How to Protect and Store Garden Furniture for Winter (UK Guide)
Quick answer
Clean your garden furniture thoroughly, let it dry completely, then either cover it snugly with a breathable waterproof cover or move it into a shed, garage or storage box. Rattan and wicker cope best moved under cover; aluminium and powder-coated steel can stay outside year-round under a good cover; cushions should always come indoors or into a sealed storage box. Do this before the first hard frost, ideally by late October in most of the UK.
When to start winterising your garden furniture
The best time to start is once you've had your last real use out of the set for the season, and definitely before the first frost hits. In most of the UK that means starting in October, though a wet or early cold snap can bring that forward. Waiting until after the first freeze is the most common mistake: once frost gets into a wicker weave or standing water freezes inside a joint, the damage is already done.
If you're not sure how long you've got, check the Met Office's local frost forecast for your area rather than going by the calendar alone — coastal and southern England often get another few weeks compared with the Midlands, Scotland or upland areas.
Step 1: clean everything before you cover or store it
Packing furniture away dirty is what causes mould, staining and rust over winter, so this step matters more than the covering itself.
- Brush off loose debris, leaves and cobwebs.
- Wash with warm water and a mild soap solution — washing-up liquid is fine for most materials. Avoid bleach, white spirit or anything abrasive, which can strip protective coatings.
- Use a soft brush or old toothbrush to get into rattan weave and joints, where dirt and moisture collect.
- Rinse thoroughly so no soap residue is left behind.
- Dry completely before covering or storing anything. This is the step people skip, and it's the one that causes mildew and musty smells over winter.
Step 2: protect rattan and wicker furniture
PE (polyethylene) rattan, like the weave used across Outsunny's sofa and dining sets, is UV-treated and weather-resistant, but it isn't indestructible. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles and standing water can make the resin weave brittle or cause it to crack at stress points over several winters.
Where you have space, move rattan sets into a shed, garage or outbuilding for winter — it's the single best thing you can do for the material's lifespan. If that's not possible, a snug, breathable cover is the next best option: fit it tightly enough that wind can't get underneath and flap it around, but not so airtight that condensation gets trapped inside. Prop or tilt seating slightly where you can, so any water that does get in can run off rather than pool in the base of the frame.
Step 3: protect metal and aluminium furniture
Aluminium-framed sets, such as the 7-piece dining sets in cast and powder-coated aluminium, are among the most winter-hardy options in the range — aluminium doesn't rust the way steel does, so these can reasonably stay outside year-round under a cover. Galvanised steel (used in the storage sheds and cabinets) is also treated to resist rust, but any scratch or chip in the coating is a point where corrosion can start, so touch up visible chips with a matching outdoor paint before the wet weather sets in.
For any metal frame, wipe away standing water after rain where you can, and avoid leaving furniture stood directly on wet grass or paving all winter — a couple of paving slabs or furniture risers underneath stop moisture wicking up into the base of the legs.
Step 4: look after cushions and fabric separately
Cushions, parasol canopies and fabric seat pads should never be left outside over winter, even under a cover — fabric holds moisture, and that's exactly what leads to mould and mildew you can't clean out afterwards.
Wash or spot-clean cushions per their care label, let them dry fully in the air (not folded while damp), and store them somewhere dry — a spare room, garage shelf, or a dedicated outdoor storage box. A sealed box like the 336 Litre Rolling Outdoor Garden Storage Box keeps cushions dry and out of the way without needing indoor space, and it's on wheels so it's easy to shift into a shed or against a wall.
Step 5: cover it or store it away — how to decide
Not every set needs to go indoors, and not every garden has the space to store one even if it should. Use this as a rough guide:
| Situation | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Rattan/wicker sofa or dining set, shed or garage space available | Store indoors, cushions removed |
| Rattan/wicker set with no indoor storage space | Fitted waterproof cover, tilted to shed water, checked monthly |
| Aluminium or powder-coated steel dining set | Can stay outside under a snug cover year-round |
| Hanging egg chairs and swing seats | Cover if left outside, or dismantle and store the seat pod if space allows |
| Cushions, canopies, fabric parts | Always bring indoors or into a sealed storage box — never leave under a furniture cover alone |
| Fire pits, heaters with electrics | Store indoors or under a dedicated cover; never leave exposed to rain |
If you're covering rather than storing, a set-specific cover fits better than a generic sheet — a loose tarp lets wind get underneath and rub against the finish, which causes more wear than leaving furniture uncovered. Options like the Waterproof Furniture Cover for 3 Seat Rattan Sofa or a Large Patio Set Cover are cut to sit close to the furniture rather than billow in the wind, and for egg and swing chairs specifically there's a shaped Hanging Egg Chair Cover.
If you'd rather store the whole set away, a set that doubles as storage is worth considering for next season too — the 160L Rattan Garden Storage Bench gives you seating plus a lockable box underneath, so cushions and small items can be sealed away without taking up shed space. For furniture and garden kit together, a proper outdoor store such as the Wooden Garden Storage Shed Tool Cabinet or a larger 9 x 4ft Metal Garden Storage Shed gives you a lockable, weatherproof space for chairs, cushions and tools alike.
Step 6: don't forget parasols, gazebos and fire pits
Parasols should be closed, dried and either taken down or stored in their bag over winter — an open or half-folded parasol left up is one of the most common casualties of winter storms. Pop-up gazebos generally come with their own carry bag and should be fully dried before being folded away, since packing one up damp is a fast route to mould on the canopy fabric. Fire pits and patio heaters with any electrical components should always be stored indoors or under a dedicated cover, never left exposed to rain.
FAQ: garden furniture winter storage
Can I leave rattan garden furniture outside all winter?
You can, but it will age faster. PE rattan is UV- and weather-resistant, but repeated freezing and thawing while wet is what eventually makes the weave brittle. If you can't bring it indoors, a snug cover and raising the furniture off wet ground will significantly extend its life.
Do I need to cover garden furniture every night, or just for winter?
For winter storage, leave the cover on continuously rather than removing and refitting it daily — the goal is to keep frost and rain off consistently. Just check underneath every few weeks for any trapped moisture or mould starting to form.
Will frost actually damage garden furniture?
Frost itself doesn't harm most materials directly, but water that's soaked into a weave or pooled inside a joint expands as it freezes, which is what causes cracking and warping. That's why drying furniture completely before winter matters more than the cold itself.
How do I stop my furniture cover going mouldy?
Make sure the furniture is completely dry before covering it, choose a breathable waterproof fabric rather than a plastic sheet, and avoid covering furniture that's still damp from rain. Lift the cover occasionally over winter to let any trapped moisture escape.
Can cushions be stored in an unheated shed or garage?
Yes, as long as they're completely dry first and kept off the floor in a sealed box or bag — a shed alone doesn't protect against damp rising from the ground. A lidded storage box is the safer option over loose shelving.
