7 Types of Outdoor Furniture to Leave Outside All Year Round
There's a particular pleasure in a garden that stays dressed for winter. You skip the October ritual of hauling sofas into the shed and the April job of putting them back, and the space looks like itself all year, ready the moment a bright cold morning invites you out. The trick is choosing pieces genuinely built for permanent outdoor life. Our premium outdoor garden furnishings are designed on exactly that basis, and these seven types are the ones that can be left out with confidence.
1. Aluminium Dining Sets
Powder coated aluminium is the gold standard for year round living because the metal can't rust and the coating protects the finish through every season. An aluminium dining set can stand on the patio from January to December needing no more than an occasional wash, which is why it's the frame behind most of our ranges. It's also easy to live with day to day, because the frames are light enough to shuffle around for a bigger table setting without any heavy lifting.
2. Synthetic Rattan Sofa and Corner Sets
Weatherproof synthetic rattan is woven for permanent outdoor use, with UV protected finishes that endure all year round. The frames beneath quality sets are aluminium, so the whole structure is happy outside. The one job left to you is the cushions, and knowing how to go about protecting rattan garden furniture from the rain keeps a set looking new with very little effort.
3. Rope Weave Lounge Sets
The synthetic rope on modern lounge sets is designed to withstand UV exposure and wet conditions, and it dries quickly once the rain passes. Woven over powder coated aluminium, it's a combination with no component that needs to hide from the weather, which is why rope has become the signature look of contemporary gardens. It's simple to keep looking fresh too, since a light jet wash lifts dust straight out of the weave.
4. Aluminium Sun Loungers
Loungers migrate around the garden chasing the sun, so their light, rustproof aluminium frames earn their keep twice over. They can winter exactly where autumn left them, and a rinse in spring has them ready for the first warm weekend. If yours stack, even better, since grouping them in a sheltered corner ahead of winter storms takes all of a minute.
5. Garden Storage Boxes
A weatherproof storage box is the piece that makes every other piece work harder, because it gives cushions a dry home two steps from the seating. Built for permanent outdoor duty, it stays out all year by definition, and it's the reason the rest of the set keeps its plump, cared for look.
6. Aluminium Pergolas
A louvred aluminium pergola is engineered as a permanent structure: rustproof, UV protected and waterproof with the roof closed. It stands through winter without dismantling, and on the first mild evening of the year it's the reason you're outside while the neighbours are watching telly.
7. Outdoor Kitchens
Purpose built outdoor kitchens are constructed for garden life, with cabinets and grills designed to live outside. Fitting covers over grills and appliances between uses keeps everything clean and ready, and means winter barbecuing is a decision you can make at lunchtime.
One Rule That Covers All Seven
Frames, weave, rope and structures stay out; fabrics come in. Cushions on even the finest sets are shower resistant and should be stored when bad weather arrives, which is the single habit that keeps year round furniture looking new. A breathable cover over unused pieces does the rest, keeping frames clean and stopping water pooling in seat bases, and because the fabric breathes, nothing clammy builds up underneath while the furniture waits for spring.
Furnish It Once, Enjoy It All Year
At Chimes, we deliver every range above with a 2 man team to the exact spot in the garden where it'll live, so the set goes straight into service. Explore our collections online or at our Essex showroom, and set the garden up for all four seasons in one go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can garden storage boxes stay outside in winter?
Yes. Weatherproof garden storage boxes are designed for permanent outdoor use in all seasons, and winter is when they earn their place, keeping cushions and fabrics dry while frames and weave stay out uncovered.
Does frost damage aluminium furniture?
No. Aluminium doesn't absorb water, so there's nothing for frost to expand and crack, and the metal can't rust. Aluminium framed furniture can stay outside through freezing conditions without damage.
Is it OK to leave a parasol outside all year?
A parasol can stay in place through the warmer months if it's closed and secured when not in use. Through winter it's better stored or fitted with a protective cover, because canopy fabric benefits from the same care as cushions.
Should firepit tables be covered when not in use?
Covering the burner area is good practice, because it keeps rain and debris out of the burner tray and means the table lights cleanly next time. The aluminium table itself is built to stay outside all year.
Can outdoor kitchens stay uncovered all year?
The cabinetry of a purpose built outdoor kitchen is designed for permanent outdoor use. Grills and appliances are best fitted with covers between uses, which keeps cooking surfaces clean and extends their working life.
