T-minus less than twenty-four hours until we can put furniture on the deck. I’m ridiculously excited—three exclamation points and a little happy dance are absolutely appropriate. We still need to decide on the stain or sealer for the deck (some finishes require pressure-treated wood to dry out first, while others can be applied sooner), but we agreed that bringing furniture out now will let us start using the space while we finalize the finish. It only takes a few minutes to move everything when the time comes, and the table and chairs were purchased long ago, so why wait?
By tomorrow we’ll have the table, chairs, outdoor pillows, and accessories on the deck, ready to enjoy. However, before furniture stays outside for the long haul, a little prep helps it last and look good over time. Nobody loves the prep, but it’s worth avoiding early wear and tear and the need to replace pieces after a few seasons.
For example, we bought a nearly impossible-to-beat table from World Market for $73 (we wrote about it previously). The manufacturer recommended at least three coats of a protective water-based polyurethane to prevent cracking and peeling in a year or two. So we assembled the table in the carport and picked up the right poly for outdoor use.
We chose a water-based poly that specifically states it dries clear, which is essential for white furniture because oil-based polys can yellow over time. It’s formulated for exterior use and advertises “maximum weather resistance,” making it suitable for outdoor furniture and even marine applications. That durability gives us confidence it will hold up against sun, rain, and general exposure. Importantly, the label also mentioned painted and unpainted exterior furniture, which made it a good match for our painted table.
Application tips we followed:
- Placed each leg on cardboard to protect the carport floor.
- Used an extra-wide brush to reach between slats with each stroke.
- Followed the manufacturer’s directions precisely: applied three thin coats at roughly two-hour intervals (first coat at 4pm, second at 6pm, third at 8pm, working by carport light).
- Allowed full drying times between coats and before moving the table to the deck.
Those simple steps took a little time but should help prevent peeling, cracking, and premature deterioration.
Next: the chairs. We mentioned previously that we ordered affordable wooden outdoor chairs from Joss & Main. They’re made from acacia, a hardwood similar to teak that tolerates outdoor conditions well. Acacia also has a beautiful, rich tone that deepens with oil, so we treated the chairs with teak oil (an economical and appropriate choice for acacia).
Wood-oiling approach:
- Set the chairs on cardboard to protect the carport surface and wore clothing I didn’t mind getting a bit greasy.
- Applied oil per the container’s instructions: one coat, let it sit for thirty minutes, applied a second coat, let it sit fifteen minutes, then wiped off excess with a dry cloth.
- Instead of disposable cloths, I used old socks—one for applying the oil and another for wiping down later.
- Allowed ample drying time (the oil called for 8–10 hours) before handling or placing the chairs on the deck.
Once everything is dry, I’ll carry the table and chairs to the deck and set them up for photos tomorrow morning. The oil brought out the wood’s natural color and left a protective finish, while the poly on the table should preserve the painted surface for a long time.
In short: a little maintenance before putting furniture outside makes a big difference in longevity and appearance. It’s the annoying “before the fun” work that pays off later. What are you protecting with poly or oil this season? Any other acacia fans out there—its finish is so lovely—or did you snag an end-of-season outdoor furniture deal?
Psst—You can see how we planned, sourced, and built this deck in a previous post, and we’ve also written about how to prime, paint, and poly indoor furniture to prevent yellowing and peeling.