Your garden set is still outside and the first autumn storms are on their way. Should you put a cover over it, or leave it as it is? And if you do cover it, which cover and which size? A protective cover can save you a lot of cleaning, but the wrong one does more harm than good. In this article you'll read when covering makes sense, why breathability matters so much, how to measure the right size in four steps, and which type of cover suits which piece of furniture.
In short: covering isn't compulsory, but it's a smart move: a cover keeps dirt, leaves and algae off your furniture. Always choose a breathable cover, never plastic sheeting. Measure your furniture in the position it will be in under the cover and choose the same size or slightly larger. Use a cover support so water doesn't pool on top, and never cover wet furniture. Not sure which type you need? Take the short test.
Why cover garden furniture?
Most garden furniture today is made to stand outdoors. An aluminium frame won't rust, plastic wicker and Vironwood can handle rain, and teak is naturally resistant to the weather. Even so, a cover is not an unnecessary luxury. Weather-resistant means the material can cope with rain, sun and frost. It doesn't mean dirt, leaves and moisture won't leave marks.
- Less cleaning: under a cover, no leaves, bird droppings, pollen or green residue will build up. In spring, a quick wipe is often enough instead of a thorough scrub.
- Less wear and fading: sun and rain have less effect on the coating, the wickerwork or the wood. According to the AeroCover product information, a cover keeps your set clean, limits wear and prevents fading.
- Protection from falling debris: if your set stands under a tree or next to a border, a cover saves a lot of work, especially in autumn.
- Longer enjoyment: furniture that gets dirty less often needs cleaning less often too. That's good for the finish.
Not sure whether your furniture can stay outside? Read which garden set can stay outside first or, for lounge sets, whether a lounge set can stay outside in winter.
When do you cover, and when don't you?
Most people think of winter when they think of a cover, and that is indeed the most important season. From autumn to spring you hardly use your garden furniture, while leaves, rain and frost all land on it. But covering can be useful at other times too:
- Autumn and winter: the period with the most leaves, rain and algae. Cover on a dry day after you've cleaned the furniture.
- Holidays: if you're away for a few weeks, a cover prevents you coming back to a set covered in pollen and bird droppings.
- Weekdays in spring: if you only use the set at weekends, a cover keeps it clean until the next nice moment.
There are also times when it's better to take the cover off. After a long wet spell, it's good to lift or remove the cover on a dry day so air can get in. And never cover your furniture while it's still wet: anything damp trapped under a cover stays damp for weeks. Cushions should never go into winter under a cover anyway. Water-resistant isn't waterproof, so store them dry. You'll find tips in storing garden cushions.
Breathable cover or solid sheet?
This is the most important choice when covering. Moisture gets under any cover, through the base, through the air, or because the furniture wasn't completely dry. The question is whether that moisture can escape. With plastic sheeting or a building tarpaulin it can't: water vapour condenses on the inside and drips back onto your furniture. That's exactly what you wanted to prevent: mould, stains and algae.
| Cover | Breathable? | Suitable? |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic sheeting or building tarpaulin | No | Better avoid, condensation gets trapped |
| Solid cover without ventilation | Hardly | Only with regular airing |
| Breathable cover | Yes | Good choice |
| Breathable cover with ventilation opening | Yes, with an extra outlet | Best choice for winter |
Breathable doesn't mean the cover lets water through. A good protective cover keeps rain out while still letting water vapour escape. According to the product information, the Coverit covers from Garden Impressions have a breathable membrane and a ventilation triangle that gives moisture and condensation a way out. The Platinum AeroCover covers are made from breathable ripstop polyester, which counteracts mould formation. With any cover, look for the word breathable in the product information, and be wary of cheap sheets that only promise to be waterproof.
A cover that keeps rain out but doesn't let moisture out only moves the problem from the outside to the inside. Breathable matters more than waterproof.
Choosing the right size in 4 steps
A cover that's too small will tear or pull at the backrests. A cover that's far too big will flap in the wind and collect water in its folds. So always measure your own furniture and compare it with the size of the cover. Don't rely on the name of the set.
Slide the chairs under or against the table, place the poufs and side table against the lounge sofa, and fold back any adjustable backrests. This makes the set as compact as possible and shows you what really needs to fit under the cover.
Measure across armrests, chair legs and any protruding parts. For a corner sofa, measure both sides of the corner separately, plus the depth of the seat.
This is usually the backrest of the chairs or the sofa. If your sofa has a high back and a low front, note down both heights.
Choose a cover that matches your measurements or is a few centimetres larger. If you fall between two sizes, pick the larger one: the cord or elastic at the base will pull it snug.
How do you read a cover size? A garden set cover of 240x190xH85 is 240 cm long, 190 cm wide and 85 cm high. For a corner set you often see four numbers, such as 270x270x100xH70: two times the length of one side of the corner, then the depth and finally the height. A size like H65/90 means the cover is lower at the front than at the back, for a sofa with a high backrest. For a round garden set you sometimes only see a diameter and height, such as 220xH85.
Which cover for which furniture?
Covers come in many shapes. A cover with the right shape leaves less loose fabric, so it stays in place better and collects less water.
| Furniture | Type of cover | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Table with chairs | Garden set cover, rectangular, round or oval | Measure with the chairs tucked in |
| Standalone garden table | Garden table cover | Use a cover support against puddles |
| Corner lounge set | Corner set or L-shaped cover | Measure both sides and the depth |
| Square lounge set | Lounge set cover | Table and poufs placed against the sofa |
| Lounge dining set | Lounge dining set cover | Measure sofa and table separately |
| Lounge sofa or lounge chair | Sofa or chair cover | High back: two heights |
| Sun lounger | Sun lounger cover | Lay the backrest flat |
| Stacked chairs | Stacking chair cover | Height of the stack |
| Garden bench | Garden bench cover | Include the armrests in your measurement |
A garden set cover is handy if you leave the table and chairs together: one cover over the whole group. If the chairs can be stacked, a separate table cover plus a stacking chair cover is often more compact. For a corner sofa, pay attention to the shape of the corner. There are covers for a straight corner, a trapezoid corner and for left- or right-hand arrangements. You can work out how this applies to your sofa in buying a corner sofa for the garden.
Test: which type of cover do you need?
Three short questions about your arrangement, and you'll know which type of protective cover you need.
Which type of protective cover does your arrangement need?
Which garden furniture needs to go under a cover this winter?
- A dining table with chairs
- A lounge sofa, corner sofa or lounge dining set
- A sun lounger, garden bench or a few loose chairs
How are your furniture pieces arranged when you set them up as compactly as possible?
- Chairs around or under the table, as one block
- In a corner or L-shape, with the table up against it
- Separately or stacked
How would you prefer to cover things in autumn?
- All at once, with one cover over the table and chairs
- Leave the lounge as it is, with a cover that follows its shape
- Piece by piece, so I can move everything separately
A garden set cover You're looking for a rectangular, round or oval garden set cover. Measure the table and chairs together, with the chairs tucked in, and measure the height to the backrest. Place a cover support on the table.
A lounge set or corner set cover Choose a cover in the shape of your set: square, corner set or L-shape, and for a corner set pay attention to left or right. Measure both sides, the depth and the height.
Separate covers for each piece A sun lounger cover, garden bench cover or stacking chair cover fits better than one large cover over loose pieces. Lay the backrests flat and stack where you can.
Don't have garden furniture yet and want one that needs little maintenance? Then use the selection guide.
Cover support and securing
A protective cover is never completely waterproof. If the cover lies flat on a tabletop or seat, a dip forms where rainwater collects. That water pushes the cover down, makes it heavy and eventually it sags through. That's why it's smart to create a peak under the cover.
- Cover support: an adjustable-height support goes between the furniture and the cover, for example in the middle of the table or the lounge table. The cover gets a peak and the water runs off on all sides.
- Makeshift solution: no support to hand? An upturned bucket or a ball on the table works too, as long as it can't poke through the cover.
- Long tables: on a long table, one point is sometimes not enough. Then place several supports in a row so there's no dip anywhere.
The cover also needs to stay firmly in place. Wind getting under the cover will inflate it like a balloon and pull at seams and furniture. The AeroCover covers have a drawstring with two stoppers at the base, and the Coverit covers have elasticated corners. Pull the cord until the cover fits neatly around the legs, but leave a little space at the bottom for air. A cover that sits tightly all the way down to the ground ventilates less well.
What do you need? Adjustable cover support · storm straps for the cover on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cover your garden furniture in 5 steps
Choose a dry day, preferably after a few days without rain.
Cushions go indoors, clean and dry, or into a cushion box. They don't belong under the cover for winter.
Wipe down the frame with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth, and remove leaves and dirt from the wickerwork. You'll find more tips in cleaning garden furniture.
Never cover wet furniture. Moisture trapped under the cover can barely dry out in the cold.
Move everything into its winter position, in a spot without puddles, and place a cover support on the table.
Keep the ventilation opening, if there is one, on the side away from the wind. Pull the cord or elastic tight, and after a storm check that everything is still in place.
Want to know how to protect your furniture from frost as well? Read getting garden furniture ready for winter and what to do with garden furniture in winter.
Covering checklist
Tick off what you've already done; your browser remembers your progress.
- Cushions cleaned, dried and stored indoors or in a cushion box
- Furniture cleaned and completely dry
- Furniture measured in its winter position: length, width and height
- Breathable protective cover in the right shape and size
- Cover support or bucket on the table against puddles of water
- Cover secured with cord or elastic
- Checked and aired after a storm or a long wet spell
Common mistakes
Covering with plastic sheeting
Sheeting and building tarpaulin let no moisture through. Condensation forms on the inside, with a risk of mould and stains. Use a breathable cover.
Buying a cover based on the name of the set
Two sets with similar names can have very different dimensions. Always measure yourself, in the position the furniture will be in under the cover.
A cover that's too small
A cover stretched tight over the backrests wears at the corners and tears sooner. If you're torn between two sizes, choose the larger one.
Letting water sit on the cover
A puddle on the cover pushes it down and eventually it sags through. Use a cover support to create a peak.
Leaving cushions under the cover
Even under a cover, cushions become damp in winter. Store them dry and ventilated.
Store the cover properly too
In spring, remove the cover on a dry day, clean it with a mild soapy solution and a soft cloth, and let it dry before folding it up. AeroCover covers come with a storage bag, according to the product information.
Sun lounger or hammock chair?
There are separate covers for sun loungers, hammock chairs, parasols and barbecues too. For the sun lounger itself, read more in maintaining a sun lounger.
Protective covers on offer
A selection of the covers available. The sizes on the cards are the sizes of the cover; always compare them with your own measurements. You'll find current prices on the product page.
For a garden set or garden table
The AeroCover garden set cover measuring 240 x 190 cm is designed for a table with chairs around it. It's made from breathable ripstop polyester, has a drawstring with two stoppers and comes with a storage bag. The Coverit garden set cover measuring 205 x 190 cm has a ventilation triangle and elastic at the base.
AeroCover garden set cover 240x190xH85
Coverit garden set cover 205x190xH85
For a lounge set or corner sofa
For a corner lounge set there's the AeroCover corner set cover measuring 270 x 270 cm, with a depth of 100 cm and a height of 70 cm. For a square arrangement, the Coverit lounge set cover measuring 255 x 255 cm is one example: breathable membrane, ventilation triangle, taped and double-stitched seams and elasticated corners.
AeroCover corner set cover 270x270x100xH70
Coverit lounge set cover 255x255xH72
For a sun lounger, garden bench or loose chairs
According to the product information, the AeroCover sun lounger cover suits sun loungers up to 210 cm long, is breathable and comes with a drawstring with two stoppers. For a garden bench there's an AeroCover cover with two heights, 65 and 85 cm.
AeroCover sun lounger cover 210x75x40
Cover supports and sandbags
The Coverit cover support is height-adjustable and you place it between the furniture and the cover to let rainwater run off properly. The AeroCover sandbag set consists of four bags for sand and, according to the product information, is intended for use with a cover support set on tables longer than 240 cm.
Coverit adjustable cover support
You'll find all shapes and sizes under protective covers. For cushions, take a look at storage boxes.
How to cover your garden furniture properly
- A breathable cover, never plastic sheeting or building tarpaulin
- Measured in the winter position, at the widest and highest points
- A cover in the shape of your arrangement, the same size or slightly larger
- A cover support so no water stays on top
- Secured with cord or elastic, with some space for air
- Cushions stored separately, dry
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to cover garden furniture in winter?
It isn't always necessary, but it is advisable. Weather-resistant furniture made of aluminium, plastic wicker or teak can stay outside, but a breathable protective cover keeps leaves, bird droppings, algae and dirt off. As a result, you'll have less cleaning to do in spring. Cushions are best kept dry indoors or in a cushion box during winter.
Is a breathable cover better than a solid tarpaulin?
Yes. A solid tarpaulin or plastic sheeting keeps rain out, but it doesn't let water vapour through. Moisture that gets under the cover condenses and stays there, with a risk of mould and stains. A breathable cover allows water vapour to escape. Covers with a ventilation opening or ventilation triangle give condensation an extra way out.
How do I measure the right size of protective cover?
Move the chairs or loose parts into the position they will be in under the cover. Then measure the length and width at the widest point, including the armrests, and the height to the highest point, usually the backrest. Choose a cover that is equal to or slightly larger than these measurements. For a corner sofa, measure both sides and the depth of the seat.
What does a size such as 270x270x100xH70 mean for a cover?
For a corner set, the first two numbers give the length of both sides of the corner, the third number is the depth, and H is the height. A size such as H65/90 means two heights: lower at the front and higher at the back, for a sofa or set with a high backrest.
Why does water keep standing on my protective cover?
If the cover lies flat on a tabletop or seat, a dip forms where rainwater collects. A protective cover is never completely waterproof, so that water will sooner or later seep through. A cover support between the furniture and the cover creates a peak, so the water runs off.
Can I cover my garden furniture while it is wet?
It's better not to. Moisture you trap under the cover hardly dries out in the cold months. Wait for a dry day, clean the furniture and let everything dry thoroughly before pulling the cover over it.
