Winter is a paradoxical season. Soft, fluffy snowflakes can create the most dazzling displays of beauty in your yard and neighborhood, yet blustering winds and freezing ice can cause a significant amount of damage. If you're like most people, winter is simply a (mostly) unpleasant period between fall and spring, and you're just waiting for it to pass so you can get out and enjoy your backyard again. Patio furniture is a boon on those warm and breezy days, yet may not always survive the winter weather: here are three ways to improve your odds.  

• Place them in storage. One of the easiest ways to protect your outdoor furniture from the wrath of winter is to remove it entirely. Placing your furnishings in a shed, garage, or even an offsite storage facility guarantees their security from even the most violent storms; unfortunately, it's also the most costly option. Most people like to store their cars in the garage when it snows, removing the possibility of space for a bulky table and chairs, and sheds and storage facilities don't come cheap. Depending on your preferences and the depth of your wallet, storage may not be the best choice.

• Invest in slipcovers. Slipcovers have long been used to protect indoor furniture (sofa slipcovers are a godsend if you have pets or rambunctious children), so it only makes sense that they should be used outside. Regardless of what your needs are -- if you're interested in daybed covers, patio furniture cushion covers, or simple couch slipcovers -- you'll be able to find a prefabricated or custom-made option available online. They're cheaper than a storage unit, and tend to offer more protection than protective coatings.

• Apply weather treatments. Usually the most affordable option, weather treatments are practical if you live in areas that experience mild winters: light showers, hardly any snow, or warmer temperatures for example. If your furniture is completely exposed and you live in the northeast, however, they may not quite do the job. The right choice depends entirely on your personal needs and budget.

  The furniture and home furnishings industry is valued at around $106.8 billion -- it doesn't really need you to contribute to that number by having to purchase new patio furniture each year. With the right protective coatings, patio furniture slipcovers (and patio furniture cushion covers), or storage spaces, your outdoor furnishings will live to see another summer.