Your Guide to Protecting Outdoor Furniture

As outdoor living areas become more complex, rivaling the most elaborate and well-dressed interiors, many homeowners are finding themselves challenged in terms of protecting outdoor furniture in their outdoor rooms. With entertainment systems, lighting fixtures, and upholstered fabrics forming the modern outdoor “living room”, homeowners need innovative ways for protecting outdoor furniture and valuables without encroaching on the open and free nature of this type of space.

Leveraging the Right Fabrics

The best, pre-emptive strike when it comes to preserving fabrics on your upholstered furniture is to start with the best outdoor materials. Weatherproof options made from UV-resistant fabrics can go a long way toward slowing down the damage that can occur from sun exposure. Whether as a part of the furniture or used as a canopy, using quality outdoor fabrics such as Sunbrella which a boasts ten-year no-fade warranties is a preventative measure to protect outdoor furniture.

Creating Shade

The conundrum with shade for many homeowners is the fact that sometimes you really do want to just relax in the sun. Creating a permanent shade structure can take away half of the pleasure of maintaining an outdoor space.

The best and most flexible option is to leverage a shade structure with a quality retractable canopy. These weatherproof canopies work in tandem with a pergola. With modern aesthetics and high-grade materials available, these contemporary canopies and pergolas can add value to your home and outdoor space. Additionally, shade structures keep your electronics safe during inclement weather.

Preserving Furniture Materials

Wood furniture needs to be prepped every year to extend its life and appearance for years to come. Once a year, take a moment to lightly sand and scrub your wood pieces. Finish up with a coat of varnish or UV resistant wax to prep it for the upcoming season's weather.

For wicker furniture, you will need to determine whether you have genuine or plastic wicker. With plastic wicker, you should rinse it off with a hose and give it a soap rinse every couple of weeks. With genuine wicker, do not use water, focus on wiping it clean of dust regularly. Additionally, you can touch up your wicker with a coat of varnish or paint that matches its finish once a year.

On outdoor aluminum furniture, use a mineral oil or even a car wax to polish it up once a year. Use a warm soapy rinse to keep it dust-free.

Utilizing Furniture Covers

If you are often away for extended periods, consider using some well-made, sturdy outdoor furniture covers on all of your outdoor pieces. These solutions can add yet another level of protection and leave your mind at rest when you’re away.

You’ve invested a lot in your outdoor space, making it as comfortable and well put together as your living room or master bedroom. Why risk any damage to these valuable pieces? By leveraging a few basic tips, such as utilizing furniture covers or investing in a quality pergola and retractable canopy, you can help protect this investment and maintain your quality of life. Any tips of your own? Chime in down below in the comments section.