Patio Furniture Storage

Sitting on the patio on summer evenings is truly a core memory for a lot of us. The sounds of the cicadas and frogs and the lights from the fireflies really make summer a nostalgic time, especially for us Southerners. Having comfortable patio furniture to sit on during these times is a game changer and really makes your patio or porch feel even more like home. But what happens when winter rolls around and you’re worrying about your furniture in the cold and dry weather? Or worse, in the snow and hail? Self storage for your patio furniture may be a good solution to help keep it warm and fresh while you’re snuggled by the fireplace in those cold winter months.

Prepping for Storage

Clean your Furniture

If you’ve read any of our blogs before, you know the importance of cleaning items before storage. Patio furniture is no exception, although it may require a bit more knowledge to clean appropriately. Make sure that you are following any care instructions on fabrics such as couch cushions or umbrellas to avoid stripping any protective coatings. Metal furniture will also need to be cleaned differently than, say, wicker furniture, so be sure to do your research and follow any guidelines provided by the manufacturer.

As always, ensure that each furniture item is completely dry before putting it in the storage unit. This will prevent moisture-loving mold and mildew from developing while your furniture is in the unit.

Apply Protective Coatings Prior to Storing Furniture

With materials like fabric, wicker, metal, or wood, they can deteriorate or rust over time. To prevent them from deteriorating (both inside and outside of storage), there are various protective coatings depending on the material. To make sure your furniture stays fresh in storage, prep it with a protective coating after cleaning. This will make sure you don’t gain any extra rust, dirt, or mildew in the meantime.

You may also consider investing in an anti-mold spray, especially if you have a lot of fabric or wood going in your storage unit. This can provide an extra layer of protection against moisture.

Protecting Furniture in the Storage Unit

Once your furniture is cleaned and sealed, here’s how to pack it safely in the unit.

Protect Against the Unit Floor

Often, the concrete floors in storage units can collect and release moisture over time. As we know, moisture is a big culprit for degredation of stored items. This especially goes for fabric items like cushions or umbrellas. To protect against this, place a protective tarp or plastic sheet to protect your furniture from absorbing this moisture. Or, even better, place some wood planks to elevate your furniture and allow circulation between the furniture and the floor.

Cover Your Stored Patio Furniture

Furniture covers can help your items stay clean for the duration of their stay in a storage unit. These covers will prevent dust and debris from building up on your furniture and can add an extra layer to your pest control as well. Plus, as a bonus, you can use the covers to protect your furniture in the summer, too.

Stack Carefully

When stacking chairs and tables, make sure you aren’t stacking too high or too unsturdy. You don’t want your furniture to collapse and break while you are away. If you are planning on stacking, make sure your furniture is stabilized and you have enough height in the storage unit.

Invest in Climate-Controlled Patio Furniture Storage

We’ve said this before and we’ll keep saying it–climate-controlled storage is worth the investment. The whole reason you’re putting your furniture in storage in the first place is to protect it from the elements during the colder seasons. What better way to do this than to use a climate-controlled unit? This will prevent temperature and humidity fluctuations from damaging and deteriorating your furniture while it’s stored away. Keep your furniture warm and cozy during the winter so it’s fresh and ready to go for the summer.

 

As summer is coming to a close, what better time to make sure your summer memories stay preserved for next year. Keep your patio furniture safe and sound with these storage tips, and check back to our blog for more.