Storing Wicker Furniture for Winter

As the winter weather rolls in, many homeowners are trying to figure out the best way to store their outdoor wicker furniture. Although most resin wickers are advertised as "all-weather" there is really nothing exempt from the forces of Mother Nature.

Water and more particularly, snow can lead outdoor wicker furniture to deteriorate over time. Raging winds can lift lightweight aluminum frames and rub them against surfaces can damage your furniture. To prevent this, you'll want to ensure you store your wicker furniture away this Winter Season.

Frequently Asked Questions: Storing Wicker Furniture for Winter

Snow, water, and wind shorten its life. Moisture can deteriorate wicker over time, and raging winds can toss lightweight frames, scuffing finishes. Storing sets for winter prevents avoidable damage and keeps pieces looking new next season.

Clean the furniture and remove cushions. Wash away dust and debris to preserve the finish and discourage bugs. Remove cushions and decorative pillows so you can clean and dry them separately before storage.

Mild climates: covers. Harsh winters: bring inside. In warm Sun Belt regions, quality covers can suffice to block sun and dirt. Where winters are severe, store pieces indoors to fully protect frames and weaves until spring.

Store in a protected shed or area. High winds can send lightweight pieces across the yard. Move furniture into a shed, garage, or similarly sheltered spot to avoid tipping, sliding, and surface damage.

Avoid crushing and use storage boxes. Do not stack heavy items on inserts. Use cushion storage boxes—ideally matching wicker—with hydraulic lifts to protect and organize cushions while keeping your storage area attractive.

Yes—resin wicker works great inside. Synthetic wicker has a contemporary look, and modular pieces can be rearranged to fit your interior layout. Enjoy the set year-round and move it back outside in spring.

Choose stackable or nesting pieces. Stackable dining chairs and nesting designs save vertical space in sheds and garages, making off-season storage quicker and tidier.

"Honey, did you bring in the patio furniture?" *(CC)*

5 Tips to Storing Wicker Furniture Over the Winter

1. Clean it Before You Put it Away

Make sure you clean your wicker furniture before storing it away for the winter. You can follow these instructions to learn how to clean wicker furniture properly. This will help preserve the finish and remove any dust or debris that may have settled. This will also keep bugs, spiders, and bees out of your patio furniture so that it looks brand new when Spring and Summer roll around next year.

Additionally, it's essential to remove any cushions from your wicker furniture. It's common to put decorative throw pillows on the cushions; remove those as well. Removing these from the furniture gives you an excellent opportunity to clean them. We have a great blog post about properly cleaning cushions here! Clean patio cushions can really refresh your patio when summer rolls back around.

2. Covering them for the Long Haul

How well you need to store your wicker furniture really depends on the climate that you live in. Out in San Diego and along some of the Southern regions along the Sun Belt, you can get away with a few patio furniture covers over the winter. This will prevent them from fading in the sun and keep dirt off them. If you're in for a harsh winter, your best bet is to store them inside somewhere. You won't be using them when the weather is bad, you might as well keep them safe. Proper care will lead to your cushions lasting for years!

3. Make Sure the Wind Doesn't Toss them Around

The weather can get pretty violent and high winds can leave your patio furniture scattered across your entire yard. Talk about a backyard renovation! The best way to prevent this from happening is by storing them in a shed or other area where there are protected. Alternatively, I've found 7 other ways to keep patio furniture from blowing away in the winter.

4. Storing Outdoor Cushions

Your cushions need to be put away as well but you don't want to crush them so that they are flattened before next season. You can store them in matching wicker cushion storage boxes like these to prevent your "storage" area from sticking out like a sore thumb. The idea is to make them become a part of your decor. Cushion storage boxes use a hydraulic life and come in the same high-quality wicker weave as your furniture so it adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home rather than taking away from it. If it's time, you can also order some replacement cushions.

5. Bring it Inside the Home

Some people overlook that wicker furniture is versatile and can be used inside the home. Don't give me that look! Synthetic resin wicker has a contemporary look, and many modular pieces can be rearranged to fit the layout of your home. You can check out this page to see some examples before you try it out yourself!