How To Make Your Outdoor Patio Furniture Last

With how large of an investment it is, you want to make your outdoor furniture last.

Because it’s expensive for a reason, as specialized materials that will stand up to the harsh outdoor environment are difficult to develop, and thus they are usually more expensive. Sustainably sourced and manufactured pieces are also not a place to skimp.

And while it’s easy, and frankly, fun, to just go with what you love (the heart wants what the heart wants after all), it’s important to make smart furnishing choices so that your oasis will stand the test of time. We don’t want to waste time, money or our precious energy!

So let’s talk about how to make thoughtful purchases and make smart furnishing choices for you, so you can make that investment last and last.

Header photo by Polina Kuzovkova for Unsplash

What is the best outdoor furniture material for my climate?

Photo by Jordan González

Where you live is the biggest factor for longevity with smart outdoor furnishing choices. Outdoor environments are varying levels of difficulty to work with, but with a little forethought, you can get just the style you want and have the pieces last and last.

Is it sunny year-round? Always raining somehow? Frigid for months on end? Dry as a hot oven most of the year? Don’t ignore the way things are – work with it instead.

Here is the rough guide that I use when working with clients all across the country:

If your climate has :

• HARSH WINTERS
  • Avoid:
    • Resin (cracks in cold)
    • Cast Iron (rusts in winter)
    • Natural rattan (rots from moisture)
    • Natural Wicker (rots from moisture)
    • Other Genuine Woods like Acacia, Pine & Mahogany (unstable in harsh environments)
  • Look For:
    • HDPE Plastic
    • Woven Plastic Sling
    • Powder-coated Aluminum
    • Sealed Concrete
    • Genuine Teak (as long as you oil it annually)
    • Performance Fabrics (Sunbrella or Perennials)
    • Moulded Plastics
    • Tempered Glass
• SUN & HEAT YEAR-ROUND
  • Avoid:
    • Moulded Plastic (fades in sun)
    • Resin (fades in sun)
    • Cast Iron (hot on seats)
    • Natural Rattan (rots from UV exposure)
    • Natural Wicker (rots from UV exposure)
    • Other Genuine Woods like Acacia, Pine & Mahogany (unstable in harsh environments)
    • Dark Colors if not in shade
  • Look For:
    • HDPE Plastic
    • Woven Plastic Sling
    • Powder-coated Aluminum (but can get hot in sun)
    • Sealed Concrete
    • Genuine Teak (as long as you oil it annually)
    • Performance Fabrics (Sunbrella or Perennials)
    • Tempered Glass
• EXTREME HUMIDITY
  • Avoid:
    • Performance Fabrics (Sunbrella or Perennials) in uncovered areas
    • Rugs in uncovered areas
    • Natural Rattan (rots from moisture)
    • Natural Wicker (rots from moisture)
    • Other Genuine Woods like Acacia, Pine & Mahogany (unstable in harsh environments)
  • Look For:
    • HDPE Plastic
    • Woven Plastic Sling
    • Powder-coated Aluminum
    • Sealed Concrete
    • Genuine Teak (as long as you oil it annually)
    • Tempered Glass

How long does outdoor furniture last?

Photo by Holly Landkammer

This one is easy! Choose something you’ll love season after season to make your investment last. Often, ‌that’ll be neutral finishes and classic shapes, which make it easy to add simple updates in a few years when you’re ready for a refresh.

But aside from that, it comes down to how well you care for it. 

With normal upkeep, here’s how long your outdoor furniture should last:

• HDPE (like Polywood) is basically indestructible. The limit does not seem to exist, even with full exposure to sun, moisture and freezing temps. 
• Plastic & Resin parts can last at least 3 years if they’re not fully exposed to UV sunlight, and are stowed out of freezing temps. 
• Woven natural rattan & wicker can last at least 3 years if they’re not out in the open sun and don’t get rained on regularly.
• Synthetic woven wicker and sling fabrics can last up to a decade if not fully exposed to UV sunlight, and are stowed out of freezing temps. 
• Natural wood like teak can last multiple decades if it’s properly sealed with oil. Other woods like acacia or untreated pine will typically begin to crack or twist after a year or two of exposure to sun and moisture, even when sealed. 
• Powder-coated metal frames can last at least 3 years if they’re not regularly exposed to standing moisture (like puddles at the open feet) or freezing temps.
• Aluminum metal frames can last at least a decade if kept clean and free of corrosives like salt & sand.
• Cast Iron furniture can last multiple decades if the finish is fully protected from scratches, and regularly re-applied.  
• Pillows, cushions & umbrellas that are stowed dry and dark after each use should last for at least 3 years.
• Rugs that aren’t exposed to sun or moisture should last at least 3 years. But if they’re out in the open sun or get rained on regularly, you should consider a new rug to be an annual purchase, or plan to soft pressure wash it a couple times a year.

Are outdoor furniture covers worth the extra cost?

Photo by vasare

Depending on where you live and how often you’re using your space, covers could be a good option to protect the furnishings that you’ve invested in. 

But here are some things to remember:

• Understand what covers are good for.
  Covers stop UV damage and keep moisture off your furniture’s surfaces. They rarely block dust and dirt, nor do they keep animals or bugs out, so don’t expect them to do that.
• If you cover your furniture, always make sure that the furniture and cover are both clean and dry before you do so.
  If you don’t, you’re locking in that mildew and will give you a not-so-fun surprise when you unwrap them again. Waiting to clean your furniture later is never a good idea.
• Make sure the cover will let the furniture underneath it breathe.
  While plastic or vinyl covers can be less expensive than a fabric cover, they hold in moisture and help that mildew grow even faster. Airflow is best. Also, avoid anything with foam on the back, as it will hold water and damage the furniture.
• Prevent water from pooling on the cover.
  There are lots of options here, from airbags or pool floats underneath, to center posts (like a tent), to simply making sure your cover fits your furniture. These help keep that water running off a covered piece of furniture. Because pooled water will eventually soak through the fabric or the seams of the cover and then damage the furniture underneath.
• Color makes a difference.
  If your space is fully exposed to the sun and you live in a harsh, hot climate, avoid using dark materials for covers, just like with the cushions themselves. The heat buildup under them can melt or warp some materials.
• Keep the cover secure.
  Covers don’t work if they’re not in place! This means using a cover sized specifically for your piece of furniture, or using weights or clips to hold it down for the season. Ideally though, you grab the matching cover for your piece when you make the initial purchase.

What’s the best way to clean outdoor furniture?

Photo by Clay Banks

As with anything, your outdoor furniture will only last as long and as well as you maintain it. 

Here are some tips to handle the ins and outs of keeping our outdoor furniture clean:

• A little routine work is better than a huge once a year job.
  Keeping the dust and debris off with a soft brush or vacuum is way better than having to deep clean with a pressure wash once a year. This is especially true of rugs, which hold dirt more than anything.
• Deal with stains as soon as they happen.
  Sunlight and moisture can accelerate damage if something gets spilled on upholstery, or if you end up with wet leaf stains. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer for any stains on the materials you’re working with and do it quickly.
• Be as gentle as possible.
  Warm water and a soft rag, maybe with a bit of clear dish soap if absolutely necessary, is all you should need in most cases. You want to use a microfiber or chamois cloth or a very soft brush. Most outdoor materials have a coating that makes them impervious to the environment, and you never want to disturb that coating.
• Water is your friend AND your enemy.
  The easiest way to deep-clean that furniture is with a gentle hose-off with a garden hose and ample drying time. But you have to be careful, as water in cracks and crevices that can’t get air or light will quickly cause mildew problems, which are really hard to get rid of once it starts. Give the drying process a head start by toweling off the major areas before you set it out to dry.
• Follow the instructions.
  Simply put, do what the manufacturer says to do when you get your new pieces. Nothing left outdoors is maintenance-free. Just follow the directions!

Is pressure washing outdoor furniture a good idea?

Photo by Wojciech Kozielczyk

Sometimes, a gentle garden hose just doesn’t cut it. Which is when you want to pull in some power – but not TOO powerful! You want to stick with a low or soft pressure washer, 1800psi or less, so that the surfaces and finishes are not damaged as you clean.

Cushions with outdoor-rated fabric ‌can benefit from a semi-annual cleaning to start and end the season. Take the cushions fully off the frame and then let them fully dry before putting them back. Rugs that are left fully exposed to rain will need to be pressure washed a couple of times a year, depending on your humidity level.

What should you be super careful with pressure washing, no matter how soft? Raw wood, woven anything (rope, rattan or wicker), and anything with lots of nooks and crannies should never be pressure washed. It’s totally doable, and makes it so easy, but don’t go too hard. Keep it gentle (and the nozzle pretty far away).

What are the best tools for cleaning outdoor furniture?

Here are my favorite gentle cleansers for tough cleaning: 

How much time does it take to maintain outdoor furniture?

Photo by Content Pixie 

Thinking about how involved you want to be in the day-to-day upkeep of your pieces is important to do upfront. And you should be honest with yourself!

If you want to spend more time relaxing on your patio than cleaning it, that’s totally fine! (Also, SAME.) You can and should pick materials and colors that work with your available time instead of against it. 

Because if you don’t clean your outdoor furniture, you’re wasting your money.

So, think about how involved you want to or can be:

• If you don’t have time to take care of your outdoor furniture:
  • Avoid furniture with cushions
  • Do NOT install a rug
  • Keep the finishes dark
  • Try to go for furniture made of all one material (all metal or all-plastic)
  • Avoid any natural wood, even teak
• If you have a little bit of time to take care of your outdoor furniture:
  • If you have seat cushions, stow them after every use
  • Think about adding softness with a rug, but select a rug with a detailed or colorful pattern
  • Avoid tightly woven finishes, like synthetic or natural wicker
• If have a lot of time to take care of your outdoor furniture:
  • Get covers for all pieces, and use them every single time (including the umbrella)
  • A rug could add softness, in a solid color or heavily woven weave
  • You might want natural wood finishes, like teak
  • You could use Light Finishes or Cushions, as long as a wet leaf will never touch it

The lowest maintenance, easiest-to-take care of outdoor furniture is going to be HDPE (like Polywood), or pieces made entirely from aluminum, powder-coated or not. And avoid fabrics – cushions, pillows, blankets, rugs or umbrellas.

Easy tips for making your outdoor furniture last

Photo by Clay Banks

And there you go!  Having an outdoor oasis is such a gift – and maintaining it even more important!  

So make that outdoor furniture last: 

• Choose the best material for your climate
• Choose lasting materials for your situation
• Get furniture covers
• Keep it clean with routine cleaning
• Be honest with yourself about how much time you want to put toward maintenance

And then you’ll have a sanctuary for years to come. 

And if you ever need help creating just the right outdoor space for you, I’m always here to help.

RELATED POSTS

• Affordable Ideas For Small Balcony & Patio Design
• Easy Exterior Updates Without Renovating
• The Best Deep Dark Green Paint Colors
• The Best Oxblood Red Paint Colors
• Materials For A Warm Modern Cottage Exterior