Category Archives: Product Information

Don’t Miss RST Brands 4th of July Saving Event!

On the 4th of July, we celebrate freedom: the freedom we enjoy living in these United States of America, and the freedom to save money while we create our own American Dream.

Are you looking forward to a summer full of family, friends, and entertaining? We have what you need to whip your home into shape, both indoors and out, during our big 4th of July Savings Event.

Have you been hoping to create an intimate outdoor seating area, but just haven’t found the right pieces to fit your budget? Check out our Bloom and Knoxville collections for beautiful, durable furniture to create an outdoor space you’ll love.

Looking for an excuse to huddle up close with those you love? A fire pit is the perfect addition to your yard if you’re looking to extend your outdoor days into the night, with the added bonus of always having a means to make s’mores.

Patio umbrellas serve well to create more shade in your yard, covering your seating or dining area to make it usable no matter how hot the sun shines.

Is your outdoor area ready for a party, but your indoor spaces could use some work? Our Portofino Home and The Curated Room collections are full of lovely, comfortable, and contemporary pieces that will add character to any room in your home.

From June 29 through July 5, 2017, the more you buy, the more you save!

Use coupon code PATRIOT17 and use this 4th of July to celebrate not only your freedom to choose, but your freedom to save!

How To Protect Outdoor Furniture During The Winter

How Do You Prepare Outdoor Furniture For Winter?

Prepare outdoor furniture for winter by giving it a good cleaning. Use dish soap and water for wicker, iron, or plastic furniture, or a wood furniture cleaner on wood. Once your furniture is clean, choose a protective cover that properly fits your furniture piece. Finally, you’ll need to find the right outdoor furniture storage space. Some furniture can be stored outdoors during the winter, while other furniture will do best stored in a garage or shed.

How to Winterize Outdoor Furniture & Protect it from Snow

As the temperatures begin to drop and the trees start shedding their leaves, it’s time to start preparing for winter. Regardless of the materials, your outdoor furniture was crafted from-whether it be wood, wicker, metal, or plastic-it’s important that you store your patio set in a dry place where the snow can’t get to it. Leaving your furniture out in the snow all winter is a surefire way to ruin it.

Before retiring your patio set for the winter, use these tips to make sure you store it effectively.

Check the storage area for potential leaks and flaws in the structure that might allow rodents or water to get inside. Consider contacting companies like Boombox Storage to store your furniture safely if you think your storage area may not be secure. Once winter is over, you can ask them to deliver it back to you.
Wrap any glass pieces in blankets and/or towels to keep them from getting too cold and shattering when you bring them back out the following season.
Apply a water-repellent finish to reinforce furniture and protect it from any moisture that might find its way into the storage space.
Eradicate any signs of rust on your metal furniture or its components before putting it away for the next few months.
Fix any cracks you find in plastic furniture-however minor- or the cracks will likely spread until they’re too large to repair.
Use high-quality outdoor furniture winter covers for extra protection.

What Type of Outdoor Furniture is the Most Durable?

Your outdoor furniture will have to stand up to the sun’s strong rays in the summer, and elements like rain and snow in the winter. Choose a durable material to ensure your furniture can endure the wear and tear. If you want wood furniture, teak, eucalyptus, or cedar is a great choice that can face any weather. Popular and durable synthetic fabrics include plastic and synthetic resin wicker. Aluminum and steel are other common outdoor furniture materials that are lightweight and won’t mold or deteriorate over time.

Can I Leave My Patio Furniture Outside in the Winter?

Wondering how to protect patio furniture during the winter months? The answer depends on the type of material your furniture is made of. Durable wood like teak can stay outside all year long, but it’s best to apply a sealant at least once a year if you want the wood to keep its original color.

Synthetic wicker can also stay outside all year. However, natural rattan or wicker should be stored in a dry space during the winter months to avoid damage.

Metal and plastic should also be stored in a shed or garage during the winter if you want to keep it in good shape. These materials are susceptible to rust or mold if left in wet conditions for a long period.

What Are the Best Outdoor Furniture Brands?

Choose a high-quality outdoor furniture brand if you want your pieces to stand the test of time. High-end outdoor furniture companies use the finest materials and sound construction, so your furniture won’t crack or fade in just a few months.

How Do You Store Outdoor Furniture Cushions?

If you own a fabric outdoor couch or chair, you may have cushions that need to be stored away for the winter. Start out by cleaning your cushions with a hose and letting them completely dry before attempting to store. Do not skip this step – cushions that are even slightly moist can produce mold and will be ruined.

Cushions will last longer when stored in a clean, dry area, such as a shed, basement, or garage. Place cushions in large plastic bags to keep them protected when they’re not in use. You can buy outdoor cushion storage bags or use a large trash bag. Just make sure the bag is sealed tightly!

Does Outdoor Furniture Need To Be Covered?

Outdoor furniture covers are always a good idea, no matter which type of furniture you own. Covering outdoor furniture will make it last longer and preserve the look and color of your furniture pieces. It’s important to find a furniture cover that fits properly so your furniture is protected from snow, wind, and rain. Though furniture covers do require upfront costs, you’ll save money in the long run by enjoying your outdoor furniture for many years to come.

How Do You Maintain Outdoor Furniture?

No matter the season, it’s important to care and maintain your outdoor furniture. Proper upkeep will prolong the life of your furniture so you can keep it for much longer than if you never gave the furniture a second thought. Here are a few tips for maintaining outdoor furniture:

Clean furniture once a month, using a dish soap and water mixture or special furniture cleaner.
Don’t let mold or mildew spread. Clean it off as soon as you spot it, using a glove and wet rag.
Apply stains and sealants to wood furniture every 1-3 years to maintain the vibrant color and shine.
Let the furniture dry completely in the sun after every cleaning.
Cover and store furniture when not in use.

How to protect outdoor furniture and cushions from rain

Unlike snow, frequent rainstorms don’t dominate an entire season, which makes them less predictable. In order to protect your outdoor furniture set from getting caught in a rainstorm, you have two options:

You can constantly monitor your local weather reports and move your furniture indoors at every slight chance of incoming rain.
You can keep your furniture protected whenever you’re not using it with durable outdoor furniture protection.

To make your life easier, we encourage you to protect your furniture with covers. Protect your investment with the best outdoor furniture protection made from durable materials and designed to provide sufficient ventilation and a water-resistant barrier.

If your furniture is made from metal or plastic, then you’ll need water-proof covers to prevent cracks and rust. If your patio set is largely comprised of wood or wicker, then covers with optimal ventilation will help to prevent mold and mildew.

How to Protect Outdoor Cushions From Sun Damage

All too often, consumers focus on how to protect outdoor furniture from the weather, but they don’t even consider the harmful effects of the sun. Protect your furniture from fading and sun damage by keeping it in a shaded area, adding shade wherever necessary (or possible), and using ventilated covers when the furniture isn’t being used.

Sufficient ventilation is especially important during hot and/or humid summers.

How to Protect Outdoor Furniture Cushions

The best way to protect outdoor furniture cushions is to store them in a cool, dry place whenever you aren’t using them. It also helps to treat them with a waterproofing spray regularly. In doing so, you can prevent mold, mildew, or water damage from a surprise rainstorm.

Are Outdoor Cushions Water Resistant?

Some furniture sets are made from water-resistant materials, but that doesn’t mean they’re entirely waterproof. Even acrylic isn’t totally invincible to water damage and can suffer cracks, tears, and discoloration if exposed to too much moisture. Even if the manufacturer claims that the cushions are waterproof, we urge you to play it safe with treatments and proper storage.

How to Protect Outdoor Cushions from Fading

Want to know how to protect outdoor furniture cushions from fading? It can be frustrating when the bright and beautiful patterns of your new outdoor furniture quickly fade. The trick to protecting your outdoor furniture cushions is to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. Bring the cushions inside when not in use and keep them clean with our custom furniture-cleaning sprays. This will help you keep the patterns and colors of your patio furniture as lovely as the day you first bought it.

Where to Store Your Outdoor Furniture?

If you’re wondering how to protect patio furniture in winter, the best tip is to find the proper storage space. Every house has different options, but here are a few ideas:

Shed: Mid-size pieces like ottomans or side tables can be stored in a shed for the winter.
Bins: Bins are a great way to store outdoor furniture cushions, rugs, and other small items.
Storage Bag: Storage bags are essential for any outdoor furniture cushions you might be storing for the season. Once the cushions are clean and dry in the bag, place them in a bin or other storage area.
Garage: If you have room in the garage, this could be a great place to store larger items like outdoor couches and tables.
Basement: Basements are usually dark and dry, making them a great place to store more delicate outdoor furniture pieces like natural rattan and wicker.
Lynchburg storage units: If you don’t have the space at home, you may want to consider renting a Storage Barn air conditioning unit for this particular season. This will not only keep your furniture in pristine condition, due to the climate control environment that they are placed in, but it will also help to keep your items safe from the elements for the duration of the winter months.

Best Practices

Make sure all furniture is dry before placing it in storage, and choose a storage space that won’t be susceptible to flooding or water leaks.
Keep an eye on your furniture during the winter. Check on it once a month to make sure nothing is wet, moldy, or being damaged by rodents. In case, you spot any mold growing on the furniture, or if the area is moist, for that matter, then it would be best that you call a Mold and Water Damage Restoration company near you to take a look at it.
Take off any removable pieces like umbrellas and cushions before putting items in storage.
Clean and dust furniture before you store it away.
Choose a temperature-controlled storage space to preserve more delicate outdoor furniture like wicker.

Remember to take special consideration before you put your outdoor furniture into a storage space. Choose a place that is free of moisture and rodents, and make sure your furniture is covered but also well-ventilated. Don’t leave your furniture in storage and only come back for it once winter is over. Check in on your furniture every month to make sure it is in good condition.

Cyber Monday Special! Jump On These Deals Today!

Missed out on the Black Friday deal? We have you covered! In honor of Cyber Monday, we are offering a great discount you’re not going to miss out on!

From November 28 to November 29, take—

15% off your order if you spend up to $999,

25% off when you spend $1,000 – $2,499, or

35% off for orders $2,500 or higher.

We have something everyone is sure to enjoy from our outdoor furniture sets which are sure to brighten up your outdoor space to our stylish fire tables. Perhaps you’re looking for a patio umbrella to provide you shade and protection from the hot sun? We have you covered on all outdoor patio ideas so come and explore our collections!

When placing your order, use the promo code: CyberFun16

Don’t wait any longer and make your patio dreams come true this year! Remember to share the cheer and share this with your family and friends too!

Black Friday Is Here! Don’t Miss These Amazing Deals!

Thanksgiving is here and you know what that means! Black Friday deals are back! This year we have some phenomenal promotions for you to surprise that special someone. These deals won’t last long (November 24, 6 PM until November 27) so move now!

We have a lot of stylish, modern designs everyone is sure to fall in love with! Explore our outdoor furniture sets to transform your backyard patio into the perfect place to relax and entertain.

Settle into the winter months with one of our stylish fire tables and cozy up to your special someone while looking out at the night sky. Perhaps you’re looking for something to protect your outdoor patio furniture from the harsh winter months? We have a wide range of outdoor furniture covers to ensure your items continue to look great for years to come.

Over the few days, take—

15% off your order if you spend up to $999,

25% off when you spend $1,000 – $2,499, or

35% off for orders $2,500 or higher.

When placing your order, use the promo code: FridayB16

This is your year to have the patio you always dreamed of! Don’t wait and make sure to share this great offer with your family and friends!

How to Preserve Outdoor Furniture

Finding the perfect outdoor furniture to fit your style, needs, and space can be very difficult. When you finally do find a piece or set that work for your yard, you’ll want to keep it in the best condition possible. While minimal wear and damage are to be expected given that this furniture is left outdoors, there are some steps you can take to preserve it so you can enjoy it for years to come.

Regular Care & Cleaning

While in use, it’s important to find ways to keep your outdoor furniture clean and useable. One way you can do this is to spray off tables and chairs with a garden hose once a week, or more as needed. Scrub off surfaces that look particularly dirty and dingy, using soap also when necessary.

Cleaning Upholstery

Pillows and upholstered surfaces add to the cozy and comfortable feel of outdoor furniture, and thus should be given special care since more is required to keep them clean, including regular laundering when possible. It is also wise to consider keeping pillows stored away until you plan to use them.

Store Properly for Winter

The only thing more damaging to outdoor furniture than the sun is winter weather. When the end of the season draws near, you should find a safe place to store all of your outdoor items, including large furniture pieces. Storage within a shed or garage should be sufficient, but in the event that you do not have the extra space, there are a few ways you can prep your furniture to keep it as safe as possible while out in the elements. Consider purchasing an outdoor furniture cover that can protect your chairs, tables, or other furniture from the elements.

Preparing Outdoor Furniture for Winter

Every outdoor material is different and should be cared for accordingly:

Plastic—Items made from plastic can benefit from a simple wash with detergent, something you will likely want to repeat prior to its first use in the spring.

Wood—A combination of bleach, detergent, and soap will rid wood furniture of any dirt, mold, and mildew. Consider applying a water repellent coating, especially if you intend to leave wood furniture out during the winter months.

Metal—Water and detergent are strong enough to clean metal, and a good sanding should remove any rust. Car wax adds a protective layer to this furniture that you’ll find beneficial, especially if it will be left to withstand the elements of winter.

Wicker—Wicker is one material that doesn’t do well in winter weather. In fact, it should be stored high to ensure no water reaches it during the winter season. A mixture of water and bleach kills any mold and mildew, ensuring your wicker furniture will be ready for use when the weather warms.

Cedar or Teak—As with wicker, bleach and water are sufficient to clean any cedar or teak furniture in your yard. Apply a tung oil after cleaning, and this material should hold up well when left outdoors all winter.

Find out what material your furniture is made out of. If there are multiple differing materials, try incorporating the tips given for each material.

Make Your Furniture Last

Incorporating these tips will help preserve your outdoor furniture. While outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements, it doesn’t mean that you should neglect taking care of your furniture. Don’t let your furniture become an eyesore when you want to relax outside in the warm weather. Take the time to care for your outdoor furniture.

What to Look for When Selecting Patio Furniture

Tis the season for birthday party BBQs and backyard entertaining, which may have you rethinking your 1970s lawn chair hanging by a few threads and the cooler you’ve been using as outdoor seating.

Perks of adding a new set of patio furniture include enjoying your morning coffee while soaking up some rays, making memories with your family around an outdoor board game, and long conversations with friends under the stars. Embrace the summer spirit and make room on your patio for a new, durable, and stylish set of outdoor furniture from RST Brands.

Seating

The most important feature of your patio furniture set needs to be ample seating with a mixture of solo and group seating. Make your guests feel relaxed with versatile seating like single chairs or more cozy couch-style seating for 2-3 people at a time. Ottomans are a great addition to your furniture set which allow guests to put up their feet and they can also double as extra seating when the party gets crowded.

Durability

Patio furniture has to be durable and able to withstand Mother Nature’s wear and tear. You want a sturdy material that can handle the elements and won’t need replacing by the next summer. RST Brands offers heavy-duty powder-coated aluminum frame sets that are corrosion-free and maintain their style and comfort for years. The thick, breathable foam cushions not only contour to each sitter, but also are sturdy enough to avoid breakdown of support over time.

Low-Maintenance Outdoor Tablecloths & Seat Cushions

BBQs means food and food means spills. To be able to keep your furniture in top shape, you want a fabric that is easy to clean and repels all types of liquid. All-weather, fade-resistant fabric ensures that your guests are not sitting on soggy cushions. If spills do occur, cleaning is as easy as a simple cleanser and a hose. Just cover it for the winter and it will be like new every summer.

Comfort

Guests won’t stay long enough to get to the s’mores if they are standing all night or stuck in an uncomfortable, flimsy chair. A perk of great patio furniture is allowing guests to feel at home and comfortable to lounge while enjoying your company. Foam cushions, proper back support, and deep chairs provide “the chair away from home” that will keep your guests relaxing and chatting well into the night.

Style

When you’re hosting family, friends, or even people you’re meeting for the first time, you want to make a good impression. You want your patio furniture to have a little style, and with RST Brands, style doesn’t have to come at a high price. Accent pillows in bright and classy patterns are included in the purchase of your set. Try pairing your solid neutral cushions with bright patterned accent pillows for a look that will really wow your guests.

Choosing a great set of patio furniture from RST Brands comes with all the perks of being stylish and comfortable while requiring low maintenance and remaining durable. Create a backyard oasis to entertain and relax with your friends and family.

Watch our very own Kristy Day interview with KSL Studio host, Brooke Walker:

2016 Outdoor Furniture Styles to Fall in Love With

Summer is almost here, and that means you will soon be lounging by the pool with a cold iced tea or pulling out your apron to barbecue some of your famous ribs.

New Year’s celebrations have long passed and that means summer is on its way. Get your living space ready with one these beautiful 2016 outdoor furniture styles you’re sure to fall in love with.

Natural Elegance

Keeping it natural allows your outdoor furniture to blend in with the world around you, and connecting with nature is a huge trend in 2016. Try this wicker look to keep the natural elements alive in your outdoor space.

Wicker is a great addition to any patio because the woven design won’t diminish its surroundings. However, that doesn’t mean wicker can’t be elegant. A dark, espresso color will keep your outdoor space stylish and classy. Pick a neutral color palette to accompany your wicker set so the style stays consistent with your lush surroundings.

We love this Deco 9-Piece Dining Set. Its sleek frame brings a classy touch to any outdoor space, while the wicker and wood tabletop will flow well with your backyard environment.

Traditional and Bold

Sometimes it’s fun to stray from the natural by adding a bold color to your outdoor space. If you’re looking for something more petite to fill your outdoor lounge, why not think about choosing a minimal furniture design with a bold hue to complement your space.

With summer fast approaching, it’s hard not to get lost in bright, citrus colors that abound in many backyard setups. But, those that really stand out in 2016 are the bold, yet more demure colors. Choose dark, deep accents over the flashy “look-at-me” colors to give your patio a unique, on-trend touch.

This Astoria 6-Piece Lounge Set is the perfect addition for anyone looking to keep their space traditional, while the navy cushions add that touch of modern we love. The set offers sleek curves and a light frame that doesn’t overpower the surrounding elements.

Modern and Natural

Do you love both modern and natural? It can be hard to choose between the two different styles, but 2016 is all about finding a balance between the two.

Mixing the two styles doesn’t have to be eclectic. Instead of mixing random pieces together, choose pieces that combine textures. This offers a unique style without introducing competing patterns.

For outdoor spaces, consider mixing wicker and aluminum. This combination creates a contemporary look for any patio. The Vistano 7-Piece Lounge Set engenders both a modern and timeless feel. The combination of the aluminum frame with clean modern lines works with wicker, which adds that elegant, natural look. The cushions are kept a soft cream so the interesting frame can stand out on its own.

Conclusion

Natural, demurely bold, and eclectic textures: these are the 2016 outdoor trends that you will see time and time again featured in the pages of your favorite magazines and on the patios of your friends.

Is your outdoor furniture on-trend or outdated? If your furniture is a few years old, it may be time to upgrade. Find all of the styles you want made with lasting, quality materials at RST Brands.

Make Sure Your Furniture Will Fit! [Infographic]

Ever worry that the new furniture you just bought won’t even fit through the doors of your home?

You’re not alone. And before you buy anything, you have to make sure your furniture will fit. Our “FURNITURE FIT 101” infographic will help!

Your key considerations include:

Halls and Doorways

Entryways

Planning a Pathway

Companies like RST often list furniture dimensions on their website.

How Do You Know It’s Time to Store Your Outdoor Furniture? 5 Things You Should Know

Feeling a slight nip in the air? Are you actually having to put on a jacket now when you go outside in the morning?

Brace yourselves, winter is coming…and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. The time for outdoor parties is quickly coming to an end and you need to make sure that your outdoor furniture is able to survive until the next party season.

When you see the leaves start to fall and tank tops being replaced with long-sleeved shirts and hoodies, you know it’s time to get ready to store your outdoor furniture for winter. For many unfortunate procrastinators, winter is a death sentence to patio or backdoor furniture.

If you’ve spent the money to make your outdoor relaxation time as comfortable as possible, do yourself a favor and make your investment last by keeping these five tips in mind as you get your outdoor furniture ready for winter.

1. Pay attention to what your furniture is made of!

Is your outdoor furniture metal? If so, what kind of metal is it? Is it the kind of metal that rusts when it gets wet? Is it made of plastic or wood? Are there any glass attachments? Are your cushions made of waterproof acrylic or some other kind of material?

All these questions play a huge factor in how you store your outdoor chairs and tables. A rule that can be universally applied to all types of outdoor furniture is to store it in a clean, dry place. Here’s a small checklist that you can use to make sure your storage area is up to the challenge of winter:

Are there any water leaks?

Are there termites or other bugs?

Does the storage area have any mold already?

Are there flammable hazards?

Will it get so cold that it will cause plastic to crack?

Could anything fall and break glass?

2. “Water Resistant” doesn’t necessarily mean “Waterproof”

Over time, furniture that is designed to be waterproof can lose some of its water repelling qualities. Many types of wood furniture collections are either chemically treated to be water-resistant or have naturally occurring water-resistant properties. However, no matter what kind of wood your outdoor furniture is made of, water always has the potential to be absorbed, causing furniture to crack or erode from the inside.

Before you get ready to store your wood furniture for the winter, make sure you apply a water-repellent finish to it. Most professionals in the woodworking industry recommend a finish that is lacquer based because it adds to the richness of the wood, dries quickly, and is incredibly strong.

3. Ignoring rust spots is a HUGE mistake!

If rust spots are already starting to appear on your furniture, it’s important that you get rid of them before you store the furniture away for the winter. If you don’t, the rust will spread and cause structural damage that will make the furniture unsafe to use. Plus, let’s be honest, it looks terrible!

Grab your drill, make sure that it has a metal bristle brush attachment, and buff out those rust spots before they start to spread. Just before you store your metal furniture, prevent new rust from forming by applying a high-quality paste wax to all areas that could potentially rust. In addition to applying a paste wax, make sure your metal furniture is also covered during storage.

4. Don’t just ignore a crack

Has anyone ever told you to get that small crack in your windshield repaired before winter so that it doesn’t spread?

Apply the same logic to your plastic outdoor furniture. If you don’t take care of any small cracks right away before winter, they will just get larger and larger, eventually leading to the furniture being damaged beyond repair. So, how do you fix cracking in plastic outdoor furniture?

Some larger cracks just aren’t fixable and that’s life. But in the case of small cracking, applying an epoxy resin can work very well. Just spread the resin over the cracked areas, making sure that it is applied smoothly. After the resin is applied and hardens, you can sand it down to get rid of any unseemly bumps.

5. Glass needs extra special attention

Glass table tops can be a whole other beast to store on their own. The obvious reason is because they are more fragile than the rest of your outdoor dining pieces, but the most important thing that you need to remember when you are storing outdoor glass is to keep it covered in a warm place!

If you let glass sit in cold places for an extended period of time, it is much more susceptible to getting weak and shattering when it is finally taken out of storage. Keeping it covered not only keeps the glass from getting nicked and scraped by the everyday happenings of life, but it also gives it a much needed layer of insulation. If you have any extra blankets lying around that aren’t being used, wrap your glass table tops in them and secure them on with rope or bungee cords. Once it’s wrapped, make sure it is stored in an area where things won’t fall on it and there isn’t a threat of it rolling away or falling over.

Conclusion

You have two options when it’s time to store your outdoor furniture for the winter.

You can either let winter be your furniture’s demise and watch your investment go down the drain, or you can take the necessary steps now to make sure that it lasts for years to come. You didn’t invest your money into outdoor furniture to watch it rust, crack, mold, or wither away after using it for one season.

These five tips will help you not only keep your outdoor furniture longer, but enjoy it longer too.

Make Your Outdoor Furniture Last All Four Seasons

Purchasing high quality outdoor furniture is a year-round commitment. You wouldn’t expect a pool to just take care of itself throughout the year would you? So don’t expect your outdoor furniture to do it either. Unfortunately, many people don’t know where to start.

Luckily, we’ve come up with a short maintenance guide that you can use to keep your outdoor furniture looking and feeling great all year-round.

SPRING

The spring months are probably when you will use your patio furniture set the most. It’s not too hot, not too cold, and there’s plenty of sunshine to go around. However, one thing that spring does bring a lot of is rain, and rain can cause a lot of damage to wood and threaten metal-framed chairs and tables with rust.

To help your patio or backyard furniture make it through the storm, there are a few things you can do for your wood or metal frames.

Wood Frames – The biggest thing that you want to look out for is mildew. Mildew not only looks bad, but it can smell and if you’re not careful, it can ruin a wood frame over time. To protect your furniture, start by clearing off the mildew spores with a soft brush, so as not to damage the wood. Once the mildew is cleared off, wash the whole frame with a damp soft cloth then let it dry. Once the frame is dry, pick out a good synthetic resin water repellent that matches the color of the wood and apply it to the frame.

Metal Frames – Rust is the ultimate killer of all metal-framed outdoor furniture. Obviously, the best way to prevent rusting is to keep the furniture dry, which is why investing in good furniture covers is always a good idea. But what if rust has already gotten to your frame? The simplest method is by getting your hands dirty and scrubbing it out. Power drills often come with metallic bristle attachments designed for this kind of work. It’s important to remember when using the drill bristle to make sure you only use it over the rusted areas so that you don’t cause unnecessary damage to any other areas of the frame.

SUMMER

Summer is the season of outdoor barbecues and pool parties and as a result, your outdoor furniture will most likely be getting lots of use. Here are two really quick tips on how to make your summer parties more enjoyable and safe:

The thing about outdoor furniture protection that you have to remember during summer is that heat not only makes your outdoor chairs hot, but it makes you hot. When you’re hot, you sweat. When you sit in your chair, you sweat on your chair. When you sweat in your chair, it accumulates and…well…you can guess what accumulated sweat smells like.

So do yourself a favor, just like how you would clean off a bench at the gym after using it, clean off your outdoor chairs after using them in summer. No one wants a smelly barbecue.

Let’s be honest, not every outdoor chair has a high quality Sunbrella seat cover like RST Brands. So to help protect your seat covers from fading in the intense summer sun, you can either store them in shaded areas or invest in furniture covers to protect them while they aren’t being used. You bought the furniture because you liked the way it looked, so keep it that way.

FALL

Fall is the awkward stage of the year for outdoor furniture.

“Do I use it still?” “Is it too cold outside?” “Does it look like it’s going to snow?”

Instead of just letting your furniture sit awkwardly outside during the autumn months, treat fall like the ultimate maintenance period. Oil those hinges. Buff out the last little bits of rust that have accumulated throughout the year. Apply that final coat of resin to keep it water tight and safe for the upcoming winter.

One thing that outdoor furniture can be used for in the fall is gathering around a fire pit with friends to enjoy the last few weeks of cooler weather before the extreme cold of winter hits. In that case, fire safety is an important thing to keep in mind. Remember these outdoor fireplace safety tips:

Sometimes, the resin on wooden frames can be VERY flammable, so don’t park your chair too close to open flames.

Metal gets hot! I know it’s obvious, but some people need to be reminded every now and then. Don’t be that person that ends up with a burn scar the width of your outdoor chair metal frame because you sat way too close to a fire for too long.

Some chair covers are plastic based and when heated, they can melt to skin pretty quickly.

Falling leaves are dry, flammable, and capable of spreading flames everywhere.

If you practice common sense both with yourself and your outdoor furniture, fall can be a very enjoyable time of year. Just remember to be safe.

WINTER

The only thing that comes to most people’s minds during winter, when it comes to outdoor furniture, is storing it. Storage for your backyard or patio furniture during the winter months is just as important as regular maintenance is during the spring and summer. When getting your furniture ready for storage, remember:

Make sure your storage area stays dry throughout the year. That way you can avoid rust, mold, and mildew. Get it clean first, especially your cushions. Proper cleaning before storing can reduce the chance of mold growth.

If you’re using outdoor furniture covers, make sure they are fastened COMPLETELY. The last thing you want is to have water leaking all winter and potentially ruining your frames.

Hopefully this helps! Remember, purchasing backyard furniture is a commitment just like any other household purchase, but it’s a commitment that can make your relaxing time at home all the more enjoyable.