Summer's over, and your lounge set is still on the terrace. Should it come indoors, or can it just stay outside? The short answer: most modern lounge sets can get through the winter outdoors. But that applies to the frame, not to everything. The cushions, the material and the way you cover the set determine whether you have a fresh lounge corner again in spring or a set with mould and stains. In this article you'll read what each material can handle, what to do with the cushions, how to use a cover properly and how to get winter-ready in six steps.
In brief: a lounge set with a frame of aluminium, plastic wicker, rope or Vironwood can stay outdoors. Wood can too, but it needs oil and more attention. The cushions go indoors: water-repellent is not waterproof. Cover the set with a breathable cover, make sure no water stands on it and never use plastic sheeting. Not sure? Take the quick test.
Can a lounge set stay outdoors?
Yes, as long as the frame is made of a weather-resistant material. Most lounge sets sold today have an aluminium frame with a powder coating. Aluminium doesn't rust, and the coating protects the colour. Plastic wicker, rope and Vironwood are also designed to be left outside. A set made of these materials doesn't necessarily have to go into the shed in winter.
Even so, the product information for many lounge sets says you should store the cushions dry in bad weather, and often also recommends a protective cover. That's not a contradiction. Weather-resistant means the material can withstand rain, sun and frost. It doesn't mean dirt, leaves, algae and moisture leave no marks. If you leave the set outside, a good cover and dry cushions will extend its lifespan.
Don't have a lounge set yet and want one that needs as little attention as possible? Use the selection guide or take a look at the aluminium lounge sets.
By material: what can stay outdoors?
Each material reacts differently to moisture, frost and dirt. This overview shows what you can expect:
| Material | Can it stay outdoors? | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium (powder coating) | Yes, preferably under a cover | Doesn't rust; touch up scratches in the coating |
| Plastic wicker | Yes, under a cover | Brush dirt out of the weave |
| Rope | Yes, under a cover | Let it dry thoroughly, remove algae promptly |
| Acacia and other wood | Yes, with a cover and maintenance | Oil it; turns grey without maintenance |
| Vironwood | Yes | Plastic with a wood look, no oil needed |
| Cushions | No | Store dry and ventilated |
Aluminium is the easiest choice for outdoors. It's lightweight, doesn't rust and needs little maintenance: a wipe with soapy water in spring is enough. Also read can an aluminium garden set rust?
Plastic wicker is something different from natural rattan. Wicker is a plastic weaving strand that can handle the weather; natural rattan doesn't belong outdoors in winter. If you're unsure about the difference, read the difference between wicker and rattan.
Rope is strong and colourfast, but it's a textile: moisture and dirt get trapped in the fibres. After a wet spell, let rope dry thoroughly and clean it with lukewarm water and a soft brush. You can read more in how to maintain rope garden furniture.
Wood, such as acacia, is a natural product. It absorbs moisture and releases it again, which is what makes it work. Without treatment it develops a silvery grey colour. That's not damage, but if you want to keep the warm colour, give it a suitable wood oil before winter.
Vironwood is a durable plastic with the look of wood. It's low-maintenance and weather-resistant, and you don't need to oil it. Read more in what is Vironwood?
What do you do with the cushions?
The cushions are the weak point of any lounge set in winter. The covers are almost always polyester with a water-repellent layer. Rain runs off, but after days of rain in a row, moisture still soaks into the foam. A wet cushion barely dries in the cold months, and then mould and nasty smells get their chance.
- Store them dry: take the cushions off the set when it gets wet and cold. Make sure they're completely dry before you put them away.
- Keep them ventilated: a shed, garage or loft is fine, as long as it's dry. Don't lay them directly on a cold concrete floor.
- Cushion box or cushion bag: no indoor space? A cushion box or a cushion bag with a zip keeps the cushions dry and clean, even outdoors.
- Wash the covers: if the covers are removable, wash them according to the label before winter sets in. That way you won't store dirt and stains away.
Some cushions have a filling of quick dry foam. Water passes through it more quickly, so they dry faster after a shower. You still store these cushions away in winter, because quick drying only works when it's dry and not too cold. If quick dry isn't mentioned in the product information, assume ordinary foam. You can read more about this material in quick dry foam: properties. For handy storage tips, see storing garden cushions.
Never put the cushions into the box while they're wet. An extra day of drying in the shed will save you a cushion with mould spots in spring.
Cover and ventilation
A protective cover is the best friend of a lounge set that spends the winter outdoors. It keeps out leaves, bird droppings, pollen and algae, and sun and rain have less effect on your set. But a cover only works well if moisture can escape.
- Choose breathable: a breathable cover lets water vapour out. Some covers have a ventilation opening or ventilation triangle, giving condensation a way out.
- No plastic sheeting: a sealed tarpaulin or plastic sheet traps moisture. Condensation forms underneath the plastic, and that's exactly what you don't want.
- Choose the right shape: there are covers for a corner set, a square set, a single sofa or a lounge dining set. Measure the external dimensions of your set and choose a cover that's slightly larger.
- Prevent pooling: a cover is never completely waterproof. If water stays on top, it will seep through sooner or later. A cover support on the table creates a peak so the water runs off.
- Secure it: a drawstring or elastic at the bottom stops the wind from blowing the cover off.
You can read step by step how to cover garden furniture properly in covering garden furniture.
Test: can your lounge set get through winter outdoors?
Answer four short questions about your set, your terrace and your storage space.
Can your lounge set get through winter outdoors?
What is the frame of your lounge set made of?
- Aluminium with powder coating
- Aluminium with wicker or rope
- Wood, natural rattan or I don't know
Where is the set placed?
- Sheltered, under a canopy or against the wall
- On an open terrace that drains well
- In an open spot with lots of wind or puddles
Do you have a protective cover?
- Yes, a breathable cover that fits
- Not yet, but I'm going to buy one
- No, and I do have room in the shed or garage
What do you do with the cushions?
- They go in a cushion box or cushion bag
- They go to the shed or loft
- They preferably stay on the set
Yes, with a cover Your set can get through winter outdoors. Keep an eye on the cover, make sure no water stands on it and check the cushions for moisture now and then.
Yes, but cushions indoors The frame can stay outdoors, but the cushions belong indoors, dry. Also get a breathable cover, and the set will stay clean until spring.
Better indoors For wood without maintenance, natural rattan or an open spot with wind and puddles, it's better to put the set in a shed or garage. If you don't have that space, at least cover it well and bring the cushions indoors.
Want to know which other garden furniture can stay outdoors? Read which garden set can stay outdoors.
How to get your lounge set winter-ready in 6 steps
Choose a dry day in autumn, preferably after a few days without rain. Then everything is dry when you cover it.
Beat them out, wash removable covers if needed and let everything dry completely before storing it.
Wipe aluminium with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth. Brush wicker and rope with lukewarm water and a soft brush. Don't use abrasive cleaners or a pressure washer on rope.
Never cover a wet set. Moisture trapped under the cover can't escape and invites mould and algae.
If you have a set or table made of acacia or other wood, treat it with a suitable wood oil. Vironwood and aluminium don't need this.
Place the set somewhere sheltered, for example against the wall, and not in a dip where water collects. Push loose parts together, and a smaller cover will fit over them.
Place a cover support or bucket on the table, pull the breathable cover over it and secure it with the cord or elastic. Check after a storm that everything is still in place.
For more tips on all garden furniture, including protection against frost, read getting garden furniture winter-ready.
Winter-ready checklist
Tick off what you've already done; your browser remembers your progress.
- Cushions off, clean and completely dry
- Cushions stored in shed, garage or cushion box
- Frame cleaned and dried
- Wooden parts treated with wood oil
- Set in a sheltered spot without puddles
- Breathable protective cover in the right size
- Cover support or bucket on the table against water pooling
- Cover secured against the wind
Common mistakes
Leaving cushions outside
Water-repellent is not waterproof. Cushions left outside for weeks, even under a cover, become damp and start to grow mould.
Covering with plastic sheeting
Plastic doesn't let moisture through. Condensation forms under the plastic, with a risk of mould and stains. Use a breathable cover.
Covering a wet set
Anything that goes under the cover wet won't dry all winter. Wait for a dry day and let everything dry first.
Leaving water on the cover
A puddle on the cover presses it down, and eventually it sags through. Use a cover support to create a peak so the water runs off.
Forgetting the set in spring
Take the cover off now and then to air things out, and check after a storm that it's still securely fastened. That way you'll spot problems before they get big.
Longer enjoyment of your set
A good winter is half of the maintenance. You can read how to keep your lounge set looking good the rest of the year in how to best maintain your lounge set and how long does a lounge set last?
Lounge sets that can take a knock
Looking for a set that needs as little attention as possible? According to the product information, these lounge sets have a frame of powder-coated aluminium or FSC-certified acacia wood, with rope, wicker or Vironwood. For all sets, the product information recommends storing the cushions dry in bad weather. You can see the current prices on the cards.
Prinos: fully aluminium
The bench and table of the Prinos are made entirely of powder-coated aluminium, with integrated trays on both sides of the bench. The 10 cm cushions have a water-repellent polyester cover. At 240.5 x 240.5 cm, it's a compact corner set.
Prinos aluminium lounge set 4-piece
Teramon: aluminium with Qualicord rope
The Teramon has a powder-coated aluminium frame in carbon black, with Qualicord rope in the backrest and armrests. According to the product information, this rope is strong and colourfast. The middle element can be placed on the left or right of the corner. You get 11 cushions with water-repellent polyester.
Teramon corner lounge set 4-piece
Bahama: wicker with Vironwood table
The Bahama is a lounge dining set with an aluminium frame and hand-woven wicker in vintage willow. The plastic weaving strand is weather-resistant and low-maintenance. The 150 x 80 cm table has a Vironwood top, so oil isn't needed. It comes with 15 cushions with a water-repellent coating.
Bahama lounge dining set 5-piece left-hand
Santos: acacia wood with rope
Prefer real wood? The Santos is made of FSC-certified acacia wood with a white wash finish and taupe rope. The product information recommends treating the wood regularly with wood oil and storing the cushions away when it rains. So this is a set for anyone who doesn't mind maintenance.
Santos lounge dining set 5-piece left-hand
You'll find more choice in our aluminium lounge sets, rope lounge sets, wicker lounge sets and acacia lounge sets, or browse all lounge sets.
Covers and cushion storage
A few examples from the range. According to the product information, the Coverit covers are breathable and have a ventilation triangle; the Platinum AeroCover covers are breathable and have a drawstring with stoppers. Always check the dimensions of your own set.
AeroCover corner set 270 x 270
View cover →
Coverit cover 255 x 255
View cover →
Coverit cover support
View support →For the cushions:
Coverit cushion bag 200 x 75
View bag →
Primo cushion box 680 litres
View box →
Primo cushion box 490 litres
View box →You'll find all sizes and shapes under protective covers and storage boxes.
How your lounge set gets through winter
- A frame of aluminium, plastic wicker, rope or Vironwood can stay outdoors
- Cushions clean and dry, indoors or in a cushion box
- A breathable cover, never plastic sheeting
- A cover support so no water stays on the cover
- Treat wood in advance with wood oil
Frequently asked questions
Can a lounge set stay outside for the whole winter?
A lounge set with an aluminium frame and plastic wicker, rope or Vironwood can stay outside over winter, preferably under a breathable protective cover. The cushions don't belong outside: store them dry in a shed, garage or cushion box. Wooden sets can also stay outside, but they need more maintenance.
Should the cushions of a lounge set be brought indoors in winter?
Yes. Most cushion covers are made of polyester with a water-repellent coating. That keeps out a shower, but it isn't waterproof. Cushions that stay wet for long can go mouldy. Let them dry thoroughly and store them in a dry, ventilated spot.
Is a protective cover necessary if my lounge set is weather-resistant?
It isn't always necessary, but it is sensible. A cover keeps leaves, bird droppings, algae and dirt off your set, so you'll have less cleaning to do in spring. Choose a breathable cover, for example one with a ventilation opening, so moisture and condensation can escape.
Can I wrap my lounge set in plastic film?
Better not. Film or a sealed tarpaulin doesn't let moisture through. Condensation then gets trapped under the plastic, which creates a risk of mould, stains and algae. A breathable protective cover is therefore the better choice.
Can a lounge set with a wooden frame stay outside?
A lounge set made of acacia wood can stay outside, but wood reacts to moisture and frost and turns grey without maintenance. Treat the wood in time with a suitable wood oil, don't let the feet stand in puddles, and use a breathable cover. If you want no upkeep at all, choose aluminium with Vironwood.
How do I stop water pooling on the cover?
Make sure the cover doesn't lie flat on the table or seat. A cover support between furniture and cover, or a bucket or ball on the table, creates a peak so the water runs off. A protective cover is never fully waterproof, so a puddle on the cover will sooner or later seep through.
