Being able to relax at home after work is crucial to being able to maintain your sanity after a long week. Especially now that the summer is in full swing, holding campfires, being able to sit out on your deck — just being able to be outside with the people you love means everything. For making that dream a reality, few things are more important than your wooden outdoor furniture.
Whether it’s your tables, your bench, or your Adirondack chairs, your wooden outdoor furniture enables you to do any of number of things in your yard. You can host parties or simply sit around and enjoy a drink with the wife. Unfortunately, wooden outdoor furniture often has a hard time competing with the elements. Even the highest quality Amish-made furniture has trouble standing up to the unrelenting sun and the deluge of rains the summer brought. If you’re one of the many struggling to keep your wooden outdoor furniture in tip-top shape, here are three tips to help you do just that.
How to Protect Your Wooden Outdoor Furniture
- Use Cheap, Readily Available Covers for Your Furniture
- Sand, Stain, and Finish Your Favorite Outdoor Furniture
- Move the Furniture Away from the Elements when Not in Use
For Martha Stewart, one of the easiest ways to protect your furniture is to buy outdoor furniture covers. Most covers are cheap and are made of little more than plastic to help ward off the sun and moisture. Even so, you’ll be surprised how well they do the job.
As Today’s Homeowner writes, it’s essential that you learn to sand, stain, and refinish your own furniture if you want to keep it in good condition. The finish will keep any extra moisture out, protecting your furniture from rot, while also keeping the natural oils of the wood in. Both are important to longevity. If you notice your furniture is looking a little rough, sand down the old finish, put on a new coat of stain, and then finish it. It can be a lot of work, but it will be well worth it.
What would you say if I told you that extending the life of your furniture is just about moving it a couple inches when you aren’t using it? As DoItYourself.com recommends, simply moving your furniture under the overhang of your house or deck can keep the sun and run-off water off of it. Needless to say, that can go a long way in protecting it.
Do you work with Adirondack chairs or other outdoor wooden furniture? What advice would you give to homeowners looking to protect their favorite pieces? Let us know in the comment section below.
