Collecting Wrought Iron Outdoor Furniture

With beginnings as early as 13th Century France and England, wrought iron furniture achieved great popularity in the 1930s. While some styles have only changed slightly, it has remained a mainstay of gardens and lawns in many parts of the world. Newer pieces are still manufactured but collecting wrought iron is also popular.

The original wrought iron outdoor pieces were created for those who lived in New England. Able to withstand the elements, they were pieces that could be left out year round and a simple new coat of paint made them all fresh again. Today, they are used everywhere and offer one of the most sustainable types of outdoor decor.

The great durability of wrought iron comes from its sheer weight. The thickness of the iron is what gave early pieces its lasting power. Today’s wrought iron has been modernized both in weight and design. Thinner and lighter weight pieces are available, and using metal mesh is also very popular. Wrought iron continues to be a great solution for those who live in harsher climates with storms and winds.

These variations make for a purchase that is long lasting, but there’s real interest in collecting the vintage looks too. Finding an interesting older piece like a big glider or a rolling tea cart is fun and makes a great addition to a more modern setting. Tag sales and estate sales often have these sought after items.

While many of the most unusual vintage wrought iron pieces are very collectible and therefore expensive, it doesn’t mean that there are deals to be found. A bargain at a tag sale may end up being a fantastic piece that adds an element of surprise to an existing outdoor furniture grouping. The more unique the better, but simple pieces work well too!

Adding a plant stand or even a wrought iron lamp into a modern design theme works well, and those items are often found in junk shops or at estate sales. They pop out as unusual and all it takes to make them work is a fresh coat of paint. Integrating something unusual is a great way to make a design theme really pop with interest.

Since wrought iron is so durable, most collectible finds will need little more than some sanding and a new coat of paint. Missing glass tops are easily replaced by a phone call to a local glass shop, and most chairs just need new cushions, which are readily available online. Making old pieces look new again may take a little elbow grease but is so worth the effort.

There are big differences between wrought iron and cast iron. Cast iron pieces come from moulds and are often very ornate where traditional wrought iron is forged. It is usually much simpler in design, which makes it easier to integrate with more modern pieces. While thinner, it is certainly just as durable as cast iron.

Collecting older pieces of wrought iron can introduce pieces like architectural elements such as grates or grills, which become art objects when hung on walls or used as table tops. They can add an element of surprise in an otherwise modern outdoor furniture design. And finding them is so much fun.

If you want to know more about wicker patio furniture, then visit Gabriel Meriwether’s site and see some of the best patio dining sets available.