We’ve all been there. Investing in new garden furniture in the summertime, setting it up, proudly using it for a number of months, only for the intense autumn and winter to begin knocking on our doors. Of course, halting the entire seasonal flow of how our planet’s orbit works just so we can enjoy a few more months sat drinking wine in our garden does seem a little selfish, so we can tolerate this for now.
That doesn’t mean you have to tolerate the end effects. For many people, the winter is the hallmark time where their furniture begins to rot and become less and less appealing over the years. From rust to exposure to the elements to simply a lack of use, it’s not uncommon for people to think that the investment they made was only worthwhile for one or two summers.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, preserving your garden staging area over the winter period is more than doable, even if it does require a little attention on our part. With that in mind, let’s consider what shape this effort could take:
Tarpaulins & Covers
Tarpaulins and covers can help your garden furniture remain protected against the elements. This can suffice especially well if you have no interior storage room such as a functional outdoor shed. Covers such as larger waterproof cover-alls can allow even the most torrential rains or storms to do little to damage the furniture, provided you make sure that any moisture is properly drained and that this cover is secured, preventing its movement.
External Blinds
In some cases, such as with external blinds, on the warmer days of the colder season and a combined outdoor heater, you may even have the chance of making exterior seating arrangements more practical to use from time to time. Alternatively, these blinds can help segment a staging area that remains as close to the ‘interior’ as any ‘exterior furnishing space’ can ever be. While external blinds are not necessarily protective against every single weather condition, they can make a tremendous difference in shielding a space, helping it look absolutely beautiful, and returning your seating area to pure comfort as the warmer days come beckoning.
Anti-Rust Treatments
Anti-rust treatments such as sprays, and lubricants like WD-40 can help metal-frame chairs remain in good condition even during the winter months. This, combined with proper storage and covers, can prevent rust from growing. Furthermore, make sure that when scrubbing the chair down and cleaning it after an intensive winter period, that you dry it off appropriately so that the moisture cannot cause more damage that you may not be expecting. This can help larger framed chairs sit more comfortably, providing the condition necessary to implement cushions and other throws to transform the seating experience.
With this advice, you’re certain to preserve your garden staging area over the winter period and return to the warmer months with nothing but the satisfaction that no repairs or replacements are needed. Perhaps that arrangement could last years going forward.
