Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

5 Tips to Help Your Outdoor Furniture Last Forever

5 Tips to Help Your Outdoor Furniture Last Forever

When you're shopping for outdoor furniture, here's what to look for so your patio set will last for many years.

From summer rainstorms to sweltering heat and scorching sun, good outdoor furniture has to battle the elements. Plus, if you plan to leave your outdoor furniture outside year-round (and live in an area with winter weather), it will also have to withstand below-freezing temperatures and ice. To give your outdoor furniture the best shot at survival, start by choosing materials that can handle harsh weather and temperature fluctuations. Then, invest in covers and storage units to protect pillows and cushions.

To learn how to help our outdoor furniture last for many years, we reached out to the furniture pros at Article for their best advice. Here, Nicole Hunt, the product development manager at Article, shares her top tips for choosing a patio set that will stand the test of time.

Choose Waterproof Materials


"Article headquarters are based in Vancouver, Canada, so we’re definitely familiar with rainy weather and keep it in mind when designing our outdoor products," says Hunt. One important factor is opting for materials that are proven to withstand rain and humidity. "These include weatherproof galvanized steel and concrete composite, water resistant synthetic wicker, and teak, which is naturally weather-resistant and resistant to fungus," explains Hunt. "When exposed to the elements, woods like teak will develop a silvery gray patina over time."



"Acacia wood is another great material for outdoor use, but it requires a bit more maintenance than its metal-based counterparts. While naturally weather-resistant, acacia can still be sensitive to moisture and humidity." To keep acacia wood furniture looking brand-new, Hunt recommends covering it to keep excess moisture away. And the same goes for other pieces of outdoor furniture, too.

Invest in Covers


"Although our products can be left outdoors, we always recommended using a water-resistant or waterproof cover when it's raining or if you’re planning to let them sit outside for a long period of time," says Hunt. If you really want your outdoor furniture to last forever, covers are a must.



Article sells covers for many of their most popular outdoor sectionals and chairs. There are also several companies, such as Covers and All, that will create custom covers for your outdoor pieces.

Keep Temperature Fluctuations in Mind


"Pieces with a galvanized steel frame or aluminum will stand up to temperature fluctuations," says Hunt. "Another great option is synthetic rattan and pieces made with polypropylene. They’re designed to withstand temperature fluctuations and can be easily incorporated into any outdoor space." No matter if you prefer the modern look of galvanized steel or the boho aesthetic of synthetic rattan, these pieces will survive drastic temperature changes.



Clean Your Outdoor Furniture Often


No matter what type of outdoor furniture you end up buying, cleaning it regularly is the secret to helping it look great for years. "Wipe the furniture frame with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris and periodically wash the cushions with gentle detergent and a soft bristle brush," recommends Hunt.

And those with a pool, take note: "If your outdoor furniture is near a pool or a hot tub, I’d also suggest hosing it down once every week or two to remove any chlorine that comes from treated pool water."

Keep Pillows and Cushions Pristine


When shopping for outdoor pillows, opt for fabrics like durable Sunbrella, which are designed for outdoor use and will resist fading. Make sure all the cushions you use outdoors are intended for outdoor use—they contain fillers that resist mold and mildew.



Once you've purchased the most weather-resistant pillows around, maintenance is key. "Outdoor pillows can be easily cleaned by wiping them down with a wet cloth. For those who like to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio or have energetic kids who like to play outdoors, spot clean any spills or stains with a mixture of water and gentle detergent. Brush gently with a soft bristle brush and rinse generously with clean water before allowing to air dry," says Hunt.

If possible, bring outdoor pillows inside when it rains, or invest in a weatherproof outdoor storage unit.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×