I’m lucky enough to own a house with an abundance of outdoor living space. There’s a large brick patio with an in-ground pool and a long wooden walkway separating the pool area from the vegetable garden. As you’d expect, it’s furnished with the requisite chaise lounges for sunning. We also have a cast-aluminum café table and matching chairs set in the shade of a graceful Japanese maple. In summer, we set out a white wicker loveseat and two rockers, accompanied by a matching storage chest that doubles as a coffee table. And at the side entryway to our kitchen, there’s a concrete patio shielded from the street by a long curved brick planter and tall, leafy shrubs. That’s where I keep my barbecue smoker, around the corner from a grassy area with a horseshoe pit. You might have similar outdoor areas, and you probably have the same issues with keeping your furniture clean, dry and out of the sun. I’ve got a shed and some teak storage chests, but when my kids’ friends come over to swim, they take things out and move things around.
If I didn’t occasionally make the rounds, the wet towels and seat cushions—not to mention the empty pizza boxes and soda bottles—would be out there forever. If you’re removing your outdoor furniture from storage and realizing you could have done a better job of prepping these items for their hibernation, this article is designed to help you plan for next fall by getting your furniture back into shape now, keeping it that way all summer and properly prepping it for its next storage period. The most important aspect during summer is to keep furnishings as clean and dry and protected from excessive sunlight as possible. Most outdoor furnishings are designed to endure a little weather, but I try to put cushions away — in the teak storage boxes or in the shed — when they’re not being used. If they’re wet, I let them dry out first in the sun to prevent mold and mildew growth. I shake them and dust off pollen with a brush. A little enzymatic stain remover works wonders on soiled spots.
Every week or so, I try to pick the leaves and twigs off the seats and tabletops. I spray the furniture with a garden hose and scrub grimy-looking surfaces with a brush. Some will advise you to use a pressure washer to keep outdoor furniture clean, but you won’t get that from me. It reminds me of the saying, “To a man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” I save the pressure washer for the brick and concrete patios—and maybe the smoker grates on occasion. If you want your outdoor furniture to last for a long time, it should be put under cover for the winter. That means in a shed or other dry storage space, or at least under a tarp. If you do use a tarp, make sure to tie securely so that it won’t blow away, but leave a little space around the bottom of the package to promote circulation. Before putting outdoor furniture away for the season, however, it should be thoroughly cleaned, repaired (if necessary) and protected for the long haul. The best way to go about this depends on the material the item is made from.
Follow these instructions and there won’t be much to do next year, other than set out your furniture and keep after the kids to take good care of your stuff—just like you do. Michael Chotiner is a DIY expert and homeowner who writes about home improvement projects for Home Depot. He spends a lot of time outdoors around the home, and offers time-tested ideas about keeping outdoor furniture in tip-top shape. A variety of outdoor furniture from Home Depot’s Home Decorators collection can be found online.To learn about our efforts to improve the accessibility and usability of our website, please visit our Accessibility Information page.7 Sources for Budget Outdoor Furniture So you want to create a little outdoor oasis but you're a little strapped for cash. Don't worry — it doesn't always take a lot of money to look like a million bucks. Here are seven sources for budget outdoor furniture to help you get started. IKEA: Any time we do a budget furniture roundup, IKEA is bound to appear.
Their furniture may not last a lifetime but it'll definitely get you through a few summers. Shown: BROMMÖ Chaise lounge; Wayfair: While there's certainly a share of higher end and mid-range outdoor furniture here, you can also find a generous amount of budget options. Wayfair also offers free shipping, which will help keep costs down. Shown: Crosley Gracie Retro Spring Arm Chair; Pier 1: Whether in-store or online, this is a great source for traditional wicker outdoor furniture. If shopping online, they offer free shipping on orders over $75. $139.95, currently on sale for $97.96. World Market: The great thing about World Market is that their furniture ranges from traditional to more modern. Their pieces are already pretty affordable — and they frequently offer discounts. Shown: Cadiz Stacking Chair; $79.98 for a set of 2. CB2: Their furniture may be a little on the the higher side of budget shopping, but their modern designs are worth a little extra. Plus, if you keep an eye out, CB2 runs sales and discounts on select items.
Shown: Rex Dining Chair; Overstock: Bargain shoppers are no doubt already familiar with Overstock. Their outdoor offerings are quite vast, ranging in both style and price. Shown: Indoor/Outdoor Zig Zag Bean Bag Chair Lounger; Target: The big bullseye is another great source for affordable patio furniture. Shown: Keter Rio 3-Piece Resin Patio Conversation Set, $196/set of 3. Another great option for scoring outdoor furniture for a song is to buy used. Check out the Apartment Therapy Classifieds, Craigslist, flea markets, and thrift and vintage stores. -Re-edited from a post originally published 4.13.2013 - cm Powered by
The Home Depot Quality ProsGuaranteeContact UsFind Trusted Outdoor Furniture Assembly ProsOutdoor furniture can provide the finishing touch to a patio, porch, deck or other outdoor entertaining area. Proper assembly ensures that your furniture is comfortable and stable, and can be completed quickly and economically by retailers, service technicians, and furniture assembly contractors.
Do I Need Outdoor Furniture Assembled?Assembling outdoor furniture can be a tedious, complex, and time-consuming task. Whether performed prior to delivery or on-site at your home, a professional assembler can construct your furniture quickly and according to manufacturer’s specifications.What Are the Benefits of Outdoor Furniture Assembly?Professional assembly contractors and experienced technicians can build a variety of furnishings very quickly, making your furniture available for use in record time and with no hassle. Since professional assemblers are equipped to handle a number of furniture types and styles, you can rest assured that your pieces will be constructed properly for stability, durability and comfort. How Much Outdoor Furniture Do I Need Assembled?Whether a single lounge chair or an entire patio set, hiring out the assembly is an efficient way to have all your furnishings ready at the same time. Since your assembler may charge a minimum fee, it can be cost effective to have your entire furniture purchase assembled at one time, rather than having only select items assembled, or scheduling multiple visits to build pieces that are shipped separately.
What Types of Furniture Assembly Services Exist?Outdoor furniture assembly services may be offered by your retailer prior to delivery or pickup, or can be contracted independently for completion at your home. On-site assembly generally takes place in the final location of your furnishings, eliminating the need to move finished pieces. Most providers offer assembly of outdoor furniture as well as play structures and grills.How Long Does Outdoor Furniture Assembly Take?Most individual furniture items can be built within an hour or two. A grill can may take an hour to assemble, while several hours may be needed for a dining set or a large seating group and an entire day may be required to complete a large play set.What Tools Are Needed for Outdoor Furniture Assembly?Most outdoor furniture can be assembled with common hand tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and a hammer. Your assembler may also use a drill, level, or square depending on the type and size of the piece.Does Furniture Assembly Have Hidden Charges?