What Is a Wicker Chair?
Wicker is a construction material, rather than a type of chair. Just about any style of chair can be made from wicker, which is lightweight and durable. Wicker chairs are used predominantly as outdoor or sunroom furniture, whatever style and form they take.
Main Usage
Wicker furniture is used almost exclusively as patio, deck, or sunroom furniture and is popular because it offers an attractive combination of lightweight and durability.
Types of Wicker Chairs
There are as many different types of wicker chairs as there are types of chairs. Literally, any seating can be made of wicker, from simple side table chairs used for outdoor dining to loungers with extra wide seats to rocking chairs, and more. The material is durable enough to withstand regular casual use and holds up well to the elements.
While chairs made of 100% wicker are available, it is much more common to find them combined with other materials, most notably plush, water-resistant cushions and wooden legs. Below are a few of the more popular types of wicker chairs.
- Wicker Rocking Chair
- Wicker Outdoor Lounger
- Wicker Sitting Chair
- Wicker Dining Chair
- Contemporary Swivel Chair
Origin and Brief History
Wicker isn’t a type of wood or material but rather a technique of weaving used to create surprisingly lightweight and durable furniture. Its origins can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, when chairs and small tables were constructed out of woven grasses.
From its origins along the Nile, the technique slowly pushed into Persia and Rome, ultimately spreading as far north as what is today Finland, Sweden, and Norway. In that sense, wicker furniture-making could be seen as one of the first globally accepted furniture-making techniques.
In the US, wicker furniture first made its appearance in the 19th century, when two companies, Wakefield and Heywood, competed for dominance of the market, driving a number of innovations in mass production.
These days, wicker furniture is made from a variety of materials, including synthetic materials and blends. It remains one of the most popular forms of outdoor furniture to this day, owing, in large part, to its extreme lightweight, which makes it incredibly easy to move and rearrange.