How to Store Outdoor Decor for Winter

As crisp autumn air settles in, it’s time to winterize your patio, deck, or garden space by properly cleaning and storing your outdoor decor and furniture. Proper storage is essential to protect your outdoor living items throughout winter, ensuring they’re in great condition when spring arrives. Learn how to winterize and store your outdoor furniture, cushions, rugs, lanterns, lights, and garden decorations so they last for seasons to come. 

How to Winterize and Store Outdoor Decor

Before packing away your outdoor living essentials, take the time to prepare them for storage. Properly winterizing and storing your outdoor decor will extend its life and ensure it’s ready to use when warmer weather returns. 

Following the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and storing your outdoor decor and furniture, thoroughly clean all items to remove dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. For fabric items like cushions and rugs, deep cleaning may be necessary. Once clean, allow everything to dry completely before storing. 

By taking these initial steps, you'll be well on your way to protecting your outdoor investments. Let's dive deeper into specific care tips for different types of outdoor decor. 

Tips for Seasonal Outdoor Furniture Care

Your outdoor furniture is an investment, and proper winterization and storage are key to preserving it for years to come. Regular maintenance will help your outdoor furniture withstand the elements and look its best season after season. Consider these essential winterization and care tips: 

  • Deep Clean: Before storing, remove dirt, mildew, mold, and grime with mild soap and water or a specialized cleaning solution. For wicker or aluminum furniture, consider a protective spray. Pay attention to hidden areas like under cushions and in crevices. 
  • Apply Protective Coating: For wooden furniture, apply a waterproof sealant or wood preservative to prevent cracking, warping, and damage from moisture. 
  • Dry Completely: Ensure all furniture is completely dry before covering or storing to prevent mold and mildew growth. This is especially important in humid climates. 
  • Cover Up: Invest in high-quality, breathable furniture covers to shield your furniture from dust, rain, snow, and harmful UV rays. Choose covers that fit snugly. 
  • Store for Winter: The ideal storage location is a dry, climate-controlled space like a garage or basement, which protects your furniture from extreme temperature fluctuations and moisture. If your only option is outdoor storage such as a shed, elevate furniture off the ground to prevent moisture damage. You can save space by hanging folding chairs or stacking any stackable furniture. 

Follow the same guidelines when storing your patio umbrella: Use warm water and gentle soap to clean away any dirt and debris accumulated during the summer, then leave it open to allow it to dry fully to prevent mold and mildew from growing. After completely dry, close the umbrella and wrap it in an umbrella cover or other protective layer to block dirt and mildew and prevent damage. Store your umbrella in a dry location through the winter. An indoor storage area, like a garage or basement, is ideal. 

Prepping Outdoor Cushions for Storage

image of bench with outdoor cushions and pillows

Cushions are magnets for dirt, mildew, and moisture, but proper cleaning and storage help keep them fresh for next season. Always wash cushions and covers according to the manufacturer’s care instructions, and consider these tips for keeping your outdoor cushions in top shape: 

  • Clean Covers: For machine-washable covers, use a gentle detergent and set your washer to cold. For non-removable and non-machine washable covers, spot clean with a mild detergent solution and a soft cloth. Allow inserts to air dry thoroughly to prevent mildew. 
  • Use Storage Bags: Store outdoor cushions in breathable, water-resistant storage bins or bags that allow moisture to escape. Avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and promote mildew growth. Some prefer to vacuum seal their cushions to remove air, reduce storage bulk, and prevent mildew. 
  • Rotate Cushions: If you’re storing your cushions for an extended period, swap them occasionally to prevent flattening and uneven wear. 

Storage Tips for Outdoor Rugs

image of outdoor rugs

Outdoor rugs add style and comfort to your outdoor living space but require proper care for the best appearance and longevity. By following a few simple cleaning and storing steps, you can keep your rug looking its best and extend its lifespan: 

  • Shake Out: Before cleaning and storage, remove loose dirt and leaves by shaking your rugs outdoors, vacuuming, or using a stiff-bristled broom or brush to dust away debris. 
  • Clean: Check manufacturer instructions to determine the best technique for cleaning your outdoor rug
  • For rugs that require spot cleaning only, use a gentle cleaning solution to scrub away dirty areas. 
  • For rugs that can withstand a deeper clean, pre-treat any stains with a rug-safe stain remover, scrub away any dirt or spots, and rinse thoroughly with a hose. 
  • Heavy stains or ground-in dirt may require professional rug cleaning. 
  • Dry Completely: Ensure the rug is thoroughly dry before storing as moisture leads to mildew and mold growth. 
  • Roll Up: Roll the rug with the pile facing outward to prevent creases and damage to the fibers. 
  • Store: Choose a storage location with minimal temperature and humidity fluctuations. Avoid basements or attics, which can be damp or prone to temperature extremes. 

Packing Up Lanterns and Lights for Winter

If you live in an area with cold temperatures and heavy winter precipitation, storing outdoor lanterns and lights can help prevent weather-related damage and keep them working well year after year. Follow these easy winterizing tips and your lanterns and lights will be ready to shine next season. 

  • Remove Batteries: Take out batteries from lanterns and lights to prevent corrosion and leakage. Store batteries separately in a cool, dry place or dispose of them properly. 
  • Clean: Wipe down lanterns and lights with a soft cloth to remove dirt, dust, and fingerprints. Pay attention to glass surfaces and metal components. 
  • Dry Thoroughly: Ensure all parts are completely dry before storing to prevent rust and damage from residual moisture or cleaning products. 
  • Protective Storage: Storing your outdoor lanterns and lights in their original packaging is the best option to prevent scratches and breakage, but if the packaging is unavailable, soft, padded containers or bubble wrap are suitable. 

Properly Store Wreaths, Garlands, and Decorations

When you rotate your seasonal decor, pack away items as you’re done displaying them. Proper storage protects your outdoor accessories and garden decorations from damage and ensures they're ready for the next season. 

  • Gently Clean and Dry: Remove dust and debris with a soft brush or cloth or a lightly damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive materials. Allow decorations to air dry completely before storing to prevent moisture from causing rust, mildew, or damage to painted surfaces. 
  • Pack Into Storage Containers: Place decorations in sturdy boxes or bins to protect them from damage and dust—cushion or wrap individual items or use original packaging if available. Store decor items together by season or location, and label each container with its contents for easy organization. 
  • Store Indoors: Store your packed-up decorations in a dry place, away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. Indoor, climate-controlled storage helps prevent damage from temperature changes or extreme cold. 

Properly storing your decor and furniture can extend the life of your outdoor items. By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your outdoor living decor and furniture are ready to shine when spring arrives. With a little preparation, you’ll enjoy your patio, deck, or balcony accents for many seasons to come. Explore our Guides for more tips and advice.