5 Ways to Keep Your Patio Furniture from Blowing Away

Spring is finally here. And the temperamental season brings a blend of rainstorms, windy days, and unexpected snowstorms. Unfortunately, this kind of weather presents a real challenge to our outdoor spaces, particularly keeping our patio furniture secure.

While this unpredictable weather might be beyond our control, there are effective measures we can take to prevent our furniture from being tossed around by Mother Nature. Focusing specifically on strategies to anchor and protect your outdoor pieces can make a significant difference. 

How to Keep Your Patio Set from Blowing Away

A surprise windstorm or even a short gust can move patio furniture around. As annoying as having to move it back into place, winds that are strong enough to lift your setup off the ground can be dangerous and cause serious property damage. While it takes higher wind speeds to move aluminum, wood, steel, and metal patio sets, it only takes about 15-20 mph wind to move a plastic or a lightweight wicker.

To avoid watching your backyard oasis disappear here are a few ways to secure your patio set.

Stack Chairs

Stacking patio chairs (whether they're made of metal, aluminum, wood, or even lightweight materials) is one way to prevent them from moving around and causing scratches or scuffs on your patio or deck. This method isn't just for heavier items; even lightweight chairs can benefit greatly from being stacked. The combined weight of stacked chairs makes the whole setup much harder for the wind to move, requiring much higher wind speeds to cause any disturbance. If you really want to keep things in place, use a rope or bungee cord to hold them together. Once stacked, put them up against a wall or in a corner to reduce their exposure to the wind.

Patio Furniture Weights

Furniture weights are a fantastic solution for even the breeziest of days. Fortunately for you, there are a variety of options to choose from beyond the traditional sandbags. You can now choose from sleek, discreet bags that can easily be placed on chairs or couches, blending in with your outdoor decor. Or you can choose a solution that fits around the furniture legs or can be hidden under cushions.

Keep in mind that you don't have to buy special furniture weights. Regular sandbags, serve as sturdy anchors for your outdoor pieces. Alternatively, a large bag of kitty litter will do the trick. Simply place these weights on your furniture to prevent them from taking an unexpected flight on those windy days.

Weighted Umbrella Base

During windy conditions, if you look outside you'll likely see an umbrella or two flying high in the sky. This is due to the shape of the umbrella catching air from above, creating a high-pressure area on top. Underneath the umbrella, there's less pressure because it's shielded from the wind. This difference in pressure between the top and bottom wants to equalize, and since the high pressure on top pushes down harder than the air underneath pushes up, the umbrella gets pushed upwards.

To keep your umbrella from becoming a spectacle, the best practice is to only open it when spending time outside. As soon as you're ready to go inside you'll want to fold it in. Another way to keep your umbrella from leaving the ground is with a weighted base. You just have to follow one simple rule: the bigger your umbrella, the heavier the base.

According to Baser, a patio umbrella company based out of Denmark, the size of your canopy determines the weight of your base. An 11-foot umbrella requires a 110-pound base, a 10-foot needs an 88-pound base and a 9-foot needs a 66-pound base. If your umbrella is cantilevered the base needs to be even heavier. For example, a 10-foot canopy requires a 150-175 pound base.

Check out their Ultimate Patio Base Guide to learn more about choosing a base.

Remember, if your umbrella is attached to a table, you can get away with a lighter base. But for standalone umbrellas, you'll want a heavier base to keep it steady.

Earthquake Gel

Using earthquake gel is a clever trick to keep your patio furniture secure during those gusty windstorms. However, this method may be better suited for homeowners rather than renters or those living in apartments with balconies. The reason? Earthquake gel firmly anchors your furniture in place, which means you're committing to a more permanent setup. It's perfect if you love your current arrangement and don't plan on changing it year after year. But, if you enjoy mixing things up or if you're not sure you'll stay in the same spot for a while, this might not be the ideal solution.

Utilize Velcro Strips

Keeping your patio cushions secure is crucial, especially since wind speeds as low as 15-20 mph can easily whisk away lightweight patio sets, along with any unattached cushions. A handy and inconspicuous solution to this problem is to use Velcro strips.

These versatile items are readily available at most grocery or craft stores. Look for velcro strips that come with an adhesive backing for easy application. Here’s what you do: cut the strips to the size you need, then attach one side of the strip to the frame of your furniture. Align the other side of the strip with your cushion, ensuring they match up perfectly, and then press to secure. This simple step ensures your cushions stay put, even on windy days, without compromising the look of your outdoor space.

Keeping Your Outdoor Furniture Anchored

Securing your patio furniture when spring winds hit isn't just about keeping your outdoor space tidy; it's also about making sure your furniture sticks around for the long haul. Being proactive and stacking up your chairs and tying them together with bungee cords or ropes, or weighing down pieces with sandbags or kitty litter, will make a big difference. Doing this not only keeps your patio ready for hangouts but also stops your furniture from getting damaged. Plus, it's an easy way to prevent your stuff from accidentally ending up in your neighbor's yard. So, by taking these steps, you're not just looking out for your own space; you're making sure your outdoor gear stays in good shape for more sunny days and backyard BBQs.