Wicker patio furniture is popular among home owners and patio makers as it offers comfort and style, as well as cost saving. Bear in mind that there are many varieties of wicker material used to create wicker furniture with each variety having its own strengths and weaknesses. These varieties of material compromise rattan, reed, cane, bamboo as well as synthetic wicker. Knowing what type of material to have for your furniture is good as it will save you cost and time into looking for patio furniture.

One can gain important understanding of the nature of material used to make outdoor patio furniture with a little information on various elements which go into these materials. Rattan is one such element which is an essential ingredient of the recipe to make wicker furniture. It is often used for its strength and ease of use which helps it avoid splitting. Rattan is used after proper processing for making chairs, seats, ottomans and a wide variety of seating which lasts long enough with little maintenance. Rattan is usually grown in tropical countries and is connected to the family of palm trees.

Durable outdoor patio furniture can also be made from cane which stands out as one of the most used wicker materials. Cane offers a more convenient alternative to rattan when making patio furniture and especially pieces of furniture made for indoor use can benefit from it. Cane stands out for its glossy finish and the natural appeal it creates with barely any need or use of varnish and paint to give it a finishing touch. Various combinations of material along with cane can help make a variety of cane wicker furniture that finds instant appeal for its natural looks and durability. On the flip side, it may not be very useful for outdoor purposes because it cannot be varnished which exposes it to sunlight and other elements. It is well suited for natural theme settings which incorporate as many natural elements, forms and styles as possible.

Reed is the least sturdy of the wicker variety. Reed is softer and unlike rattan, it can be painted, varnished and stained more easily than the other wicker types. Reed is normally used to make wicker accessories such as baskets, coasters, storage trunks and mirrors and many other items. Furniture or accessories made from reed are normally used indoors. Since they can be easily varnished, they are more resistant to moisture but aren’t durable enough for regular outdoor use.

Bamboo is yet another variety of wicker material but less often used for making wicker patio furniture. It is very similar to rattan in appearance but stands apart for being more difficult to weave to make furniture. Mostly furniture like desks and cabinets are made out of bamboo which may not have to bear much weight although bamboo is considered one of the toughest wicker materials. Outdoor cushions can well complement the look and feel of bamboo wicker furniture. It is also more of an environment-friendly alternative in that it saves use of scarcer natural material for making furniture and other material. One thing you can count upon in using bamboo is durability. Its natural strength of fiber makes it more suitable and adapted to withstanding natural elements easily.

Apart from these natural materials used in wicker outdoor patio furniture sets, there is also the synthetic material kind. Synthetic wicker is formed to closely resemble rattan, cane, reed, and bamboo, but it is far more durable than its natural counterparts. Synthetic wicker patio furniture can be used widely outdoors and are resistant to stains, rain, mildew, sun, and even salt water. Synthetic wicker is suitable for those looking for a natural finish but still want something that looks and feels natural.

When choosing your wicker patio furniture, make sure to find out whether furniture you are interested in are made from rattan, cane, reed, bamboo, or synthetics. The differences might be important in choosing pieces suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and can save you money and time in the long run. Wicker furniture is easy to decorate as well. Since most of it come in hues of brown, you can jazz up your wicker furniture with some colored fabric and outdoor cushions.

Kenny Leichester is a foremost expert in the interior design industry specializing in the outdoor or patio settings using offset umbrellas, patio umbrellas, outdoor cushions, outdoor cushions, patio lighting and so on to create exquisitely beautiful layout. His articles and work is widely distributed and is a regular contributor to PatioShoppers.com.