Patio furniture can be a sizable investment, one that you don’t want to have to make year in and year out. One of the best ways to keep your outdoor furniture looking like new for years are patio furniture covers.

Patio furniture covers will keep the elements from taking their toll on your furniture. From the harsh rays of the sun, the torrential rains of spring and fall and the cold weather and even snow of winter, your furniture can quickly fade, crack and weaken.

Unfortunately, each piece of furniture doesn’t come with its own cover. Still, there are plenty of choices out on the market, from patio furniture covers for single chairs to ones that cover an entire sofa or love seat.

When selecting the right covers, there are some things you’ll want to consider.

First, you want to select the smallest cover possible. You want it snug enough that it won’t be prone to billowing in winds, which could rip the cover. But you don’t want it to be so tight that a light breeze will cause it to strain to the point of tearing.

Patio furniture covers that fit properly also won’t form sags where water can collect. This standing water could potentially work its way into the furniture over time. It also can serve as a breeding ground for insects, particularly mosquitoes.

To measure your patio furniture covers you’ll need a pad, pencil and tape measure.

Start by measuring from the highest point on the back of the furniture to the ground. Then measure the width at the widest point. Finally measure from the front to the widest point on the back of the chair, sofa or love seat.
This will give you the height, width and depth of the furniture. If your piece of furniture has arms, you may want to measure them well as some patio furniture covers mirror the general shape of the chair.

If you have a table with a set of chairs, push all the chairs in before you start to measure. First, measure from the ground to the top of the chair. Then measure the width and length of the table from the back of the chair to the back of the chair on the other side. Make sure the legs don’t stick out farther than the back. If they do, factor that into your measurement.

Now that you know the sizes you need, it’s time to consider the type of weather you have. If you’re in a rainy part of the country, you’ll want to get covers that are of thick plastic or waterproof canvas.

It if gets humid in the off-season, consider patio furniture covers that can breathe a bit so that your furniture doesn’t become moldy. Don’t be tempted to go with the cheapest cover, especially if your furniture is high quality. You’ll be very disappointed at the end of the season.

It’s highly recommended that you shop around for your covers. While there may be few choices in your local home improvement or outdoor furniture store, there are plenty of patio furniture covers to be found online. You’ll find that the selection is better since online warehouses often offer better selection.

If your furniture is going to be left out in the open, be sure you select patio furniture covers that are attractive. Anyone who’s had to stare at a bunch of blue tarps held down by bricks on an otherwise pristine snow covered day will understand the importance of getting covers that are nice to look at.

Finally, be sure that you bring the cushions inside before covering your furniture for the season. The cushions can mold and mildew and if left out too long, can be ruined if they stay on the furniture. Clean them, dry them, then put them away in the garage or basement until the sun returns once again.

Author Bio: Jesse Akre owns Edenvale Shoppes and hosts numerous furniture and furnishings for any home whether it be towel bars or outdoor benches styles and designs.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: bath accessories,towel bars,towel hooks,towel racks,towel stands,towel rings