Store garden furniture in November: how and where

TL;DR

November is the time to put away garden furniture. Wooden furniture must go into dry storage (not outside under a tarpaulin). Metal furniture can stay outside, but under a good tarp. Plastic chairs and tables can stay outside in the sun. Ensure furniture is clean and dry before storing. December is too late - snow and ice make everything difficult.

Why November is storage time

Late October, early November frost risk starts. Water capillaries in wood freeze and thaw, causing wood to split. Metal rust accelerates in wet winters as humidity increases. Plastic becomes brittle in cold.

If you wait until December, you are busy with Christmas decorations and snow clearance. November is quieter. Also: the longer you leave furniture outside, the faster tarpaulin and furniture deteriorate in wind and rain. Better to do it now while still somewhat mild.

Which furniture to store and which not

Store: wooden furniture

Oak, teak chairs and benches must go into dry storage. Also beech and alder wood. Frost and moisture cycles are deadly to wood. Wooden garden chairs left outside over winter splinter and warp.

What you do:

1. Clean thoroughly. Dirt sticks to wood fibres.
2. Ensure it is dry. Do not put wet wood into storage - it grows mould.
3. Place in dry room: garage, shed, cellar (not damp).
4. Do not place directly on ground. Ground moisture rises into wood. Place on wooden blocks or pallets.
5. Do not stack without protection between layers. This causes pressure marks and warping.

Store: metal furniture (steel, aluminium)

Aluminium furniture can stay outside. Aluminium does not corrode. Steel furniture (iron) needs more care. Rust sets in during winter.

What you do:

1. Ensure steel is clean and dry.
2. Check for rust spots. Has it started? Sand lightly with sandpaper.
3. Hang furniture or place under good tarpaulin (not plastic pool tarp - moisture trap). Tarp must allow ventilation (no airtight seal).
4. Place in open shed or hanging under shelter. Not in damp cellar.

NOT store: plastic furniture

Plastic garden chairs and tables can stay outside over winter. UV radiation damages plastic, but frost does not. Plastic becomes less brittle in winter than in extreme heat (summer).

What you do:

1. Place in a corner of your patio or under an eave.
2. Check for severe sun damage. Discoloration? Normal, no damage.
3. Do not step hard on plastic chairs in frost - they can break.
4. Do not place directly on snow on ground. Place on a base (slats, concrete pad) so snow can escape underneath.

Store: cushions and textiles

This is essential. Cushions and chair covers become waterlogged in November. Mould develops in moisture. This stuff must ALWAYS be in dry storage.

What you do:

1. Ensure they are dry before storage. Even slight moisture causes mould.
2. Place in sealed box (not plastic bags - they sweat). Cardboard boxes better than plastic.
3. Add mothballs if you do not want mould risk. Moths can emerge in winter.
4. Place in dry room (garage, cellar, studio).
5. Do not place on ground. Ground moisture works upward.

Store: gas barbecues

Gas barbecues can stay outside, but ensure they are well sealed. Water in gas field means corrosion and possible leaks. Place under shelter (not in snow/rain).

Check annually that hose and regulator are still secure. Gas fields can expel moisture and allow corrosion.

How to prepare furniture

Step 1: Clean

Before storing, ensure everything is clean. Sand, dirt, and salt leave marks. Use soft brush and lukewarm water. For wood sometimes mild soap.

Let everything dry thoroughly - not into sealed box while damp.

Step 2: Repairs

Check for loose screws, cracks, rust spots. November is last moment for small repair work. You will not remember this in spring.

Wooden splinters? Sand smooth. Metal rust? Use sanding brush and light oil after.

Step 3: Oil or treatment?

Wooden furniture every 2-3 years teak oil or hardwood oil. This is last moment before storage. Let dry well (48 hours).

Metal furniture with rust spots? Apply thin layer of oil after cleaning.

Step 4: Pack and label

Pack furniture that is hard to find again in winter. Write contents on box. "Wooden chairs: 4 pieces", "Black cushions, 5x".

Take photos. This helps in spring to restore.

Where to store

Garage

Ideal for wooden furniture. Clean, dry, no direct moisture. Ensure humidity levels stay normal (no wet insulation, no direct ground moisture).

Shed/studio

Perfect for metal furniture and plastic. Ensure ventilation (not sealed box). Open shed better than closed room.

Cellar

Careful. Cellars are often damp. Wooden furniture gets mould here. Metal rusts. Only for cushions and textiles if cellar is dry.

Workshop/shed

Ideal if you have this. Much ventilation, dry.

Outside under tarpaulin

This works for metal furniture, but not ideal. Tarpaulin can tear, wind can blow in. Emergency solution, not permanent.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave wooden furniture outside under a plastic tarpaulin?

No. Plastic tarpaulin creates moisture traps under it - water collects. Wood stays wet, grows mould. Better dry storage without tarp than outside with tarp.

I have no garage. Where should I store furniture?

Look for friends, family (garden shed?), rent storage, or very good tarp under shelter outside. The last not ideal, but better than nothing.

Must I wrap furniture fully or can it lie loose?

Loose cats collect in corners. Place furniture clean and protected in corners. Covering against dust is good, against ground moisture is better.

My wooden furniture already has cracks. Should I still store it?

Yes, still do. Storage prevents further damage. In spring you can better repair than leave it to worsen now.

Step-by-step

Step 1: Inventory

Walk past everything. What furniture do you have? Wood, metal, plastic, cushions? Take photos.

Step 2: Clean

Everything clean. Soft brush, soft water. Let dry thoroughly.

Step 3: Minor repairs

Tighten loose screws. Sand splinters. Polish rust. Nothing major, only prevent further deterioration.

Step 4: Oil or treatment (for wood)

Give wooden furniture teak oil. Let dry 48 hours.

Step 5: Pack

Cardboard boxes or storage cases. Label everything.

Step 6: Transport

Place in garage, shed, or dry room. Wooden furniture on pallets or blocks (not on ground).

Step 7: Photo record

Take photo of storage setup (what goes where) for memory in spring.

Spring: furniture back

In May/June you retrieve furniture. Check briefly for mould, rust, or bird droppings. Gently wipe and back outside. Do not put immediately in full sun (plastic from dry/cold becomes more brittle in light).

Discover your own garden design

At [gardenworld.app](https://gardenworld.app) you can upload your front yard and see how garden furniture fits realistically in different seasons. Plan your furniture setups now before it is too late.