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It's the secret to extending the life of your furniture! Garden Furniture Covers

The amount of work that goes into investing in furniture to elevate your outdoor space takes major commitment. If your plans for this summer included creating a dreamy patio escape, we're right there with you, but you can't forget about getting outdoor furniture covers. These are must-haves necessary for protecting your oasis from damaging UV rays and precipitation.

"Storing outdoor furniture is like parking your car in a garage, " Maggie Gienger, Director of Interior Design at Arhaus, shares with House Beautiful. "Your car will be fine parked outdoors, but it will look shiny and new longer if it’s stored properly when you’re not using it."

From resort-worthy pool lounge chairs to clever ideas for staying cool on your patio, the secret to fully enjoying your outdoor furniture for as long as possible is protecting it. We spoke to industry experts for tips on storing your backyard set and the best waterproof outdoor furniture covers that are highly durable.

Measure your furniture before purchasing an outdoor furniture cover. A tailored fit prevents dirt, debris, and water from touching the cushions or frame. A large cover can protect your sofa or above-ground pool, while a smaller cover can cover your armchairs, side tables, and cushions. If you have a patio set, stacking the pieces will allow you to use a large cover to secure it.

"Outdoor furniture covers will extend the life of your outdoor furniture by keeping the elements at bay so that you can enjoy your set year after year," Terry Lin, Co-founder & Chief Design Officer of Outer explains. "Most outdoor furniture materials, including teak, aluminum, wicker, would benefit from covers, especially during the colder winter months."

Protect your furniture from fading and mildew with furniture covers that can weather any storm. Covers made with polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer are ideal. All in all, outdoor performance fabrics boast UV-resistant and water-repellent qualities that maximize durability.

Storing your furniture should be fuss-free! Lin suggests choosing furniture covers that incorporate:

Lin shares an additional pro tip: "Take it a step further and look for furniture covers with sloped angles to effectively shed water (instead of allowing water to pool and seep through)." For an added bonus: all of the options below are under $200! Now's the time to plan for ways to maintain the quality of your outdoor makeover—shop and don't delay!

You don't have to worry about rain, heat, or critters ruining your outdoor furniture thanks to the snug fit on Outer’s furniture covers. They include waterproof zippers, venting, and wind straps to ensure your furniture doesn't tip over in high winds.

Protect your dining table with a heavy-duty cover that won't lift and shift in the fall breeze. The drawstring can wrap around the legs of the table and chairs with an elastic cord at the hem of the cover. There are multiple sizes available to protect your entire backyard.

The performance of this extra large furniture cover is an affordable miracle anyone living in a rainy city can appreciate. You don't have to worry about it tearing as it's heavy enough to stand on its own and covers up to 12 chairs!

Give your umbrella a break from working so hard with a durable cover designed to withstand any season. The drawstring function includes a push lock to keep the cover in place and a zipper to open it back up at your leisure.

For under $50, this furniture set is an absolute steal if you're in need of a quick and effective fix. It's a bit of an eyesore but totally gets the job done!

There's nothing worse than sitting on a wet cushion when you're lounging outside. Protect your sofa with a covering that works rain or shine. The elastic hem has a cord lock that provides a custom, secure fit.

One reviewer explains: "We live in soggy coastal southern US and it rains frequently...we purchased a set of the Duck Covers ultimate waterproof patio sofa cover which offers high grade all weather protection (rain, dust, leaves, bird droppings, and UV). We are very happy with our protected patio furniture (thousands of dollars in cost!) with our Duck Covers."

A storage bag will stop your cushions from flying away in the wind. This popular bag can easily secure 60-inch pillows and won't get in the way whether you place the bag in your toolshed or garage. We suggest storing it inside to further the protection.

Avoid sun damage to your favorite wood furniture like teak or acacia with a high-performing UV-resistant cover. Adjust the pull-down elastic strings and lock the cover into place with four buckles.

Outdoor furniture covers are the most effective way to extend the life of your furniture. "Outdoor furniture should be kept in a dry, covered area over the fall and winter months and, if possible, stored inside," according to Kinga Wojciechowska of Moe's Home. "Constant exposure to elements such as rain and snow can cause furniture, even outdoor pieces, to rust and soft seating to mold."

If you don't have a shed or garage reserved for off-season furniture storage, don't fret! "When you’re investing in outdoor furniture, check to see if the retailer offers custom covers to fit the pieces for maximum protection," Gienger continues. "Store smaller decorative accessories and cushions in an outdoor storage trunk, or indoors in cooler seasons when you’re not enjoying your outdoor space."

This will protect them from the sun, rain, wind, and the occasional bird droppings, to keep them in top condition.

When should you store outdoor furniture?

Weather can be unpredictable so it's always better to take preventive measures sooner rather than later. "We highly recommend that covers be put on as soon as the weather starts to cool, usually at the end of September; these will protect against rain and snow and keep patio furniture looking great for next season," says Wojciechowska.

Waterproof Hiking Backpack House Beautiful's Associate Shopping Editor Medgina Saint-Elien connected with several experts including individuals from Outer, Arhaus, and more to deliver a top-notch list of outdoor furniture covers.