Outdoor furniture is a fantastic addition to any patio, deck, or garden, offering a comfortable space for relaxation and social gatherings. However, windy days can quickly turn into a battle to keep your furniture in place. Without proper precautions, strong gusts can move or damage your furniture, potentially causing inconvenience or even hazards. In this guide, we’ll explore practical tips and solutions for how to keep outdoor furniture from blowing away, no matter the weather.
Why Outdoor Furniture Blows Away
Outdoor furniture is designed to be lightweight and portable for convenience, which unfortunately makes it susceptible to being moved by strong winds. Materials like aluminum, plastic, or wicker, commonly used in outdoor furniture, are not heavy enough to withstand powerful gusts. Additionally, the open or flat surfaces of many furniture pieces, such as tabletops or chair backs, can act like sails, catching the wind and increasing the likelihood of being blown over.
Wind speed, direction, and the placement of furniture also play a role—furniture left in open, unsheltered areas is more vulnerable compared to items placed near walls or inside covered spaces. Understanding these factors is crucial to effectively protecting your outdoor furniture from windy conditions.
Assess Your Furniture and Setup
To minimize the risk of damage during windy conditions, it’s essential to assess your outdoor furniture and its placement. Begin by identifying pieces that are lightweight or have a high center of gravity, as these are more prone to tipping or being displaced. Examine how securely items are anchored to the ground or to surrounding structures, and consider using weights or tie-downs for added stability. Additionally, evaluate the layout of your outdoor space.
Furniture positioned in exposed or high-wind areas may need to be relocated to protected spots, such as near walls, fences, or under a covered patio. Proper assessment and adjustments to your setup can significantly enhance the resilience of your furniture against strong winds.
10 Methods How to Keep Outdoor Furniture from Blowing Away
1. Use Heavy-Duty Furniture Covers with Tie-Downs
A sturdy furniture cover serves more than one purpose—it protects your furniture from rain, sun, and dirt, but it can also help prevent wind from lifting lightweight items. Opt for heavy-duty, weather-resistant covers that include built-in tie-down straps or grommets for bungee cords. These covers fit snugly over chairs and tables, and the straps can be secured around the legs or to ground anchors, minimizing any flapping or lifting caused by wind gusts. It’s a subtle yet effective layer of defense against unpredictable weather.
2. Anchor Furniture to the Ground
If your outdoor space has a permanent setup, consider anchoring furniture to the ground. For concrete patios, use masonry screws or bolts to attach base plates or brackets that can hold furniture legs in place. For decks or grass areas, ground anchors or auger stakes—similar to those used for tents—can be used to tie down individual pieces. This method is particularly useful for heavy tables or umbrellas, which can cause significant damage if tipped by the wind.
3. Fill Hollow Furniture Frames with Sand or Water
Many plastic or resin chairs and tables have hollow legs or frames that can be filled for added weight. If your furniture design allows, add sand or water into the cavities to increase stability. Sand is typically better because it doesn’t evaporate or leak, and it adds more mass. Once filled, seal the openings with plugs or caps to keep everything contained. This internal weighting approach is invisible from the outside and adds a solid measure of wind resistance.
4. Stack or Cluster Furniture Together
When you’re not using your furniture, stacking or grouping it together is a simple yet strategic way to reduce wind exposure. A single chair is easy for the wind to lift, but a stack of four or five becomes significantly heavier and less aerodynamic. If stacking isn’t possible, place furniture close together and tie them with rope or elastic cords. You can even place heavier items like potted plants or weighted planters on top to weigh down lighter pieces.
5. Use Furniture Weights or Sandbags
Specialized furniture weights or standard sandbags can be positioned around the base of outdoor items to keep them from shifting. These weights come in many forms, from sleek decorative styles that blend with patio décor to functional and rugged sandbag types. Position the weights over chair legs or umbrella stands, or hang them across the frame of a table. While not permanently fixed, these provide enough resistance to prevent furniture from sliding or tipping during a windy day.
6. Secure with Bungee Cords or Straps
Flexible bungee cords or heavy-duty straps offer a quick and effective way to tether furniture together or anchor it to railings, fences, or ground fixtures. Wrap the cords around the legs or frames and fasten them to something stable. This technique is especially useful when preparing for storms or when you need a temporary solution without permanent fixtures. Just ensure the cords are tight enough to hold during wind events but not so tight that they strain the furniture joints.
7. Create Wind Barriers with Landscaping
Sometimes, preventing wind from reaching your furniture is more effective than trying to resist it. Landscaping features like hedges, trellises, or privacy walls can act as windbreaks, reducing the gusts that make contact with your patio. You can also use large planters, lattice panels with climbing plants, or even movable partitions to create a sheltered nook. These barriers not only improve wind resistance but also add visual appeal and intimacy to your outdoor space.
8. Store Lightweight Items When Not in Use
The simplest way to prevent outdoor furniture from blowing away is to bring lightweight pieces indoors or into a shed when they’re not in use. Folding chairs, plastic tables, or lightweight loungers are especially vulnerable and should be stored during wind warnings or the off-season. Even if your storage space is limited, consider investing in a deck box or storage bench to keep cushions and smaller pieces safe. This minimizes your risk and also extends the lifespan of your furniture.
9. Attach Velcro or Non-Slip Pads to Contact Points
If your furniture tends to slide rather than lift, adding high-friction contact materials can help keep it in place. Use industrial-strength Velcro strips on the legs and deck or patio surface, or install non-slip rubber pads underneath chairs and tables. These reduce skidding and shifting during windy conditions. While this method may not stop very strong gusts, it’s an effective deterrent against furniture shifting slightly or wobbling due to light wind.
10. Use a Weighted Umbrella Base or Secure Stand
Umbrellas are notorious for becoming airborne when a gust of wind catches them. To prevent this, always use a weighted base that matches or exceeds the recommended weight for your umbrella size. For extra stability, opt for cantilever umbrellas that can be bolted down or secured with sandbags. Additionally, always close your umbrella when not in use—even the heaviest base may not prevent a sudden gust from flipping the entire structure if the canopy is open.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Umbrella
When selecting the perfect umbrella for your outdoor space, several factors should guide your decision. First, consider the size of your umbrella relative to the area you want to shade. Larger umbrellas provide extensive coverage but require more stable bases and ample space. Second, think about the material used for the canopy and frame.
UV-resistant fabrics and rust-proof frames will offer better durability and long-term performance. Finally, evaluate the mechanism for opening and adjusting the umbrella. Crank or push-button systems are popular for their ease of use, while tilt functions provide added versatility to adapt to the sun’s changing angle.
Safety Considerations
When using a patio umbrella, safety should always be a top priority. Ensure the umbrella is securely anchored with a stable and weighted base to prevent tipping or blowing over in strong winds. It’s also important to close the umbrella when not in use or during inclement weather to avoid potential damage or injury. Check the umbrella regularly for any signs of wear and tear, such as loose screws or weakened fabric, and address these issues promptly.
Additionally, be mindful of surrounding objects, such as furniture or decorations, to ensure the umbrella does not accidentally collide with anything when being adjusted. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy your outdoor space safely and stress-free.
Conclusion
Keeping your outdoor furniture from blowing away doesn’t require a complete overhaul—just thoughtful preparation, strategic anchoring, and smart use of natural and physical barriers. Whether you’re securing with sandbags, stacking and strapping, or investing in landscaping to reduce wind exposure, each method adds another layer of protection.
The best approach often combines multiple strategies for maximum stability and peace of mind. With these ten methods, your patio setup can stay safe, secure, and stylish no matter what the weather brings. Thanks for reading our blog post on how to keep outdoor furniture from blowing away! We hope you found it helpful and informative.