Wicker Patio Furniture Types Explained

On this page (9 sections)

1. What are the types of wicker patio furniture?
2. What is resin wicker and why does it dominate outdoors?
3. What is natural rattan and when does it still make sense?
4. Steel frame or aluminum frame under the weave?
5. What are the main furniture forms of wicker patio furniture?
6. What weave patterns change about wicker furniture?
7. How do you match a wicker type to your space?
8. How do you keep wicker patio furniture in good shape?
9. Which type of wicker patio furniture should you buy?

The main types of wicker patio furniture come down to two material choices and a handful of furniture forms. Resin (PE) wicker is the standard outdoor choice, natural rattan is the traditional look, and each comes as bistro sets, conversation sets, sectionals or lounge seating.

Most shoppers search for a look and end up choosing a frame. The weave decides how the furniture looks; the metal under it decides how long it lasts.

This guide separates the two, then walks through the forms so you can match one to your space.

Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.

What are the types of wicker patio furniture?

Wicker patio furniture splits into material types and furniture forms. Material covers what the weave is made of and what frame holds it.

Form covers how many people it seats and what table or tabletop comes with it.

Here is the full map in one view.

Treat the two lists as separate questions. First decide the material and frame, then decide how much seating your space really holds.

Resin wicker vs natural rattan

Resin wicker is woven from PE, a plastic strand made to handle sun and rain. Natural rattan is woven from plant cane, which looks warmer but wants shelter from wet weather.

For an exposed patio, resin is the type to pick.

Steel frames vs aluminum frames

Nearly every wicker piece wraps a metal frame. Powder-coated steel gives stiffness and weight so the furniture stays put.

Aluminum stays lighter and resists rust, which matters in coastal air. Our wicker vs aluminum patio furniture comparison digs into that trade-off.

What is resin wicker and why does it dominate outdoors?

Resin wicker is woven polyethylene made to resist sun and rain, and it is the type most patio furniture uses. PE strands take color well and hold it through weather that would wear out plant cane.

Three things make it the default.

• Weather resistance. The plastic strand does not soak up water the way natural cane does, so rain runs off and the piece dries.
• UV resistance. Makers build UV blockers into the strand so color holds longer in direct sun. It still fades over years in harsh light.
• Consistent weave. Factory weaving keeps strand width and pattern even, so a set looks like a set.

The HOMEZILLIONS 3-Piece Wicker Bistro Set shows the type at its simplest. It uses PE rattan handwoven over thicker powder-coated alloy steel, with a round tempered glass top on the side table.

The weak points are heat and weight. Dark resin gets hot in afternoon sun, and a resin-and-steel set weighs more than its size suggests.

Check the seat depth against how you sit before you buy.

Rule: if the furniture will face rain and direct sun, choose resin wicker and skip natural rattan.

What is natural rattan and when does it still make sense?

Natural rattan is woven from plant cane, usually the vine that gives the furniture its name. It suits a covered porch, a sunroom or a sheltered corner where rain and harsh light rarely reach.

Its appeal is real. The cane has a warm tone and a slightly uneven texture that resin copies but never quite matches.

It also feels lighter and breathes better in humid air.

The cost shows up in care. Cane takes on moisture, so long wet spells can stain or loosen the weave.

Fading in direct sun is normal, and cushions matter even more because damp cane under a wet cushion is bad news.

Natural rattan belongs on a screened porch or under a roof overhang. It does not belong at the edge of a pool or on an open deck.

If you want the rattan look with less fuss, a resin set finished in a natural tone gets you close.

Rule: choose natural rattan only for a covered spot; choose resin for anything open to the sky.

Steel frame or aluminum frame under the weave?

The frame is the part that decides stability and rust risk, and it sits hidden under the strands. Ask what metal holds the weave before you decide.

Powder-coated steel brings weight and stiffness. A steel frame keeps a chair from twisting when someone leans on an armrest, and the coating seals the metal against moisture.

The HOMEZILLIONS set uses thicker powder-coated alloy steel for its chairs and rates each seat to 330 lb and the table to 90 lb.

Aluminum costs more but resists rust and stays light. That helps on a balcony with a weight limit or when you move furniture to clean.

The Aoxun 7-Piece set uses UV-resistant resin wicker on a rust-resistant steel frame and adds anti-slip pads under every piece.

Check three things on any frame: the coating, the join points where strands meet metal, and the weight rating per seat. A thick weave over a thin frame is still a thin frame.

Rule: pick steel for stiffness and price, aluminum for light weight and coastal air.

What are the main furniture forms of wicker patio furniture?

Wicker patio furniture comes in five practical forms, and each one fits a different space and guest count. The form decides the footprint as much as the material does.

• Bistro set. Two chairs and a small table. Fits a balcony, a porch corner or a poolside spot for two.
• Conversation set. Several seats around a coffee table. Fits a patio where you host four or more.
• Sectional. Corner and armless pieces that form an L or U. Fits a large deck or a poolside lounge area.
• Lounge chair. One deep seat, often with a footrest. Fits reading and sunbathing spots.
• Dining set. A wicker table with chairs around it. Fits meals outdoors rather than lounging.

Count the people who will actually sit at once. A four-seat conversation set beats a six-seat one that leaves no walking room.

Measure the table and chair clearances before you fall for a shape.

Rule: buy the form for your usual guest count, not your biggest party.

Bistro sets for two

The bistro set is the smallest form and the easiest to place. A pair of chairs and a table take a corner of a balcony or a short stretch of patio without crowding the door.

The HOMEZILLIONS 3-Piece Wicker Bistro Set is the top pick here. Its PE rattan sits on powder-coated alloy steel, the wide armrests leave your arms free, and the side table has a round tempered glass top for drinks or small decorations.

Two seat cushions and two back cushions are included. The 37.4 lb weight keeps it manageable to move.

The PORWEY 3-Piece Wicker Balcony Bistro Set is the other end of the form. It pairs tan PE rattan with cream cushions in a bohemian look, and its zippered cushion covers come off for cleaning.

The wicker-wrapped table has a tempered glass top rated to hold up to 100 lb. PORWEY says the assembly is simple: attach the leg frame to the seat and table top.

The 37 lb set and 19.7 x 22.8 x 30.3 inch chairs suit a smaller balcony.

Rule: pick the HOMEZILLIONS set for sturdier steel and a natural tone; pick the PORWEY set for a lighter, boho look with washable covers.

Conversation sets and sectionals for a crowd

Conversation sets group seating around a coffee table, and sectionals push that idea into an L or U. This is the form for a deck where friends gather.

The Aoxun 7-Piece Wicker Conversation Set is the clear pick. It has 6 cushioned partitioned sofas (2 corner and 4 armless) and a tempered glass top table.

The cushions use 4-inch high-resiliency foam with flared straps that lock them in place. Aoxun says the UV-resistant resin wicker and rust-resistant steel frame resist fading, cracking and corrosion.

The cushions are splash-proof, the covers unzip for machine washing, and anti-slip pads sit under every piece. You can rearrange the pieces into different layouts as the guest list changes.

Measure the L-shape footprint against your deck before you buy. A sectional fills space fast, and the corner piece needs room to turn.

If your patio is short on depth, a straight conversation set fits better than an L.

Rule: choose the Aoxun sectional for a big deck and flexible layouts; choose a straight conversation set when depth is tight.

What weave patterns change about wicker furniture?

The weave pattern changes the look and how the surface feels, more than how long the furniture lasts. Common patterns include flat weave, round strand, herringbone and open lattice.

Flat weave gives a smooth, even face and a modern look. Round strand, sometimes called rattan roll, has a ribbed feel closer to classic cane.

Herringbone sets strands at angles for a woven basket look. Open lattice leaves gaps and reads lighter but catches dust.

The pattern also affects cleaning. Tight weaves wipe clean with a dry or damp cloth.

Open weaves trap debris in the gaps, so they need a brush now and then. None of these patterns changes the material's weather resistance.

Rule: choose a tight weave for low care and an open pattern for a lighter look on a covered porch.

How do you match a wicker type to your space?

Match the type to the weather, the space and the people, in that order. A material that fails the weather test will not last no matter how good it looks.

Start with exposure. An open deck or poolside spot needs resin wicker on a rust-resistant frame.

A covered porch opens the door to natural rattan. A balcony with a weight limit favors lighter aluminum or a compact bistro set.

Then measure. Mark the footprint on the ground with tape.

Leave walking room around chairs and space to pull them out from the table. For a sectional, check the corner turn and the door width for delivery.

Then count people. Two people and a coffee corner call for a bistro set.

A household that hosts needs a conversation set or sectional. A quiet reader may want one lounge chair instead of a set.

Finally, plan the care. Zippered, removable cushion covers make cleaning easier.

A glass tabletop wipes clean but needs care with hot items. Resin wicker wipes with a dry or damp cloth.

Rule: pick the material for the weather first, then the form for the space and the guest count.

How do you keep wicker patio furniture in good shape?

Wicker lasts longer with a quick routine and a dry place for the cushions. The weave is tough; the foam and the metal joints need more attention.

Wipe the weave with a dry cloth or a damp one and mild soap. Skip harsh cleaners, which can dull the finish.

Rinse and dry after cleaning so water does not sit in the joints.

Bring cushions in during rain or long wet spells. Foam holds water and takes time to dry, and HOMEZILLIONS advises against leaving cushions in burning sun or downpour.

Store them when the season ends.

Check the frame twice a year. Look for chips in the powder coating and touch them up so rust cannot start.

Tighten bolts at the joins and check the anti-slip pads.

Cover the furniture or move it to shelter in winter. Resin handles cold better than natural cane, but ice and snow still stress the weave and frame.

A cover keeps both out.

Rule: wipe the weave, store the cushions and touch up the frame; that routine covers most of the care.

Which type of wicker patio furniture should you buy?

Buy resin wicker on a powder-coated steel frame in the form that fits your space. That covers most patios and balconies, and it is the type we would pick first.

For two people on a balcony, the HOMEZILLIONS 3-Piece Wicker Bistro Set is the top pick. It pairs PE rattan with powder-coated alloy steel, adds wide armrests and a glass-top side table, and stays compact at 37.4 lb.

For a lighter boho look with washable covers, the PORWEY bistro set is the better fit.

For a deck that hosts a crowd, the Aoxun 7-Piece Wicker Conversation Set wins. Its 6 cushioned sofas and glass-top table rearrange into different layouts, and the wicker and frame are built to handle weather.

Compare it against metal options in our wicker vs aluminum patio furniture guide if you are still weighing frame materials.

If the set is for an older parent or grandparent, read how to choose patio furniture for seniors before you pick a form. Seat height and armrests matter more than the weave.

For a broader look at seating in general, our patio furniture buying guide covers the rest. And if the Aoxun sectional catches your eye, our Aoxun patio furniture review looks at the brand's range in more depth.

Rule: pick resin wicker for an open patio, natural rattan only under cover, and buy the form for your usual guest count.

Frequently asked questions

Is resin wicker better than natural rattan for outdoors?

Resin wicker is the safer outdoor choice for most yards because PE rattan is made to resist weather and UV light. Natural rattan looks warmer but needs cover and more care.

If the furniture stays out in rain and sun, pick resin.

Does wicker patio furniture have a metal frame?

Yes. Almost all wicker patio furniture wraps a metal frame, usually powder-coated steel or aluminum.

Steel is heavier and stiffer, while aluminum resists rust and stays lighter to move.

Ask what the frame is made of before you buy.

What is the difference between a bistro set and a conversation set?

A bistro set seats two at a small table and suits a balcony or a quiet corner. A conversation set groups seating around a coffee table, so it seats four or more.

Pick bistro for two people and conversation for a household that hosts.

Can wicker patio furniture stay outside all year?

Resin wicker on a rust-resistant frame can usually stay out through the warm months. Natural rattan needs cover or storage.

In freezing or very wet climates, cover the furniture or store the cushions to keep the weave and foam in good shape.