Kitchens by Riland

The right piece of wicker furniture can enhance the beauty of your backyard. Your backyard can become a wonderful and comfortable place for your friends and family to get together.

Outdoor white wicker furniture has remained popular since the 17th century. It is basically made by weaving slender branches over a frame and giving it the desired shape. Chairs, tables, sofas and beds are made through this weaving technique. Canes, fiber rush, sea grasses, rattan, reeds and other synthetic materials are used in constructing them. The most commonly used plant material for weaving wicker furniture is rattan. It is its durability and easy to bend feature that makes it ideal for weaving wicker products.

Wicker furniture's are not only durable but easy to maintain as well. However, letting the furniture expose to direct sunlight can dry out the material and consequently fade and damage it. Therefore, as far as possible such furniture's must be placed under a shade.

Rain, wind and snow also cause damage by breaking or distorting its natural materials. Outdoor wicker furniture must therefore be kept indoors during winters. Wicker furniture if cleaned properly will retain its beauty and longevity. It is best to clean these furniture's with mild soaps and detergents only. Dust and other dirt materials can be removed by regularly vacuuming it. You could even use a soft brush to keep it free of dust.

Wicker furniture does become fragile with age, but they can be repaired by using wicker strands which are generally available at craft stores. You could even paint, varnish and use waterproofing techniques to prevent damage and to improve its overall splendor. You could also use leg caps on the chairs and tables for protection and endurance.

In case you wicker furniture get wet for some reason, ensure that you do not bend or move it as this will change its shape and it will remain in its newly acquired shape permanently.

Wicker furniture's are extremely light-weight but sturdy. Do not limit your backyard to just wicker furniture's. You could also use various styles and types of wicker baskets to decorate your yard. They look great with plants hung in them. But ensure that the baskets that you buy are plastic-lined for durability.

You could also use wicker baskets that are designed to carry and hold garden tools. These baskets come in with lids and without lids and with stylish arched handles, they are also available in oval and square shapes.