Most garden furniture does not wear out from being used. It wears out from being left outside through a British winter with no protection. A bit of effort in October or November can genuinely add years to the life of your furniture, and it does not have to be complicated.
Here is what actually matters, broken down by material.
Rattan and wicker
All-weather synthetic rattan is tougher than it looks, but it still benefits from being covered or stored over winter. The main enemy is not rain, it is prolonged damp combined with cold, which can cause the weave to become brittle over time. If you have a shed or garage, bring it in. If not, a good quality furniture cover will do the job.
Clean it before you store it. A soft brush and warm soapy water, let it dry fully before covering or storing. Putting a damp cover over damp furniture is how you end up with mildew.
Wood
Teak and acacia are the most durable outdoor woods and can technically be left outside year-round, but they will last longer and look better if you oil them before winter and cover them during the coldest months. Pine and other softer woods really do need to come inside or be properly covered.
Check for any cracks or splits before winter. Water gets into cracks, freezes, and makes them worse. A bit of outdoor wood filler and a coat of oil in autumn saves a lot of trouble in spring.
Metal
Powder-coated aluminium is about as low-maintenance as outdoor furniture gets. It does not rust, it does not rot, and it handles cold well. A wipe down and a cover is really all it needs. Cast iron is a different story. It is heavy, it can rust if the coating chips, and it is worth checking for any bare patches and touching them up with outdoor paint before winter.
Cushions
This is the one people get wrong most often. Even cushions labelled as water-resistant will absorb moisture over a long wet winter and develop mildew. Bring them inside. A spare wardrobe shelf, under a bed, in a vacuum storage bag, anywhere dry will do. If you do not have indoor storage space, a garden storage box is the practical solution.
The easiest solution: a garden storage bench
If you are short on indoor storage space, a garden storage bench solves two problems at once. It gives you somewhere to sit outside and somewhere to store cushions, covers, and garden accessories when you are not using them.
The 125L Garden Storage Bench in Khaki and the Dark Grey version both hold 125 litres, which is enough for a full set of dining chair cushions. They are PE rattan so they stay outside year-round without any issues, and the padded seat means they are actually comfortable to sit on.
If you just need storage without the seating, the 130L Rattan Garden Storage Box is a solid option. Weatherproof, lockable, and big enough to be genuinely useful.
The short version
Clean everything before you store it. Cover or bring in cushions without fail. Oil wooden furniture in autumn. Cover metal furniture if you can. And if storage space is the problem, a garden storage bench is the most practical fix.
Browse our full Garden Storage collection for boxes, benches, and sheds.
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