French Cane Dining Chairs

French cane chairs are often seen either outdoors or indoors. Since they are so versatile and suitable to a wide range of environments, it makes them ideal for rooms such as a conservatory, or on an outdoor balcony which is covered by some form of shelter. Environments which fall halfway between the outdoors and indoors are ideal for French cane chairs.

Once you have decided where your chairs are going to be positioned, you can start thinking about the finer details.

Most chairs require a space of three feet squared, but it's still important to take measurements and find out exactly how large each chair is.

Deciding how many chairs to buy can be a challenge, especially if you live on your own or you're not sure what you intend to do in the future. It's easy if you have set plans for the future, for example, if you know that you're going to host several garden parties over the next few months. However, if you're unsure, you should buy just one or two chairs and then decide in the future whether you want to add more.

You will also be confined by how much space you have in your home for the chairs. If you already have furniture in your conservatory, or you have a small balcony which doesn't allow more than two chairs, then it won't be possible to include any extra seating even if you really wanted to.

What's the best shape for a French cane chair?

Nowadays, you may see an increasing number of square-shaped chairs, but these aren't always the most comfortable for your back. If you know that you are more comfortable with a rounded back on your chair, or your doctor has recommended that you use this type of furniture, you should bear this in mind. Always try out the chairs for yourself before buying wherever possible, but if you can't, try to gather as much information as possible.

Some French cane chairs will have a back but no arms. In this case, the shape becomes less important, since the back is not rounding or joining in a square shape to provide extra support.

While people worry about the size of the chairs and the material used to line the chairs, the shape is often forgotten. It isn't something which is easy to forget when you're looking at chairs, but if you're shopping online, you may forget the importance of a comfortable seat. The shape of a chair can have a lot to do with this.

Cane dining chairs are stylish, and despite the lightweight construction materials, they often have a weight capacity between 150-300 lbs.

If you invest in robust cane dining chairs with an integrated metallic frame in their base, this unit can hold weights of up to 300 lbs. You can find several high-quality wicker loungers and cane chairs with weight capacities that range between 300-500 lbs.

However, if you buy a standard cane product that doesn’t come with a clearly defined weight capacity, likely, this dining chair won’t hold much more than 200 lbs. Look for cane furniture with a tight dense weave for optimal weight-bearing properties.

Cane dining chairs are a comfortable choice for casual or formal dining areas, especially upholstery models.

Cane dining chairs often feature a woven back and seat, which conform slightly to your body and help distribute your weight evenly, taking pressure off your spine and hip joints. For upper body support, look for chairs that come with armrests and high backs that curve inward in the lumbar region.

If you enjoy long meals or use the dining table for hosting guests or game nights, opt for cane dining chairs with upholstered seats. The seat should have 1”-2” of foam padding or sinuous springs and soft upholstery fabric such as linen, cotton microfiber, or polyester.

Regular cleaning and maintenance are key to caring for cane dining chairs. Dust with a static duster, and wipe down with a soft microfiber cloth and mild soapy water for stubborn stains.

Cane has a natural elasticity, so cane dining chair seats can begin to sag with prolonged use. If the seats aren’t too overstretched or broken, you can revive your cane dining chairs and restore their seat comfort by tightening the woven strands. Turn the chairs upside down and place a warm, damp cloth over the underside of the seat. Let the cloth and the chair air dry in this position overnight. This causes the cane to shrink and firm up the seat pressure. Do not allow anyone to sit on the chair for at least 48 hours.

If your chair has a solid wood frame, rub it with linseed oil once every month to maintain its strength and shine.