4 Signs It's Time To Buy New Porch Furniture, According To An Expert

Your porch may be due for an upgrade.

While some old furniture can be salvaged by a touch-up or quick fix, other pieces can’t be redeemed. As much as it may pain us, sometimes we have to learn to say goodbye to our favorite porch furniture once it has outlived its use. This furniture has likely supported many warm weather afternoon lounging sessions, barbecues, al fresco dining, and summer days spent with friends and family. Still, it may be time for an upgrade, but the question of when may not be so obvious. There’s no finite lifespan of furniture. That all depends on the specific piece, its materials, and how well you cared for it, says Kristy Jones from porch furniture hub, Grandin Road.

Meet the Expert

Kristy Jones is the Vice President of Merchandising for Grandin Road.

Take stock of your outdoor dining set, couch, rocking chair, or porch swing. If they’re exhibiting these signs, it may be time for something new.

Wobbles And Creaks

If you sit down in a chair on your porch and it groans back at you, that’s not a great sign. This can be a sign of weakness that has been worn into the furniture by years of use and it may no longer be reliable for weight-baring. Listen to your furniture when it tells you it's finished. The same goes for wobbles. If your furniture has worn unevenly and is no longer stable, begin to consider a replacement or fix.

Chips And Stains

Deficiencies that can be tracked by wobbles and creaks can be detrimental to the structural integrity to porch furniture, but more superficial maladies are no less frustrating. If after years of use, your furniture is littered with chipped paint and food stains, you could be due for an update. This indicator might especially apply to new empty nesters whose furniture has been through a lot as those messy kids made their way through it, but the furniture doesn’t need to be child-proof moving forward. For the next porch furniture purchase, if you expect your furniture to face similar conditions however, consider performance fabrics and textures that are less susceptible to chipping and staining.

Rotting

Unlike furniture that resides within the safety of your home’s interior, outdoor furniture braves the elements. Because of this, porch furniture is especially prone to rust, mold, or mildew depending on the material. Before jumping to replacing furniture with these afflictions, try cleaning them, but if that doesn’t do it, remaining mold, mildew, and rust are all signs that a new furniture is in order. For your next set, be prudent in protecting your furniture from rain and other weather strikes by moving anything you can to shaded, protected areas, using furniture covers, and cleaning more often.

You Don’t Like It Anymore

Furniture that you adore is going to get much more use than old stuff that you dislike. If you find yourself avoiding using your porch furniture, then what’s the point of holding onto it?

Porch furniture that is upholstered or relies on cushions for comfort will eventually need a makeover. Cushions wear down after years of use and can ultimately become uncomfortable. Rather than replacing the whole piece, you can often just replace the cushions.

After some odd years, you might also find that your porch furniture appears outdated. For some, if the furniture maintains its structure and strength, this may not be a problem. Others may be agitated by furniture they no longer like the look of. If this is the case, choose new furnishings in a more timeless style so that you don’t encounter the same dilemma another few years down the road. Slow your roll before scrapping everything and starting from scratch, however.

"There are many wonderful ways to give your front porch a refresh without replacing your furniture,” Jones advises. “Layer on or swap out your outdoor pillows and planters. Add an element of unique lighting to keep a warm welcome after dusk. Add a pop of color with a seasonal doormat or outdoor rug.”

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