The Hidden Drawbacks of Wicker Furniture You Overlooked

As you’re considering different
fashionable concepts for crafting the ideal patio
When selecting furniture for your space, choosing the appropriate style is essential. Wicker pieces can beautifully enhance both indoor and outdoor areas with their classic charm, evoking feelings of coziness and hospitality—perfect for adorning your patio. Nonetheless, prior to browsing for additional wicker options, consider some potential disadvantages you may haven’t considered yet. It’s important to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages of this particular furnishing choice so as to avoid making a selection you could later come to regret.

Before delving into the drawbacks of wicker furniture, let’s clarify a frequent misunderstanding. Although numerous individuals use “wicker” and “rattan” as synonymous terms, they actually have distinct differences.
variations between wicker and rattan materials
Wicker denotes a distinct method of weaving; thus, items can be crafted from either natural or artificial materials based on the chosen components. In contrast, rattan is an individual kind of material known for its stringy nature and resemblance to bamboo. Although rattan frequently undergoes this weaving process to create what we call wicker furniture, not every piece classified as wicker is made with rattan. With these clarifications established, let’s delve into several possible disadvantages associated with acquiring wicker furnishings, which should factor into your decision-making when considering purchasing those appealing new sets.

Read more:
The Easy-Care Suspended Planter Bloom That Thrives In Warmth And Enhances Your Deck’s Appeal

A Lot of Natural Wicker Items Have Short Lifespans

If you’ve been
questioning if wicker furniture can endure long enough to be worthwhile
You might find yourself somewhat let down by this response, especially when dealing with natural materials. Wicker crafted from natural sources isn’t typically known for having an exceptionally long life span. Take bamboo wicker furniture as an illustration; even though it looks stunning, such items usually endure for around ten years at most—provided they’re well-maintained. The issue lies in the fact that the hollow core of bamboo tends to crack or splinter over extended periods, leading to damage in the piece.

Wicker furniture crafted from rattan tends to endure longer compared to other natural materials due to its fibrous nature. Rattan provides robust and pliable construction, enabling it to possibly remain intact for about two decades—twice as long as bamboo-based wickers. While this extended life span is commendable, all-natural wicker furnishings may still be more susceptible to damage from harsh treatment than those made of metal or wood. Therefore, extra caution must be exercised during transport or indoor storage, especially if they’re meant for outdoor use.
If durability and longevity are top priorities, particularly for exterior settings, investing in premium synthetic alternatives like resin or HDPE could be worthwhile. These artificial options usually exhibit superior toughness and endurance over their natural counterparts.

Wicker furniture made from natural materials shouldn’t be left outdoors.

When searching for the
optimal kind of wicker for your outdoor seating
You might be shocked to discover that natural alternatives likely won’t suffice. Natural wicker, composed of plant-based components like bamboo or rattan, tends to soak up water. This absorption isn’t just conducive to mold growth; it poses risks to the structure’s stability too. Additionally, prolonged exposure to intense ultraviolet sunlight can compromise the longevity of these organic substances, causing splits and further deterioration. One could think that simply placing covers over the furnishings would offer adequate protection. Nonetheless, even with coverage, some level of dampness can penetrate through, potentially affecting your items.

If you wish to utilize natural wicker furniture outdoors on your deck or patio, consider bringing it inside regularly. This ensures protection from potential damages after every usage. Should this routine seem overly cumbersome, perhaps choosing natural wicker isn’t ideal. Instead, opt for synthetic alternatives which are engineered specifically for exterior conditions and can endure elements like heat and dampness without deteriorating—unlike rattan, bamboo, and similar organic materials prone to such issues.

Luxury Rattan Furniture Might Come at a High Cost

If you’re considering buying wicker furniture due to its attractiveness, you might not realize another possible drawback: the price tag. High-quality natural wicker items—especially those that are more intricate—can come with a hefty price, sometimes reaching over $2,000 or even as much as $3,000 per piece.

Why then does wicker furniture command such high prices? Primarily because each piece of superior craftsmanship is created manually. The intricate weaving technique used adds complexity to the production process, rendering it quite time-consuming. Consequently, every item ends up being distinctively different; however, this uniqueness inevitably raises the price tag. Additionally, the raw materials themselves—especially rattan—are costly upfront. An extra element contributing to elevated expenses pertains to transportation fees. Owing to their sizeable dimensions compared to alternatives like metallic or synthetic counterparts, these furnishings require bigger packaging units for shipment, thereby incurring greater logistics expenditures.

Evaluating the quality of wicker furniture can be challenging—particularly when shopping online.

Although certain wicker furnishings are skillfully crafted and top-notch, many fall short when it comes to durability. Without expertise, telling these apart might prove difficult. Poorly constructed items often see their weaves loosen over time. Additionally, inferior products tend to get damaged or scratched easily. It’s disappointing to shell out considerable cash for what you expect would endure at least ten years but ends up deteriorating quickly instead. Buying such furniture online compounds this issue since assessing its quality via images alone becomes tricky.

Evaluating quality might seem challenging, but certain signs can help determine the worthiness of a product, regardless of whether you’re assessing it in person or through images online. Examine the object meticulously, with special focus on the weaving technique. A superior piece will have a consistent weave pattern and snugly interlaced threads; noticeable spaces or irregularities often indicate lower quality craftsmanship.
Moreover, consider the materials used for the framework—aluminum stands out due to its robustness and ability to resist corrosion. Additionally, aluminum’s light weight makes it advantageous if mobility is expected frequently, such as relocating pieces within your home or carrying them outdoors. When inspecting items directly, observe how securely the legs connect to the main structure of chairs or sofas. Ensure these joints are firm and check that sitting down or applying pressure does not cause instability or shaking.

Inexpensive wicker appears and feels inferior compared to high-quality pieces.

When working with limited funds, you may think settling for lower quality won’t significantly impact your experience since these affordable furnishings will suffice during gatherings. Yet, reconsider this approach due to additional drawbacks. Inexpensive, mass-manufactured wicker products often fall short compared to superior alternatives. The weaving technique tends to be looser, which means the item might begin to fray after just one season, diminishing its visual appeal. An armchair showing signs of wear such as loose threads surely wouldn’t elevate the ambiance indoors or outdoors. Additionally, cheaper versions sacrifice precision craftsmanship in favor of rapid production processes aimed at reducing expenses. Furthermore, should the structure not employ premium materials or secure joinery, using the seat could prove uncomfortable—or worse, unsafe.

Differences exist not only in price but also in appearance when comparing inexpensive and premium synthetic wicker products. Most high-end choices utilize high-density polyethylene due to its superior properties. Unlike lower-cost alternatives made from materials such as polyurethane or polyvinyl—known for sticking to your skin, becoming fragile under sunlight, and deteriorating rapidly this material resists scratches, cracks, and discoloration effectively. Damaged outdoor furniture with visible marks and fades serves merely as an unpleasant sight. Additionally, budget-friendly items might feature a glossy surface rather than the subtle matte texture found on better-quality furnishings, potentially making these seem flimsy and uninspiring.

Storing wicker furniture might be more challenging because of its larger size.

Understanding
how best to correctly store your outdoor furniture
It’s crucial. Yet, when discussing wicker furniture, appropriate storage becomes particularly vital. As mentioned earlier, these items aren’t built for outdoor exposure. Therefore, they should be brought inside post-use and kept in a temperature-regulated area like an indoor garage, utility room, or cellar. Although synthetic wicker can withstand tougher climates better than their natural counterparts, they too could suffer from extreme moisture and heavy snowfall. Storing such furnishings within doors during colder seasons remains ideal. Nonetheless, because of their larger dimensions, fitting this type of furniture might pose challenges. Not all types of wicker furniture nest neatly as do certain compact patio seats.

Before making your final choice to buy a furniture set, evaluate the potential spaces to confirm they offer adequate room. Should you opt for natural wicker furniture, verify both that you have ample space for storing it and that this storage location is conveniently near your outdoor patio or deck so you avoid repeatedly lugging items over long distances or navigating them up and down staircases. Another option would be utilizing the same furniture indoors. Particularly with natural wickers, yet including certain premium synthetics, which tend to look appealing and function well as interior seats too. Lastly, when considering synthetic alternatives, think about selecting a smaller ensemble, like those suggested here.
Flash Furniture Lila Contemporary Rattan Dining Chairs for Indoors or Outdoors
that are stackable.

Using the weave pattern, cleaning wicker can become challenging.

When considering how to maintain your wicker furniture – an essential step for keeping it in top condition – do not overlook the difficulties associated with cleaning it. Grime and particles often get lodged within the weaving. Additionally, since these items have such intricate weaves, extracting this dirt won’t be easy. Furthermore, wicker, especially natural types, tends to stain easily from liquid spills.

Routine maintenance will be crucial to avoid stains and stop dirt and particles from accumulating or becoming embedded in the smaller spaces within the weave design.
the simplest method to clean wicker furniture
It comes with a brush-cleaning attachment for the vacuum cleaner. Using this allows you to suction out most of the lodged particles. If some stubborn dust remains despite using the vacuum, try employing a can of compressed air.
Office Depot’s Cleaning Duster
) might accomplish this. If a more thorough cleaning is needed—at least once annually—create a cleansing mixture by incorporating several drops of gentle dish detergent into a basin or pail filled with water. Utilize a microfiber cloth—as an example, one of these
Homexcel Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
— to clean each item thoroughly. Afterward, use a dry cloth to eliminate as much residual moisture as possible. Similarly, apply the same soapy mixture to address any spills on your furniture pieces. Before cleaning these surfaces with soap and water, absorb the extra liquid first to avoid discoloration. Should the dish soap prove ineffective, consider using a specialized cleanser designed specifically for wicker or rattan materials, like the
CLR Brand’s Outdoor Furniture Cleaner
.

You might discover that chairs and benches feel uncomfortable without extra cushioning.

Wicker furniture, regardless of being made from natural fibers or artificial ones, isn’t renowned for comfort with its firm seats and backs. Indeed, these pieces tend to lack plushness. Therefore, when pondering if wicker suits your interior or exterior area, remember that purchasing additional cushions might be necessary for enhanced seating comfort. Besides increasing expenses, cushion choices could alter the appearance of the piece; thus, select those that align well with your aesthetic preferences.

Many wicker lounge sets typically include cushions. However, if the items you’re looking at do not come with cushions—this is often seen more frequently with outdoor dining sets—you’ll need to find suitable ones that fit well, stay in place on the seating surfaces, and are made from weather-resistant material if they will be used outdoors. Additionally, think about the cushion filling; for instance, memory foam cushions such as those can make a difference.
Sunrox Gel Memory Foam Seat Pads
, might provide superior assistance compared to those stuffed with polyester batting.

Natural wicker furniture may degrade more quickly in humid climates.

In regions with higher humidity, expect that your wicker furniture might have a shorter lifespan compared to what it would experience in drier climates. High humidity increases the risk of mold or mildew developing on natural wicker. For those residing in such areas, storing these items indoors becomes particularly important. Storing them in a screened-in porch could still pose risks due to the elevated moisture content in the air.

To reduce the chance of mold damage, consider taking several precautions. Choosing synthetic furnishings could be the most suitable option since they tend to resist water damage and mold better than their counterparts. This way, you can place them outdoors or on your covered patio without as much concern about potential issues. Should you prefer using natural wicker instead, ensure that you bring it inside every time after usage and keep it in an area with low moisture content. For instance, storing such items in a non-air-conditioned garage would likely not suffice due to higher humidity levels.

Maintaining consistent cleanliness becomes crucial to avoid dirt or pollen from adhering to the furnishings and fostering ideal environments for mold development. When your screened-in porch isn’t being used, cover the furniture and place items atop an outdoor mat.
Genimo Outdoor Rug
— Instead of placing them directly on a deck or patio surface, you could also reduce the likelihood of mold or mildew developing.

Renovating Wicker Furniture Can Be Challenging

When your woven furniture begins to show signs of wear, its appearance might not be as appealing as when it was first purchased. At this point, you could consider refurbishing the item to restore its appeal. Nonetheless, revitalizing wicker pieces can pose challenges, so bear this in mind prior to buying additional items for your outdoor space or interior decor.

The first problem with refinishing lies in stripping the old paint or lacquer. When you consider all of the tiny crevices between the weave on these pieces, you’ll start to understand just how difficult it will be to remove all of it. Moreover, depending on the quality of the material, it may become damaged or start to unravel as you try to strip or sand off the old finish.

If you succeed in removing the finishing coat—or opt to bypass this process altogether with painting directly over it—you might encounter several issues. Similar to how these grooves hinder the removal of previous coatings, they can also lead to uneven application and potential runs when applying new paint. Should you choose to proceed with this approach,
refinish wicker furniture to restore its appearance
, you’ll certainly require a high-quality spray gun, like the
Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus Paint Sprayer
, so you can effectively cover the entire surface and get into all the corners.

Liked this article? Sign up for expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration from our newsletter.
House Digest newsletter
!

Read the
Original Article from House Digest
.