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The warm weather is here to stay, so overhaul your outdoor space for the summer months and spend as much time as possible soaking up the sun. You don’t have to buy new and expensive outdoor furniture to breathe new life into your space.
With hard work and effort, every piece of furniture can be used outside. Indoor furniture can be used on an open lawn or another vulnerable area provided it’s adequately treated beforehand, offering much-needed comfort.
Of course, you can’t make all furniture impervious to water, but there are a couple of tricks to make certain pieces more outside-ready.
It’s quite simple and more resourceful to upgrade indoor furnishings into pieces for outdoor use. Please continue reading to discover a few helpful tips for your furniture waterproofing project.
Add An Extra Layer of Protection to The Wood
Use sealants to protect the wooden table and chairs because they can’t take temperature changes within their strides. When wood is subject to heat, it expands, which can cause warping, swelling, and shrinkage.
It can be treated with an outdoor sealant that can be applied using a sprayer, brush, or roller, reducing the damage and fading caused by UV radiation. As a rule, the sealant dries in less than an hour, so you don’t have to wait too long to apply another coating.
Sealing the outdoor furniture allows you to add an extra layer of protection so you can make the most of your space the entire summer.
You should apply waterproofing when the temperatures are moderate (60-80 degrees) because sealants tend to become stiffer and more challenging to work with.
Equally, don’t shake the cans, as this creates bubbles that transfer to your furniture. Make sure all surfaces are evenly covered, and pay close attention to the end grain, which can absorb stains and finishes more deeply compared to the rest of the piece.
Every sealant brand makes outdoor sealants, so look for something clear and decide between glossy and matte, which can change the overall look of the pieces of furniture. After the sealer has dried, sand the surface lightly.
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Use Water Resistant Upholstery for The Furniture
Waterproof any fabric and replace it with an outdoor-safe material. Indoor fabric is typically made up of natural fibers, such as yarn dyed or piece dyed, that can easily break down and wear out over time.
If you have the perfect couch, but it’s not weather-tolerant, keep the frame and the foam, but swap in the cloth for water resistant fabric.
As the name clearly suggests, the fabric offers the highest resistance against water damage, so it’s the only choice that makes sense from a practical perspective.
When searching for outdoor fabrics for furniture applications, look for an upholstery fabric that’s water-resistant and allows for good airflow.
Suppose it rains a lot where you live. In that case, you need water-resistant furniture that will dry off completely so it’s ready to use when the sun returns.
Today’s performance fabrics make for comfortable outdoor furniture, functioning beautifully during rain or shine. Waterproof fabric can withstand heavy rain, water spills, and much more; it doesn’t feel stiff or scratchy.
As it’s manufactured in a certain color, even without additional treatments, the color of the fabric doesn’t fade – as a matter of fact, it remains vivid and detailed. Reupholster your furniture pieces for outdoor use and be confident that using performance fabric will be enough protection.
Protect Cushion Fabric with Spray-on Water/Sun Shield
It’s safe to leave your cushions outside if the weather is mild, dry, etc. The comfort, beauty, and longevity of your outdoor space are determined by the cushions, so it’s worth giving them some serious thought.
As far as clearing the cushions is concerned, you’ll want to consult the manufacturer’s indications so as not to invalidate the existing warranty. Getting back on topic, make the cushions water resistant by spraying them with a sun and water repellent, which prevents yellowing and fading.
Even if the cushions are made from outdoor-safe materials, adding an extra shield layer will give them further protection.
Add Tape to The Rugs to Prevent Curling & Sliding
The deck can take a beating with heavy foot traffic, so place rugs in these areas to ensure your investment lasts longer. Use adhesive tape to secure the carpets to the floor and prevent curling and sliding; it works for any rug shape.
Indeed, this has nothing to do with waterproofing, but it will help your furniture look nicer for longer, providing additional holding power. In case you didn’t already know, rugs tend to get blown away by the wind, causing them to get creased or warped, so you must add tape to keep them in place.
If your carpets get dirty, use pressure water, but don’t hold the wand tip too close (work from a distance).
Tape comes in a roll and is generally 2 to 3 inches wide. You can apply it directly to the floor in a grid or outline that will fit the edges of the rug. It’s removable, so if you stop using the carpet, no problem.
By keeping the rugs in place, the adhesive tape decreases the constant movement between the deck and the carpets, prolonging their lifespan. The most durable tape has adhesive on both sides and works well for rugs made from synthetic materials.
Dust and dirt can prevent the adhesive from sticking properly, so ensure you’re applying to a clean surface, and walk all over the carpets to ensure the tape sticks.
Wrapping It Up
If you’re inclined to give your outdoor space a refresh, bring the indoors out (literally). Put the neglected dining room table and that cute sofa you found at a garage sale to good use and enjoy outdoor living this summer.
No matter if you live in a steadier climate or experience all four seasons throughout the year, take the necessary steps to make your outdoor space impervious to water. It doesn’t have to be filled with boring furnishings.
