November 1, 2024
Is Wicker Back? 4 Ways to Incorporate It into Modern Decor

If the Nancy Meyers aesthetic has made you nostalgic for classic ’90s decorating trends, we have good news for you: Wicker is officially back. While you probably associate the material with the 1990s, it’s actually been associated with interior design since the Roman Empire. It waned in popularity post-WWII as modernism became mainstream, but the latter part of the 20th century saw a resurgence of wicker accents, culminating in the coveted shabby-chic aesthetic of the ’90s.

And now, roughly half a century later, it’s back in style. If you’re not quite sure how to incorporate wicker’s breezy boho ambiance into your modern home decor, interior designers are sharing their top tips. Design experts give share how to decorate with wicker so that it blends beautifully with modern pieces for a fun and fresh space.

Brie Williams


Why Is Wicker Back in Style?

Interior designers have fully embraced the wicker comeback, in part because the material is so versatile. “Wicker is just downright fun,” says Megan Prime, co-founder and principal of the architecture and design studio, JAM. “The fact that it’s a woven material gives it the flexibility—literally and figuratively—to be playful and sculptural.”

In fact, Isabel Ladd, designer at Isabel Ladd Interiors, describes wicker with a single word: “Obsessed.” She elaborates on her obsession, revealing her secrets to making wicker work in the modern era. “Wicker has the ability to be bent and woven into incredible shapes, so picking pieces that highlight unique curves makes it so special,” she says.

Another reason wicker is back in style may have less to do with home design and more to do with functionality. Both natural wicker (made of plant materials such as rattan or bamboo) and manufactured wicker (made of synthetic materials like plastic or resin) are easy to clean and maintain. The reason that artificial wicker is such a popular option for outdoor patio furniture is because it’s durable and weather resistant.

Additionally, like fast fashion, fast furniture is proving to be an environmental crisis, so people are turning to slow decorating as a more sustainable alternative. Since wicker can still be found secondhand, is often made of organic materials, and (when properly cared for) is built to last, it’s a smart, eco-friendly furniture choice.

How to Incorporate Wicker into Modern Home Decor

1. Stick to Modern Shapes

“It’s becoming popular as a material again but with an updated profile this time around,” Ladd says. “So, instead of those ‘90s’ shapes we so often saw on sun porches and bedrooms—I immediately think of DJ’s bedroom on Full House—we now see more stylized silhouettes,” she says. Lately, she’s been choosing side tables with wicker tightly woven into a scalloped border or another sleek, modern detail.

Prime suggests choosing straight lines and clean silhouettes to seamlessly integrate classic materials with modern aesthetics. “I prefer to keep wicker items clean-lined as opposed to fussy,” she says.

2. Add Wicker Accent Pieces

“I love incorporating wicker accents into a room because of the instant combination of texture and natural material that it provides,” Prime says. Both designers suggest subtly sneaking in wicker to keep it looking novel rather than have it be the main attraction.

“You can really celebrate the interesting texture and patterns created with wicker when you use it as an accent and not as a whole ‘suite,'” Ladd says.

3. Embrace Unexpected Pieces

A simple strategy to casually work wicker into a room is to bypass the idea of big pieces, like tables and chairs, and go for something slightly less expected instead. While Prime acknowledges the beauty of wicker furniture, she doesn’t want to overlook other ways to decorate with the material. “It’s a really dynamic and unique medium to work with for lighting,” she says. Consider hanging wicker lanterns as backyard lights or flanking a pair of sconces with wicker lampshades on either side of your bathroom vanity.

4. Consider Wicker a Neutral

Ladd is known for her bright and playful design style, so to her, wicker is decidedly a neutral. “It’s all about the juxtaposition,” she says. “If you decorate with a lot of color and pattern like I do, you can use wicker to balance the design. As a natural material, it just has a way of grounding a space.” This tip reinforces the idea that the best way to keep wicker current is to use it in small doses and as an understated accent.

Prime agrees. “There’s something about a heritage material, like wicker, being used in a simple form that makes a piece immediately more captivating and an instant classic,” she says.

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