Wicker is a summer design staple, but it doesn't have to be contained to the porch or a beachside cottage! Here are some tips for bringing the material indoors.
Change up the color
Wicker furniture tends to come in two hues, neutral and white. The neutral can be limiting in terms of design, and white runs the risk of being too reminiscent of your grandmother's living room. If you find a chair in the material�but it doesn't entirely fit with your d�cor, be proactive and change the color yourself with some spray paint. The process is simple, and almost always comes out professional looking. Just be sure to use a white primer first.
Painting your wicker furniture gives you the opportunity to totally streamline your design. Choosing a deep color, like navy or dark red, makes the piece grown-up and sophisticated, quite the trip from the kitschy dollhouse wicker we're used to. Match the hue to a color that already exists in the room, say from your roman shades or cushions.
Go bold and exotic
The summery feel of the material - think hot afternoons on the porch sipping cocktails in a wicker chair - gives it the potential to be exotic and exciting. Experiment with bright punches of color like orange and fuchsia in striking patterns on throw pillows or tablecloths. Keeping the wicker in its neutral color helps to lessen�the punch, but the intricate weave manages to keep up with the daring hues and patterns. Further the exotic theme by scattering fragrant floral arrangements wildly throughout the room.
Stay neutral
Ever the versatile material, wicker is able to weave itself seamlessly into a room of all light brown, adding the necessary texture to make a monochromatic room interesting. Granted, this doesn't have to be an all-beige room, but letting the natural pigment of the wicker speak for itself and flow through the rest of the space looks clean and airy. Keep the walls white�and decorate in shades of taupe, making sure to vary the texture throughout the area. Draw contrast between the wicker furnishings and the cushions that top them by keeping the fabric silky and smooth, like in a silk or suede material, and add further texture by using bamboo blinds.�
