5 items to get your patio ready for winter

The warm days of summer are a distant memory and it is time to pack everything up to protect it from the harsh days of winter. To make sure you have a good spring, and don’t have to spend tons of money replacing damaged patio furniture, here are 5 items you need to get your patio ready for winter.

1. Shed

The best way to protect your patio furniture is to store it indoors. If you don’t have room in the basement or garage, the next best option is a shed. There are many types of sheds available that come in different sizes and made out of a variety of materials, such as metal, wood, or plastic. You will want to make sure it is weather resistant and seals well to keep small animals out.  If you don’t have room in your yard for a large shed, an alternative is to get a smaller storage box for cushions and pillows, and then just cover the chairs with covers or tarps.

Outsunny 8' x 6' Outdoor Storage Shed, Metal Garden Tool Storage House with Lockable Sliding Doors and Vents for Backyard Patio Lawn, Charcoal Grey
Outsunny 8' x 6' Outdoor Storage Shed, Metal Garden Tool Storage House with Lockable Sliding Doors and Vents for Backyard Patio Lawn, Charcoal Grey
Horti Cubic Walk-in Outdoor Storage Shed, Waterproof HDPE Tool Shed with Window, 152 Cu.ft. Outside House Shed for Patio Furniture, Lawn Mower, Bike, 7×4×8.2 FT
Horti Cubic Walk-in Outdoor Storage Shed, Waterproof HDPE Tool Shed with Window, 152 Cu.ft. Outside House Shed for Patio Furniture, Lawn Mower, Bike, 7×4×8.2 FT

2. Deck Boxes 

Smaller than sheds, deck boxes provide similar outdoor dry storage, but for smaller items.  They can be moved easier than larger sheds and are less expensive.  Some deck boxes even double as seating.
Shedvantage Horizontal Storage Shed 26 Cu. ft Weather Resistance, Large Outdoor Storage Cabinet Lockable, Thick HDEP Plastic Storage Unit for Backyards, Patio, Garden (Brown 26 Cu. ft)
Shedvantage Horizontal Storage Shed 26 Cu. ft Weather Resistance, Large Outdoor Storage Cabinet Lockable, Thick HDEP Plastic Storage Unit for Backyards, Patio, Garden (Brown 26 Cu. ft)
ORALNER 73 Gallon Deck Box, Waterproof Resin Storage Container with Lockable Lid & Side Handles, Patio Storage Box for Outdoor Furniture, Pool Accessories, Garden Tools, Sport Equipment, Brown
ORALNER 73 Gallon Deck Box, Waterproof Resin Storage Container with Lockable Lid & Side Handles, Patio Storage Box for Outdoor Furniture, Pool Accessories, Garden Tools, Sport Equipment, Brown

3. Furniture Covers

If you don’t have room indoors or in outdoor storage, the next best option is to cover your furniture to protect it from the elements.  Many furniture sets will already come with covers, but you can find many options for individual pieces or larger sets.  If you have a hard top gazebo or patio cover, it is a good idea to arrange your furniture under there to reduce the amount of rain and snow that accumulate on the covers. 

Kipiea Patio Furniture Set Cover Waterproof Winter Outdoor Table Chair Set Covers, 420D Heavy Duty Outdoor Sofa Couch Covers, No Tears Anti UV No Fading (128" L x 128" W x 28" H)
Kipiea Patio Furniture Set Cover Waterproof Winter Outdoor Table Chair Set Covers, 420D Heavy Duty Outdoor Sofa Couch Covers, No Tears Anti UV No Fading (128" L x 128" W x 28" H)
Kipiea 500D Patio Chair Covers Waterproof Winter - 2 Pack Lawn Outdoor Furniture Chair Covers with Anti UV and No Tears, No Fading (35"W x 38"D x 31"H）
Kipiea 500D Patio Chair Covers Waterproof Winter - 2 Pack Lawn Outdoor Furniture Chair Covers with Anti UV and No Tears, No Fading (35"W x 38"D x 31"H）

4. Tarps

If you can’t find the right size of cover for the furniture you have, or if you have the more traditional table and chairs patio set, nothing beats a good old tarp.  Simple arrange the furniture into as small of an area as possible, again under an overhead cover is best, and then put a tarp over the entire thing.  Try to get a tarp large enough so there are no seams on the top (if you use more than one) as rain and snow will find their way inside.  Then you secure the tarp with rope or bungee cords.  It is a good idea to check the tarp after any storms to make sure the wind didn’t blow it off or to dump off any accumulated snow or water as that can get quiet heavy.

SP SHINTARP Heavy Duty (Brown/Silver) Thickened 10mil tarp Cover, Tear Proof Tarpaulin, Suitable for Extreme Weather and Job site Conditions (Brown/Silver, 10x12 feet)
SP SHINTARP Heavy Duty (Brown/Silver) Thickened 10mil tarp Cover, Tear Proof Tarpaulin, Suitable for Extreme Weather and Job site Conditions (Brown/Silver, 10x12 feet)
Twisted Polypropylene Rope, 1/4" - Floating Poly Pro Cord, Resistant to Oil, Moisture, Marine Growth and Chemicals - Reduced Slip, Easy Knot （Yellow, 50FT）
Twisted Polypropylene Rope, 1/4" - Floating Poly Pro Cord, Resistant to Oil, Moisture, Marine Growth and Chemicals - Reduced Slip, Easy Knot （Yellow, 50FT）
Cartman 8mm 16Pack Bungee Cords, 10pcs 32"& 6pcs 24" with Coated Steel Hook
Cartman 8mm 16Pack Bungee Cords, 10pcs 32"& 6pcs 24" with Coated Steel Hook

5. Patio Heater/ Fire Table

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that doesn’t get much snow, if any, you may be able to enjoy your patio year round.  For those cool nights, a patio heater or fire table are great to sit around and enjoy the outdoors.  

Outland Fire Table, Aluminum Frame Propane Fire Pit Table with Black Tempered Glass Tabletop Resin Wicker Panels & Arctic Ice Glass Rocks, Auto-ignition (Slate Grey/Square)
Outland Fire Table, Aluminum Frame Propane Fire Pit Table with Black Tempered Glass Tabletop Resin Wicker Panels & Arctic Ice Glass Rocks, Auto-ignition (Slate Grey/Square)
Amazon Basics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater, Slate Grey
Amazon Basics Commercial Outdoor Patio Heater, Slate Grey

Summary

A common theme in this blog is to take care of your stuff, so it lasts longer and you don’t have to spend more money replacing it so often.  That is a lesson I learned the hard way many times.  A little extra effort to make sure your belongings are protected will pay off for years to come.

 

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