12 Patio Items You Should Store Away in the Winter

There’s nothing like spending warm summer evenings on your patio, sharing quality time with loved ones, and enjoying the fresh air. Then, as the weather gets colder, comes the time to pack it all away. In this article, we’ll share 12 patio items you should store away in the winter, what items you can leave out, and how to winterize your patio furniture.

Let’s dig in!

1. Planters and Pots

One of the most important patio items you should store away in the winter is your planters and pots, regardless of whether they contain plants.

Obviously, moving potted perennials indoors if you’re outside their USDA zones is essential to keep your plants alive. Otherwise, you should clean out pots from annuals and store them away somewhere safe until spring. This simple task will ensure your pots are ready to go for planting season and prevent breakage from deep freezes or windy weather.

2. Wood Furniture

Investing in high-quality wood furniture, like Adirondack chairs and picnic tables, is a great way to create a natural aesthetic and extend the lifespan of your patio furniture — as long as you store it properly.

Put these pieces away for the winter to prevent the wood from warping and cracking during temperature fluctuations and to prevent premature rotting from exposure to moisture. If your furniture is too bulky or heavy to move, secure a tarp over the furniture for protection.

3. Wicker Furniture

Natural wicker furniture is also susceptible to the elements. Traditional wicker is made of rattan, bamboo, or other plant fibers. However, manufacturers now make faux wicker to survive the wet outdoor weather.

All natural wicker furniture should be moved indoors for the winter to prevent rot and breakage. You should also store away faux wicker furniture if possible. While this durable alternative will survive a few winters, storing it for the winter will greatly extend its lifespan.

4. Glass Tabletops

Leaving your glass tabletops outside in the cold is unlikely to cause breakage. While extreme cold and temperature fluctuations can break glass, it’s uncommon. However, your glass tabletops will break easier in the winter if jostled or if moisture gets in a crack.

If possible, store away furniture with glass tabletops for the winter. If you don’t have room, consider using ratchet straps to secure it, minimizing the risk of damage during strong winds and stormy weather.

5. Textiles

You should always store fabrics and textiles away in a dry area with plenty of airflow for the winter to prevent mold and mildew. Depending on your patio furniture, this may include rugs, cushions, and throw pillows.

Take this opportunity to wash your outdoor fabrics and dry them thoroughly before storing them.

6. Awnings

Awnings are a blessing during the summer, providing shade to keep comfortable during peak daylight hours. However, they’re surprisingly fragile and should be stored away for the winter.

Take down your retractable awning by following manufacturer instructions (each model is a bit different). Store it in a dry area, wrapping it in a drop cloth if you’ve disposed of its original packaging.

7. Umbrellas

Another one of the most important patio items you should store away in the winter is your patio umbrella. Whether it’s a tabletop umbrella or weighted, these finicky items easily break in high winds.

8. Electric Lighting

Dramatic uplighting and romantic string lights set the tone for your patio, but they become hazards during the winter.

Unplug and store your electric lighting in a dry, safe area. This will prevent breakage, extend the lifespan of your lights, and help remove electric safety hazards when things get wet and windy.

9. Water Features

Fountains and bird baths should be moved indoors for the winter to prevent breakage. If water freezes in the fountain’s tubes or pipes, it could cause leaks. While simple cement bird baths don’t have piping, the freeze-and-thaw cycle of moisture could seep into the cracks and cause breakage.

If you can’t store your water features for the winter, protect them by draining them entirely and covering them with a secured tarp.

10. Hanging Decor

Wind chimes and stained glass suncatchers look lovely during the summer months. However, they could become flying hazards and break during winter storms. Take these down and tuck them away until the spring.

11. Sound Systems

If you have an outdoor sound system, move the speakers and wires indoors for the winter to prevent electric shortages, breakage, and safety hazards. Store these in a dry area until the spring.

12. Seasonal Maintenance Gear

Finally, tuck away your pool cleaning gear, gardening equipment, and other seasonal maintenance tools until the spring arrives. Make sure to clean and dry these before storing them to prevent rust.

What Patio Items Can I Leave Outside for Winter?

Ideally, you’ll store most of your patio furniture and equipment for the winter. However, if space is limited, you can leave these items outside:

• Grill or BBQ – if you can’t store this inside, secure it to a fixed location and cover it with a waterproof grill cover or tarp.
• Portable fireplace – if you can’t move your portable fireplace indoors, get a waterproof cover to prevent rust.
• Birdhouses and feeders – leaving places for your feathered friends to shelter and refuel is kind and considerate. Winterproof birdhouses with extra insulation, and ensure feeders are well secured.
• Metal furniture – powder-coated metal furniture can withstand the elements, but you should still cover it with a tarp to prevent rusting over time.
• Stone elements – statues and stone decor elements can stay where they are for the winter. Cover if you’re worried about thawing and freezing.
• Solar lights – most solar lights are weatherproofed, though you may need to dig them out of the snow.

While storing these items isn’t necessary, it will extend their lifespan. Consider covering and securing everything you leave out.

Patio Items You Should Store Away in the Winter: A Summary