Wrought iron furniture is furniture made from wrought, or soft, iron. Both indoor and outdoor styles of furniture are made from wrought iron. Patio furniture, dining chairs, and different types of tables are all available in this sturdy and popular type of decorative iron.
Many pieces of wrought iron furniture feature elaborately twisted and bent metal shapes. Since wrought iron is so soft, it is easy to shape when it is heated, or forged, until it is red hot. Both handheld and machine steam hammers are used to work the iron into chair frames, table tops and other furniture parts. Hammering the hot iron gives it its unique, sort of scaly, coarse texture.
Outdoor furniture made from wrought iron is classic and very popular. Wrought iron patio furniture usually has a coating to resist rusting. Some iron outdoor furniture is made with winter storage and space considerations in mind, as it comes in flat packaging or folding styles to be assembled. Wrought iron bistro sets have two chairs and a small table and these are popular for smaller decks and apartment balconies.
The great thing about wrought iron furniture, other than its sturdiness and elegant, decorative appeal, is its versatility. For example, a wrought iron bistro set used outdoors on a patio may also work well indoors in an apartment-sized kitchen. Some wrought iron dining sets are made for inside use, if they have glass table tops. Wrought iron dining chairs are very sturdy and solid.
Baker's racks made from wrought iron are often a great look in a kitchen that has a wrought iron dining set. Traditionally used to store baking supplies, baker’s racks can store canister jars of food, cookbooks and other items such as houseplants. A wrought iron kitchen island could be a good alternative to wooden kitchen islands in areas that suit the embellished, dramatic dark look of wrought iron furniture. Kitchen islands offer extra space for preparing food and may also have extra seating and counter space for dining.
Glass-topped coffee tables and sofa tables are common indoor types of wrought iron furniture. Some of these iron tables are upscale and quite expensive while simpler styles without a lot of scrollwork, or curvy ironwork, may be quite affordable. Cast iron is not used for furniture-making, as it is brittle and breaks easily, unlike wrought iron.
