Wicker furniture may feel familiar and everyday today, but its story stretches back thousands of years and spans multiple civilizations. The following facts trace how simple woven plant fibers were transformed into objects of status, comfort, and style—used in royal tombs, carried across empires, and eventually woven into domestic life on entirely new continents.
National Wicker Day
National Wicker Day is a delightful celebration of the art and craft of wicker weaving. It spotlights an approach to making that is both practical and charming: taking flexible strands and weaving them into objects that are sturdy enough for everyday life and handsome enough to be displayed.
From picnic baskets and plant stands to porch seating and lampshades, wicker has a way of making spaces feel a little lighter, breezier, and more welcoming.
It’s also a nod to a technique with serious staying power. Wickerwork is ancient, but it never really went away. Instead, it keeps reinventing itself as tastes change, materials evolve, and people continue to crave pieces that look handcrafted rather than mass-produced.
National Wicker Day encourages an appreciation for that blend of tradition and modern style, with an extra wink toward its naturally earthy, eco-minded reputation.
Wicker’s appeal lies in its durability and affordability, but it helps to clear up a common misconception first: wicker is a weaving method, not a single material. The “wicker look” can be created with many different fibers, depending on what’s available and what the finished piece needs to do.
Classic wickerwork often uses natural plant materials such as willow, rattan, bamboo, and reed. Each behaves differently in the hands, which is part of why wicker items can range from crisp, structured baskets to curvy, lounge-ready furniture.
The strength of wicker comes from its structure. Thicker, more rigid elements form a framework (often called stakes or ribs), while thinner strands weave over and under to lock everything together.
When done well, that interlacing distributes weight across the whole piece instead of concentrating it in one spot. That’s why a well-made wicker basket can handle daily hauling, and why a thoughtfully designed wicker chair can feel surprisingly supportive.
Wicker is also popular because it plays well with different environments. Many people associate wicker with outdoor living because it looks right at home on patios, balconies, and sunrooms. Natural wicker, however, prefers sheltered conditions.
It can handle a lot, but long exposure to soaking rain and harsh sun can dry it out, fade it, or lead to sagging over time.
For outdoor settings, many modern pieces use synthetic “resin wicker,” which mimics the woven look while resisting moisture and sunlight more effectively. In other words, wicker can be an indoor classic, an outdoor workhorse, or both, depending on what it’s made from.
National Wicker Day is also a chance to recognize the craftsmanship behind these pieces and to encourage their continued use in home decor. Wickerwork rewards patience and attention to detail.
Materials may need soaking to become pliable. Tension must be consistent so the weave stays even. Edges have to be finished cleanly so they don’t unravel or snag. The final piece should feel balanced: sturdy, but not bulky; refined, but not fussy.
The day also serves to acknowledge the artisans who create wicker items. Their skill in weaving and designing brings unique, handcrafted pieces into homes, often with subtle fingerprints of the maker’s style.
Even when two baskets follow the same basic pattern, small differences in material, spacing, and finishing can give each one its own personality.
By celebrating National Wicker Day, people can honor these artisans and their contributions to an enduring craft. It’s also an invitation to look at wicker with fresh eyes. A wicker basket is not just storage.
It can be a centerpiece, a catchall by the door, a breadbasket at the table, a home for craft supplies, or a neat way to corral a tangle of throws in the living room. Wicker furniture is not only about a “coastal” look, either. Paired with sleek metal, warm woods, or bold textiles, it can swing from vintage to modern without missing a beat.
Whether someone is a fan of wicker baskets or patio furniture, National Wicker Day is a reminder of the timeless appeal of wicker and the creativity it inspires.
How to Celebrate National Wicker Day
Host a Wicker Craft Party
Invite friends over for a wicker craft session, and keep it approachable. True basketry can be a great skill, but a gathering can focus on small wins that still deliver that satisfying woven look.
Paper wicker (rolling newspaper or kraft paper into tubes) is beginner-friendly and budget-friendly. Raffia, reed, or pre-cut weaving materials can also work well for simple projects.
A good party setup includes a few shallow trays for supplies, a bowl of clothespins or clips to hold strands in place, and a spray bottle of water to keep natural fibers from drying while people work. Simple project ideas include:
– A small coaster set using basic over-under weaving on a cardboard loom
– A woven planter sleeve (a “basket” that slips over an existing pot)
– Ornaments or little wall hangings made with twine and flexible stems
Add snacks and music, and the group gets the best part of wickerwork: the soothing rhythm of weaving, plus the satisfaction of making something useful.
Visit a Wicker Museum
A museum visit can be an eye-opener because wicker shows up in more places than many people expect. Depending on what’s available, a collection might include antique baskets, woven cradles, trunks, or even early examples of wicker furniture that highlight how design trends shaped the craft.
Seeing older pieces up close also reveals construction details that get lost in modern reproductions, like hand-tied joints, carefully bound rims, or intricate patterns that shift direction to create strength.
For a more self-guided “museum day” when a dedicated museum is not accessible, people can also look for exhibits that include everyday material culture: domestic life, agriculture, or traditional crafts. Wicker is often there, quietly proving it has always been part of daily living.
Decorate with Wicker
Sprucing up a space with wicker does not require a full furniture overhaul. A few thoughtfully chosen pieces can add texture and warmth, especially in rooms that feel flat or overly polished. Wicker brings visual movement because the weave creates shadows and patterns, even in a neutral color.
Easy upgrades include:
– A lidded basket for entryway clutter, keys, or dog leashes
– A laundry hamper that looks intentional instead of purely functional
– A woven tray on a coffee table to corral remotes and candles
– Wall baskets grouped as art for a layered, collected look
– Wicker pendant lighting to soften harsh overhead light
It also helps to match the wicker to the room’s job. Tighter, smoother weaves tend to feel more refined for dining or living areas, while chunkier, more rustic weaves feel right in mudrooms or casual spaces.
Take a Wicker Weaving Class
Signing up for a wicker weaving class at a craft store, community center, or with a local basket maker is one of the best ways to build real confidence.
A good introductory class typically explains how materials behave, how to keep tension even, and how to finish a rim so the piece doesn’t unravel. It also teaches the vocabulary of the craft, which makes it easier to follow patterns later.
Many beginner projects focus on a small round basket or a simple market-style basket, because those shapes teach foundational skills: building a base, creating upright stakes, and weaving the sides.
Students often learn how soaking time affects flexibility, why some fibers split cleanly while others don’t, and how small adjustments prevent lopsided results.
Even one class can change how someone shops for wicker. After learning how a rim is wrapped or where stress points tend to form, it becomes much easier to spot quality workmanship.
Share on Social Media
Posting pictures of wicker creations or favorite wicker pieces is an easy way to join the fun, especially because wicker is naturally photogenic. The weave shows texture in close-ups, and baskets instantly communicate coziness and practicality.
For better photos, natural light helps highlight the pattern of the weave. Styling ideas include showing a “before and after” corner of a room, featuring a thrifted piece cleaned up and refreshed, or sharing a short clip demonstrating the soothing over-under motion of weaving.
Using the hashtag #NationalWickerDay makes it easier for others to find and share inspiration, from rustic basketry to sleek modern resin designs.
Go on a Wicker Hunt
Thrift stores, flea markets, estate sales, and antique shops can be treasure troves for wicker. A “wicker hunt” turns shopping into a scavenger search for unusual shapes, solid construction, and pieces with character.
A few practical inspection tips make the hunt more successful:
– Check for soft spots or crunchiness, which can signal dryness or rot in natural fibers.
– Look closely at the rim and handles, since those areas take the most strain.
– Wiggle the piece gently to see if joints feel sturdy.
– Watch for sharp broken ends that could snag clothing or scratch skin.
Many vintage pieces can be refreshed with gentle cleaning and careful conditioning. Some people repaint wicker for a crisp, updated look, while others keep the original patina.
Either way, the goal is to bring a functional piece back into everyday use instead of letting it sit forgotten.
Read About Wicker
Reading about wicker weaving can deepen appreciation for the skill involved, especially when it connects technique to the larger story of human ingenuity.
Basketry and wickerwork have long been intertwined with agriculture, trade, and domestic life. Learning how different cultures used local plants for weaving helps explain why wicker looks different from one place to another.
Books and guides often cover foundational weave structures such as plaiting, twining, and coiling, along with the “wicker” approach of weaving flexible strands around a framework.
Even without making anything, readers can learn to recognize patterns, understand why certain shapes are stronger, and develop an eye for craftsmanship.
National Wicker Day Timeline
c. 7500 BCE
Early Mesolithic Woven Baskets
Exceptionally well‑preserved plant‑fiber baskets, dated to about 9,500 years ago in Cueva de los Murciélagos in Spain, provide some of the earliest direct evidence of sophisticated basketry and woven container technology. [1]
c. 3000 BCE
Wicker Furniture in Ancient Egypt
Archaeological finds from tombs of Egyptian pharaohs show woven reed and grass chairs, baskets, and chests, indicating that wicker furniture was already a developed craft along the Nile by the early dynastic period. [2]
1st–3rd Century CE
Roman Use of Wicker in Daily Life
Evidence from Roman Britain, including a 2,000‑year‑old wicker‑lined well discovered in Norfolk, shows how Romans used woven plant structures for practical engineering, storage, and domestic purposes. [3]
17th Century (1620)
Wicker Arrives with English Colonists in America
Historical accounts report that a wicker baby cradle traveled aboard the Mayflower in 1620, marking an early documented instance of wicker furniture in what would become the United States. [4]
1851
Cyrus Wakefield Industrializes Rattan Wicker
Entrepreneur Cyrus Wakefield founds the Wakefield Rattan Company in Massachusetts after experimenting with discarded rattan shipping dunnage, helping to transform wicker from a handcraft into a large‑scale American industry. [5]
1897
Formation of Heywood‑Wakefield Company
Two major U.S. wicker producers, Wakefield Rattan Company and Heywood Brothers & Company, merge to create Heywood‑Wakefield, which becomes one of the most influential manufacturers of wicker and rattan furniture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. [6]
Mid‑ to Late 19th Century
Victorian Era Wicker Craze
During the Victorian period, wicker furniture surged in popularity in Europe and North America, prized as a hygienic, lightweight, and stylish alternative to heavily upholstered pieces, and became a staple of parlors, sunrooms, and verandas. [7]
History of National Wicker Day
National Wicker Day is observed as a way to spotlight wicker weaving and the people who keep the craft alive. It has been described as beginning in 2020 and being founded by an individual named Bruce Thompson to highlight the beauty and utility of wicker items and to recognize artisans.
While broad online references to the celebration exist, detailed public documentation about its founding is limited, and the day is most reliably understood through its purpose: encouraging awareness and appreciation of wickerwork as both a practical craft and design tradition.
That purpose makes sense given how long wicker has served in everyday life. Wicker weaving, as a method, reaches back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used reeds and swamp grasses to create baskets and furniture, and woven pieces have been found in contexts that suggest both daily use and status.
Wicker’s early success was not accidental. In warm climates, woven plant fibers offered a lightweight alternative to heavier materials, and the open structure allowed for airflow, making furniture more comfortable.
Over time, wickerwork spread and adapted as trade routes expanded and materials changed. Different regions developed distinctive styles based on what plants were available and what objects were most needed.
Some traditions favored tight, fine weaving suited to carrying grains or goods. Others leaned into larger structural forms for seating, storage trunks, and household items. The technique was endlessly adaptable: change the thickness of the stakes, switch the fiber, alter the pattern, and a new object could emerge.
In later centuries, wicker furniture became especially fashionable in various parts of Europe and North America, where it was associated with airy interiors, verandas, and relaxed social spaces.
Wicker’s look could read as refined or casual, depending on the silhouette and finish. It also appealed to households that wanted furnishings that were easier to move, easier to clean, and visually lighter than densely upholstered pieces.
Modern wicker continues that tradition of reinvention. Natural wicker remains popular for décor, baskets, and indoor furniture, while synthetic wicker has expanded options for outdoor use.
Designers use woven textures to add warmth to minimal spaces, and homeowners use baskets as a tidy solution for storage without sacrificing style. In a world full of disposable goods, the idea of a woven piece made with care, repaired when needed, and used for years holds strong appeal.
National Wicker Day fits neatly into that story. It invites people to look beyond wicker as a background texture and to recognize it as a skilled craft. It encourages support for makers and small workshops, appreciation for time-tested techniques, and a renewed interest in materials that feel grounded and human.
Whether the celebration is marked by making a small woven item, restoring a vintage chair, or simply noticing the artistry in a familiar basket, the spirit of the day is about valuing the weave and the hands behind it.
Facts About the History of Wicker Furniture
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Ancient Egyptian Wicker in Royal Tombs
Archaeological finds from ancient Egypt show that wickerwork was used not just for humble baskets but also for elite furniture: woven chests, chairs, and storage containers have been recovered from 3rd‑millennium BCE tombs, including those associated with royal burials. These artifacts demonstrate that plaited plant-fiber furniture was already a sophisticated craft more than 4,000 years ago.
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Wicker Across the Roman Empire
As Egyptian wicker traditions met Roman demand, woven plant-fiber goods spread throughout the Roman Empire, where they were adapted for everyday household use. Historical surveys note that Romans used wicker for baskets and furniture, and that these techniques moved north and west with imperial expansion, helping establish wicker as a familiar craft across much of Europe by late antiquity.
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From Baby Cradles to Parlors in Early America
When Europeans colonized North America, they brought wicker items with them, and by the 17th century, woven plant-fiber techniques were commonly used for baby furniture such as cradles and bassinets. Later, as domestic interiors evolved, American households began favoring wicker for parlor, porch, and garden pieces, reflecting a shift from purely practical uses to fashionable décor.
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The Industrial-Scale Rattan Revolution
Modern wicker furniture in North America took off in the mid‑19th century, when entrepreneur Cyrus Wakefield began importing rattan discarded as shipping dunnage from China and repurposing it as a furniture material. His Wakefield Rattan Company in Massachusetts became so influential that the town of South Reading was later renamed Wakefield in his honor, marking how a woven craft helped shape an industrial community’s identity.
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Victorian Beliefs About “Hygienic” Wicker
During the Victorian era, wicker enjoyed a “golden age” of popularity in Europe and North America, partly because it was considered more hygienic than upholstered furniture. Contemporary commentators praised wicker for being smooth, hard-surfaced, and easy to dust, reflecting 19th‑century anxieties about germs and cleanliness and linking health ideals directly to furniture design.
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Machine-Made Weaving and the Heywood-Wakefield Merger
By the late 19th century, large firms were mechanizing aspects of wicker production. In 1897, the Wakefield Rattan Company merged with Heywood Brothers to form Heywood-Wakefield, which used equipment such as power looms to produce cane and rattan furniture more cheaply and consistently. Their mass-produced lines and mail-order catalogs helped standardize wicker styles and made woven furniture accessible to a wider middle-class market.
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Rattan as a Fast-Growing Tropical Vine
A major material for wicker, rattan is not a tree but a group of climbing palms that can grow tens of meters long and regenerate relatively quickly after harvesting. Because the stems can be cut without felling a whole forest stand, conservation organizations have highlighted responsible rattan harvesting as a potential tool for supporting tropical livelihoods while providing an alternative to timber—though overharvesting and habitat loss still pose sustainability challenges.
National Wicker Day FAQs
What is the difference between wicker, rattan, and bamboo?
Wicker is a weaving technique rather than a specific plant and refers to objects made by interlacing flexible materials. Rattan is a group of climbing palms with solid, cane-like stems commonly split and woven into furniture, while bamboo is a fast-growing grass with hollow, jointed stems that can be used structurally or cut into strips for weaving, but is botanically and structurally distinct from rattan. [1]
How has wicker been used historically in different cultures?
Archaeological and historical evidence indicate that ancient Egyptians used woven reeds and grasses for baskets, chests, and furniture, while later European societies, particularly in the Victorian era, adopted wicker for household furnishings, and North American craftspeople and manufacturers developed a commercial wicker industry in the 19th century. [2]
Is natural wicker considered an environmentally friendly material?
Natural wicker made from plant materials such as rattan, willow, and bamboo is often viewed as more environmentally friendly than many synthetic options because it is renewable and biodegradable, but its overall sustainability depends on factors like growth rates, harvesting methods, and forest management practices.
What is the difference between natural wicker and synthetic “all-weather” wicker?
Natural wicker uses plant fibers such as rattan, willow, or reed and is lightweight but susceptible to moisture and sun damage if not protected, whereas synthetic or “all-weather” wicker is usually made from resins like high-density polyethylene woven over a frame and is engineered to resist fading, moisture, and cracking but does not biodegrade like plant-based materials. [3]
How should wicker furniture be cleaned and maintained to prolong its life?
Many care guides recommend regularly dusting or vacuuming wicker with a soft brush, wiping it with a mild soap-and-water solution, and allowing it to dry thoroughly, while avoiding saturation of natural fibers and periodically checking for loose strands, mildew, or finish wear so that minor repairs and refinishing can be done before damage worsens. [4]
Can wicker furniture be left outside all year round?
Natural wicker generally should not be exposed to rain, snow, and intense sunlight year-round because repeated wetting and drying can cause swelling, cracking, and fading, so many outdoor-living specialists advise using weather-resistant synthetic wicker for permanent outdoor placement or moving natural wicker under cover and using protective covers during harsh conditions. [5]
Are concerns about wicker furniture being fragile or uncomfortable accurate?
Perceptions that wicker furniture is inherently fragile or uncomfortable are often overstated, as well-made pieces, particularly those built on sturdy rattan or metal frames with quality weaving, can be durable under normal household use, and many designs are paired with cushions and ergonomic shapes that improve comfort for everyday seating.
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