You spent good money on your garden furniture. You used it all summer. You enjoyed it. Now it's October, the clocks are about to go back, and you're looking at your patio set, your egg chairs, your dining table, and wondering what happens next.
The answer matters. How you store your furniture over winter directly affects how it looks and performs next spring. Get it right and your furniture comes out of storage looking almost as good as when it went in. Get it wrong and you're starting next season with mould, rust, musty cushions, and the sinking feeling that you should have done things differently.
This guide is specifically for UK conditions, because our winters present a particular set of challenges that generic advice doesn't always address.
When to Put Furniture Away
There's no fixed date, because British weather doesn't follow a calendar. But as a general rule, late October to mid-November is the right window. You're looking for the point where you realise you haven't sat outside for two weeks and probably won't again until March.
Some specific triggers to watch for:
- The first hard frost. A light frost won't damage PE rattan or steel, but it's a signal that winter conditions have arrived.
- Persistent dampness. When furniture stops drying out between rain showers because the sun is too low and the air too humid, it's time.
- Leaf fall. Wet leaves sitting on furniture are a direct cause of mould and staining. If you're clearing leaves off your furniture every other day, it should be stored.
- Shortened days. When it's dark by 5pm, you're not going to be having evening drinks outside. Be realistic.
Don't wait until December. By then, furniture has already had six weeks of the worst autumn weather, and you'll be doing remedial cleaning before storage rather than preventive care.
Before You Store: The Pre-Winter Checklist
Never put dirty furniture into storage. Trapped dirt and moisture over five months creates problems that are harder to fix in spring. Set aside an afternoon on a dry day and work through this:
- Clean everything thoroughly. Warm soapy water for PE rattan and steel frames. A soft brush for getting into the rattan weave. Rinse with a hose and dry with cloths.
- Treat any mould. White vinegar solution (1:4 with water) kills mould on contact. Apply, leave ten minutes, scrub, rinse. Don't store furniture with mould on it; it will spread over winter.
- Check for damage. Tighten loose bolts. Note any rust spots that need treating. Check rattan weave for loose or broken strands. Repair what you can now, and make a note of anything that needs attention in spring.
- Treat rust spots. Wire brush off loose rust, apply rust converter, let it cure, touch up with paint. Don't leave exposed metal to sit in damp storage all winter.
- Dry everything completely. This is important. Furniture going into storage should be as dry as you can get it. Store on a dry day, not after rain. If you're covering rather than storing indoors, make sure the furniture is dry before the cover goes on.
Material-by-Material Storage Requirements
Different materials have different tolerances. Here's what each type needs.
PE Rattan on Steel Frames
This covers most of what we sell, from egg chairs to dining sets, conversation sets to lounge sets.
PE rattan is the most forgiving material for winter storage. It doesn't absorb water, won't crack in frost, and doesn't rot. The steel frame, being powder-coated, is also well-protected against the elements. This furniture can stay outside over winter without suffering structural damage.
However, leaving it completely exposed will result in:
- Mould growth on the surface (on the layer of dirt and organic matter, not the plastic itself)
- Additional dirt and debris build-up in the weave
- Slightly accelerated colour fading
- More cleaning work in spring
Best option: Store in a shed, garage, or outbuilding. Clean and dry first.
Good option: Leave outside with breathable furniture covers. Clean and dry first.
Acceptable option: Leave outside uncovered. You'll need to do a thorough clean in spring.
Glass Table Tops
Tempered glass used in outdoor dining sets and coffee tables is tough, but it can crack from thermal shock in extreme cold if it has existing micro-damage. It's also prone to mineral deposits and water staining over winter.
Best option: Remove the glass top and store it indoors, standing upright and padded with old towels or blankets to prevent chips. This also makes the table frame lighter and easier to move.
Good option: Leave in place but covered. Clean the glass first, as dirt left on over winter can etch the surface.
Cushions and Fabric
This is the one area where there's no flexibility. Always bring cushions indoors for winter. No exceptions. No covers will protect cushions adequately over a full British winter.
Outdoor cushions have water-resistant covers, but "water-resistant" is not the same as "waterproof." Over weeks of continuous dampness, moisture penetrates the fabric and soaks into the foam inner. Once damp, the foam develops mould internally that's impossible to fully remove. You end up with cushions that smell musty and feel clammy, no matter how many times you wash the covers.
Storage Options: Covers vs Shed vs Garage vs Indoors
Furniture Covers
Advantages: No need to move furniture. Relatively inexpensive. Furniture stays in position, ready for spring.
Disadvantages: Covers can trap moisture if not breathable. Wind can dislodge them. They degrade over time and need replacing every two or three years. They don't protect against temperature extremes.
How to do it properly:
- Buy breathable, waterproof covers with air vents. Non-breathable covers create condensation underneath that's worse than rain.
- Make sure covers fit properly. Oversized covers flap in wind, let rain in, and can even blow off entirely.
- Use tie-down straps, drawstrings, or bungee cords. UK winter winds will test any cover that isn't secured.
- Check covers periodically through winter. After storms, covers may have shifted.
- On rare dry winter days, remove covers for a few hours to let any trapped moisture escape.
Covers work well for large items that are difficult to move, like the Blickling 9-piece dining set, the Montacute corner dining set, or the Brimham lounge set.
Shed or Outbuilding
Advantages: Full protection from rain, wind, and direct frost. Furniture stays clean. Best option short of bringing furniture into the house.
Disadvantages: You need enough space, which many people don't have. Sheds can be damp themselves if not well-ventilated, which partially defeats the purpose.
How to do it properly:
- Make sure the shed is dry and reasonably well-ventilated. A damp shed is not much better than outdoors.
- Don't stack furniture on top of each other if you can avoid it. Weight on PE rattan over months can deform the weave.
- If stacking is unavoidable, put the heaviest items at the bottom and protect any rattan surfaces with old sheets or blankets.
- Stand egg chairs on their base rather than on their side. Resting on the weave for months can create flat spots.
Lighter items are easiest to move to a shed. Single egg chairs like the Cotehele, Belton, or Attingham are light enough for one person to carry. Rocking chairs like the Studley and Fountains are similarly manageable.
Garage
Advantages: Usually drier than a shed. Easier access for occasional winter use (that one sunny Sunday in January).
Disadvantages: Takes up space that's already at a premium. Furniture can get scratched or knocked by car doors, bikes, and general garage clutter.
If using the garage, push furniture to the back wall and protect it with old sheets. If you can create a dedicated area with a clear boundary, it's less likely to get damaged by other items being thrown in and out.
Indoors (Spare Room, Utility Room)
Advantages: Best possible protection. Warm, dry, clean. Furniture comes out in spring looking exactly as it went in.
Disadvantages: Very few people have a spare room they're willing to fill with garden furniture for five months. And getting a Cliveden 5-piece lounge set up the stairs is not something you'd do twice.
Realistically, indoor storage works for smaller items and cushions. Cushions should always come indoors. A rocking chair or standing egg chair like the Waddesdon or Tyntesfield might fit in a utility room or hallway. Anything larger is probably staying outside or in a shed.
Cushion Storage: Getting It Right
We've already said cushions must come indoors. Here's how to store them properly so they're ready for spring.
- Clean covers first. Remove covers and machine wash at 30°C if the care label allows. If not, hand wash with warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly before storage.
- Air the inners. On a dry day, put cushion inners in direct sunlight for a few hours to kill any bacteria and remove residual moisture. Flip them halfway through.
- Store in breathable bags. Fabric storage bags, cotton pillowcases, or old duvet covers work well. Do not use plastic bags, bin liners, or vacuum storage bags. These trap residual moisture and can cause mildew.
- Store flat or loosely stacked. Don't compress cushions tightly for months. They need some air around them.
- Choose a dry location. Airing cupboard, spare bedroom, under a bed, or a dry loft. Avoid garages and sheds for cushion storage, as the temperature fluctuations cause condensation.
If you have a lot of cushions (a full lounge set or corner dining set generates a significant pile), a vacuum-sealed bag can save space. Use it only if the cushions are completely dry and you open the bag to air them once a month. Not ideal, but better than leaving them outside.
Dealing with Limited Storage Space
Most people don't have unlimited storage, so here's how to make the most of what you have.
Prioritise What Goes Inside
If you can only store some items, prioritise in this order:
- Cushions and fabric items (must go inside, no negotiation)
- Glass table tops (worth removing and storing separately)
- Smaller furniture pieces (rocking chairs, single egg chairs, bistro sets)
- Larger furniture pieces (dining sets, lounge sets, double egg chairs)
Items lower on the list can stay outside under covers without serious consequences. Items higher on the list will suffer if left exposed.
Disassemble Where Possible
Some furniture can be partially disassembled for storage. Removing legs from tables, taking apart modular sofa sections, or separating chair seats from stands can reduce the space needed significantly. Keep all bolts and fixings in a labelled bag taped to the relevant piece, so you're not hunting for them in March.
Use Vertical Space
In a shed or garage, think vertically. Bistro set chairs can hang on wall hooks. Folding sets like the Hidcote store flat against a wall. Cushions in bags can go on high shelves. The floor is always the first space to run out; walls and ceiling height are usually underused.
Consider a Dedicated Storage Box
Large outdoor storage boxes (the deck-box type, 400 litres or more) can hold cushions and smaller items. They sit outside on the patio and double as a bench. This is a good compromise if you don't have shed space but don't want cushions taking up room in the house. Make sure the box itself is waterproof and ventilated.
Furniture That Can Stay Outside with Proper Care
Not all furniture needs to come in. Here's what can reasonably stay outside through a UK winter with appropriate protection:
- PE rattan on powder-coated steel frames: all of our egg chairs, patio sets, and dining sets. Use breathable covers.
- Powder-coated steel frames without rattan: will handle winter fine. Cover to reduce cleaning in spring.
- Heavy items that are impractical to move: a nine-piece dining set or large corner sofa is staying put unless you're very determined. Cover it well.
What should definitely come inside:
- All cushions and fabric items.
- Anything with visible rust or damage. Winter will make existing problems much worse.
- Natural rattan or wicker. This cannot survive outdoor winter conditions in the UK. If you have natural rattan furniture, it must come inside.
Spring Retrieval: Getting Ready for Next Season
When spring arrives (late March to mid-April in most of the UK), here's how to bring everything back:
- Choose a dry day. You want at least two or three dry days in a row so furniture can air out properly.
- Inspect everything again. Check for any issues that appeared during storage. Rust, mould, damage from other items in the shed, mouse damage to cushions (it happens).
- Clean before use. Even stored furniture gets dusty. A quick wipe-down with warm soapy water takes five minutes per piece.
- Air cushions before putting them back. Even properly stored cushions benefit from a few hours in sunlight before being put back on furniture. It freshens them up and deals with any mustiness.
- Reassemble anything you took apart. This is where labelled bolt bags save you half an hour of frustration.
- Check your layout. Before automatically putting everything back where it was, consider whether you want to rearrange. Spring is a natural time for a fresh arrangement.
The Investment Protection Argument
Garden furniture is an investment, and like any investment, it makes sense to protect it. A Petworth double egg chair at £419.99 should give you six to eight years of use if properly maintained. Leave it uncovered and uncared-for through winter, and you might get three years before it looks too worn to enjoy.
That's the difference between £52 per year and £140 per year for the same chair. The maths applies to everything in your garden.
A Blickling dining set at £699.99 that seats eight for seven years costs £100 per year. The same set neglected and lasting four years costs £175 per year. A set of breathable covers costs £30-50 and lasts two to three years. The return on that investment is obvious.
We're not saying you need to obsess over your furniture. But an afternoon of cleaning in October, proper storage for cushions, and a decent set of covers will save you money and keep your garden looking good for years longer than the alternative.
If your furniture has reached the end of its life and you're looking to replace for next season, browse our full range of egg chairs, patio sets, dining sets, and rocking chairs. We're always happy to help you choose the right pieces, and everything we sell is designed to handle UK conditions with the kind of care described in this guide.