Hey friends! Thank you for all the kind comments on my refreshed side patio. It’s been a long process—about three and a half years—to get our outdoor spaces where they are now. If your home projects feel slow, I completely understand; progress often takes time and patience.
Soon I’ll share a look back at the different phases the patio went through. There were some pretty chaotic moments that are funny in hindsight, even if they weren’t at the time. I’ll also post updates about our gates and upcoming outdoor projects, so stay tuned.
In the meantime, I get a lot of questions about our outdoor cushions, rugs, furniture and general maintenance, so I’ve compiled a short FAQ to cover the most common topics.
Similar Wingback Chair Source
FAQ:
What do you do with all of your cushions and rugs when it rains?
We keep our cushions and outdoor rugs out from mid-May through early November (sometimes late October, depending on the season)—roughly six months of the year. Living in Seattle, you might expect constant rain, but in those months the weather is usually nice enough to leave most items outdoors.
For brief showers we don’t worry; our cushions and rugs are made for outdoor use and dry quickly without damage. When heavier or prolonged rain is expected, we stack the cushions on two outdoor sofas and cover them with tarps, securing the tarps with bungee cords so they won’t blow away. It’s not pretty, but it works. We used to bring everything inside, but that was time-consuming; now the tarp solution is our go-to.
We rarely cover our outdoor rugs. A few rugs we owned previously didn’t fare well in prolonged wet conditions, so we rolled those up and stored them indoors. However, most of the rugs we use today handle rain fine and are easy to clean.
How do you get/keep your white outdoor cushions clean?
Surprisingly, we’ve had the same white outdoor cushions for about five years and they still look nearly new. Of course they get muddy paw prints, dirt, spills and dust from time to time, but we spot-clean them as needed with the same cleaner I use on indoor white slipcovers. It’s effective and gentle enough for regular use.
I’ve shared a short video on Instagram showing my husband cleaning the cushions if you want to see the process in action. The cleaner we use is a concentrated formula I trust for both home and pet-safe cleaning.
Where do you store your furniture all winter?
Most of our furniture stays outside year-round because we don’t have space to store everything indoors. It has held up well over time. For winter, we do move cushions and outdoor rugs into a small storage shed to protect them from the wettest months. Our shed is functional rather than fancy—packed with seasonal items and cushion storage.
Where did you buy your outdoor furniture, rugs, umbrellas and accessories?
Many of our pieces came from World Market, which offers good quality at reasonable prices. We have a sectional from them in another color and replacement cushions are available if needed—though we haven’t needed many replacements thanks to the durability of the pieces. I keep a couple of spare cushions on hand just in case.
Other FAQ on my outdoor spaces:
Do you still like your Trex deck?
Yes—we’re very happy with our Trex deck. It’s durable and low-maintenance. For detailed information about the deck, railing, and the installation process through Lowe’s, I’ve shared a full reveal and sources in a previous post.
How did you paint your concrete?
I’ve documented the steps and materials for painting concrete steps and patios in a how-to post that covers the preparation, paint selection, and application process. It’s a helpful guide if you’re considering a similar update.
Any other questions about caring for outdoor spaces or cleaning cushions and rugs?
If you have more questions, feel free to ask. You can also browse a collection of my favorite decor items and shop the pieces I use in our home on my curated shop page.