The Best Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers By Season & Region [Plus Storage Tips]

High-quality patio furniture that can withstand the test of weather, parties, and children isn't a cheap investment, which is why we're here to give you the ultimate guide to protecting your furniture with the right outdoor patio furniture covers. In this comprehensive guide, you'll find all the information you need to keep your patio furniture in pristine condition for many seasons to come.

With this guide, you'll be able to choose the perfect outdoor patio furniture covers depending on where you live and what kind of furniture you have. Let's get started.

The Best Covers for Weather-Proofing Your Furniture

Outdoor furniture protective covers are the best way to protect your furniture from the elements. Snow and unexpected rainstorms can permanently damage fabric and warp wood and wicker. Prolonged sun exposure will fade bright colors and patterns, causing new furniture to look old and worn. Many homeowners choose to keep their patio furniture in storage whenever they're not using it, which can be a waste of your investment and your time. Instead of dragging your patio furniture out of storage and dusting and wiping before every small outdoor gathering, you can save time by simply removing your covers when you're ready to use your furniture again. If you live in a dry climate that receives very little moisture, use a simple, thin fabric to protect against sun damage. If you get a lot of rain or snow where you live, then opt for waterproof patio furniture covers that will double as sun-blockers on those beautiful, cloudless days. If you have a patio cover to protect your furniture from the elements, make sure it's opaque. Glass patio covers may shield a portion of your patio from rain and snow, but they can intensify sun damage on your fabrics.

When to Use Covers for Patio Furniture

For optimal coverage and protection from the elements, your patio furniture should remain covered at all times when not in use. Don't risk exposing your fine furniture to a surprise storm while you're away at work or forgetting to put them on the night before the first snowfall of the season. When you're finished with your outdoor furniture, take a moment to slip the covers back on before heading inside. This may seem like a tedious task, but your furniture will last a great deal longer and you'll spend less time and money on cleaning sprays and replacement cushions and pillows.

Installation and Setup of Covers

Nowadays, you can find furniture covers for outdoor furniture of all shapes and varieties. People often wonder what they should cover and what they can leave uncovered. The answer is simple: cover the furniture that you want to last. Leave the rest uncovered. Outdoor dining tables and chairs, bar stools, chaise lounges, sofas, loveseats, coffee tables, end tables, you name it! If you want it to stay in fantastic condition for many seasons to come, put a cover over it.

How to Measure for Custom Outdoor Furniture Covers

If you purchased your outdoor furniture set from RST Brands, you can find the matching set of outdoor furniture protective covers right on our website. If you'd like to measure for custom covers, grab your measuring tape and take down the following measurements for each piece you'd like to cover:

• Height: From the highest point of the furniture to the ground.
• Width: From one edge to the opposite edge.
• Depth: From the front of the piece to the back.

When ordering custom outdoor furniture covers, don't make the mistake of adding inches to the measurement to make sure the cover fits. Use the exact measurements to ensure snug covers that won't blow away or slip off. In addition to snug measurements, you can also opt for tie-downs that will increase protection and ensure your covers won't come off on their own. The only con to using tie-downs is that they do take quite a bit of time to secure and loosen each tie. Just make sure you don't pull the knot too tight.

Different Types of Outdoor Patio Furniture Covers

The type of furniture covers you choose will play a great role in determining the lifespan of your furniture. At RST, we provide covers that are professionally designed to protect your furniture from the elements all year round. If you choose to purchase different covers for different seasons, we urge you to use these seasonal tips!

Spring and Autumn

Spring and autumn often provide the best weather for outdoor gatherings and quiet afternoons in the shade with a good book in hand. However, they also bring inconsistent weather patterns: brief moments of unexpected rain, early snowfall, and cloudless skies and uncharacteristically warm weather. Prepare for frequent use and surprise storms with lightweight outdoor furniture covers that are waterproof.

Winter

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow during the winter, make sure to keep your patio set covered with quality, heavy-duty waterproof furniture covers. If you move your patio furniture to storage during the cold, wet winter months, make sure you at least use a dust cover.

Summer

The type of summer covers you use should depend on the climate you live in which we will cover in-depth. For the standard hot summers, use lightweight covers to protect your furniture from sun damage and animals.

Best Covers to Use for Your Furniture

The best outdoor furniture covers are the ones that can shield your patio set from the elements all year long. Avoid cheap covers made from plastic or thin vinyl they won't last. Opt for quality materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and changing weather. At RST, we provide custom outdoor furniture covers crafted from the finest materials and made to withstand sun, snow, rain, and whatever else the outdoors can throw at you. No matter which covers you choose from RST, you can count on durable, lightweight fabric that will preserve the quality and appearance of your outdoor furniture. All of our covers are made from a reliable blend of polyester fabric, polyurethane coating, and nylon straps that won't tear or fray. The RST furniture covers are perfect for protecting furniture made with wood, metal, rattan, teak, and even vinyl.

The Best Covers For Your Climate

Mediterranean Climate

If you live in a Mediterranean climate, say the California coast, then you need the best outdoor furniture covers for very mild winters and scorching hot summers. For this type of weather, you'll want waterproof furniture covers to protect from sun exposure. You'll also want to find covers with sufficient ventilation to prevent mold and mildew. While it isn't necessary to store your patio furniture indoors when not in use, you will want to check for mold and mildew regularly. Clean your furniture regularly and use protective sprays that can help prevent this problem.

Humid Subtropical Climate

A humid subtropical climate includes the southern states such as Texas, Georgia, Florida, and the like. Protect your furniture with ventilated, UV-resistant, waterproof patio furniture covers. Fight against that subtropical mold and mildew by cleaning furniture often and storing cushions and other fabric pieces indoors when not in use. If you're protecting furniture at a seasonal home in the humid subtropical climate, we suggest you store the furniture indoors while you're away.

Tropical Climate

For the tropical climates in places like Southern Florida, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands, you'll need to equip your furniture to withstand plenty of moisture, sun exposure, and high temperatures. Use covers for patio furniture that are waterproof and well-ventilated. Just like those who live in other humid areas, you'll need to check your furniture often for signs of mold and mildew and adopt a cleaning routine to fight against it. It will also help you to store cushions, pillows, and other fabric pieces indoors whenever you're not using them.

Temperate Climate

A temperate climate is one without extremes in the changing seasons, but with a nice range between cool winters and hot, humid summers. In states like Kansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, we suggest durable, lightweight covers that are easy to slip on and off for frequent use. We advise you to use the covers whenever you aren't using the furniture and to store furniture indoors during the cold winter months.

Humid Continental Climate

States like Nebraska, North Dakota, New Hampshire, and Maine can all be classified as having a humid continental climate, which means there are four distinct seasons in a year and the summers are hot and the winters are cold and snowy. For a wide range of weather conditions in climates such as these, we urge you to store your furniture indoors and beneath ventilated protective covers during the winter months. Check every spring for mold and mildew and allow the furniture to air out after the final snowfall.

Oceanic Climate

For areas that receive a lot of moisture and low temperatures during autumn, winter, and spring, such as Oregon, Washington, and Southeast Alaska, we urge you to protect your furniture with waterproof patio furniture covers made from durable materials to withstand plenty of snow and rain. If possible, store your patio furniture under protective covers indoors during wet, cold months. Use protective sprays to fight against mold and mildew and allow furniture to air out every so often.

Desert Climate

Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Yuma are all great examples of a desert climate. If you live in a place where the summers are long, hot, and dry, you'll need to use your covers during the summer whenever you're not using the furniture. The covers will fight against sun damage and will also come in handy during those fall and winter rainstorms.

How to Store & Maintain Your Outdoor Furniture Covers

In order to preserve the life and quality of your outside furniture covers, designate a storage space to place them whenever you aren't using them. This can be in the backyard shed, an outdoor storage bin, the mudroom, or a closet. Wherever you choose to keep your outdoor patio furniture covers, just make sure it is a clean, dry place above the ground. Once you remove the covers, fold them and place them in storage until you're ready to put them back on your furniture. Interested in outdoor furniture and covers? Check out the collections by RST Brands today.