Yes, outdoor cushions should be stored over winter, even in Australia. While outdoor fabrics are designed to handle some sun and the occasional rain, extended exposure to cold, damp conditions causes mould and mildew to take hold in the foam, breaks down fabric over time, and leaves cushions flat and discoloured by the time you actually want to use them again. A weather resistant storage box keeps them dry, clean and ready to go when the warmer months come back around.

What Actually Happens If You Leave Cushions Outside?

This is worth spelling out because a lot of people assume "outdoor" means "leave it out forever."

Outdoor cushion fabric is treated to resist moisture, but it's not a sealed barrier. When cushions sit in cool, damp conditions for weeks at a time, moisture works its way into the foam filling. Once it's in there, mould and mildew follow. You might not notice it on the surface at first, but by the time you pull the cushions out in September or October you're dealing with black spots, a musty smell, and foam that's lost its shape.

UV damage is the other side of the equation. Even in winter, UV rays do their work on fabric colour and fibre strength. Cushions left out through winter and summer with no break end up faded and brittle far earlier than they should.

The fix is simple. Store them properly from about April through to September and they'll last years longer.

Does the Furniture Itself Need Protecting Too?

Keter outdoor furniture is made from weather resistant resin that won't rust, rot, warp or peel, so the frames and hard surfaces genuinely can handle being left outside year-round. That's one of the real advantages of resin over timber or metal furniture.

That said, a few sensible habits help:

• Wipe down chairs, tables and lounges before winter to remove any built-up grime, bird droppings or debris that can stain or degrade surfaces if left sitting
• If you have a Keter storage box large enough, stacking seat cushions, throw cushions and small accessories inside takes two minutes and adds years to their life
• For larger outdoor settings, folding or stacking chairs and covering them, or moving them under an eave or pergola, keeps them cleaner through the wet months even if the material itself is fine outside

The furniture frame is tough. The cushions are the vulnerable part. That's where the effort is worth it.

What Size Storage Box Do You Need for Outdoor Cushions?

This depends on how many cushions you have and their size, but here's a practical guide based on what's available in the Keter outdoor storage range:

Small settings (2-seater lounge or a couple of chairs): A box in the 270–340L range handles a small stack of seat and back cushions without taking up too much deck space. The Keter Springwood 305L is a solid, compact option that sits neatly against a fence or wall.

Mid-sized settings (3–4 seat lounge, dining chairs or a sun lounger): Step up to the 380–454L range. The Keter Glenwood 390L gives you the depth you need for larger back cushions without needing to fold or squash them, which can damage the foam over time.

Larger settings or multiple items: For a full outdoor lounge set with a sofa, chairs and scatter cushions, or if you're also storing pool towels, throws and accessories alongside the cushions, the Keter Sumatra 511L or Northwood 630L give you serious capacity. The Northwood in particular is one of the most generous storage boxes in the range and sits low enough to double as extra seating or a side surface.

Storage bench option: If you want storage that earns its place on the deck year-round, a storage bench like the Keter Eden 265L or Keter Signature 227L Storage Bench works as seating during the warmer months and a cushion store through winter. It doesn't disappear to the side of the yard, it just keeps working.

How Should You Store Outdoor Cushions?

A few things make the difference between cushions that come out of storage in great condition and ones that don't:

Make sure they're dry before you store them. This is the most important step. Storing damp cushions is how mould starts. If they've been rained on recently, stand them upright in the sun for a few hours before packing them away.

Give them a quick clean first. A light brush down or wipe with a damp cloth removes surface dirt, pollen and debris. It only takes a few minutes and means you're not closing the lid on anything that could attract pests or stain the fabric over months.

Don't compress them too tightly. Foam needs to breathe a little. Pack cushions in snugly but not so compressed that the foam is under constant pressure for months. A storage box that's slightly too small is worse than one that's slightly too big.

Stack flat cushions flat, stand larger back cushions upright. This keeps their shape through the off-season so they're still comfortable and presentable when spring rolls around.

When Should You Put Them Away?

In most parts of Australia, the window is roughly April to May, when the temperature starts to drop and the rain becomes more consistent. You don't need to wait for the first frost or the first downpour. Getting ahead of it is the whole point.

A useful prompt: when you start reaching for a jacket to sit outside in the evenings, that's the signal to get the cushions in.

Bring them back out from September onwards once the weather stabilises, give them an airing in the sun for a few hours, and they'll be ready to go.

FAQs

Do outdoor cushions really need to be stored over winter? Yes, even in Australia. Outdoor cushion fabric resists moisture but isn't sealed. Extended exposure to cold, damp conditions allows moisture into the foam, leading to mould, mildew and permanent loss of shape. Storing cushions from April to September in a dry, weather resistant storage box keeps them in good condition and extends their life significantly.

Can I leave Keter outdoor furniture outside all winter? The resin frames and hard surfaces on Keter outdoor furniture are weather resistant and designed to handle year-round outdoor conditions. They won't rust, rot or warp. The cushions are the part that benefit from being stored. A quick wipe-down of furniture frames before winter keeps them looking their best through the colder months.

What size storage box do I need for outdoor cushions? As a rough guide: 270–340L for a small 2-seater setting, 380–454L for a mid-sized lounge or dining setting, and 510L or larger for a full outdoor lounge set or if you're storing additional items alongside the cushions. A storage bench is a practical dual-purpose option if you want the storage to work on the deck year-round.

How do I stop outdoor cushions going mouldy in storage? Make sure cushions are completely dry before storing them. Clean off any surface dirt first. Don't pack them so tightly that airflow is completely cut off. A weather resistant storage box with a well-fitting lid keeps moisture out from the outside while the cushions stay dry inside.

Can I use a storage bench as outdoor cushion storage? Yes, and it's one of the smartest ways to do it. A storage bench like the Keter Eden 265L or Keter Signature 227L sits on the deck as functional seating during spring and summer, then doubles as cushion storage through autumn and winter. You're not trading deck space for storage, you're getting both from the same piece.

A decent storage box is one of the easiest ways to protect an investment you've already made in your outdoor space. Browse the full outdoor storage range to find the right size for your setting.