Most storage cabinets and shelving units, such as a Hübsch Simple Shelf or a Normann Copenhagen Rib Wall Cabinet, are designed for indoor use. Materials like MDF, veneer, and untreated wood cannot tolerate outdoor moisture, frost, and temperature fluctuations year-round and will be damaged. Metal can be more robust, but still needs protection from direct weather to maintain its appearance and function over time.
Heidi 3 min. læsning
I am often asked in the shop if a shelving unit or a cabinet can stay outside all year. It is a thought I understand well, as many people wish to extend their storage options to the patio or balcony. But the short answer is that most furniture we refer to as a storage unit or shelving unit is created for indoor use in a stable climate. They rarely tolerate Danish weather conditions year-round. A storage unit is rarely for outdoor use, but the material determines durability.
Many of the shelving units and cabinets we carry are made from materials like MDF, veneer, or solid wood, which are intended for an indoor climate. A shelving unit like the Hübsch Simple Shelf or Aakjaer Furniture Arcus Shelf is beautiful and functional indoors, but they are not treated to resist rain, frost, the sun's UV rays, or the constant moisture found outdoors. I have unfortunately seen many examples of wood swelling, lacquer peeling, and veneer detaching when exposed to the elements. Moisture can also lead to mold and rot, which destroys the furniture from within.
Even furniture with a painted or lacquered surface will eventually give way, as cracks and fissures appear, allowing moisture to penetrate. A storage unit or cabinet intended to last for many years must be placed according to its material properties.
If you are considering placing a storage unit or a shelving unit outdoors, the material is crucial. Some metals, such as stainless steel or aluminum, are more resistant to moisture and rust than wood-based materials. However, even metal furniture is not always designed to stand unprotected outdoors all year. They can fade in color, develop surface rust, or become marked by dirt and algae. For example, a Normann Copenhagen Rib Wall Cabinet is primarily made of wood and is not suitable for outdoor use.
There is furniture made of specially treated wood or specific plastic materials that are intended for outdoor use. However, these are rarely the same pieces of furniture we refer to as an indoor storage unit or shelving unit. If you plan to use a shelving unit like the Slide Shelf from Hübsch outdoors, you need to consider its placement. I have had customers who have found clever solutions for covered outdoor spaces, but it requires careful thought.
If you still wish to use some form of storage unit or storage outdoors, placement is critical. A covered balcony or a deep carport can provide some protection from direct rain and sun. But even here, the furniture will be exposed to high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and condensation. I have seen how even a well-considered placement under an overhang can cause a wooden storage unit to suffer damage over time.
To extend the lifespan of furniture taken outdoors – even if it is not its primary purpose – you might consider covering it with a waterproof cover when not in use, especially during winter. This is part of the care required if one chooses to challenge the furniture's original intent.
Instead of trying to adapt an indoor storage unit for outdoor use, it can be a better investment to choose storage solutions specifically designed for the purpose. There are sheds, storage boxes, and shelving units made of materials like galvanized steel, weather-resistant plastic, or specially treated wood, which are built to last in the Danish climate.
At Houmøllers, we help find furniture that suits its purpose. I will always recommend looking at what the furniture was created for. If you are looking for a beautiful shelving unit for your living room, you can see our selection of storage furniture and Hübsch furniture. For more specific storage solutions, you might also consider furniture from Form & Refine or FRAMA, who often work with robust materials.
My experience is that it pays to choose furniture designed for the environment it will be placed in. A storage unit made for indoors will last longer and look better if it is allowed to stay there. This ensures you will enjoy your furniture for many years.
No, wooden shelving units like the Hübsch Simple Shelf are designed for indoor use. The wood will swell, rot, or peel if exposed to outdoor moisture, frost, and sun all year. A wooden storage unit should always remain indoors.
For storage furniture or storage meant for outdoor use, materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, or weather-resistant plastic are better choices. These materials are more resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations than typical indoor furniture materials.
A metal storage unit can be more robust than a wooden one, but it still needs protection from direct rain and frost to avoid rust spots and maintain its appearance. Even metal can fade in color over time if left unprotected outdoors all year.
Even on a covered balcony, an indoor storage unit will be exposed to moisture and temperature fluctuations. It is recommended to cover it with a waterproof cover when not in use, especially during winter, to extend its lifespan.
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