Can You Use Wicker Furniture Outside?

rattan wicker - can it be used outside?

Wicker is a popular outdoor material seen at many upscale commercial venues and beachfront resorts. It’s modern, stylish, and decorative but is it safe to use outside? There are two types of wicker; natural and synthetic. Synthetic resin wicker is best suited for outdoor use while natural wicker is only intended for indoor use or temporary outdoor use.

First we need to clear up a few things; the difference between wicker and rattan and the difference between natural wicker and synthetic resin wicker. Synthetic wicker (most popular) can be used outside but natural wicker is the material that comes into question more often than not. To rephrase:

  • The question is asking, “Can you use wicker furniture outside?”
  • What you probably mean is, “Can you use natural (rattan) wicker furniture outside?”

Wicker vs Rattan

Wicker and rattan are often used interchangeably however they are not the same thing. Wicker is a type of weave and rattan is a natural material (plant fiber) that is used to make wicker furniture. Learn more about the differences between wicker and rattan.

Outdoor Use: Natural Wicker vs Synthetic Resin

Using Synthetic Resin Wicker Outdoors

When people say “outdoor wicker furniture,” most of the time they are referring to synthetic resin wicker instead of rattan. This is what you’ll see on most (if not all) home decorating websites. Synthetic wicker is typically made of either PVC or Polyethylene, the latter being the most durable outdoor material. Synthetic wicker is perfectly fine to be used outside. Although outdoor wicker furniture is made to withstand the elements, you should always use care to ensure that any type of outdoor furniture lasts for extended periods of time. At the bottom of the article you can find articles that will teach you how to clean and care for wicker furniture.

HDPE wicker closeup.webp
Close up of Polyethylene Synthetic Resin Wicker.

Using Natural Wicker Outdoors

Natural wicker on the other hand is not intended to be used outdoors. Natural wicker is usually only meant for indoor use because it can deteriorate rather quickly. Even Wicker Woman advises:

“…it’s OK to use your wicker outside on your deck, but leaving it out there permanently, exposed to all the weather elements, is not a good idea at all…Antique wicker furniture can never be replaced, so is not intended for outdoor use! …Or if you really want the wicker look, be sure to buy all-weather wicker or resin wicker which are made to be used outdoor or buy a cheap reproduction rattan wicker that’s easily replaced?”

-Cathryn Jungroth Peters from © Wicker Woman

A close up shot of natural wicker fibers.

Natural wicker is not intended to be used outdoors and no amount of “water-proofing” spray-on’s will protect natural wicker from the sun, moisture, mold, and mildew. If you want to use wicker furniture outside, it has to be resin wicker. Resin wicker is one of the most durable outdoor materials and looks just like the real thing. Just make sure you purchase quality sets. One of the tell tale signs of cheap resin wicker is that it will have an extremely glossy finish. Find out more tips below.

Conclusion

Natural rattan or paper fiber wicker cannot be used outdoors for extended periods of time, it frays and falls apart quickly, and even sealing it won’t make it truly weatherproof. However, synthetic resin wicker can be used outside, and is in fact purpose-made for that use.  Most of the time when you’re searching for outdoor wicker furniture, what you’re seeing is synthetic resin, and for good reason.  Please browse our Blog or review some of the resources below for more information. Shop outdoor wicker sectional sets, wicker dining sets, and resin wicker daybeds!

Related Topics:

  1. The 5 Best Wicker Furniture Brands
  2. How to Choose Quality Wicker Furniture Without Paying the Price
  3. The Complete Guide To Synthetic Wicker Furniture
  4. How to Properly Store Wicker Furniture in the Winter
  5. 7 of the Coolest Outdoor Wicker Hanging Chairs
  6. Deep Seating Wicker Patio Furniture Sets
  7. White Outdoor Wicker Furniture
  8. Thick Wicker Furniture Sets with Rounded Strands

19 thoughts on “Can You Use Wicker Furniture Outside?”

  1. I’d assume that you could use wicker furniture outside, just as long as you don’t leave it out if it rains or snows. No sense in buying furniture and then have it get ruined. For that, you’d probably want to invest in furniture that is made to be outside. This way it won’t get ruined if you leave it out there for extended periods of time.

  2. If I paint natural wicker with yacht varnish and cover it with a weather proof cover, should it still be bad?

  3. Norman Baillie

    I have had a natural wicker chair which I leave outside during the summer and only store it in the garage during the winter. I have been doing this for over 20 years. All I do is give it a coat of white paint every 5 years. It has only just collapsed this year !

    1. That’s great to hear! Natural wicker can definitely be used outside as long as it’s not for extended periods of time.

  4. I really enjoyed your blog about natural vs resin wicker furniture. I understand that wicker weave furniture can be made out of bamboo also. It makes more sense to me to buy the resin for outdoors. I’m curious as to cost comparisons between Rattan and the Resin. Thanks again for the information

  5. I have some indoor natural wicker furniture which was bought for a conservatory. I not longer have a conservatories and the furniture is redundant and whilst originally expensive – probably isn’t worth much now. If I can get 10 years use out of it outdoors then I would be happy with that – and would happily cover it in the winter. I am looking for the.the best low cost option to protect it. Any suggestions?.

    1. You can use natural wicker furniture outdoors, but you should never leave it outdoors. Natural wicker will deteriorate very quickly when exposed to the elements and there is really nothing you can do to prevent that. If you want outdoor furniture that will last 10 years or more and require little to no maintenance then you should consider taking a look at synthetic wicker made from HDPE instead.

  6. I have a rattan patio set, here in Minnesota. I have just noticed the varnish peeling. I bought this for outside! New this spring! Was I lied to. No wicker. Rattan only.

    1. Unfortunately, natural rattan will deteriorate rapidly when exposed to the elements. Rattan can be used outdoors for special occasions but it must be stored indoors nonetheless. HDPE synthetic wicker is the material of choice because it is UV resistant and can withstand high and low temperatures. It can be left outdoors and completely exposed for long periods of time.

    1. That’s a great question. Have you ever tried to see if a plant (at the doctor’s office for example) is fake or real? The same method applies here.

      Resin wicker is a plastic when it comes right down to it. So it will feel like plastic as well. So reach right out and feel it between your fingers and use some pressure to see how it feels. Plastics won’t crack, splinter, or tear easily. It would require a lot of force. However, natural materials will dent, smudge, crack, and splinter relatively easily.

      You can use your sense of smell as well. Rattan and other natural wickers will have a natural aroma, reminiscent of dried wood or stacks of hay. But resin wicker will have a synthetic plastic-like smell, or no smell at all.

      Visually, resin wicker is much more reflective as well, so light bounces off it easily. Whereas natural wicker absorbs light.

  7. I have a painted wicker chest of drawers that is about 20 years old and always been inside in a guest room. In our new house, I want to put it on my outdoor covered patio. We live in Arizona and it is very dry year round. We have no mold or mildew and a mild winter. Would it be OK to put this medium sized chest under a covered patio?

    1. You say you’ve had this piece for 20 years and have always kept it indoors. Is this an important piece to you? Is it an heirloom or an antique?

      If this is a piece of furniture you care about, I would not recommend placing it outdoors under any conditions. Natural wicker will begin to fall apart much faster outdoors than indoors. A covered patio will help, but that will only slow down the natural process.

      Even in dry conditions I worry that the heat will still do plenty of damage. Also, morning dew can cause mold and mildew even if it doesn’t rain.

      If you don’t care what happens to the chest, go ahead and place it outdoors. But just be aware that you will only get a year or two of use out of it before you’ll want to throw it away from how ugly it has become.

  8. Marcia Newman

    I have a synthetic resin outdoor wicker set. It was not cheap. I have had it for about 5 years now. It has held up well until this year I have noticed little tiny pieces on the floor of the deck as if something has snapped it off. There are no signs of rodents. I’ve used a trap, fake owl and rodent repellent. I still continue to see snapped resin wicker. I wonder if it could be the sun but it is supposed to withstand the weather. Please help if you can. I can send pictures if needed.

  9. What you I use as a paint/protectant if I want to put a wicker chair on an uncovered deck? I also plan to cover it with a chair cover when I am not using it and to store it inside in the Winter.

    1. Hello Audrey, thank you for your comment. That is a very good question.

      I assume this is a natural wicker chair we are talking about.

      Some people recommend applying a coat of polyurethane to natural wicker furniture to protect it from the elements. Just make sure to do the necessary research as polyurethane is toxic and therefore it must be applied in open, well ventilated spaces.

      There are several articles online that can walk you through the process, just search for, “How to protect natural wicker outdoors.”

      There are also various kinds of sealers that claim to protect wicker furniture outdoors. We have never used these products so there aren’t any we can recommend specifically.

      If you ever consider a change, synthetic wicker furniture would be the way to go. You can leave it uncovered all summer long and covered during the winter. You never have to bring it inside because synthetic wicker is made to be left outdoors for years.

  10. What about using a durable Rustoleum colored protectant spray paint on the natural rattan to be able to use it in Florida outside in a screened in lanai? I cant afford to buy a resin set at this time.

    1. Very good question. We would recommend testing this before applying it full scale to an entire furniture piece. If possible, get a sample of the natural rattan and apply the rustoleum colored spray paint. Then see how it holds up over time. Better safe than sorry.

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