Also called: woven plant fiber, basket weave, natural weaving. Wicker is a weave technique, not a material. It refers to the process of weaving thin, flexible plant fibers, most commonly rattan, but also willow, bamboo, and seagrass, into structured pieces like baskets, chair backs, lampshades, and entire furniture frames. The confusion between wicker and rattan is widespread, but the distinction matters: rattan is the material; wicker is what you do with it. ## Origin & history Wicker weaving is one of the oldest crafts in human history. Archaeologists have found wicker baskets in Egyptian tombs dating to 3000 BCE, and similar weaving traditions developed independently across China, Polynesia, and pre-Columbian Americas. The technique spread through trade routes to Europe, where it became associated with summer porches and conservatories by the Victorian era. The 1860s American wicker boom, led by Cyrus Wakefield's Wakefield Rattan Company, brought wicker chairs into nearly every parlour in the country. Wicker fell out of fashion through the modernist twentieth century, then revived in the 1960s and 1970s alongside the broader interest in natural materials and bohemian interiors. The current organic modern revival picks up that earlier thread, treating wicker as a tactile, hand-made counter to industrial finishes. Britannica has a useful overview of the broader craft history. ## How it's used today In an organic modern home, wicker shows up in three main ways. The first is structural furniture, a wicker accent chair, a wicker bench in an entryway, a wicker pendant lampshade. The second is accessories, baskets for storage and styling, wicker trays, woven floor mats. The third is decorative texture, a wicker headboard in a primary bedroom, a wicker mirror frame in a powder room. The material pairs naturally with the rest of the organic modern vocabulary. A wicker chair beside a linen sofa, a wicker basket holding a wool throw, a wicker pendant over a kitchen island with brass hardware. Wicker brings the kind of hand-made warmth that softens an otherwise restrained room. Apartment Therapy has good archives on wicker in modern interiors. A practical note. Wicker varies enormously in quality. Mass-produced wicker furniture often uses thin synthetic fibers over a wire frame; well-made wicker uses hand-woven natural fibers over a solid hardwood frame. The difference shows up in how the piece ages, lasts, and feels under the hand. Vintage 1960s and 1970s wicker is frequently the best value in the category. For outdoor use, traditional natural wicker doesn't hold up well to Canadian winters. Synthetic resin wicker (often called all-weather wicker) was developed for exactly this problem and is the rational choice for patios and outdoor seating. ## How to style it - Use one wicker piece per room. Multiple wicker pieces start to read as a sunroom rather than a curated room. - Pair with smooth materials. Wicker plays best against linen, wool, leather, and stone. - Choose warm finishes. Natural-toned and honey-colored wicker reads warmer than bleached or white-painted versions. - Avoid all-wicker sets. A matching wicker sofa, chair, and side table reads as catalog furniture, not collected. - Mix scale. A small wicker basket beside a large upholstered chair reads as layered. - Layer with bouclé or sheepskin. The contrast between rough wicker and soft texture makes both materials read better. - Maintain it gently. A soft brush, occasional damp wipe, and out of direct sunlight will keep wicker looking right for decades. ## Common variations ## FAQ What's the difference between wicker and rattan? Is wicker durable? How do I clean wicker? Can wicker go outdoors in Canada? Is wicker still in style?