Wicker Chairs | Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wicker Chair

There has been a renewed interest in wicker chairs. Admittedly they have always been popular, but as interest in all things organic increases, so does the interest in buying wicker chairs rather than, say, chairs of metal and plastic. There are things to keep in mind when you are buying a wicker chair.

Types of Wicker Chairs

There are different kinds of wicker chair out there. The biggest thing is to make sure that your chair is actual wood; resins and plastics are used to make "wicker chairs" out there, and although they make look like wicker, they won't last as long as the real thing, as their coloring tends to fade quickly over time. These chairs may look great for the first summer or so, they will look obviously fake and need replacing far too soon. True wicker chairs have been treated so that the wood won't rot over time, and, although they may bleach out over the years, they are unlikely to really lose their coloring.

Another issue to bear in mind is the weight that they'll need to bear. As people have gotten heavier, most of the techniques used to build wicker chairs have not kept up with them. Ironically, body builders are more likely to deal with the problem than the obese. Although some chairs are built sturdy enough, some still have seats made of thin wooden slats and can't take a lot of stress, especially over a long period of time. Of course, those slats don't tend to last long anyway, as the combination of wind, rain, and sun can do them in, so it's best to avoid them if at all possible. Rattan is your friend when you buy wicker chairs; not only is it one of the sturdiest materials you can find on the market, but it is unlikely to break under most stresses.

As you look at buying a wicker chair, another thing to keep in mind is the cushion. If the idea is to stay organic no matter what, it helps to remember that a lot of cushions are made of rayon and other polyester threads. Not only are they made of plastic, but they tend to bleach faster than organic materials, and the continued exposure to sun makes them brittle. Also, they tend to be made with fillers that are a chemist's dream; those fillers can quickly become hard, especially if you happen to live in a humid clime. Wool and cotton are definitely the way to go; not only do they bleach a lot less, but they are more likely to keep their feel and shape. They do require more maintenance, so remember to wash them every so often, but they will last longer than other materials.

As they tend to go well inside as well as outside, they go well with a lot of different decorating schemes, so the bottom line is whether or not they work with how you are decorating the area where they will go. Just have fun, look at the tags, and you'll do well!