We use a Rubbermaid deck storage box (lift up lid design). It sits on the deck against the railing. It works great; keeps the seat cushions dry and clean all year round.

I think this is the size we have (there is a larger size on that page as well): http://www.walmart.com/ip/8143890?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222228010457031&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40470969032&wl4=pla-60820714166&wl5=1023178&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=8143890&wl13=&veh=sem

I don't remember where we got ours, have had it a number of years at this point.

Since we have a screened-in back porch, I put all our cushions in big plastic trash bags (leave a little hole for air circulation) and stack them in the corner of the porch next to the house.

Some of ours get stored in the screen porch or under the covered area. We have a lot of deck furniture, though, so we also have a storage box for ours. Ours is wicker and matches the rest of our deck furniture and works wonderfully.

This is similar to what we have.

We also have a deck storage box that matches our furniture in our upper deck. We leave ours out unless it is calling for rain and then I will put them away. Over the winter we bring in the cushions and store them in a spare room. On our downstairs patio we have chairs that dont need cushions and can also stay outdoors during the winter.

My neighbors put their cushions out just when they plan to use their deck. I have no idea where they store them the rest of the time. I purposely bought outdoor furniture that doesn't require cushions to avoid the problem.

I leave my cushions in place and use patio furniture covers. I then store the covers in a deck box, when the furniture is in use. It's definitely a hassle, but does extend the furniture's life span.

Phew, these are solutions that make sense to me! Yay, now I can see cushions in our future without cringing. :-). And, I see a deck box as a gift idea for dad and his wife, too. ; ) (I am always lost as to what to get them, so you helped with 2 problems, not one, lol.). Thanks for all the great ideas!! I appreciate the help.

I use my deck every morning. I have company cushions and dog cushions (seats cushions only, we have a sectional). We usually use the dog cushions. There are only 4 square dog cushions, so I bring those in whenever I think it will rain or snow. I just put them inside the patio door. The seating is right outside the patio door.

The company cushions are currently in clear plastic bags with handles downstairs in a spare room. Not ideal, but I'll figure out something better later. I want them to stay nice.

I also bring a blanket outside with me. The blanket stays on my living room sofa, so it's easy to pull it off the sofa and take it outside.

You should think about how easy is is to move the cushions before you decide on furniture. You can find furniture that is designed for cushions but is not uncomfortable if you don't feel like getting the cushions out. You might want to work in the yard, then relax on the furniture for a few minutes in your yardwork clothes before going inside and showering/changing. The cushions for my sectional are very easy to pick up and move because they are the same size - I carry them by the tags so I'm happy I didn't remove the tags. There are four, so it takes two trips. I only use two cushions for myself, so that would be one trip (I carry the other two out for the dogs - they appreciate a nice cushion and the view). When you touch them every day, convenience matters. This should not be extra work (unless you have company). Also do you want to clean them? My dog cushions are the color of dirt. My company cushions are a linen color, and attract dog hair much more easily.

Patio storage box.

You bring up some good points, Jane. We have a big family, so the potential is there to move a lot of cushions. That could be a pain. Maybe tossing patio covers in the storage bin would be better.

Question:. How long do those patio furniture covers last? I got a grill cover that only lasted a year. Pfffft. I'm limping along with it again this year, but not very prettily.

Do sunbrella type fabrics really withstand harsh sun and rain?

How many cushions do those storage bins hold? We have very pricey patio furniture with sunbrella cushions we keep covered. It's at the lake, and we normally sit on the porch; these are on the back. Preparing for company the other day, I found the neighbor's cats (he feeds and neuters only) have been getting under the covers and sleeping on the cushions. They were covered in cat hair and throw up. My nose is itching just thinking about it. I need to find another alternative, but there are 2 cushions per chair, so 8 total. Will those bins hold that much?

How long do those patio furniture covers last?

Mine are going on 4 year, but in a moderate SoCal climate. I have the Classic Accessories brand.

Funny the mention of the cat. I was out of town for a week and the morning after I got back I went out and something started moving under a cover. I was afraid it was a skunk, there have been many around here lately, but it was just a neighborhood cat. I'll take cat hair over skunk spray any day!

SoCal with west facing patio, so lots of sun, but no humidity. My sunbrella cushions have been outside year round for 4 years now and show no signs of wear or fading. I clean them once in a while by hosing them down, which I just did today, due to ash that had fallen from a large wild fire quite far away from us.

We fit all 6 seat cushions in the size I linked (the smaller size), and they are nice and cushy.

Measure your cushions and then look at the interior measurements for the patio boxes. Also, I spent most of the spring searching for a patio box for my chaise cushions and outdoor towels. Make sure they are waterproof if the patio box is going to be fully exposed. Some patio boxes are not fully waterproof and do better under an overhang. Unfortunately, I only found a few boxes that will work for my chaise cushions. I also have a cover over my chaise so that I can easily use it. The covers are just piled outside while I am using the cushions.

I too have a patio box with either two doors on the front that can be opened or you can lift the lid and it that way. I wanted to leave them in the box all winter but have been afraid to since a friend has a similar box and mice must have gotten in somehow over the winter and chewed the cushions all up.

I looked at storage boxes but sometimes space and spending money on that may not work for everybody, and bringing them in and out was annoying on a daily basis... I bought a giant square cover that goes over the sectional couch and then the fire pit props out the empty corner - just throwing that over everything was the cheapest and easiest solution for me. I'll bring cushions in for the winter and use the same cover over the furniture frames, even if I have to buy a new cover every year or 2 it still made the most sense.

Any recommendations for patio furniture that is comfortable WITHOUT cushion, please post! :)

Depends on your weather. In NY I brought them in during winter and stored them inside. In NC they are in a screened porch and I leave them out.

I have deck storage boxes and out the, away when it’s going to rain or when we go away. BUT at our lake house I’ve decided this year I will purchase the ikea outside sofa and love seat whose seats lift to store the cushions. I don’t like having the storage boxes to be honest they take up space