Why Wicker Outdoor Furniture Will Continue To Shine In 2017

A time-tested material for outdoor furniture, wicker has long been a popular choice for outdoor settings in Sydney and around Australia. The popularity of wicker furniture is only set to continue to rise in 2017.

In addition to standard wicker material, poly wicker now offers a durable hybrid choice for garden furniture, sun loungers, outdoor chairs, outdoor dining sets or an outdoor modular lounge setting. The long and storied history of wicker is a testament to its durability and popularity; wicker has definitely stood the test of time.

The word “wicker” actually refers to the weaving process and technique used to make the furniture, not the material itself. Wicker furniture can be crafted from reeds, plants or synthetic versions of natural materials. The use of wicker in outdoor furniture dates back further than you might expect.

The History of Wicker Furniture

The known history of wicker furniture begins with the ancient Egyptians, who crafted it from reeds gathered near the bank of the Nile River. They had already made use of reeds for other items like baskets and mats. It was an easy step to use a similar weaving process to form the reeds into functional furniture pieces.

The idea to weave furniture from natural materials spread from there to the ancient Romans. By the 17th century, wicker furniture was very popular in Europe, and eventually spread to Asia, where other reed types like rattan were introduced.

It didn’t take long for wicker furniture to spread in popularity throughout the entire world. While it did experience a lull in popularity in the early 1900s, by the 1970s, it was in wide use once again. It was around this time that innovations in poly wicker gathered momentum.

Highlights and Benefits of Today’s Wicker

Today, both natural and synthetic materials are woven around metal tubular frames made of aluminium or steel to create wicker furniture. Synthetic resin wicker tends to be weatherproof and UV treated as well as highly versatile and attractive, just like natural wicker.

The following are some of the top reasons wicker will continue to shine in 2017 and beyond:

Durability

Today’s wicker furniture is more durable than ever before due to innovations in manufacturing processes and frame materials. Poly wicker in particular is colourfast and fade resistant, and construction is generally more reliable across the boards.

Easy to Maintain

Wicker furniture cleans up easily with a damp cloth. It is lightweight, so it is easy to move, store, or rearrange as needed.

Classic Origins Meet Modern Style

Both natural and poly wicker are available in styles that draw from the best of classic and modern influences. The result is a highly appealing effect that brings both comfort and stylish looks in outdoor furniture décor. 

The features and time-honoured history of wicker are major reasons for its continued popularity. It's a beautiful material choice for garden furniture, sun loungers, outdoor chairs, outdoor dining settings and outdoor modular lounge sets. Its benefits combined with a reasonable cost ensure that wicker furniture will shine across Australia in 2017.