How to store garden furniture over winter: the complete guide

Short answer: clean your garden furniture, let it dry completely, and pack it away before the first frost. Then store it in a waterproof, ventilated storage bag on a firm surface, anchored against the wind. Your furniture can stay outside all winter, and your shed stays free for everything else.

Garden furniture wears out gradually over the winter: rain that soaks into the wood, damp trapped under a tight tarpaulin, frost that opens up small cracks, and gusts that tear loose anything that is not fastened. This guide covers what actually works, material by material, so your furniture comes through safely to spring.

We are a Norwegian company, and we have tested our storage through winters on Norway's west coast. The advice below applies whichever product you end up with.

When should you put garden furniture away?

Put it away before the first frosty night. In most of the UK that means some time in October. In Scotland and northern England it is often September, and in Norway, Sweden and Finland September is the safest choice.

Three signs it is time:

• Night temperatures are getting close to zero.
• The furniture is damp in the morning and does not dry during the day.
• You have not used it for two weeks.

Choose a dry day, ideally after two or three days without rain. The furniture must be completely dry before you pack it, or you seal the moisture in with it.

Where should your furniture spend the winter?

Right where it is. With Bag'in, your dining set or lounge set stays on the patio all winter, packed in 15 to 20 minutes. No carrying, and the furniture is ready the moment spring arrives.

• No room in the shed? Use Bag'in. The whole dining set or lounge set fits, without clearing a single square metre.
• Don't want to fill the shed? Use Bag'in. The shed stays free for bikes, tools and cushions.
• Is your patio exposed to the weather? Use Bag'in and anchor it with Storm Anchor. See the storm section below.

Prepare your furniture: the checklist before storage

Do this before you pack your furniture into Bag'in. Allow about an hour for an ordinary dining set.

1. Wash. Mild soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse well. Pollen, bird droppings and food left until spring become a breeding ground for mould.
2. Dry completely. Leave the furniture in sun and wind until it is dry right into joints and weave. Feel under the seat and in the corners.
3. Check for damage. Loose screws, cracks in the wood, spots of rust. Frost makes small damage bigger.
4. Treat. Oil wood that needs it, protect steel against rust. See the material table below.
5. Take off cushions and textiles. They go indoors, dry. See the cushion section.
6. Remove sharp objects. Anything with pointed edges can damage the fabric you cover it with.

Can you leave garden furniture outside in winter?

Yes, most garden furniture can stay outside in winter, as long as it is clean, dry and properly covered. Properly covered means three things: waterproof against rain and snow, airflow that lets moisture out, and fastening that holds in the wind. If one of them is missing, that is where the damage happens.

Why tarpaulins and tight covers fail

A tarpaulin is what many people reach for first. How waterproof it is depends a lot on its weight:

Type	Weight	Typical water column
Light tarpaulin	70 to 120 g/m²	approx. 1,500 to 3,000 mm
Medium tarpaulin	150 to 250 g/m²	approx. 5,000 to 10,000 mm
Heavy PVC tarpaulin	400 to 650 g/m²	20,000 mm and above

For comparison, Bag'in Nordic has a water column of 25,000 mm. We have explained what water column means in a separate article.

The cheap tarpaulins most people buy let water through during long spells of rain and as they wear. Heavy PVC tarpaulins keep the water out, but they do not breathe. Moisture from the furniture and the ground stays under the plastic, and that leads to mould. On top of that, a tarpaulin flapping in the wind rubs against the furniture all winter, and water collects in the dips and weighs it down. Read more in our guide tarpaulin or Bag'in: what protects garden furniture best.

Condensation and mould: why ventilation matters

When the temperature swings between day and night, humid air condenses on cold surfaces. Under a tight cover it has nowhere to go. A good winter solution has air vents and a ventilated base, so moisture escapes instead of settling.

One thing is worth knowing: in a Nordic climate, some condensation always forms inside any cover. The goal is to keep it to a minimum. Here is how:

• Only pack furniture that is completely dry.
• Place it on a firm surface, never directly on grass or soil.
• Keep at least 20 cm from walls and fences so air can circulate.
• Leave space for air between the pieces inside the bag.
• Wipe off water and snow regularly during humid periods.

Read more about condensation and mould under covers, and how to keep it down.

Wind and storms: how to stop garden furniture blowing away

A winter storm can move an entire lounge set. Tighten every strap, and anchor the cover to the ground in exposed spots.

Storm Anchor fixes into the gap between deck boards without drilling. It fits a 5 mm gap and boards up to 32 mm thick, and connects to Bag'in with a heavy-duty strap. Use at least two anchors for a medium set and four for large lounge sets or exposed terraces.

Read the full guide on how to stop garden furniture blowing away in a storm, and see how Bag'in stood steady in a hurricane on Norway's west coast.

Snow and frost

Wet snow is heavy. Half a metre of wet snow can weigh more than 150 kg per square metre, and it settles where the cover is flattest. Frost does the most damage where water has already got in: in cracks in wood, in rust spots and in hollow tubes.

• Brush off heavy snow after big snowfalls.
• Keep the top tight so water and snow run off.
• DryTop Protect goes over the furniture, between the furniture and the cover. It protects both, and improves air circulation inside the bag.

Read more about snow on garden furniture and what frost does to it.

Tarpaulin, cover or Bag'in?

Solution	Moisture	Wind	Set-up time	Best for
Tarpaulin and rope	High risk, does not breathe	Flaps and wears	15 min, needs re-tightening	Short-term emergency
Furniture cover, such as Bag'in Classic	Medium, depends on ventilation	Medium	5 min	Spring and summer
Bag'in Nordic	Low, corner vents and ventilated base	Good with straps and Storm Anchor	15 to 20 min	The whole set outside all winter

None of them take up space in the shed. A furniture cover such as Bag'in Classic is made for spring and summer, against rain, pollen, dirt and sun. For winter, Bag'in Nordic is the one built to stay outside.

Winter care by material

Material	Can stay out covered?	Before winter	Watch out for
Synthetic rattan	Yes	Wash with a soft brush, dry right into the weave	Water in the weave that freezes. Read the rattan guide
Natural rattan and wicker	No, bring it in	Wash gently, dry well	Absorbs moisture and goes mouldy
Teak and hardwood	Yes	Wash, let dry, oil end grain and legs if needed	A grey patina is natural, cracks are not. Read the wooden furniture guide
Pine and softwood	Yes, with good ventilation	Oil or stain before winter	Slow drying, rot in the legs
Aluminium	Yes	Wash and rinse	Salt and dirt in joints
Steel and wrought iron	Yes, with rust protection	Remove rust, touch up the paint	Rust where the coating is damaged
Plastic	Yes	Wash, check for cracks	Turns brittle in hard frost
Cushions and textiles	No	Wash, dry, reproof	See the next section

How to store garden cushions over winter

Cushions and textiles go indoors. Even the best outdoor solution gets some condensation inside over a Nordic winter, and cushions soak it up. That is also why we advise against storing cushions in Bag'in.

1. Remove washable covers and wash them according to the care label.
2. Let the cushions dry completely, ideally for several days indoors.
3. Reproof the covers with a water-repellent textile treatment.
4. Store them upright or loosely stacked in a dry room, off the floor.
5. Avoid plastic bags that trap moisture.

Read more in our guide how to store garden cushions over winter.

No room in the shed? How to store garden furniture outside

Bag'in Nordic is made to stay outside through a Nordic winter. It comes in two parts: a ventilated base you place the furniture on, and a top cover you zip on around it. It has a 25,000 mm water column, air vents in the corners, drawstrings in the middle and at the base, and a carabiner lock that keeps the zip closed in strong wind.

Which size do you need?

Size	Dimensions (L x W x H)	Typically fits
Nordic X-Small	1.6 x 1 x 1 m	Bistro set, a few stacking chairs
Nordic Small	2.5 x 1 x 1 m	Bench, sun loungers, small dining table
Nordic Medium	2 x 2 x 1 m	Dining set for six, small lounge set
Nordic Large	3 x 2 x 1 m	Sofa over 2 metres with a table
Nordic X-Large	4 x 2 x 1 m	Large lounge set or two sets

Not sure? Use the size guide or read which Bag'in size you need for your furniture.

Set-up in short

1. Lay the base flat on the deck, at least 20 cm from walls and fences.
2. Place the largest pieces first and smaller items on top, with room for air. Keep the height around 90 cm.
3. Place the top cover over and zip it all the way round.
4. Tighten the two drawstrings and lock the zip with the carabiner.
5. Anchor with Storm Anchor if the furniture stands exposed.

Read more in our guide how to use Bag'in Nordic and SunGuard, with every step from the manual. If you have a small garden or balcony, see how to store garden furniture without a shed.

Parasols, barbecues and other kit

• Parasol: dry the canopy completely, roll it tightly and store it indoors. The base can stay outside.
• Barbecue: empty the ash, clean the grills, disconnect the gas bottle and store the bottle according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Bikes and lawnmower: can be stored outside the same way as the furniture. E-bikes and anything with a battery should not be stored in Bag'in. Read how to store bikes, barbecues and lawnmowers outside in winter.

When spring arrives

Wait for dry weather and for the night frosts to end. Open up, let everything air for a day, and check the furniture for mould and rust. Clean and dry Bag'in before you fold it, and keep it in the Storage Bag (sold separately) until next autumn. Read more about getting your garden furniture ready for spring and how to clean and store Bag'in between seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Can you leave rattan furniture outside in winter?

Synthetic rattan can, covered with ventilation and dried completely first. Natural rattan should come indoors, because it absorbs moisture.

Should you cover garden furniture in winter, or will it go mouldy?

Cover it, with a solution that breathes. Mould forms when moisture is trapped under a tight cover.

Is a tarpaulin good enough for garden furniture?

As a short-term emergency. Light tarpaulins let water through over time, and heavy PVC tarpaulins keep water out but trap moisture inside.

Can garden cushions stay outside in winter?

No. Bring them in, dry, and store them off the floor.

How do I stop garden furniture blowing away in a storm?

Tighten every strap and anchor the cover to the ground. Storm Anchor fixes between deck boards without drilling.

What size storage bag do I need for a corner sofa?

Measure the longest piece. If it is over 2 metres, choose Nordic Large (3 x 2 x 1 m). Under 2 metres, Nordic Medium (2 x 2 x 1 m) is enough.

Does wooden garden furniture need oiling before winter?

Softwood such as pine benefits from it. Teak manages without, but the end grain and legs should be treated.

When should I put my garden furniture away?

Before the first frosty night, on a dry day.