Best Outdoor Furniture Covers Worth Buying
A decent patio set runs $400 to well over $2,000. Leaving it exposed to UV rays, rain, and bird droppings for half the year without covers is roughly the equivalent of buying a nice car and skipping the garage.
Most furniture covers fail in one of two ways. They either blow off in the first wind gust or trap moisture underneath and cause the mildew they were supposed to prevent. The good ones go on quickly, stay put, and actually extend the life of your cushions and frames.
These six covers handle the full range of what sits on a typical patio. Sectionals, dining sets, individual chairs, round tables, chaise lounges, and outdoor sofas all have a cover here worth buying.
Best Sectional Cover for L-Shaped Sofas
If you have a 4 or 5-piece sectional on your deck, covering it is a puzzle. The Classic Accessories Ravenna sectional cover is made for exactly that. It comes in multiple size options and fits L-shaped configurations up to 112 inches wide, with enough depth to drape over chunky wicker frames and cushions still attached.
The material is 300D heathered polyester with a waterproof laminate backing. It is not the thickest cover on the market, but it is light enough that you will actually use it. Drag straps and click-close buckles keep it from becoming a sail in a storm, and the vented sides prevent moisture buildup underneath. If you live somewhere with real winters, this is what you put on before the first frost and take off in April.
Classic Accessories Ravenna Water-Resistant Patio Sectional Cover
$67
11,400+ reviews
A well-fitting sectional cover with buckle straps and vented sides that stays on through wind and rain.
Shop on Amazon →Best Cover for a Full Outdoor Dining Set
Dining sets are awkward to cover because of the chairs. Most covers either balloon out around them or do not account for the extra height when stacked. Duck Covers Elite handles this well. The cover uses 300D polyester with heat-sealed seams, and the size options go up to 96 inches wide, which fits a 6-person rectangular table with chairs stacked alongside it.
The bottom hem has an elastic band all the way around, not just at the corners, so it cinches tight even on breezy days. The material has a good balance between softness and durability, and it will not scratch powder-coated aluminum frames the way stiffer covers can. Put this on after you stack the chairs at the end of summer and your next spring setup will look like the set never sat outside.
Duck Covers Elite Water-Resistant 96 Inch Patio Dining Set Cover
$59
7,200+ reviews
Full-perimeter elastic hem and heat-sealed seams make this the most secure dining set cover for rectangular tables with stacked chairs.
Shop on Amazon →Best Cover for Individual Patio Chairs
SunPatio makes some of the most practical per-chair covers available. The heavy duty outdoor chair cover fits most standard outdoor dining chairs and accent chairs, with a drawstring bottom that cinches around the legs to prevent lifting. The 600D Oxford fabric is noticeably thicker than what you find in cheaper options, and the UV inhibitors in the material keep it from becoming brittle after a season of full sun.
If you have 4 to 6 chairs to cover, the per-unit cost adds up, but the alternative is new cushions every two years. The olive green and gray color options blend into most patio settings better than solid black, which shows every speck of pollen and dust. These work well on a 10x10 patio where chairs live outside year-round and you just want them protected without a big production.
SunPatio Heavy Duty Outdoor Dining Chair Cover
$19
6,800+ reviews
600D Oxford fabric with a drawstring bottom that stays on through wind, fits most standard outdoor dining and accent chairs.
Shop on Amazon →Best Cover for Round Patio Tables
Most furniture cover roundups skip the standalone table cover because people assume a dining set cover handles it. It does not, really. If you have a round bistro table, a freestanding side table, or a round patio dining table, a purpose-built round cover fits better and looks cleaner. ULTCOVER makes a 44-inch round table cover in 600D polyester that handles tables from a small bistro size up to a standard 4-person round dining table.
The taped seams keep water from wicking through at the stitch lines, and the adjustable hem cord works on tables at different heights. It runs about $22, which means you can cover every round table on your patio for under $50. The gray color works with nearly everything, and the material is thick enough that it does not shred when a branch drops onto it.
ULTCOVER Waterproof 600D Polyester Round Patio Table Cover 44 Inch
$22
4,500+ reviews
Taped seams and an adjustable hem cord make this a clean, secure fit for round bistro and dining tables up to 44 inches.
Shop on Amazon →Best Cover for a Chaise Lounge
Chaise lounges are the piece most people forget to cover, and they are also the most expensive to replace. Sun exposure degrades sling fabric and cushion foam faster than anything else on a patio. Covermates makes a chaise lounge cover in their Ripstop line using a woven polyester construction designed to resist tearing from wind and debris, not just rain.
The cover fits most standard chaise lounges up to 88 inches long, including wide models with attached ottomans. It has side handles for easy placement and removal, which sounds minor until you are wrestling a cover onto a chair before a rainstorm. The elastic corner locks keep it snug at the bottom, and the fabric breathes enough to prevent the mildew that straight plastic covers cause.
Covermates Ripstop Chaise Lounge Patio Cover
$44
3,100+ reviews
Ripstop polyester with elastic corner locks and side handles, fits chaise lounges up to 88 inches with real tear resistance.
Shop on Amazon →Best Cover for an Outdoor Loveseat or Sofa
Classic Accessories makes two outdoor sofa covers worth knowing about. The Ravenna handles sectionals, but the Veranda line is sized for standard 2-seat and 3-seat outdoor sofas and loveseats. If you have a wicker loveseat, a teak bench sofa, or a resin conversation piece, the Veranda fits the profile better than an oversized sectional cover with too much extra material pooling at the base.
The Veranda uses the same laminate-backed polyester and buckle strap system as the Ravenna. It comes in sizes from 58 to 90 inches wide, covering most 2-seaters and smaller 3-seaters, which are the ones most people have on a modest back porch or deck. At around $41, it is well priced for the quality and a good first cover to buy if you are starting to protect furniture you care about.
Classic Accessories Veranda Water-Resistant Outdoor Loveseat Cover
$41
8,900+ reviews
Sized for 2-seat and 3-seat outdoor sofas with buckle straps and a laminate waterproof backing that actually keeps rain out.
Shop on Amazon →Quick Tips for Using Outdoor Furniture Covers
- Let furniture dry before covering. Covering wet cushions or frames traps moisture and creates the mildew you are trying to prevent. Give everything an hour after rain before putting covers on for extended storage.
- Cinch the hem cords around the legs. Most covers have drawstrings or elastic bands at the bottom. Use them. The first wind gust will take an unsecured cover two yards into the next patio.
- Loosen covers slightly in summer heat. If you are covering furniture during warm months for extended periods, slightly loosen the hem to allow airflow. Heat buildup under a tightly sealed cover can speed up frame oxidation.
- Store covers when not in use. Covers left outside all winter fade and degrade just like the furniture they protect. Fold them and store in a deck box or garage when you bring furniture inside.
- Clean covers before storing them. A season of pollen and bird mess will stain and weaken the fabric if left unaddressed. Most covers can be wiped down or hosed off with mild soap, then air dried flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are outdoor furniture covers actually worth buying?
Yes, if you have furniture worth more than about $200. UV exposure breaks down cushion foam and fades fabric in a single season. A $40 cover can extend the life of a $600 set by several years.
What material should I look for in a patio furniture cover?
300D or 600D polyester with a waterproof laminate backing is the standard for good reason. The denier number refers to fabric thickness. 600D is heavier and more durable, while 300D is lighter and easier to put on and take off daily.
Will furniture covers cause mildew on my cushions?
They can if you cover wet furniture or use a cover with no ventilation. Look for covers with vented panels or breathable side fabric. Always dry furniture thoroughly before covering for extended storage periods.
Should I remove furniture covers in winter or leave them on?
Leave them on through winter, but check underneath every few weeks if you get heavy rain or snow. If moisture is getting in, reposition the cover and make sure the hem cord is tight against the legs.
How do I keep outdoor furniture covers from blowing off in the wind?
Use covers with buckle straps, click-close ties, or full-perimeter elastic hems rather than just corner straps. In very windy areas, run a bungee cord under the cover through the chair legs for extra hold.