How Much Maintenance Does Garden Furniture Need? Buy Garden Furniture that’s Built to Last

So, you’ve just ordered your new garden furniture from Corcoran’s. Maybe you’ve read our guide to buying garden tables, considered the best garden trends of 2022, and figured out the best ways to utilise your outdoor space, and now you’ve selected the perfect garden furniture pieces from our range. 

The next step is to ensure that your garden furniture looks great for years to come is to learn how to take proper care of it. When you buy garden furniture, it’s useful to be aware of the maintenance involved. Since it will be exposed to the elements out of doors, there are special considerations to keep in mind that are different to traditional indoor furniture. 

Read on to learn about the maintenance required for garden furniture, and how you can keep your outdoor pieces looking great and staying strong with ease.

How do you maintain different garden furniture types? 

The main difference in maintaining different outdoor furniture options is based on what they are made of. When you buy garden furniture, you are likely looking at the styles and appearances of your options, as well as their sturdiness and price. 

However, you might also want to consider how much work various materials will take to maintain, and how much effort you want to put in to looking after your outdoor furniture. 

A few of the most popular garden furniture materials are rattan, metal, plastic, and wood. You can find more specific care instructions for each of these furniture types in our previous blog post on storing garden furniture, but here’s a quick rundown: 

• Rattan: Rattan furniture requires minimal maintenance. Wipe with a damp cloth as needed and hoover at the end of the season to remove debris so it doesn’t cake into the grooves of the weave. 
• Metal: Use steel wool to remove rust if needed, and add a wax sealant to protect it from the elements. If you can, cover furniture when not in use to protect it from rain. 
• Plastic: Wipe down plastic furniture with a damp cloth. Because it tends to be the most lightweight type of garden furniture, the most important thing is to protect it from blowing away in the wind.
• Wood: Remove grime from wood furniture with warm, soapy water, and wipe away dust with a damp cloth. Make sure that the wood is completely dry before you store it away at the end of the season to avoid mould. 

Which garden furniture is the easiest to maintain? 

You want to buy garden furniture that offers the ideal mix of stylish looks and simple care, especially if you plan to leave it outside for the entire season. Plastic furniture requires the lowest amount of regular maintenance as it wipes clean with ease, although its lightweight design means that you do have to be aware of windy days. 

Metal furniture is heavy and durable, although it can be prone to rust. Additionally, metal garden sets often feature glass tabletops, so once again you have to be careful of winds that could knock over your garden tables and lead to the glass breaking. 

Wood furniture is generally low maintenance, although in very wet or humid weather there is a danger of warping or mildew. You’ll want to make sure wooden garden furniture is free from grime at the end of the season, and store it somewhere that avoids the damp. 

When it comes to the perfect combination of low-maintenance appeal and beautiful design, rattan furniture is hard to beat. If you want to buy garden furniture that’s built to last without too much extra work involved, the UV- and weather-resistant design of rattan furniture is a great option that also brings plenty of style to your outdoor space.

How do you maintain other garden accessories?

In addition to the main elements, garden furniture for sale often comes with accessories such as cushions, or you may opt for additional features like outdoor rugs or throws that will enhance your patio or yard setup. 

The easiest way to maintain these pieces is to bring them indoors when not in use. However, if you do choose to leave them outside for the summer, then cleaning them thoroughly at the end of the season before putting them away is important in order to prolong their use. 

High-quality, low-maintenance garden furniture for sale at Corcoran’s 

Corcoran’s has a fabulous collection of garden furniture available to buy for your perfect summer setup. Shop online now or visit us in store to find outdoor dining sets, swing chairs, and everything you need to create summer magic for your exterior. 

Need help deciding the best outdoor furniture to buy, or want to know more about taking care of your garden furniture so that it sees you through the seasons? Get in touch with our furniture experts; we’re always happy to assist.