Choose garden furniture around winter storage

Measure the seating area with people in place

Mark the furniture footprint on the patio and add the space needed to pull chairs out and walk around seated people. Keep doors, steps and routes clear. Compare the ground surface with the furniture's intended use and check how its feet sit on paving gaps or other features. IKEA's garden-furniture specifications provide dimensions and formats, but the layout must be tested against your own space. Avoid assuming that the number of seats in a set guarantees a comfortable arrangement around its table. If a chair will be used away from the table, include that second position in the plan so it does not end up blocking the route to the garden.

Check folded and stacked dimensions

Obtain the folded size or the dimensions of the supported stack, including protruding arms and feet. Compare them with the shed or garage doorway and the actual storage area inside. A chair that folds flat may still be too tall to stand where you intended. Check how many pieces may be stacked and whether cushions must be removed first. Consider the weight you will move and whether the folding mechanism can be operated safely with the help available. Do not force a joint or use an incomplete locking arrangement. If the set cannot be stored as instructed in your home, choose another format rather than planning to leave it somewhere unsuitable and hoping a cover will compensate.

Match material with a realistic care plan

Read the maker's care instructions for the exact material and finish. IKEA's outdoor maintenance guide distinguishes the care required by different furniture materials and explains that exposure affects maintenance. Do not transfer a treatment intended for one wood or coating to another product without checking. Consider whether you are willing to clean, inspect and apply any recommended treatment at the appropriate time. A low-maintenance description does not mean no inspection or cleaning. Check how fittings and hinges should be maintained and whether replacement parts are available. Compare the ongoing work with your actual time and storage options, rather than treating an attractive material name as proof that the set will look unchanged indefinitely.

Include cushions, covers and inspection

Read whether cushions are intended to remain outside, how covers should be washed and where the filling must be stored. Water-resistant fabric is not a universal promise that cushions can stay wet for long periods. If buying a furniture cover, check the required dimensions, securing method and ventilation instructions. Keep covered furniture positioned as its maker recommends rather than sealing damp pieces into an improvised wrap. Before the next season, inspect joints, surfaces and locks before use. Count these accessories and their storage footprint in the purchase, including whether they are supplied or optional. The right garden set is comfortable in its working position and has a manageable route through cleaning, seasonal storage and return to use.

Your next steps

• Measure seating and walking space together.
• Check folded or stacked dimensions.
• Match materials to the care you will perform.
• Plan separate cushion and cover storage where required.

Keep planning

• Choose a kitchen compost caddy for daily emptying
• Choose a screwdriver set for furniture fixings
• Choose a watering can for your patio route
• Choose a garden hose length without excess loops