How To Find The Right Patio Furniture Covers
Have you ever looked for outside patio furniture covers? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Every time my kids want to eat outside I feel like I need to wash down our patio table as it generally covered with squirrel prints and bird poop. I just wasn’t comfortable with my family eating off the table before I had a chance to give it a scrub in some soapy water.
Without annual or bi-annual maintenance my patio furniture really can show its age. I have some great patio furniture. It’s the kind that looks a lot more expensive than it really is. I was able to get it for half price at Lowes about five years ago and I have loved it ever since. The other reason I am searching for some new patio furniture covers is that the elements can be unkind to the finish. The furniture has really aged fairly well but it takes some diligent annual maintenance.
Almost every autumn I have a fall clean up ritual that involves the whole family. I lightly sand the table and chairs, re-apply a teak or walnut stain and then rub some furniture oil into the wood. The patio furniture really looks fresh and nice when I’m finished. Undoubtedly, this little effort has saved me money by adding years to the life of my furniture. I don’t really mind the job and enjoy the fact that it has become a family tradition. However, having some new outdoor patio furniture covers might allow me the time to do other fall clean up jobs.
Basically I want new outdoor patio furniture so I can work less. I don’t want to wash the table 3 or 4 times per week and I’d prefer not to have to refinish the table every fall. There are remarkably few stores that stock these covers. The covers I have seen were either overly priced, darn ugly or the wrong size. Furthermore, I have spoken to my extended family about buying covers and it would appear they aren’t a must-have item for this year.
Given the effort I’ve put into finding the covers, I have been able to clearly define what I need to get out of the covers. The covers need to be water resistant and washable. I’m ok with covering the furniture with a tarp during the harsh winter so the patio furniture covers don’t need to stand up to snow and freezing weather. They need to be reasonably priced. In my mind, I should be able to cover 4 chairs and a 3.5′ by 6′ patio table for under $100US.
Buying outdoor patio furniture covers can be harder than you think. When you factor in price, colour, and quality you greatly narrow the field. Furthermore, I find the covers are less available than I would have thought. I am seriously considering having these covers custom made. I’m going to write articles and blog on patio furniture covers until I finally find a set that suits me.