When the weather begins to warm, you’ll probably consider redecorating your home, inside and out. Your patio is especially important in the summer months, when you’ll want to enjoy pleasant summer evenings and afternoon gatherings on the porch. Whether you have an existing set that you want to upgrade or a completely bare porch, there’s a perfect patio set for everyone.

The selection of patio furniture available is extensive as your imagination. There is a style, color and price point available that will fit the requirements of any shopper, and you’re only limited by your own design boundaries. The best place to begin is your own needs.

Before looking for any patio pieces, consider your family’s circumstances. The size of your patio is a major deciding factor in the perfect patio set to purchase. Small areas demand small pieces that are easily moved, stacked and stored to maximize comfortability. However, if you frequently have children running wild, you should opt for sturdier pieces that will be more difficult to move ? and tip ? and will withstand years of pint sized abuse.

The size of your patio is only slightly more important than the size of your family or usual guest list. The more people you entertain, the more pieces you will need. The type of entertaining you do is also a large consideration for your purchase. If you frequently have a few girlfriends over for calm afternoon tea, you may prefer to consider looks and style over durability. On the other hand, if the majority of your entertaining involves margaritas and late night parties, you should opt for something that will withstand the abuse you and your guests will put it through.

Luckily, no matter what your circumstances, cane furniture is available in varieties that fit all requirements. From light and easily stored to study and immobile, wicker can fulfill your patio needs with ease. Its classic style will wow your girlfriends during a sedate afternoon gathering, while thick bamboo or rattan cane pieces will survive even the rowdiest parties.

Because wicker is a low maintenance, high performance wood, it is the gold standard for anyone concerned with safety. Unlike other wood pieces which can splinter, split or warp unless tended with meticulous care, well made wicker patio furniture will stay beautiful and whole with simple yearly maintenance. These pieces only need to be cleaned and oiled before being stored each year to maintain their original charms.

This ease of use is particularly impressive when dealing with children or more rambunctious groups. No one likes sitting down on a patio chair to find the seat covered in splinters, and children are especially susceptible to injuries from badly worn wooden furniture. Since wicker does not splint or crack, guests young and old can enjoy it without any safety concerns. Wicker is also much less likely than traditional wood furniture to break under pressure, ensuring that it will last you for years to come.

When shopping for your new patio furniture, be sure to give wicker strong consideration. Because it comes from tough, rapidly growing woods such as bamboo or rattan, it is significantly less expensive than hard wood alternatives. Its safety, durability and ease of care make it a clear, simple choice for anyone seeking the best for their patio.

Wicker patio furniture is one of the most popular forms of outdoor furniture, because of its comfort, stylish look, and cost. When buying wicker furniture, it is important to remember that there are many varieties of wicker material, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

The most common type of wicker is rattan. Rattan is a fibrous plant material closely related to the palm. It is strong, easy to weave, and highly resistant to splintering and snapping. Rattan is also easily painted, stained, or varnished, which makes it extremely popular for furniture. Among the sturdiest varieties of wicker, rattan is usually made into high use furniture, such as chairs, sofas, love seats, divans, and ottomans.

Cane is another variety of wicker, and uses a different part of the rattan plant. Similar to rattan in strength and durability, cane retains a naturally glossy finish that makes it impossible to paint or varnish. As a result, wicker patio furniture made from cane has a natural, unfinished look that can be exceptionally appealing in the proper setting. Cane is best suited for indoor use only; however, as the inability to varnish it greatly increases its vulnerability to the elements.

Reed is made from the innermost most layers of the rattan plant, and is the least sturdy variety of wicker. While soft, reed also takes paint, varnishes, and stains the most easily. Wicker accessories, such as baskets, and mirrors, are most commonly made from reed. Reed accessories are best used indoors. They can be varnished easily and are thus resistant to moisture, but are not sturdy enough for regular outdoor use.

Bamboo is commonly mistaken for rattan, but is actually a different plant. Bamboo is not commonly used in wicker patio furniture, as it is harder to weave into traditional patterns. It is commonly used in furniture items that aren’t required to bear excess weight, such as cabinets, footstools, and desks. One of the toughest plants in the world, bamboo is highly durable and can be easily treated, making it highly resistant to the elements. Bamboo has become extremely popular because of it is an eco-friendly material and helps conserve our natural resources including rain forests.

Several varieties of synthetic wicker also exist. These are made to closely resemble rattan, cane, reed, and bamboo, but are far more durable. Synthetic wicker patio furniture can be used with impunity outdoors, as it is resistant to stains, rain, mildew, sun, and even salt water. Synthetic wicker is very difficult to tell apart from the real thing, and can be a great substitute for those looking for outdoor furniture.

When choosing your wicker patio furniture, make sure to find out whether the pieces 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. Many of these look similar, so it is not that easy to tell the difference by just looking.

When considering which piece of furniture to buy, quality is always of the utmost concern. We all want to spend our hard-earned dollars only on something that’s going to last us a while. When buying wicker patio furniture, the question of how to distinguish good pieces from bad becomes even trickier, since most of us don’t know what to look for. Just follow these few simple tips, and you’ll be sure to only get the best wicker money can buy.

The first way to judge good wicker patio furniture is by feel. Pick the piece up (if practical) and give it a gentle shake. It should feel solid, with no loose pieces. Each element (arms, back, seat, etc.) should feel tightly secured to the frame. If you feel anything rattling or twisting, the furniture is probably poorly constructed and not worth your time. (For those of us who carry a few extra pounds, we don’t like to hear the “creaking” either!)

Next, sit down and test the item’s comfort and durability. If you feel poking, or if pieces seem to shift too much under your weight, it’s best to walk away. Wicker patio furniture will have some natural give, which is part of its comfort, but nothing should sag or twist. Likewise, if you feel anything poking you, it probably means a piece of the wicker has splintered prematurely.

Run your hand over the wicker weave in multiple places. If the weave is rough in texture, the piece is probably of poor quality. Good wicker patio furniture should have a uniformly smooth weave, with no protruding ends, cracking, or splintering. Some forms of wicker, such as bamboo, may have a naturally rougher texture, so make sure you take the furniture’s composition into account as well.

Check the underside of the furniture to see how the frame is constructed. In general, the best wicker is made from rattan poles which have been notched together or connected with screws. Hardwood is sometimes used to reinforce wicker frames, but the best wicker patio furniture will not require hardwood bracing at all. The joints in rattan frames are commonly wrapped with cane. Be sure to check that the wrappings are tight. Loose wrappings and a lot of hardwood bracing are signs of poor construction.

Finally, make sure that if the furniture is finished, that there is no cracking or flaking in the varnish. Wicker can be very durable if properly varnished. If improperly done, however, wicker can suffer from mold, mildew, and excess heat and moisture. Make sure that your investment is properly protected. Synthetic wicker furniture is also available, which can be much more weather-resistant than traditional wicker.

A set of wicker patio furniture can be a great addition to any outdoor space. It adds a touch of class to any garden, patio, pool area, or sunroom. If you follow the steps listed above, you can be sure to pick out only the highest quality furniture, which will last you for years to come.