There are many reasons why wicker furniture would be the ideal furniture for your home. Before exploring the various reasons for adding wicker furniture to your home, here is a brief introduction on how wicker furniture is manufactured.

Wicker furniture is produced from cane that is commonly found in many Asian countries such as Indonesia. Although it is commonly available, a piece of raw cane is very tough, making it hard for anyone to use it for anything purposeful. However, innovative manufacturers have found a way to soften the tough texture of cane by using a steaming process. The cane, when exposed to heat, softens. And this allows manufacturers to bend them into any form or shape that they like. When cooled, the cane hardened again and the form is set. A finish such as a clear lacquer may then be applied to help protect the cane.

We started off this article by giving you some background information about wicker furniture because this will help you realize that wicker furniture is not just versatile and durable, they are also easily maintained.

Because cane, when softened, can be bent into any shape, it can be used to make many different types of furniture, both big and small. For example, you can find furniture such as coffee tables, sofa sets, bar seats, dining tables, etc. that are made from wicker.

Note that although the term wicker furniture is commonly used to refer to cane furniture, the word “wicker” actually refers to the manufacturing process. The more accurate term to use is “cane furniture”, but most people use both terms interchangeably to refer to the same thing.

Wicker furniture can be easily maintained. Since the primary natural characteristic of cane (bamboo or rattan) is toughness, it is not easy to damage a piece of wicker furniture. Some wicker furniture can last for years even when placed outdoors.

Even though it is not easy for a piece of wicker furniture to be damaged, the cane still becomes old over time. This affects the outer appearance of the wicker furniture.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to refinish a piece of wicker furniture. Any stripper liquid can be used to soften the wicker. The cane can then be loosened and cleaned with a dry brush. Let the liquid stripper dry by itself for 24 to 48 hours. Once it dries, the wicker will harden again. If the wicker has faded, repainting can be done using spray paints to give the furniture a new look. If painting is not required, a clear lacquer can be applied lightly to help protect the surface of wicker.

Durability and low maintenance are key benefits offered by wicker furniture. In addition, wicker furniture gives a more relaxed feel to the home. Perhaps that is the reason why so many holiday resorts have chosen to add wicker furniture to their balconies and swimming pools.

As a homeowner, you can use wicker furniture to give your home a more relaxed atmosphere, just like the resorts, or you can pick modern looking wicker furniture that will give your home a more classy look. Whatever your choice of design, there will be wicker furniture that is a good fit.

These days, a good number of people who want window drapes and curtains are shopping online. By doing so, they are able to land some of the best pieces ever. However, when you shop for window drapes from a web store, you need to send in exact window measurements.

Measuring for window drapes is not awfully hard. But, there are certain steps to follow.

You will need:

A retractable measuring tape

A pencil

A paper pad

Before you take the measurements, decide whether:

- You want formal drapes or informal café curtains.

- You want your window drapes hanging slightly below the bottom of the window opening. If so, you would need to measure approximately 4 inches below the bottom of the window.

- You want your drapes hanging to the floor in which case you need to measure from the top of the rod to an inch above the floor.

- You want the window drapes hanging from ceiling to floor (not just from the top of the window alone), in which case you will measure from about an inch below the ceiling to an inch above the floor.

It is a good idea to get curtain rods and fix them in place before you order your curtains. Curtain rods are hung approximately 6 inches above the frame, and the rods must stretch about 2-3 inches to each side of the window. If you’re in doubt, discuss your needs with the salesperson.

Measuring width:

Width is always measured and mentioned first. Simply measure the width of the rod, from the first clip on one end to the first clip on the other end. You do this so you can leave out the decorative end pieces of the rod, if any. For generous folds in the drapes, multiply the width by two.

Measuring height:

Measure from the bottom of the clip or ring down to the place where you want the drape to hang.

In case you do not have curtain rods in place, measure the inside of the window casing for width. Measure the height from approximately six inches above the window frame to the length that you want the drape to hang.

Remember to measure each window separately even though these appear to be of the same size. Even small variations can have a huge visual impact. Be very meticulous in your measurements.

Custom made window drapes have many advantages. They give you the best deal for your money when compared to some other kinds of window treatments. Drapes help you control light, heat and sound levels. Besides, window drapes can be made to fit windows of any size whether these are corner windows, arched windows or bay windows. However, the beauty of custom made window drapes depends largely on proper measurements.