Storing outdoor furniture through a Swedish winter
Swedish winters are not uniformly harsh, but they are long and variable. A week of -15°C followed by a thaw and then rain is harder on outdoor furniture than a steady cold. The damage usually comes from moisture freezing inside joints or under coatings, not from the cold itself. Getting this right in October saves a lot of work in April.
Teak: what it needs and what it does not
Teak is naturally oily and does not need annual treatment to survive outdoors in Sweden. Left untreated, it weathers to a silver-grey over two or three seasons. If you prefer the warm brown colour, a single application of teak oil in spring is enough. Applying it in autumn before storage is not necessary and can trap moisture.
The folding teak chairs in our range should be folded flat and stored in a dry place. A shed, a garage, or a covered balcony. The fitted canvas cover included with each chair is designed for covered outdoor storage, not for open exposure to rain and snow all winter.
Powder-coated aluminium and steel
Powder coating is durable but not indestructible. Chips in the coating let moisture reach the metal underneath, which can cause rust on steel (aluminium does not rust but can pit). Check the coating in autumn and touch up any chips with a matching paint pen before storing.
Aluminium side tables can stay outdoors under a cover through a Swedish winter without damage. Steel lanterns should be brought indoors or stored in a dry shed. The tempered glass panels are fine in cold, but prolonged exposure to standing water in the base can cause the coating to lift at the seams.
Pine and FSC-certified wood
The three-seat pine bench needs more attention than teak. Pine is not naturally weather-resistant and should be treated with a wood oil or outdoor paint every two years. Before winter, brush off any debris from the joints, let it dry fully, and cover it with a fitted cover. Storing it indoors is better if you have the space.
- Brush joints clean and dry before covering
- Apply wood oil if the surface looks dry or grey
- Use a fitted cover rather than a tarpaulin. Trapped condensation is the main risk
- Bring cushions and textiles indoors regardless of the furniture material
The fitted covers for the teak chairs and the pine bench are available separately if you need a replacement. Dimensions are on the product pages.