You have just bought that new patio furniture set. Everything is in place, and you are enjoying it to the fullest. And then it happens – your new table is gone. Bummer! And the worst part is that there are no assurances that this won’t happen again. So how can you prevent outdoor furniture from theft?
You can secure your patio furniture to your deck with cable locks, or to the ground directly, to make them hard to steal. Adding an outdoors security system (cameras, motion-sense floodlights, etc.) to deter thieves as well. A tall fence is ideal, but may be expensive to add.
Outdoor furniture is a popular target for thieves because obviously it’s expensive, easy to grab, and often left unguarded. So it needs a little extra care to prevent theft. Fortunately, there are many ways to protect it from theft. Let’s explore some of the best ways to keep thieves away from your precious patio set.
Protecting your outdoor furniture doesn’t mean you’ll have to make big investments – there are plenty of things you can do on a budget. Take some time to assess the area around your house and see what you need most in terms of security. Here we have a few ideas for you:
1) Anchor it to the ground
One of the most surefire ways to protect patio furniture is to lock it to the ground. Basically, you have to drill stakes and tie down the furniture to them using clamps or chains, which means no one can just pick up and walk away with your patio sets.
There are several anchoring systems on the market that can be installed on walls, concrete, masonry, or ground.
It’s affordable and versatile and can be used to lock down your tables, chairs, umbrellas, hammocks, and more.
The other type of anchoring system can be zip-slip-clip, where a ring is slipped through spaces in the deck or between seams of furniture, then clamped down with the help of a zip tie, and then you tie your furniture to it.
We recommend the PROGrip tie-downs (on Amazon). They’re super easy to install, no drilling required, and your furniture will be safe and secure.
2) Keep it locked down with cable locks
A thief can pick up a table or chair, but it’s certainly not easy to carry an entire set together, and that’s how cable locks work. They are kind of like bike locks but way longer and sturdier. These cables can be chains or steel cables with either combination locks or padlock loops. Even fingerprint technology is available in the latest designs.
They’re also relatively flexible and easier to set up than anchors, and you can take your furniture wherever you want and then weave the cable through all the chairs, table, love seats, or lounge, then loop it back and lock it down.
When you’re buying cable locks, avoid the temptation to buy low-quality ones as they will only end up frustrating you. Instead, we recommend Lumintrail Steel Cable (on Amazon).
The Lumintrail Cable is a 1/2 inch galvanized steel cable featuring a vinyl coating for added protection against weather rust. In addition, it has loop ends, so you can put your padlocks on it or tie it with anchors.
We also like the Dock Locks security cable (on Amazon). This marine-grade braided steel cable uses a resettable four-digit combination lock and is weather-resistant to last you for decades.
Both these cables are available in 30 ft lengths, but you can always find some in bigger sizes if you need more.
3) Install security cameras
The only way you can actually monitor your space when you’re not around is by using surveillance cameras. These devices are your eyes when you’re gone, and they’ll protect your outdoor furniture and house 24/7.
Plus, if anything happens, you’ll have evidence for authorities to identify culprits and insurance claims. Luckily, they aren’t very expensive, and you can set them up really effortlessly.
The Reolink E1 outdoor WiFi security camera (on Amazon) has so many features you might not know where to start. It has a pan and tilt cam with 3x zoom, a 5 MP camera, color night vision that works up to 40 feet away, and a waterproof IK10 rating.
All these come with smart motion detection features and two-way speakers, so it’s ideal for protecting your outdoor furniture and house.
Though visible cameras act as a deterrent to thieves, they are also easier to avoid because the thief will know where they’re being watched from. So it’s good to have a combination of visible and hidden cameras.
For example, a hidden cam in an outdoor light (on Amazon) fixture or an outdoor speaker should keep you covered. These small cams give you all the essential features while staying discreet.
4) Use motion-sensitive lights
You can’t keep your house lit 24/7, and big outdoor spaces are even impossible to monitor constantly. But dark places are more likely to be targeted by burglars. Motion-sensitive lights are the solution for this – these lights come on when someone steps in or near the perimeter.
They also help with surveillance cameras since the video quality is better when the space is well-lit. You’ll be surprised at how efficient motion sensor lights are these days, and they don’t light up on any movement but just the right ones.
Many users highly recommend Dimunt Motion Sensor Lights (on Amazon). They’re the best when it comes to durability and performance, and you can expect them to last for years. They’re made of tempered glass and water-resistant aluminum, so you won’t have to worry about breaking or rusting.
But the biggest perk is they’re solar powered. Even if your electric supply goes out in the middle of the night, these lights will always be there. Another trusted brand Olafus also has motion-sensitive LED floodlights (on Amazon).
They have rugged IP65 dust and waterproof construction and high-intensity LEDs with 112 weatherproof LEDs. It produces a 5500 lm powerful light and has a 120° view angle, so no spot will be missed.
5) Use a motion-activated alarm system
Alarms have been the most basic security systems for centuries, and they are still popular today for good reasons. Just like motion sensor lights, you can set up motion sensor alarms on the perimeter. They’ll alert you immediately when there’s an intruder. Plus, the sirens can also act as deterrents.
Both are suitable for the outdoors, and their motion sensor will pick up movement from 50 ft away. The systems are as simple as a box with a sensor and a couple of receivers, so you can move them around easily.
6) Build a fence
If there is a perimeter around your house, you can install a fence to define the area and keep intruders away. It’s an investment, but it comes with so many perks, like blocking out prying eyes, protecting your yard from clutter and debris, and keeping intruders away. Besides privacy and security, you’ll also get a well-maintained garden and yard with a fence.
It will make your outdoor furniture feel as safe as if it’s stored in a room. You’ll also enjoy the aesthetic factor since your yard will look amazing with a fence. Some added features, like carpet tacks, can turn the fence into an impenetrable line of defense.
You’d probably want to check with local authorities regarding fencing because some areas have regulations on heights and materials. You don’t want to go wrong with your fence and risk fines, so be sure to check beforehand.
7) Lock your gate
Even if it’s only a fence, you should always lock your gate. If you want to be extra safe, use padlocks on the gate because it’ll also make it difficult to remove the big furniture pieces.
Make sure you use trusty locks because determined thieves can cut through almost anything.
There are some really heavy-duty ones that you might want to check out. Like this Master combination lock (on Amazon) that can withstand wire cutters. And don’t forget to change the number sequence every few months.
8) Bring it inside
If you don’t want to invest in any of the above, you always have the option to bring your outdoor furniture inside when you’re not using it.
This might come with inconvenience because you may not have enough space, and moving them in and out will be a task. But on the bright side, along with security, you’ll also save the furniture from harsh weather, so it will last longer.
If you have some budget, build a small shed to accommodate your outdoor furniture, especially when you’re going on a long vacation.
9) Get a dog
The oldest trick in the book is get a dog and let it sit near your door. Though security shouldn’t be the primary reason for getting a pet, dogs are great deterrents to robbers.
They’ll be your first line of defense against burglars by barking at anything suspicious, and you can even teach them to sniff out intruders.
They are also loyal friends who offer company and comfort, so it’s a win-win situation. Just be sure to take care of them and give them all the love they need. Some specific breeds like the Bullmastiff and Australian Shepherd are especially good for security.
10) Place warning signs around your property
Posting warning signs is common practice to scare off intruders. They may not be very effective, but they’re better than nothing. Make a few flyers or buy some pre-made signs from a store and post them around your home at a visible place.
You can try “You are on Camera” or “Beware Of Dog” – anything that’s noticeable and intimidating enough to break a thief’s spirit. Sometimes fake signs work just as well, so even if you don’t actually have a security system, your uninvited guest will think you do.
11) Hire a sitter when you’re gone
Burglars tend to target the vacant homes. When they see unopened mail, the grass not manicured, or the lights always off, they know the homeowners aren’t around. To avoid this, hire a sitter and pay them to take care of your home.
They can visit your place daily or weekly, do the chores, and check on any security issues. Sitters don’t have to be some professional crew, and you can even pay your neighbor’s teen to help you out.
12) Make friends with neighbors
When you know your neighbors, they’ll always be there to help. They will keep an eye on your property and inform you of any suspicious activity. So even though you may not be home, you’ll still feel secure knowing that there are people who can act on your behalf.
A friendly community is also great for sharing information, and you can work together to thwart crime and improve the quality of life in your area.
Conclusion
Outdoor furniture is a big investment, and nobody wants to lose it. We have shared just some of the many ways to protect outdoor furniture from theft, but there are always other methods. You just have to be smart and observant when it comes to your safety.
Our best advice is to start with small investments, from a security camera to a good lock and some warning signs. Then gradually plan on investing in more high-tech equipment as you think you need it.
