If you don’t live in climates featuring year-round mild temperatures when is it time to set up the outdoor furniture? On more and more occasions warm snaps invade winter playgrounds teasing inhabitants with the hint of spring, melting the snow away and bringing people outdoors again. It is especially inviting on those days to want to break out the front porch rockers or the backyard deck set. Is there a set rule as to when you should or shouldn’t set up the outside furniture? Do you have to wait until Groundhog’s Day for a prediction on spring or should you just keep an eye on local weather patterns?
The truth is there isn’t a hard and fast rule for when to take out your outdoor furniture. Just take a quick peek around the neighborhood. Probably about half of the neighbors keep theirs out year-round regardless of the temperatures while a large group diligently clean and store. Still another portion leaves outdoor furniture outside for the duration of the winter but covers it. In today’s always unpredictable climate, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that there are options for outdoor furniture and winter weather for those of us who don’t live in mild climates including heating up the outdoors to embrace Mother Nature and her chilly ways.
Bring Outdoor Furniture Indoors
Outdoor furniture and rugs are an investment just like any other piece in the home. Many outdoor furniture sets come with a bit of a price tag and homeowners want to get the most out of them. In many places like Arizona, Florida, and on the West Coast this is not an issue. Year-round mild climates allow outdoor furniture to be utilized all four seasons. In the Northeast and Midwest, that’s not really an option, but with a little ingenuity, it is doable. Unlike indoor furniture which cannot go outside, outdoor furniture can easily do double duty.
When it’s too cold to sit outside, give outdoor furniture a new spot in the household until spring. Man or gal caves, she-sheds, basement hideaways, playrooms, and mudrooms are perfect locations for outdoor furniture during the cold months. Even outdoor rugs can come inside to warm up a playroom or sunroom for the winter. Adding an outdoor bench to the mudroom can be a real plus when getting the kids ready to go play in the snow and a porch rocker makes for a comfy reading retreat. Just remember, before bringing outdoor furniture and rugs inside, give them a thorough cleaning and allow them to dry completely.
Ways to Use Outdoor Furniture Year-Round
Of course, you don’t want to have to shovel snow to be able to sit on a deck rocker, but there are ways to take advantage of outdoor furniture in places that do not have a year-round mild climate. Fire pits anchor an outdoor seating area regardless of the season and become even more alluring in the fall and winter. Adding a freestanding patio heater is another option that heats up your outdoor space. Patio heaters vary in size and cost and will let you enjoy an outdoor table or seating area in comfort.
Lighting up patios, decks, and porches with outdoor lights isn’t just a holiday thing. The addition of lights makes outdoor areas more inviting and takes away some of the blues attached with those shorter winter days. A simple way to cozy up on outdoor furniture when the temperature dips is to add warm throws and pillows, but if you know you are going to use your patio or deck throughout the cold weather months invest in heated seats. Just like the ones in cars, some brands of patio furniture come with built-in heaters that melt away that winter chill.
Waking up Outdoor Furniture for Spring
Whether outdoor furniture is left outside in the cold, covered or stored, outdoor furniture will need a bit of a wakeup call before being ready to go for spring and summer fun. Even if outdoor furniture was cleaned before the pieces were covered and stored for the winter, they will still need a wash with soap and water prior to taking their places on the patio, deck or porch.
Outdoor furniture kept uncovered outside all winter will require a more involved cleaning. During the cleaning process, carefully inspect chairs, benches, tables, and rockers for issues, taking care to:
- Tighten any loose bolts or screws.
- Remove any accumulating rust with sandpaper.
- Address any wood cracks with a wood filler or epoxy.
- Replace lost or broken parts if possible.
Once outdoor furniture has been cleaned and any issues have been taken care of, a bit of TLC can help pieces look fabulous during the spring and summer. Wooden pieces will benefit from an application of wood oil while metal ones could use a coat of rust-resistant paint. Touching up worn spots on aluminum furniture with a fresh coat of paint will assist in preventing future corrosion. Giving all your outdoor furniture a coating of polyurethane spray is a great idea since it will provide protection from the elements. Now, your outdoor furniture is ready to arrange and enjoy.
Tips for Outdoor Furniture Cleaning & Storage
If you want outdoor furniture to last, the best option for people who do not live in year-round mild climates is to store outdoor rugs and furniture for the winter. Before the pieces head into storage, be sure to clean it thoroughly. A garden hose with a forceful nozzle with a bucket of soapy water will usually get the job done. Sponges work well on cushions while a scrub brush may be needed for surfaces.
Remember to check the manufacturer’s directions before cleaning any cushions or outdoor furniture. Rinse and allow all pieces to dry. Heavy-duty patio furniture covers are an excellent investment especially if there isn’t room to store the outdoor pieces in the garage or shed. When getting outdoor furniture prepared for storage, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Apply a fabric protector designed for outdoor fabrics to cushions and an outdoor protector made for outside furniture after the pieces dry.
- Place a planter or another object underneath the cover on outdoor pieces with a flat surface. Turning the object upside down before covering will help prevent stormwater from pooling on the covers.
- Put cushions in a trash bag or cover in plastic before storing in an outdoor box for extra protection.