Seeing summer’s end is always devastating, even with the doors shut and A/C blasting during those last heatwave days. And while many of us are blessed with exceptional weather year-round out West, you should still protect and preserve your outdoor furniture. Here’s how to winterize these prized possessions, with helpful insights from Noah Morse, the co-founder and head of product at Sundays.
You’re leaving your outdoor furniture outside year-round.
Even if you’re in a more temperate climate, you should think about relocating your outdoor furniture during the winter months.
“Outdoor furniture should ideally be brought indoors in the winter, but for most, this simply isn’t an option,” Morse explains. “Therefore, keeping the outdoor furniture under cover would be the bare minimum. If stored outdoors and under cover, a protective cover is best.”
You also want to pay attention to the weather—or your sprinkler schedule. Morse says it’s most important to have completely dry furniture before moving them into a storage area. Give your furniture time to dry before thinking about storing them.
Thomas J. Story
You’re keeping items too low to the ground.
Aside from eliminating any moisture, Morse says you want to carefully choose a spot where these pieces can “breathe.”
“If you cover the furniture during the winter, make sure the furniture can still breathe to avoid any potential mildew or mold forming over the course of colder months,” Morse says. “If your pieces don’t have much air flow under them, I would recommend raising them off the floor slightly.”
Wondering what works best for elevating your furniture? Morse recommends hockey pucks to give it a little lift.
If you’re still on the hunt for the best outdoor furniture, or curious about upgrading your space, check out the biggest exterior design mistakes to avoid. From selecting the best weather-resistant materials, such as teak or concrete, to determining the right layout, there’s so much we’ve learned from seasoned pros.