Storing Your Patio Furniture Over the Winter

It seems like yesterday we celebrated the 4th of July, yet now it’s hard to go to a restaurant that’s not serving pumpkin spice something for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.  As much as we might want to deny it, fall is here, and winter isn’t far behind.  Now’s the time to prepare the backyard, patio, and deck for inclement weather, including your patio furniture.  Here are a few easy tips for storing your patio furniture over the winter.

Remove Your Patio Furniture and Place into Storage

If you’re lucky enough to have ample room in a garage, basement, or garden shed, one of the best ways to store your patio furniture in winter is to place it in a dry, sheltered location.  If you don’t have space at your home, it may be well worth the money to rent a storage space over the winter months.  You’ll get many more years out of your furniture by getting them out of the elements completely.

Removing your patio furniture will also help you clean and prepare the deck or patio for the winter and later return it to use in the spring.  It’s much easier to power wash, stain, waterproof, and treat the surface of your deck or patio when all the furniture has been removed.  Take advantage of the time your furniture is in storage to perform maintenance.

You may also consider bringing the furniture cushions indoors and leaving the frames outside.  This works well for metal framed furniture.  However, examine your frames regularly for rust or damage.  Water and sun can also discolor the finish, but you can often clean and spray paint the frames to get them back in pristine condition.

Protect Your Patio Furniture with Covers

Covering them is your next best option if you cannot remove your furniture.  You can purchase outdoor furniture covers at many hardware stores, discount department stores, and online shopping sites.  The covers should fit snuggly on the furniture and be in good condition.  Check your covers annually for any holes or tears.  

As the weather turns cold, use a broom or brush to remove snow, ice, or standing water from the covers.  Allowing the water to sit will deteriorate the fabric and shorten the covers’ lifespan.  

Use Tarps to Cover Outdoor Furniture Over the Winter

One of the least expensive ways to cover and protect your outdoor furniture is by using tarps.  Purchase heavier tarps that are large enough to cover the pieces easily.  Use bungee cords or rope to secure the tarps around the furniture.  Be sure to leave room at the bottom for ventilation–this will prevent mold and mildew from growing under the tarps.

How would you like to improve your outdoor area for the next season?

Retractable awnings are beautiful and functional.  With the flip of a switch, homeowners can enjoy an evening under the stars or sit outside during a light rainstorm.  With retractable awnings, you get the best of both worlds–avoiding the sun and heat during the summer while allowing the sun to stream into your windows as the temperatures cool down.

Plus, today’s retractable awnings come in a wide variety of fabrics to match the exterior look and feel of your home.  At Deluxe Awning, we custom-produce all of our awnings using high-quality fabric that will stand the test of time.