carrying dirty laundry.
Wicker Bedside Lamp
Rattan bedside lamps are also available on the market. These bedside lamps add a natural and refreshing touch to your room. The wicker bedside lamp easily integrates into your room due to its timeless appearance. Its design style does not leave anyone indifferent. With an LED bulb, the wicker bedside lamp provides high luminosity while consuming little energy. It becomes the perfect companion for your late-night reading sessions.
Wicker Bar Carts
Wicker bar carts look great in any room of the house. They are particularly popular in kitchens and dining rooms for storing alcohol, spirits, tumblers, and glasses, but they can also be found in living rooms, bedrooms, and even outdoor spaces.
We hope that you try these wicker furniture ideas and see how they bring charm into your home. If you find regular wicker boring, you can always add your personality to it by painting wicker furniture.
Also read
5 Steps to Restore the Old Cane Chairs of Your House!
Image Courtesy: Image 16
Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.