Key takeaways
- Furniture on a covered porch or under a deep overhang, where the cover mainly keeps off dust, pollen and bird droppings.
- Seasonal use in mild climates, or short-term protection while you decide on something better.
- Stacking covers for a few chairs when budget is the priority.
Modern Leisure patio furniture covers are a solid mid-market choice. The Basics line is a budget water-resistant cover for sheltered or seasonal use. Chalet is a step up in weather resistance. Garrison, with its taped seams, wind vents and leg buckles, is the line to buy if your furniture sits fully exposed through rain and winter. Which line you pick matters more than the brand name, because the gap between the cheapest and the best Modern Leisure cover is large.
The Modern Leisure lineup at a glance
Modern Leisure sorts its covers into named collections: Basics, Chalet, Monterey, Renaissance, Garrison, Black Diamond (a Garrison sub-series) and a small Sport range. The table below covers the three lines most people are choosing between.
Modern Leisure Basics Patio Chair Cover - Weather-Resistant Fabric - Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, Deck, and Porch - 33" L x 34" W x 31" H - Khaki, 2023
Included for 'Modern Leisure Patio Furniture Covers Review: Basics vs Chalet vs Garrison' because the listing specifies Weather-Resistant Fabric and Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon
Modern Leisure Garrison Swivel Lounge Patio Chair Cover - Weather-Resistant Fabric - Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, Deck, and Porch - 37.5" L x 39.25" W x 38.5" H - Heather Grey
Included for 'Modern Leisure Patio Furniture Covers Review: Basics vs Chalet vs Garrison' because the listing specifies Weather-Resistant Fabric and Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Modern Leisure Chalet Stackable/High Back Bar Chair Cover - Weather-Resistant Fabric - Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, Deck, and Porch - 27" L x 27" W x 49" H - Beige
Included for 'Modern Leisure Patio Furniture Covers Review: Basics vs Chalet vs Garrison' because the listing specifies Weather-Resistant Fabric and Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon
Modern Leisure Garrison Patio Loveseat Cover - Weather-Resistant Fabric - Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, Deck, and Porch - 66"L x 40"W x 39"H - Sandstone
Included for 'Modern Leisure Patio Furniture Covers Review: Basics vs Chalet vs Garrison' because the listing specifies Weather-Resistant Fabric and Outdoor Furniture Protection Perfect for Patio, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon| Line | Water rating | Seams | Fit features | Common colors | Typical chair cover price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basics | Water-resistant | Standard stitched | Elastic or drawcord hem on many sizes | Beige, khaki, beige/black | About $15–$30 |
| Chalet | Weather-resistant | Standard stitched | Hem cinch, some vents | Beige, sage | About $15–$35 |
| Garrison | Waterproof | Reinforced, taped | Leg buckles, base grommets, two built-in air vents | Sandstone, granite, heather gray | About $35–$60 |
| Black Diamond | Waterproof (Garrison series) | Taped | As Garrison | Darker tones | Higher than Garrison |
Large dining-set covers in the Garrison line, for example a rectangular or oval table-and-chair cover around 108 x 64 x 34 in, usually cost $110–$160. Basics and Chalet equivalents cost much less.
Basics patio chair cover: who it’s for
The Basics patio chair cover is the item people most often compare. It is a simple, lightweight cover in standard sizes, for example around 33 in long x 34 in wide x 31 in high for a typical patio chair, plus swivel lounge, fire-pit and heater sizes.
Where Basics makes sense
- Furniture on a covered porch or under a deep overhang, where the cover mainly keeps off dust, pollen and bird droppings.
- Seasonal use in mild climates, or short-term protection while you decide on something better.
- Stacking covers for a few chairs when budget is the priority.
Where Basics falls short
- Water-resistant fabric with stitched seams lets water through over time, especially along the shoulders of a chair where water pools.
- Lighter fabric is more prone to UV fading and cracking after a couple of full-sun seasons.
- With fewer tie-down points, gusty sites need extra clips or bungees to keep covers on.
Garrison: the line worth paying for if furniture stays out
Garrison is where Modern Leisure competes with heavy-duty covers. Its feature set targets the usual ways covers fail:
- Taped seams: Stitch holes are where most “waterproof” covers leak. Taping them closes that path.
- Air vents: Two vents let trapped air escape, so the cover doesn’t balloon and lift in wind. They also let moisture out, which reduces mildew underneath.
- Leg buckles and base grommets: These secure the cover to the furniture legs and to anchors on the ground, which is what keeps a cover on in a storm.
- UV-resistant polyester: Slows the fade-and-brittle cycle that ends most covers in sunny climates.
Black Diamond is part of the Garrison family and carries Modern Leisure’s longest warranty, three years. Read the warranty terms on your specific cover, because coverage periods differ between lines.
Choosing a line by exposure
| Your setup | Recommended line | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Covered porch, mild climate | Basics | Dust and pollen protection at the lowest cost |
| Partly covered patio, occasional storms | Chalet | Better weather resistance, still affordable |
| Open deck, regular rain or snow | Garrison | Taped seams and vents |
| Windy, exposed site | Garrison or Black Diamond | Buckles, grommets and vents to stop lift |
| Full-sun, hot climate | Garrison | UV-resistant fabric |
Sizing: how to get the fit right
Most cover problems come from sizing rather than fabric. Measure the furniture, not the old cover:
- Length (L): Front to back at the widest point, usually across the arms or seat front.
- Width (W): Side to side at the widest point.
- Height (H): Floor to the highest point of the back.
- Add about 1–2 in to each dimension for chairs and 2–4 in for sofas and dining sets so the cover slides on without straining the seams.
- For table-and-chair covers, measure with the chairs pushed in and include them in the length and width.
A cover that’s too tight wears through on sharp corners and splits seams. One that’s too loose catches wind and lets rain pool on top. Covers should hang to within a few inches of the ground but not drag on it.
Ownership realities
- Clean before covering: Dirt and leaves under a cover hold moisture and stain cushions.
- Keep cushions out: No cover is a substitute for storing cushions indoors in winter.
- Prevent pooling: On dining sets, put an upturned bucket or a cover support pole in the middle of the table so water runs off.
- Wash gently: Rinse with a hose and mild soap, and air-dry before storing. Avoid machine drying.
- Expect fabric wear: Every polyester cover fades and stiffens in strong sun. Plan on replacing budget covers sooner than heavier-duty ones.
How it compares with generic heavy-duty covers
Many no-name covers list a high denier rating, such as 600D, but leave out seam taping, vents and tie-down hardware. Denier only tells you how thick the yarn is. It says nothing about whether the seams leak or whether the cover stays on in wind. Garrison’s advantage is that it covers all three. Basics competes on price, not features, so a generic cover with vents and buckles can be the better buy for an exposed site on a budget.
Bottom line
Modern Leisure is worth considering, but buy by line. Basics covers are fine for protected furniture and tight budgets. Garrison is the one to choose if your patio set sits out in real weather, because its seams, vents and tie-downs fix the main reasons cheaper covers fail. If you need the very heaviest protection for a coastal or high-wind site, compare Garrison against solution-dyed or heavier-denier covers from other outdoor brands before deciding.
