Here’s How to Winterize Your Balcony Furniture and Other Outdoor Décor

If you’re lucky enough to live in an apartment with a balcony, you probably already turned it into a nice green oasis completed with some sitting or lounging options. Having a small outdoor space to relax, read or, why not, even work, can improve your life significantly. It definitely pays off to invest in making your balcony as nice as possible, with comfy balcony furniture and as many plants as you can fit in. But, as the cold season approaches, it’s equally important to ensure that all the things you have in there are well protected from the elements. Here’s what you need to know on how to winterize your balcony furniture:

Why you shouldn’t keep your balcony furniture outdoors during the cold season

Leaving your outdoor furniture and other belongings on the balcony throughout the entire winter will drastically shorten its lifespan. Whether it’s made of wood, plastic, or metal, balcony furniture will be negatively impacted by cold temperatures, rain and snow. Even if balconies are not fully exposed to the elements, as most have roofs, rain, snow and moisture from the air will still get to your belongings – not to mention the freezing weather.

Wood or wicker furniture both absorb moisture, which will then freeze and cause the furniture to crack. Also, the paint or the varnish on your furniture will be damaged by the frost/defrost cycles. Plastic balcony furniture might seem like the kind of item you can leave outside over the winter, as it’s not affected by rain or snow. However, freezing makes plastic very brittle, and there’s a good chance that your furniture will crack over winter. As for metal furniture, leaving it exposed to the elements will result in a lot of rusting. The cushions that make your balcony furniture comfy and cozy should also be stored in a dry place, since you definitely don’t want mold and mildew growing on them.

It’s not just the balcony furniture that needs to be protected. Planter pots are even more vulnerable to the cold, regardless of the material they’re made of, especially if you leave potting soil in them. If you want to enjoy pretty flowers next spring, without having to spend money on new planters, you need to find space to store them as well. Unfortunately, most apartments don’t have the kind of extra space you need for storing your balcony furniture and other outdoor belongings over the cold season. A good solution to this all-too-common problem is to rent self storage.

Self storage will help protect your balcony furniture (and other belongings)

A self storage unit located close to your apartment is probably the best solution for storing your balcony furniture and other belongings you might have in there. Depending on how bulky your balcony furniture is, and whether it’s foldable or not, a small, 5’x5’ storage unit might be enough. This type of unit is about as big as your standard closet, so it’s possible that it can store a foldable table and chairs, as well as some planter pots and even some boxes with extra stuff.

However, if your balcony furniture does not collapse or if you have other belongings that require storage (a bicycle, sports equipment, out of season clothing, appliances and so on), then you should get a larger, 5’x10’ storage unit.

Renting self storage is a financially sound option as well, as opposed to finding a larger apartment with more storage space, or buying new stuff all the time because what you owned was improperly stored. The monthly rate for renting a 5’x10’ unit hovers around $80 at a national level. However, prices can vary depending on where you live. For example, a 5’x10’ storage unit in Chicago, at $86 per month, is much in line with the national average. However, renting the same type of storage unit in Minneapolis will cost you around $57. On the other hand, leasing a similar storage unit in New York City will cost around $157 per month. You can check out self storage prices and availability for some of the big US cities below – and, if you live somewhere else, you can search for a self storage unit directly in your area.

How to prepare your balcony furniture for storage

After you have rented your self storage unit, it’s time to prepare your furniture for storage. This step will ensure that all your belongings will be well protected, and you will be able to enjoy them next spring. Here’s what you need to do:

• Clean your furniture thoroughly to remove dust, dirt and grease. Washing it with some soapy water and a soft cloth works for all types of furniture, be it wood, plastic or metal.
• Allow the furniture to dry off completely before packing it for storage.
• It’s a good idea, at this stage, to use some wood (or metal) polishing product on your furniture for extra protection.
• Disassemble your furniture, if possible, as it makes it easier to pack, transport and store it.
• Once disassembled, use plastic wrap or something similar to pack it. Put the small parts (screws, bolts, nuts, and so on) in bags, and tape the bags to the furniture parts where they belong. This will make assembling it in the spring a lot easier.
• If your balcony furniture can’t be disassembled, use some extra padding, such as old sheets or bubble wrap, so the edges and other sensitive areas don’t get damaged during transportation.
• Wash and dry the furniture cushions.
• Empty the potting soil in your planter pots in sturdy plastic bags (you can use it again next year). It is a bit of a hassle, but it really makes a difference in terms of prolonging the lifespan of your flowerpots. Also, it’s actually recommended to aerate the potting soil, so this operation will help you enjoy even more beautiful plants the following year. You can leave the potting soil on the balcony in plastic bags, or you can take it to the storage unit as well.
• After you empty out the planter pots, allow them to dry off inside and out, then clean the bits of soil and dust a little bit, wrap the breakable ones carefully and pack them in boxes.
• Set pallets or some durable tarp on the floor of the storage unit before placing your furniture and other belongings in there.

Following these simple steps will ensure that you get as much use as possible out of your balcony furniture and other balcony accessories.