Wicker or Rattan Furniture. That’s what I’ve been researching since making the decision to buy some garden furniture. It turns out that there’s a lot to consider when it comes to buying this type of furniture including where to store it and how to protect it. Before I bought anything, I wanted to know what my options were.
Wicker actually refers to a weaving process that can contain a mixture of natural and synthetic materials, i.e man-made. Rattan on the other hand is a plant that is commonly used to make wicker furniture. Wicker furniture, if made from synthetic materials is considered more weatherproof.
So it’s useful to know what wicker is, but you also need to be able to tell which wicker furniture can be used for indoor use and outdoor use because there are a lot of options out there. It’s useful to know how to care for wicker furniture too, and what’s involved, so let’s get into that.
Indoor Wicker Furniture vs Outdoor Wicker Furniture
Not surprisingly indoor wicker furniture tends to made out of natural organic materials which are usually one of the following materials:
- Rattan
- Reed
- Willow
- Bamboo
The stem of the rattan plant is often used to make the furniture frame for indoor furniture which is probably why many people confuse wicker furniture with rattan furniture and visa versa.
The problem with using this furniture outside is that moisture and sunlight can cause these organic materials to deteriorate. So rather than letting your furniture fall apart, it’s probably better to keep it inside.
Wicker furniture made for outdoor use on the other hand usually has an aluminum frame, which is less prone to rust. UK summers are prone to rain so you want to make sure that the frame is aluminum. Synthetic or man-made fibers are used for weaving this furniture, which is much more resilient to temperature changes, moisture, and sunlight.
How to Protect and Preserve Your Wicker Furniture All Year Round
Speaking to my friends who have owned a few wicker furniture sets in the past, it’s clear to see that you need to take care of, cover-up, and store away your wicker furniture in order to keep it looking it’s best.
Things you can do to protect your wicker furniture:
- Wipe down your furniture after it rains
- Keep away from direct sunlight or use an umbrella to avoid any splintering or discoloration
- Use covers to protect the furniture when not in use
Outdoor wicker furniture tends to have aluminum frames. Synthetic materials that are basically plastic like in texture are used as part of the weaving process. This in turn makes the furniture more weather resistant.
Just because the wicker is more weather-resistant, It doesn’t mean that you don’t need to take care of your furniture. If you just leave it outside against the elements, the furniture will still fade and begin to look worn. Rainfall is wicker’s worst enemy as it’s breeding ground for mould and mildew.
The best thing to do when it comes to taking care of your wicker furniture, whether it’s made from natural materials on more synthetic materials it to keep it clean, dry, and protected from the sun.
Is Wicker Even Good Material For Outdoor Furniture? What Are The Alternatives?
There are lots of alternatives to wicker furniture that are worth considering. Here’s what I’ve found, but I’ll go into more detail.
| Criteria | Wicker (Synthetic) | Teak | Stainless Steal |
| All Weather | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Water-resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fade-resistant | No | No | Yes |
| Comfortable | Yes | Yes | No |
Taking a look online and in the big brand DIY stores, Wicker is the most expensive garden furniture, followed by stainless steel and then teak. So if you are looking for alternatives, you have options.
Synthetic Wicker Furniture
I’ve got to say – I am a fan of synthetic wicker furniture. It’s light, looks great, it’s easy to move around, and it’s as sociable as a sofa. By that I mean it’s kind of welcoming and you can sit on it for hours. I can definitely see myself having some friends over, and chilling out on my wicker sofa till late at night.
It’s also relatively low maintenance. The only downside for me is that it’s pretty expensive in my opinion when you consider it’s lightweight design and longevity, compared to the other options.
Then again it’s the best-looking furniture out there. It’s not as hardwearing as teak or stainless steel garden furniture with have lifespans of over 50 years.
Teak Furniture
Teak is an awesome material for garden furniture. It’s great for all weather. Going to rooftop bars and pubs, you’ll often see teak being used, which give you an idea about its durability. Generally speaking, it can take some punishment. Because it’s hardwood the surface is really strong. It’s just got a good quality feel about it.
It is a bit bulky though. Moving the chair and tables around requires a bit of effort. For me, teak is probably the middle ground between Wicker (being the best) and stainless steel (being the worst) in terms of comfort and homeliness.
Another downside to having teak is the upkeep that you need to be prepared for. Just to give you an idea of what’s required here’s some of the things you have to be prepared for:
- Regularly washing the chairs and tables is recommended just with mild dish soap before use
- Stains are difficult to remove. You’ll need to get commercial grade cleaner to get stains out of the material.
- Every other year you may need to lightly sand down your teak furniture to avoid it from changing from a deep brown to a silvery grey.
Going for teak is without a doubt the highest maintenance option out there. I actually really like the look. For me the upkeep does make me lean towards wicker garden furniture, I have to be honest.
Stainless Steel Furniture
The main pull of stainless steel garden furniture is its durability and low maintenance attributes, and it can be picked up relatively inexpensively.
To be honest with you, If you’re looking for an outdoor dining table only, a stainless steel table is actually a great option. When it comes to outdoor sofa type furniture, I personally find the material a bit cold – literally. British summers are not usually that warm either , so for me this a bit of a deal breaker.
Outdoor Cushion Storage Tips
Ok so whichever garden furniture option you ultimately end up going for, the chances are that you’re going to have some garden cushions. You want to store them properly to keep them looking a feeling good.
The last thing that you want is the thought of insects living in your cushions or mildew growing on top of them (sorry for the visual). The best advice is to:
- Keep the cushions off the ground
- Choose a dry and cool environment
- Keep the cushions out of direct sunlight
- Keep the cushions off the ground – Insects, rodents, and pests are generally more likely to get into your cushions if they are on the ground. If you have a container on top of a table or pallet or something it will probably extend the life of your cushions. There is nothing wrong with washing your cushions in the washing machine or scrubbing them down in most cases too.
- Choose a dry, cool environment if you can. Try and avoid storing your cushions in a place where the temperature and moisture fluctuates a lot as it can affect the structure of the cushions.
- If possible, keep cushions out of direct sunlight. The cushions can fade. To be honest this goes for the entire furniture set. UV light can fade well anything, so it’s best to keep them away.
So before you buy any garden furniture, It’s important to have somewhere in mind or a plan of how and where you are going to store the cushions as well.
In conclusion…
For me, after looking into all of the options available, I think synthetic wicker is my choice for garden furniture. It’s relatively low maintenance, it’s comfortable and if you look after it it can last.
Traditional wicker/rattan furniture is great but too prone to degradation. It’s more suited to indoor furniture. Teak furniture is awesome and looks great, but the upkeep of it is a bit of a deal-breaker for me. Stainless Steel furniture is durable for sure and affordable but it’s straight edges, initially cold touch just is not for me.
Well I hope you’ve learned something about outdoor furniture, I have. When I do buy my furniture – you’ll be the first to know.