Wicker beds, which are also known as Wicker daybeds, are typically used in outdoor spaces. While a daybed can be a wonderful addition to your patio or porch, it’s important to choose one that is built well and that meets your needs.
Here are 7 tips on how to choose and use your wicker daybed Some of these tips will apply only if you have children (who often enjoy lounging on a daybed), while others apply even if you don’t plan to use your bed outside. But regardless of your situation, make sure you read through all 7 tips!
Space
Make sure there’s room in your yard/garden/patio/porch to accommodate a new piece of furniture. If you live in a smaller house or apartment and don’t have extra room, consider putting your bed inside instead – perhaps using it during warm-weather months only.
No matter where you place your bed, try to position it according to where sunlight will fall throughout the seasons – winter sun gives more heat than summer sun does, so different places will require different placements.
Weight Load
No matter where you decide to put your wicker daybed, do make sure that it can support its own weight plus anyone who might want to sit on it. Just because something says wicker doesn’t mean it won’t break under pressure—so do look closely at product descriptions.
Also remember that people come in different sizes—even if a manufacturer claims their product can handle 200 pounds, chances are good that 200 pounds will stress each part differently depending on how much of those 200 pounds weigh distributed across each section of wicker. Which means that two small women could hypothetically sit comfortably on a couch made for four large men—but wicker may not stand up to repeated everyday use from both sets of women.
Cushions
Whether you end up placing your daybed indoors or outdoors, make sure you pick cushions suited to whatever environment you choose. For example, indoor cushions may need to meet certain flame resistance standards; outdoor cushions may need UV protection. Check your daybed’s care instructions to see what you should and shouldn’t use to clean it.
Maintenance
Another thing to check? Care instructions. Not only will these show you how to make sure your wicker daybed looks and feels great, but they can also give you a clue about whether or not your bed requires regular maintenance. Even if you don’t have kids or pets, you may find that dust and pollen are attracted to daybeds – but in such cases, you can usually wipe it away.
However, if your bed requires waterproofing every six months or so, make sure you can manage it on your own—you don’t want to have to spend hundreds of dollars every year for regular furniture repairs.
Budget
If you’re shopping online, don’t forget that shipping costs money too. If you’re planning to buy your wicker daybed from a physical store, don’t forget that additional fees may apply for sales tax and delivery.
Once you’ve chosen and bought your daybed, make sure you have enough money left in your budget to properly maintain it. Cleaning supplies cost money; if you want to make sure your daybed lasts for years, you’ll need to budget for them.
Comfort
If you do plan on using your wicker daybed outside, get comfortable cushions! That way, you can lay back and relax on hot days. In colder months, bring your cushions inside so that you can curl up for a nap in front of a fireplace or on a chilly day.
If you want your daybed to serve as somewhere to sit but don’t plan on using it as a bed, make sure that each seat cushion has at least 4 inches of clearance from floor to bottom—that way, no matter where someone’s sitting, they’ll have room for comfort. If you want to use your daybed for multiple purposes, make sure that you choose a wide enough model.
At least 20 to 30 inches of seating should be standard—that way, even if one person wants to sleep on it at night and another wants to sit on it during the day, there’ll still be room for both.
Style
Bear in mind: There’s no wrong choice! No matter how you use your wicker daybed, as long as it’s comfortable and able to withstand regular use, you’ll probably be happy. Picking a style that suits your tastes is just icing on an already delicious cake.
Final Thoughts
Remember, buying furniture isn’t about getting stuck with an item forever – there are always ways to decorate and tweak items so they suit both you and your lifestyle better. And you should feel free to ask questions before you buy anything – whether it’s online or at a store near you.