How to Store Garden Furniture for Winter
Written by Matt W on 14th Sep 2026.
Store garden furniture for winter only after it is clean and completely dry. Keep cushions, parasols and loose fabric indoors. Aluminium and synthetic rattan frames can usually remain outside beneath a secure, ventilated cover. Painted steel, cast iron and timber benefit from a dry shed, garage or sheltered position. Follow the care instructions supplied with your furniture when they differ.
Key takeaways
- Clean and dry frames before covering them for winter.
- Store cushions and loose textiles indoors in a dry place.
- Give painted steel, cast iron and timber the driest position available.
- Use a fitted cover without sealing damp air underneath.
- Check covers, feet and drainage after storms and heavy rain.
View the Darlington aluminium corner set
Browse our current garden furniture range
Shop team tip
In our experience, a winter cover works best when rain can run off and air can still move.
Remove cushions first. Then make sure the furniture is dry before fastening the cover.
Should garden furniture be stored indoors for winter?
Indoor storage is helpful, but many outdoor frames can remain outside with sensible preparation.
A dry shed, garage or garden room gives painted steel, cast iron and timber the easiest winter.
Large aluminium and synthetic rattan sets may be too bulky to move. Clean them, remove soft furnishings and fit a suitable cover.
Choose a sheltered part of the patio where water does not collect. Keep furniture feet out of deep puddles.
Do not squeeze damp furniture into a packed shed. Poor airflow can be worse than a dry, well-fitted outdoor cover.
| Furniture material | Can the frame stay outside? | Best winter position | Bring indoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder-coated aluminium | Usually, with suitable care | Sheltered and covered | Cushions and loose covers |
| Painted steel | Possible, but inspect chips | Dry shelter where available | Cushions and removable glass |
| Cast iron | Possible after paint checks | Dry shelter or ventilated cover | Loose soft furnishings |
| Synthetic rattan | Usually, if the frame is sound | Covered and sheltered | All cushions |
| Teak or acacia | Often, following product guidance | Covered shelter with airflow | Cushions and fabric parts |
How should aluminium garden furniture be stored?
Aluminium furniture can usually remain outside because the frame does not form red iron rust.
Clean the frame, rinse it and dry the joints. Check steel screws, brackets and moving parts for corrosion.
Remove every cushion and keep it indoors. Secure the cover so it cannot rub repeatedly against painted edges.
The Darlington corner set measures 178cm wide, 80cm deep and 68cm high. Its product guidance says to store cushions indoors.
Measure the whole arrangement before ordering any universal cover. Include projecting feet, arms and table edges.
See the Darlington aluminium corner set and current price
Can rattan garden furniture stay outside in winter?
Synthetic rattan can often stay outside, but the hidden frame still decides how it should be treated.
Look beneath the weave for painted steel or aluminium. Check exposed feet, fixings and scratches before fitting a cover.
Brush leaves from the weave and wash away grime. Let water drain fully from the seat bases.
The Jardi grey corner set has a powder-coated steel frame beneath its poly rattan weave. Its rain cover is included.
The set weighs 73kg and measures 240cm by 186cm. Moving it may be less practical than careful outdoor covering.
See the Jardi grey rattan corner set and current price
How should steel and cast-iron furniture be stored?
Steel and cast iron need clean, sound paint before a damp winter begins.
Inspect welds, feet, bolts and decorative joints. Treat small rust patches before covering the furniture.
A dry shed or garage is preferable when space allows. Otherwise, use a secure cover in a sheltered position.
Keep hollow feet and tubes away from standing water. Replace missing caps before prolonged wet weather.
The Abbotsbury bistro set has a 60cm powder-coated steel table. Its open frame makes winter inspection straightforward.
See the Abbotsbury metal bistro set and current price
How should wooden garden furniture be stored?
Wooden furniture needs airflow, a clean surface and protection from standing water.
Follow the product's treatment guidance before adding oil or another finish. Different timbers and existing coatings need different care.
Do not wrap wet timber tightly in plastic. Let every surface dry, including feet, joints and the underside.
The Porthallow set weighs 93kg and uses oiled acacia. Its cushions are showerproof, but prolonged dry storage is still sensible.
The natural teak Station bench weighs 38kg. Its black feet help prevent the legs from sitting in puddles.
See the Porthallow acacia corner set and current price
See the Station reclaimed teak bench and current price
Where should garden cushions be stored?
Garden cushions need a dry indoor space away from damp floors and cold outside walls.
Brush or vacuum them before storage. Follow the care label for stain treatment and washable covers.
Allow covers and fillings to dry completely. A storage bag cannot rescue a cushion that was packed away damp.
Use a lidded storage box only when its contents are already dry. Check the box after heavy rain.
Keep parasols, seat pads and loose table covers with the cushions. Label bags for larger sets if that helps spring reassembly.
Do not seal damp cushions in plastic. Dry the cover and filling before putting either into winter storage.
How should a garden furniture cover be fitted?
A good cover should stay secure, shed water and allow some air movement.
Choose the closest suitable size for the assembled furniture. Pulling a small cover across sharp corners can strain seams.
Fasten straps before windy weather. Remove anything that could rub against glass, paint or soft timber.
Shape the cover so rain runs away instead of forming a deep pool. Check it after storms.
Lift the cover on a dry day if condensation appears underneath. Wipe the frame and let both surfaces air.
What is the autumn garden furniture checklist?
A short autumn routine is easier than finding damp cushions and spreading rust in spring.
- Photograph the assembled set before moving parts.
- Remove cushions, parasols and loose accessories.
- Brush and wash the frame using the correct method.
- Dry joints, feet, slats and table undersides.
- Repair paint chips and replace missing foot caps.
- Move the frame or fit its clean, dry cover.
- Check everything monthly through wet weather.
Our outdoor furniture cleaning guide covers each material in more detail.
Stone seating needs different care. Read the garden bench material guide before moving heavy pieces.
Nearby ornaments can follow our month-by-month winter ornament guide.
Garden furniture for different outdoor spaces
Plan winter care before choosing a set
Check the material, cushion guidance and assembled size before deciding where the furniture will spend winter.
Frequently asked questions
Can garden furniture stay outside all winter?
Many outdoor frames can stay outside with suitable preparation. Material, finish, cover and drainage all affect the right choice.
Should you cover garden furniture in winter?
A suitable cover helps when fitted over clean, dry furniture. Keep it secure and check for trapped condensation.
Can aluminium garden furniture stay outside in winter?
Aluminium frames can usually remain outside. Bring cushions indoors and inspect steel fixings before fitting a cover.
Can rattan garden furniture stay outside in winter?
Synthetic rattan often can, but its hidden frame matters. Clean the weave, remove cushions and cover the dry set.
Where should garden cushions be stored in winter?
Keep cushions in a dry indoor space. Clean and dry them fully before using a breathable storage bag.
How often should covered furniture be checked?
Check it monthly and after severe weather. Remove pooled water, trapped leaves and any damp found beneath the cover.
Related articles
Matt W co-founded Greenhouse Stores in 2012. He selects Garden Ornaments products and writes its practical buying and care guides.