The Flexibility of Wicker Furniture in Modern Interior Design
Wicker Furniture
It is difficult to find furniture pieces that suit any modern interior design scheme with timeless characteristics that can adapt to modern innovations. The classic French furniture pieces are still widely used, however, in their original forms, they are already considered prized antiques. Oriental furniture pieces with their elaborate detailing are only fit in Asian interiors. They can be mixed with other furniture pieces from different design themes but only if the interior style is you are going for is eclectic. Choosing a type of furniture that is flexible and that is not meant to be a safe background for other more attractive furniture pieces is a challenging task. Nonetheless, the discovery of wicker furniture might just save you the time and effort.
Wicker furniture pieces have small repetitive weaves and details that do not overwhelm the eye. They look like fabrics from a far which make them appear soft and comfortable. They are classified into two types which are natural and synthetic. The early wicker furniture pieces were made from natural materials like rattan, bamboo, willow, paper and other indigenous materials. These materials are still used today because of their authenticity and earthy appeal. They can be painted and stained but leaving them as is with their raw neutral tones is very much encouraged. Synthetic wicker furniture with vinyl or polyethylene materials is more manageable to construct because of their highly flexible characteristics. The artificial materials also have different colors already so painting jobs are no longer needed and they are more durable when exposed to elements like rain and sun.
Some wicker furniture pieces have large and attractive details that make them perfect for outdoor patios and beach homes. They
appear earthy and natural especially if seat cushions of neutral tones like off-white and beige are paired up with them. Wicker furniture can be placed in any indoor and outdoor area, be it in residential, commercial and institutional areas. They can adapt to any interior scheme especially since their designs have been developed recently. Innovative furniture designers have searched for ways to modernize the traditional wicker furniture. Today they have edgier and more up-to-date silhouettes that can fit in any ultra-modern penthouse or loft. They no longer just complement homey and comfortable settings; they can also compete with other more modern furniture design styles in artistry and originality. In fact, these newly designed wicker furniture pieces are often included in furniture design competitions all over the world.
It is exciting how wicker furniture pieces have evolved through the decades. Nowadays, there are semi-circular wicker lounge beds that can fit four people, with ample dining area at the center, found in international restaurants and outdoor areas of high-end resort hotels.
Contemporary wicker beds, sectional sofas, coffee tables and other furniture pieces do not look like wicker anymore with sophisticated technology permitting irregular curvilinear shapes that cannot be produced before. There are more creative ones that resemble swinging hammocks and futuristic-looking accent chairs that looks a lot like the futuristic Eero Aarnio ball chair. Some are even designed specifically as compact furniture pieces appropriate for condo living. They are composed of a piece of furniture that can be transformed to another functional piece of furniture in no time. Examples of this convertible wicker furniture are the chairs that can turn into coffee tables and folding coffee tables made into beds and lounge chairs.
