How to Keep Outdoor Furniture Safe with Tarps Year-Round

While walking together along the gently sloping hills of the Colorado mountain campground, my friend looked up at the wide-open sky, sighed contentedly, and exclaimed, “Ahhh! Kissed by the sun!”

Many times since that morning remembering her comment, I smile. How often I’ve been “kissed by the sun’s” warmth.

That is the upside, but the sun also has a downside. The sun’s rays damage the outdoor furniture on your porch or patio. Consequently, enjoy the kisses of the sun while you are relaxing or partying, but keep your outdoor furniture safe with tarps at other times!

Tarps are affordable, easy to manipulate, and an effective solution, not only to the sun’s kisses, but also to other outdoor furniture enemies.

Ready to keep your outdoor furniture safe? Discover our range of durable tarps designed for every season.

Why You Should Protect Outdoor Furniture

Harmful Sun Rays

Sunbathing may be a great activity for you personally, but it can be damaging to your outdoor furniture, your grill, and your jacuzzi. Prolonged periods of the sun’s rays will cause the furniture--including fabric, wood, and painted areas--to fade and discolor with time. In addition, the fabric and surfaces may become cracked and brittle from the powerful UV rays beating down upon them.

Changing Weather

Sudden weather changes encourage deterioration of outdoor furniture. Rain, hail, wind and snow all work to lessen their beauty and life span. Sap from nearby trees, animal droppings, dust and dirt in the air, and falling leaves and branches are not friends to outdoor furniture.

Tarps are the answer for protecting outdoor furniture from these attacks of nature. Keep your furniture safe—protect it yearlong with tarps!

Top Benefits of Keeping Outdoor Furniture Safe with Tarps

Weather Resistant

Covering the entire porch or patio area with an appropriate tarp is one possibility. Using smaller tarps to cover a group of furniture or individual pieces is another option.  Whatever the size or type of outdoor furniture you have, a weather-resistant tarp is available for protection.

Durable

Tarps are durable. Fabric covers will weaken and fade when attacked by rain, hail, sun, wind, and mildew.  Tarps will protect your outdoor furniture for years if cared for appropriately.

Cost effective & Adjustable

Custom covers are expensive. Tarps are a cost-effective alternative for shielding your outdoor furniture from the elements. Tarps are a flexible covering regardless of the furniture shape and easy to remove and store when not needed.

A tarp will fit different pieces and sizes of furniture. When you replace a chair or table or another piece, a new custom cover will be needed. However, a tarp covering can simply be transferred from the old chair to the new chair, continuing its job of protection. Re-using is a great way to save money!

Preventative

Properly used, tarps prevent those ugly menaces of rust, mildew, and rot from creeping in and eating up the beauty and strength of outdoor furniture. An easy way to keep furniture clean and dry when not in use is to cover it with a protective tarp.

Shop our waterproof, UV-resistant tarps now and protect your furniture from sun, rain, and snow.

How to Choose the Best Tarps for Outdoor Furniture Protection

Materials

When choosing the right tarp to keep your outdoor furniture safe, the material of which the tarp is made makes a difference.

Polyethylene

These plastic tarps are inexpensive and versatile. In addition, they are lightweight, will protect from water damage, and can last for years, depending upon their use and care. Protection from sun rays is another benefit when using a poly tarp to keep your furniture sheltered from the elements. 

Vinyl

Since vinyl is two times heavier than heavy-duty polyethylene, these waterproof tarps are resistant to tearing and can better survive high winds and pelting rain.

Protection from mildew and mold is also one of the defensive properties of vinyl tarps. Do you need to cover a jacuzzi? Purchase a vinyl tarp! Is your grill open to nature’s attacks? Cover it with a vinyl tarp!

Although they cost a little more than poly tarps, vinyl tarps durability and longevity make them worth it.

Canvas

Premium canvas tarps are very strong, long lasting, and waterproof. They have the feel of fabric.

Canvas material has natural ventilation properties for air flow. Because these tarps are waterproof, they discourage mildews, mold, and rust from ruining outdoor furniture.

In addition, our canvas is colorfast; colors will not bleed onto the furniture. Neither will the canvas tarps shrink. Premium canvas tarps are great for protecting outdoor valuables.

Considerations

If your outdoor furniture is completely exposed to the elements, consider the following needs:

The tarp should be waterproof to protect from both morning dew and rain showers. Covering the furniture will keep it safe and dry from water damage, mildew, and mold.

The tarp should be UV resistant. The sun’s rays can destroy the fabric, the paint, and the beauty of your furniture if not protected.

The tarp should be the correct size to fit your purpose. Make sure it is big enough to cover the entire outdoor item and fit the needs.

Appropriateness

The different kinds of tarps are available in a rainbow of colors ranging from white, to neutrals, to browns, to bright colors, and all the way to black.  Whatever sunny conditions you have, the type and thickness of the tarp can be matched with its purpose.  Probably the most important factor in choosing a color to protect your outdoor furniture revolves around aesthetics: What look do you want to display? What color do you like? What color complements your space?

Consider the following suggestions:

• Blue polyethylene economy tarps are inexpensive and well-suited to shady areas. If your outdoor furnishings are protected by a roof, this low-UV-resistant tarp will do a great job!

• Silver, white, and tan tarps reflect the sun’s rays and heat. They are excellent protection for long-term outdoor exposure to direct sunlight.

• Green tarps blend in well with the natural environment. Depending on the fabric, they offer UV protection and are best used where sunlight is indirect.

• Black tarps block the light, completely protecting outdoor furniture from sun damage.

• To summarize: choose your preference as to fabric type, weight, and color with confidence that your outdoor furniture will be adequately covered.

Also Read: Tarp Colors: Color-by-Color Differences Explained

How to Measure and Fit Tarps Correctly

Use a small tarp to cover an individual chair, table, or whatever article needs protection; use a larger tarp to cover a setting with a table and chairs or to protect several pieces of outdoor furniture grouped together.

In fact, a 30’ x 30’ or 50’ x 50’ tarp (and numerous other sizes) could cover your entire patio, gazebo, or porch as protection from weather-related elements. In that instance, the tarp could be set up as a “roof” over the area by using pipes and fittings as a frame.

Another idea is to use one large tarp to place end to end over the furniture—easy to roll up and set out of the way; easy to unroll and cover everything. Weighing down the tarp edges with rocks, bricks, or bungee cords would, of course, be necessary in windy environments.  The bulk and weight of the tarp needed also would be a consideration for this method.

Measuring Furniture

Measure the width, height, and depth of the outdoor furniture you plan to cover with a protective tarp. Carefully compare these measurements to the dimensions of the tarp you have chosen. 

Avoiding Mistakes

• When measuring chairs or chaise lounges, be sure to measure from armrest to armrest. Include allowance for any extensions and seat cushions included.

• For full protection, measurements should start at the ground, go across the highest part of the furniture, and finish at the ground on the opposite side.

• If odd shapes are part of the outdoor furniture, be sure to measure and then remeasure. Carefully include the widest and deepest areas in your measurement.

• For good measure, add one or two inches to your measurement! You won’t be sorry!

Choosing Shapes

Most tarps are either square or rectangular in shape. However, custom shapes are also available in circles, ovals, and triangles upon request. 

How to Secure a Tarp over Furniture

Several methods are available for securing a tarp when protecting your outdoor furniture. Hook bungee cords are great for wrapping and securing the tarp.  Twine or rope and tarp clips are also useful. 

DIY Hacks to Make Tarps Fit Better and Last Longer

• To prevent water from pooling on the tarp, create a slope so the water runs off instead.

• Place the tarp over the furniture piece and tuck the edge of the tarp under the cushions if you are using the furniture daily and need occasional protection. 

• For better coverage, wind the tarp edges around the furniture legs or around the corners, then secure the tarp with hook bungees or rope.

• When outdoor furniture is arranged on the ground, attach bungee cords or rope through the grommet edges of the tarp and then to the ground with a tent stake.

• Weigh the edges of the tarp down with rocks or patio blocks for wind protection.

Also Read: DIY Tarp Projects for Summer Fun Activities

Seasonal Tarping Guide

Outdoor-season Protection

To protect outdoor furniture in the summer from the sun and natural elements, the tarp should be easy to cover and easy to remove if you use the furniture often.

Choose the tarp material that works best for your situation. Polyethylene is lightweight and easy to fold when not in use. Vinyl and canvas are heavy-duty protection.

Off-season Protection

Tips for off-season storage of furniture:

• Remove cushions and pillows from furniture before tarping it.

• Placing the furniture off the ground will keep moisture from seeping up the legs.

Tips for off-season storage of tarps:

• Be sure the tarp is clean and dry before you fold it up.

• Store it out of the sun.

• Some people wrap the tarp to be stored inside a second tarp for added safekeeping from the sun and the elements, particularly if it is stored outside.

• Use clear tarps to surround a patio or a porch where the tarped furniture can be stored safely for the off-season.

• Make a storage shed out of tarps by using pipes and fittings which are available; then place your tarps or tarp-covered furniture inside for protection.

Maintenance Tips for Tarps

• Keep the furniture and the tarp clean. Brush off dirt and dust regularly.

• Be sure the tarp is dry before folding or storing it.

• Use Tarp Tape to mend small rips or tears. Apply this adhesive to both the top and underside of poly or vinyl tarp tears. Doing so will extend the lifespan of the tarp.

Visual and Aesthetic Considerations

Although they do a fantastic job of protecting your outdoor furniture, a large, folded tarp or a pile of several tarps when not in use probably will not add to the beauty of your outdoor furniture arrangement. Consider the following suggestions.

• Use a chest or coffee table as part of your outdoor furniture arrangement. When not in use, store the tarps inside—a handy solution for both beauty and accessibility for reuse.

• Neatly pile the tarps in a least-noticeable place, perhaps behind or under a chair or bench.

• Place a large flower arrangement vase in front of the folded tarp pile.

• Drape one of the tarps over the pile of tarps. Put a placemat or colorful tray on the top; use it for an end table as a drink holder.

FAQS

How long-lasting is a tarp used to protect outdoor furniture?

The life of a tarp depends on the location, UV demands, wind strength, chemical environment, and ground contact. Choose the right tarp for the job, take good care of it, and the tarp will last a long time!

How do I prevent mold or mildew under tarps? 

• Keep your tarp clean and dry. After cleaning, dry the tarp in a well-ventilated, indirect sunlight area. Do not fold a wet tarp!
• Make sure the tarp has no tears or holes. If so, patch them with tarp tape.
• Provide airflow during storage. Raise the furniture item off the ground for storage.
• Eliminate folds and creases when rolling a tarp for storage.
• Keep tarps in a cool, dry storage area.

Do I need to cover my outdoor furniture during the summer?

Although outdoor furniture is made to be outdoors, the lifespan and durability of it will be lengthened by protecting it from the elements when not in use.

Should I cover my outdoor furniture every night during the summer?

During the season of greatest use, it might not be necessary to cover it every night. However, nature is unpredictable! The climate, the location of your furniture (patio, ground, porch), and the type of furniture are relevant factors in the decision to cover or not to cover.

Conclusion

Tarps have been tested over many years and come up on top! Whatever the size and shape of your outdoor furniture, you can add to its longevity and beauty by protecting it with an appropriate tarp.

Polyethylene, vinyl, and canvas tarps come in all sizes and shapes. They are affordable and cost-effective, easy to use and store, and will last for years when properly cared for.

Enjoy the kisses of the sun yourself throughout the summer but protect your outdoor furniture from them! Invest in a quality tarp to ensure furniture longevity and appearance. Browse our collection of durable, weatherproof tarps today.