In Palm Beach, Florida, outdoor living isn’t something you reserve for a few weekends a year. With warm days stretching across every season, our patios often double as living rooms. That means it matters what kind of furniture we put outside. Looks alone won’t cut it. Materials need to hold up, feel good, and stay usable no matter what the weather is doing.

wicker patio furniture sets are among the most common choices for people who want comfort with a natural, relaxed feel. They show up on screened porches, sunrooms, pool decks, and covered patios. But not every patio is designed the same way, and not every placement works long term. What you gain in charm, you might give up in durability if your setup isn’t protected from the elements. Over time, it becomes pretty clear that covered patios offer the best environment for wicker furniture, especially here in a place with salt air, fast storms, and a whole lot of sun.

How Covered Patios Support Comfort and Longevity

Wicker is often thought of as light and breezy, and while that’s true, it’s not the kind of material that thrives in wide open spaces with constant exposure. A covered patio can make a real difference in how long your furniture lasts and how good it continues to feel.

• Direct sun can bake the surface of wicker, causing it to dry out and lose flexibility. When a roof or awning takes on the brunt of that heat instead, the wicker holds its shape better over time.

• Here in Florida, an afternoon rainstorm can come out of nowhere. That quick shift from dry to drenched can lead to warped frames or mildew problems if your furniture stays wet too long. A covered patio shields wicker from the worst of that swing.

• Wind brings more than just a breeze. It can kick up sand, pollen, and leaves that scratch or stick to textured surfaces like wicker. Protection from constant gusts helps prevent frays or abrasion that shorten the life of your set.

A little shade and shelter go a long way toward making sure your setup doesn’t just look right for a season but keeps serving your space well through every backyard hangout.

What Florida Weather Does to Outdoor Materials

Palm Beach may not get snow, but it doesn’t make things easier for outdoor furniture. The challenges just come in a different form. Everyday weather patterns here lean hot, bright, and sometimes sticky. That blend has a real effect on how your furniture materials age.

• The UV light here is strong. Without cover, frames and fabrics get lifted and faded more quickly, especially when the heat stays high for half the year or more.

• Along the coastline, salty air and moisture aren’t just problems for metal. They can build up on wicker too, especially when it’s synthetic or mass-produced. That buildup can make surfaces feel rough or lead to small cracks over time.

• During rainy months, standing water can be a problem. If water collects in or near your wicker set, especially when there’s no overhead protection, pieces may absorb too much. That can make them soften or sag, especially if they don’t have fast-drying cores.

All materials respond differently to local conditions, and wicker is no exception. It doesn’t need to be babied, but it does benefit from a little bit of backup when the skies open up.

Our collection at Beach House Patio Furniture features all-weather wicker sets with UV-resistant construction, so they maintain color and flexibility even with everyday use in Palm Beach.

Designing a Cozy Look Without Sacrificing Durability

Wicker has always paired well with relaxed outdoor design. But there’s a big difference between a photo-ready porch and one that’s actually comfortable to sit in after the rain clears or once the sun sets. A covered patio helps keep the balance between function and style.

• Covered spaces let you use more fabrics, like soft cushions or knit throws, without them collecting moisture. That adds color, texture, and comfort without the worry of soggy seating.

• Wicker frames can trap heat when they’re fully exposed. Sitting on scorchingly hot furniture isn’t exactly inviting. In the shade, frames stay cooler and more usable, even midday.

• Open plans can be beautiful but hard to control. With cover, you have more freedom to build a real seating area, not just a scattered set of chairs. Think accent pieces, end tables, maybe even a rug that isn’t quick to mold.

A well-designed covered patio creates a sense of room. It allows looks to layer naturally and function to stay high, without doubling your cleanup time every week.

Wicker pieces from our store can be paired with matching coffee tables, end tables, or ottomans to create custom setups that blend comfort and organization for smaller covered porches or larger screened patios.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Placing Wicker Outdoors

Wicker is treated as “outdoor safe,” but that wording can be a little misleading. It doesn’t mean everything is built to sit outside year-round with no maintenance. There are a few choices people often make that end up being harder on their furniture than they expect.

• People hear “all-weather wicker” and assume that means waterproof. It’s more accurate to say it’s water-resistant in light conditions. A sudden downpour or days of humidity can still cause damage, especially on cushions and joints.

• Wicker sets often find their way beside pools or on uncovered decks. While this might look great at first, long-term exposure next to wet pavement or chlorinated water can age the furniture faster than you’d think.

• Many people don’t realize how much the sun shifts through the year. Even a shady spot in April might have full exposure by midsummer. If your furniture never gets rotated or shielded, the same part might wear down far faster than the rest.

Recognizing these common slips helps preserve your furniture and your effort. It’s not about being extra careful. It’s just about thinking ahead.

Built to Match Your Space, Not Just the Season

By the time winter hits in Florida, “cold weather” usually means grabbing a light sweater after sunset. That’s good news for your patio plans. But it also makes coverage feel less optional. You’re not pulling furniture out for a few warm days, you’re using it almost nonstop, especially after hurricane season passes and the air cools just enough to sit outside all afternoon.

Wicker patio furniture sets work best when the setting matches their strengths. They’re lightweight, good-looking, and easy to mix into different layouts. But they’ll keep bringing comfort longer if they’re somewhere that shields them just a little. A covered patio in Palm Beach, Florida, offers both shade and longevity, without giving up the open-air feel that everyone comes to Florida to enjoy. When a space welcomes regular use, the right moves with layout and placement can stretch the life and ease of your design without needing extra effort each weekend.

Transform your patio space in Palm Beach, Florida, with furniture that delivers both comfort and durability for our unique climate. At Beach House Patio Furniture, we offer materials built to last while complementing the relaxed style Florida homes are known for. Explore our collection of wicker patio furniture sets to find the perfect fit for your covered layout, and let us help you create a setup that works year-round. Contact us today to ask questions, request personalized guidance, or get matched with the right pieces for your space.

About the Author

Chas Crofoot

Chas Crofoot is the owner of Beach House Patio Furniture, a family-owned outdoor furniture company in Jupiter, Florida. Since 1979, Chas and his team have manufactured and sold high-quality patio furniture — specializing in wicker, cast aluminum, aluminum, poly lumber, and PVC pipe styles built to withstand the Florida climate. With over four decades of hands-on experience in outdoor furniture design and manufacturing, Chas brings deep expertise in material selection, durability, and comfort for coastal living.