The barbecue's had its last outing, the cushions are looking a bit sun-bleached, and the evenings are drawing in, the classic signs summer's on its way out. But before you write the garden off for the year, a bit of end-of-season prep now saves you a lot of hassle and money come spring.
Whether you're weighing up garden furniture covers against full garden furniture storage, or setting things up to get a few more weeks of use out of the garden, here's a practical checklist to work through this week.
1. Give Furniture a Proper Clean Before You Cover or Store It
Packing furniture away dirty is one of the most common mistakes people make. Trapped dirt, pollen, and moisture under a cover over winter is what causes mildew, staining, and frames that look tired come April.
For rattan garden furniture, warm soapy water and a soft brush are usually enough to lift dirt out of the weave. Aluminium and metal frames just need a wipe down with mild detergent. Avoid anything abrasive or using a pressure washer at close range, as both can damage the finish. If your cushion covers are removable, wash them separately and make sure everything is completely dry before it goes into storage.
2. Garden Furniture Covers or Garden Furniture Storage: Which Is Right for You?
Not everything needs to come indoors. If your furniture is staying out over autumn and winter, a good-quality, breathable garden furniture cover is the minimum. Some garden furniture sets come with a rain cover for exactly this reason: it keeps the worst of the weather off without trapping condensation underneath.
If you'd rather free up the patio and move to proper garden furniture storage instead, that's where a bit of garden storage earns its keep. A wheeled rattan storage box is a neat option for smaller items and cushions, while anything bulkier is better suited to a full shed.
3. Garden Shed Storage Ideas: Make Sure Your Shed Has the Room It Needs
If furniture, tools, and the mower are all fighting for space in the shed, this is the point in the year when it gets noticed. A wooden garden shed gives you a traditional, insulated option, with built-in shelving and door hooks so cushions, covers, and smaller items stay up off the ground and away from damp.
A bit of planning now around what goes where makes for one of the simplest garden shed storage ideas: sort it before the weather forces your hand, not after.
4. Tidy Up the Lawn Edges While the Ground's Still Workable
Late summer is actually one of the better times to sort out untidy lawn borders, before the ground gets too wet and cold to work with comfortably. Installing flexible lawn edging now keeps grass from creeping into beds over autumn and gives your garden a defined, tidy shape that's much easier to maintain through the wetter months.
5. Don't Forget the Gas Bottles
If you've had a gas barbecue, patio heater, or fire pit table on the go all summer, check that the bottle is stored properly rather than left out in the open. A gas bottle cage keeps it secure, upright, and protected from the weather. It's worth doing now rather than after the first proper autumn storm.
6. Garden Furniture With a Fire Pit: Extend the Season Instead
If you're not quite ready to pack everything away, you don't have to. Garden furniture with a fire pit is one of the easiest ways to keep using the garden comfortably into autumn evenings. A fire pit furniture set can give you a few more weeks of outdoor living before the full end-of-season clear-out is needed.
The Final Takeaway
You don't need to do all of this in one weekend, but working through it while the weather's still on your side makes the job far easier than leaving it until the first cold snap. Clean before you cover or store, decide between garden furniture covers and garden furniture storage, make sure your shed can actually take what you're putting in it, and tidy up the lawn while the ground's still workable. Do that now, and your garden will be in a much better state to pick back up next spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cover rattan garden furniture, or should I store it away?
It depends on how sheltered your patio is and how much space you have. If your furniture sits somewhere reasonably sheltered, a good-quality, breathable cover is enough to see it through autumn and winter. If it's more exposed to wind, rain, or standing water, moving it into a shed or storage box is the safer option.
Is rattan garden furniture weatherproof?
Good-quality poly rattan is designed with a UV-resistant layer that holds up well outdoors through the summer months. That said, "weatherproof" doesn't mean maintenance-free: prolonged frost, heavy rain, and strong sun over winter will shorten its lifespan, which is why cleaning it properly and covering or storing it before the cold sets in makes such a difference.
How do I stop water pooling on a garden furniture cover?
Pooling usually happens when a cover is stretched flat over a wide surface, like a table top, with nowhere for water to run off. Choosing a fitted cover rather than a loose sheet, tying it down securely so it doesn't sag in the middle, and giving it a gentle push each morning to tip off any collected rainwater will all help. A cover with a slight peak or angled design also sheds water far more easily than a flat one.
What's the best way to clean rattan garden furniture without damaging it?
Warm soapy water and a soft brush are all you need to lift dirt out of the weave; work gently rather than scrubbing hard. Avoid pressure washers at close range and anything abrasive, as both can strip the protective finish and leave the rattan looking dull. If cushion covers are removable, wash them separately and let everything dry fully before it goes back outside or into storage.
Do I need planning permission for a garden shed?
In Ireland, whether you need planning permission for a garden shed depends on factors including its size, height, location, and the amount of private open space remaining around your home. Smaller domestic sheds may qualify as exempted development when they meet the relevant conditions, while larger structures or properties subject to particular restrictions may require permission. It's always worth checking the current requirements with your local planning authority before installing one.
Wooden, plastic, or metal, which garden shed is best for storing furniture?
It comes down to maintenance and budget. A wooden shed gives you a traditional look and good insulation, but needs the occasional coat of treatment to stay protected from the weather. Plastic sheds won't rot, warp, or need painting, which suits fabric covers and cushions well, while metal sheds tend to be the most secure and compact choice if space is tight. Whichever material you choose, make sure there's enough headroom and ventilation for anything bulky.
Do gas bottles have to be stored in a cage?
For normal domestic use, a dedicated gas bottle cage isn't always required, but cylinders should be stored in accordance with applicable safety guidance and the supplier's instructions. A suitable cage helps keep cylinders upright, secure, and well ventilated, reducing the risk of damage or tampering and allowing any leaking gas to disperse safely.
Is flexible lawn edging easy to install myself?
Yes, most people can fit it in an afternoon without any specialist tools. Flexible lawn edging can be shaped around curved borders as well as straight ones. Late summer, while the ground is still soft and workable, is one of the easiest times of year to get it done.
What size gas bottle does a fire pit garden furniture set need?
Many fire pit furniture sets are designed around a standard 6 kg propane or patio gas bottle, which sits discreetly inside a concealed compartment in the table base. That's usually enough to power several evenings of use, while keeping the bottle out of sight and protected at the same time.
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