The best garden furniture covers UK homeowners can buy are fitted, water-resistant, UV-resistant and breathable enough to limit condensation. A loose tarpaulin can trap damp and balloon in wind; measure the furniture, choose a cover with vents and fastenings, and dry the set before covering it for a long spell.
Garden furniture covers UK: cover or store?
Covering is convenient for a heavy sofa, fixed bench or large dining set that cannot fit in a shed. It protects against bird mess, tree sap, frost, UV fading and everyday dirt, but it is not a substitute for dry storage during a prolonged wet winter. Cushions should come indoors whenever possible; even a good cover does not stop damp air and wind-driven rain entering every gap.
Start with the furniture’s material. Powder-coated aluminium and treated hardwood generally tolerate outdoor exposure better than an untreated natural weave or low-grade steel, but all benefit from a cover. Our garden furniture buying guide helps you assess the set before spending on protection.
What to look for in the fabric
- Water resistance: useful for rain, but check whether the maker calls it waterproof or simply water-repellent.
- Breathability: vents or a breathable membrane help moisture escape.
- UV resistance: slows fading and material degradation over sunny seasons.
- Ripstop or reinforced corners: reduce damage where the cover rubs on furniture.
- Fastenings: toggles, drawcords, buckles or eyelets stop the cover lifting.
Polyester with a PU or PVC coating is common in UK retail ranges. Heavier fabric is not automatically better: it may be harder to fit, and a heavy waterproof cover without vents can create a damp tent. A specialist such as Bosmere describes the construction and guarantee of its outdoor protection ranges, which is more useful than a vague “all-weather” badge.
Measure for a proper fit
Tables and chairs
Push the table and chairs into the arrangement you will cover, including parasol bases and chair arms. Measure the maximum length, width and height. Add only the clearance the maker recommends: too much extra fabric catches wind and lets water pool. If the table has a central parasol hole or sharp corner, choose a cover with a suitable top shape rather than forcing a flat cover over it.
Sofas and cube sets
Measure the full outside footprint with units pushed together, then check whether cushions stay on. Modular cube sets often need one cover over the cube and separate covers for loose stools or side tables. For a corner sofa, measure the long and short runs and the overall depth; do not add the two widths together as if it were a rectangle. A made-to-measure service such as Kover-it garden furniture covers is worth comparing when the shape is unusual or exposed.
Rain, wind and condensation
Clean and dry the furniture before covering it. Raise a cover slightly at the bottom if its design allows, keep vents unobstructed and avoid pressing wet cushions against the frame. In exposed gardens, fasten every toggle and add a cover support pole or upturned soft object if the maker recommends one; the aim is to shed water rather than form a sagging pond. Inspect after storms and after the first warm, sunny day following rain. If the set is rattan, our guide to rattan garden chairs adds material-specific care context.
Never cover a hot barbecue, heater or fire pit. Let it cool completely and follow the appliance maker’s storage instructions. The same applies to timber: allow it to dry and keep any recommended oiling or coating schedule.
Care, storage and realistic cost
Many ready-made covers sit around £30 to £150 depending on size, fabric and brand; custom covers can cost more but may last longer because they do not flap. A premium example such as the Aerocover lounge-set cover at John Lewis shows the type of sizing, fastening and fabric detail worth comparing. Treat those figures as a shopping guide, not a promise of a current price.
Brush off loose dirt, follow the wash instructions and never machine-wash a coated cover unless the label allows it. Dry fully before folding. Store in its supplied bag or a ventilated dry place, not damp in a sealed plastic box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Should garden furniture covers be waterproof?
They should keep ordinary rain off, but breathability and fit matter as much as a waterproof claim. A sealed, loose cover can trap condensation and cause its own problems.
Q2. How much bigger should a furniture cover be?
Measure the furniture at its maximum points and follow the cover maker’s fit allowance. Avoid adding large amounts yourself because excess fabric catches wind and holds water.
Q3. Can I leave cushions under a garden furniture cover?
It is safer to store cushions indoors or in a dry, ventilated box. If they stay outside, they must be completely dry and the cover must allow air circulation.
Q4. How do I stop a garden furniture cover blowing away?
Use the supplied toggles, buckles or drawcords, choose the correct size and inspect the fastenings after storms. A loose cover needs more than a heavy object placed on top.
Final Thoughts
Buy garden furniture covers by measurement and construction, not by the word “heavy-duty” on the packaging. A snug, vented cover used on dry furniture will protect a good set far better than a cheap oversized sheet left flapping all winter.
