Garden furniture adds style and function to any backyard oasis, but placing it directly on the grass could cause irreparable harm by blocking sunlight and moisture absorption from reaching it.
Grass can attract pests and insects that damage wood furniture, so opting for an enclosed space like a patio, deck or pavement as the place for your furniture will prevent these issues and protect rattan furniture as well.
Damage to the Grass
Outdoor furniture’s weight compacts the soil and blocks water and sunlight from reaching its source, which in turn may choke off grass growth, ultimately killing it and damaging furniture itself. But there are ways to use lawn furniture without harming grass or risking its becoming brown and dead.
If you need an immediate solution, simply attach rubber stops or plastic caps to the feet of your furniture. They’re easily available online at an economical price, although drilling holes for proper fit is required. Individual paving slabs may also help lift tables and benches off the grass but these solutions don’t work with chairs which must remain mobile.
Installing garden furniture directly on grass can cause serious long-term damage to its own structure. When your rattan effect furniture gets wet from sitting directly on wet grass, moisture could leak into its base and cause it to rot – not only that, but its soft surface could cause it to move and shift during use, further disintegrating its integrity.
If you need a longer-term solution, try placing a tarp or plastic sheet over your grass as a barrier that keeps moisture at bay – this should act as a protection for both grass and furniture! But make sure you move it around regularly or it could suffocate it from getting underneath! Also move furniture to different spots every week; this will help your grass receive the light it needs while also prolonging the lifespan of any rattan furniture that may have yellowed patches and wear.
Uneven Surfaces
Furniture that sits directly on grass creates uneven surfaces that can damage it as well as make sitting uncomfortable. Even on perfectly level lawns, furniture’s weight may flatten out the grass into unsightly bare spots that create uneven seating experiences and damage furniture over time.
Uneven surfaces put pressure on furniture, causing it to wobble and cause discomfort for those sitting in chairs, eventually leading to them tipping over. Utilizing patio or deck areas as places for setting furniture provides stability as well as protecting wood from moisture damage.
Grass and soil can stain and discolor rattan furniture finishes when left outdoors, which can make it look dirty and old as well as making cleaning difficult. While some stains or discolorations might be permanent, there are ways you can reduce damage to your furniture through tricks that might help minimize it.
Plastic grass protector grids can be an effective way to safeguard both grass and furniture from damage, while still allowing grass growth through. Additionally, mats or pads placed beneath outdoor furniture legs may help distribute weight evenly while protecting grass beneath. Although not particularly aesthetically pleasing solutions, such measures provide a viable way for those wanting to continue enjoying their rattan effect garden furniture on the lawn without risking further deterioration for either party.
Moisture
Grass acts like an earth sponge, holding in moisture that can adversely impact patio furniture in various ways. Wooden garden furniture in particular may become susceptible to mold and mildew when situated too near wet grass that’s close to its surface; moisture damage could also accelerate its degradation faster. Moisture also has the power to break down rattan furniture more rapidly.
Moisture near patio furniture can attract insects such as bugs and spiders that see wooden outdoor seating as the perfect home. Once inside, these creepy crawlies can cause significant structural damage while leaving unsightly stains behind – creating an unpleasant atmosphere in your garden!
If you want to enjoy your garden furniture on the lawn for as long as possible, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard both it and the grass underneath it. Regularly using a garden hose to spray down your furniture helps to reduce mildew growth as well as staining from dirt and debris; additionally it’s wise to dust, wipe down surfaces of pieces regularly as well as clean up spills as soon as they occur.
Patio rug pads, tarps or even heavy rugs may be placed beneath furniture to help distribute weight more evenly across the lawn and add an additional layer of protection between grass and furniture. Rotating these pads regularly to avoid permanent compression of grass.
Lightweight patio furniture is one of the best ways to minimize its effect on your grass. Pieces elevated on 4-6 slim legs put more pressure on each point than those with substantial bases or centrally placed feet which help disperse weight more evenly across a yard’s surface area. Minimalism also means less of an impactful presence in your yard and easier mobility so grass can flourish freely.
Insects
Many insects can pose a threat to those who enjoy sitting or entertaining on garden furniture, including flies, mosquitoes and ticks. Their presence can ruin outdoor fun and leave itchy bites behind – simple preventive measures may help ensure these pesky pests do not wreck your lawn, garden or patio space!
Patio furniture that’s strategically positioned on a raised deck or concrete platform may provide greater protection from insects than when placed directly onto grass. Furthermore, furniture raised off the ground helps keep it drier preventing mould and rot growth which could compromise its structure and affect its appearance.
Keep your garden and patio free of debris that attracts bugs, such as leaves or other detritus, which could attract insect larvae and create piles that collect. Regularly cleaning and sanitising garden furniture also can help prevent it becoming an attractive target for bugs to feed on.
Integrating plants that repel bugs into your garden is an effective way to make it less welcoming to pests, including lemongrass, citronella, basil and chrysanthemums. Be sure to research all available varieties so you can choose one best suited to repelling them while using other methods as well – working together they provide your best chance at an insect-free yard and patio!
Rot
Left sitting outside too long, patio furniture left on grass can quickly become infested with bacteria and mildew that cause rot-causing rot and mildew to grow in damp conditions. When this fungus grows on wood pieces like chairs, tables and other pieces it causes it to warp, warp further and decay significantly, negatively impacting both its appearance and structural integrity. Mold and mildew growth is also common on upholstered pieces like cushions and pillows left out for too long outside.
Untreated wood absorbs water like a sponge and can quickly become susceptible to rotting, eventually eating away at its fibers and turning into splinters. Metal patio furniture exposed to constant soil and grass moisture also can rust; corrosion speeds up rusting of steel and iron parts leaving unsightly pits, flakes and spots that compromise its aesthetic value as well as structural integrity.
Grass and soil contain pigments, oils and reactants which stain furniture finishes over time, leaving greenish hues or faded streaks behind that can make once-delightful outdoor furniture appear dull and outdated.
If you insist on leaving your rattan furniture out on the lawn, there are ways you can extend its lifespan without doing lasting damage to either your yard or rotting away the furniture itself. A patio rug pad, tarp or plywood may help provide an effective barrier between it and the soil and protect it from sinking into it and damaging its legs.
Teak furniture is an excellent way to avoid rot, thanks to its durable natural wood material that weathers well and requires little upkeep. But even the best-quality rot-resistant woods may still rot if left on the ground too long; to minimize this issue, keep rattan furniture off of the ground as much as possible and move it around periodically, to spread its weight more evenly across your lawn and reduce soil compaction allowing your grass to recover faster.
