When the weather is nice your lawn is the perfect place to spend time. It provides a lovely setting to dine al fresco or catch up with a good book. But, it also needs a lot of maintenance, so we’re sure you wouldn’t want to ruin your lawn in any way with your furniture. Because of this, you may be wondering: Can you put outdoor furniture directly on grass?
You can put outdoor furniture directly on grass, and it’s completely safe to do so because it’s made to withstand the elements. However, it’s strongly recommended to move it every few weeks to keep the grass aerated and avoid bald patches from blocking the sun for too long.
Often homeowners put so much effort into creating comfortable outdoor living spaces. To help you with this, we’ve gathered some useful information on putting outdoor furniture on grass and preventing damage. Let’s take a look.
Outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements and is usually resistant to water and moisture. Technically, your outdoor furniture is safe to put on the grass. However, there are some limitations regarding the maintenance of the grass surface, so you might want to weigh your options carefully.
As you may be aware, grass requires sunshine, and furniture blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the grass. This results in brown patches of dead grass under your chairs and tables. The grass is also taxed by excessive foot traffic, and there are many additional reasons not to leave furniture on the lawn for too long.
But there are also several ways to protect your lawn while still enjoying the comfort of outdoor furniture. We’ll further explain the cons of putting furniture on the grass in the next section, and then we’ll also explain some solutions to avoid these problems. So, you can weigh your options and choose the solution that best fits your needs.
Reasons Not to Put Outdoor Furniture Directly on Grass
No matter how comfortable your outdoor furniture is, there are solid reasons why putting it directly on the grass is not a good idea. Let’s look at each of these reasons in more detail.
1) The grass will die slowly under your furniture
When you set up furniture directly on the grass, it blocks the sunlight from reaching the grass. Grass that doesn’t receive enough sunlight turns brown, and if this goes on for too long, you’ll only see patches of bald earth under your furniture. Especially if your furniture is too bulky, it’ll be a matter of days before the grass starts to disappear.
Plus, too much foot traffic will trample the grass, making it less aerated and more likely to die.
2) Your furniture can erode due to moisture
Though outdoor furniture is pre-treated to resist moisture, the protective coatings wear off over time. The rain and dew take a toll on wooden furniture, and the legs in contact with grass often get moldy. The same goes for metal furniture, and all the moisture and sun exposure cause rusting around the base of the legs.
3) Grass surface is usually not even for putting on furniture
Even if you think that your lawn is perfectly flat, there will still be some bumps and dips that can cause problems. It’d be inconvenient to have wobbly tables and toppled chairs that add to the risk of injuries and extra repairing costs. Furthermore, the thin legs of your furniture will sink into the ground, making the surface more uneven.
4) Your outdoor furniture is made for the patio
Most furniture pieces aren’t made for use on grass and might not be able to take the wear and tear that comes with regular exposure to elements on a corrosive surface. Your furniture will look way more beautiful and last longer when kept safe on a solid flat surface.
5) Not suitable for all outdoor spaces
If, for example, you have lots of spiders in the area, it’s not safe to have your outdoor furniture on the grass. Insects like spiders tend to hide and breed under furniture, which are unsightly and could potentially be dangerous. In rainy areas, water can pool in the dips of your furniture, making puddles that can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
How to Put Outdoor Furniture Directly on Grass
Having established that it’s not a good idea to put your furniture directly on the grass, let’s talk about ways to get around this problem. Our primary concern is protecting the grass surface while ensuring that your furniture doesn’t erode, so we’ll look at ways to accomplish this in this section.
Don’t keep it for too long: The easiest way to avoid having your grass die under furniture is to not leave it out for too long. For example, you can place it on the lawn for a dinner party or when you have guests over, then bring it back to the deck or patio.
If you have big pieces of furniture that cannot be moved or have things like a trampoline on your lawn, you should move them to a different part of your lawn every other week. This way, the grass will stay healthy.
Get furniture with wide feet: Another good option is to get chairs and tables with wide feet. This will distribute your weight better and won’t leave sinkholes in your lawn. Before setting up your furniture, take the time to find the flattest and least lumpy section of your lawn. Alternatively, you can use small paver pieces to support each foot and prevent wobbling.
Lay down a tarp or plastic sheet to protect the grass: If you’re only going to use the furniture for a short time, consider laying down a tarp or plastic sheet to protect the grass. Remove the tarp the next day as soon as possible so that you don’t block out the sunlight.
Build a makeshift outdoor flooring: If you don’t have a big enough patio or deck but need space to set up furniture, you can cover your grass with a makeshift floor. You’ll have a great outdoor space to entertain guests while avoiding crushing grass. Several options like wood, rubber, or even stone paver titles are available in the market.
You only have to lay them down and interlock through pre-drilled holes. Such a floor is easy to install, effortless to maintain, and even easier to remove. A rather unaesthetic alternative is wooden planks. You can nail the planks together like a deck and put your furniture on top of it.
How to Protect Grass from Outdoor Furniture (Outdoor Flooring)
Keeping your outdoor furniture on the patio or deck is a great idea, but you can also use the additional space on your lawn. There are several options for temporarily using the space, and the outdoor flooring is the most practical and aesthetically pleasing choice.
When you’re building a place to enjoy your outdoor space with your family or friends, you’d want it to be sturdy, durable, and cost-effective. Outdoor flooring provides every one of those qualities while giving you the freedom to quickly and easily transform your lawn into a place for fun and relaxation. Here we have some great options for outdoor flooring.
Acacia is a durable, strong wood virtually impervious to water damage and termites, making it perfect for outdoor use. These tiles snap together to create an even floor, making installation quick and easy. You can lay these tiles over your existing lawn to create a convenient surface for dining or extend your patio to enjoy the outdoors even more.
Wood-plastic composite (WPC) is another excellent choice for outdoor flooring. These dark tiles are beautiful, plus they’re very efficient at water drainage. WPC flooring is manufactured from recycled plastic and reclaimed wood, so you get an environmentally friendly product while also durable enough for constant outdoor use.
Another option is Yaheetech WPC Outdoor Flooring tiles. These super-durable tiles come in many different colors, allowing you to pick the perfect design for your outdoor space. The assembly is also easy and doesn’t require any tools. They’re also resistant to rain, snow, and even sweltering weather conditions.
These tiles are made of natural pebble stone, cut and fixed together to make a flat surface. They can be laid along with acacia wood tiles or by themselves to create a classic, natural floor for your outdoor space.
Can You Put Outdoor Furniture on Turf?
Yes, artificial grass is way more durable and low-maintenance than natural grass, so it’s safe to put your furniture on it. You won’t have to worry about the grass getting crushed, but it’s still a good idea to use wide feet furniture and move it often because the furniture will leave imprints.
Artificial turfs are usually made flat, and there is a low chance of uneven surfaces, which also makes them a good choice for keeping the furniture steady.
