Severe Weather Prep: Protecting Your Home and Furniture During Power Outages

La-Z-Boy Southeast | January 22, 2026

When severe weather threatens the Southeast—whether hurricanes, ice storms, or major storms—protecting your furniture and creating a safe space during power outages requires preparation. Severe Weather Preparedness is essential for keeping your home and family safe during these unpredictable events. Here are some things we don’t often think about when a bad storm is in the forecast:

• Move upholstered furniture away from windows
• Replace batteries in power recliner backup packs before storms hit
• Elevate pieces if flooding is possible
• Set up a central room with proper furniture arrangement.
• Know safe distances for generators and alternative heating
• Have furniture covers ready for leak protection
• Understand how to assess water damage on different materials after the storm passes

Download our Severe Weather Checklist Here⬇️

Before Severe Weather: Your Prep Checklist

When severe weather is forecasted—ideally 24 hours before it arrives—taking a few preventive steps can save your furniture and make your home safer. Think of this as your furniture first aid kit: quick actions now prevent major headaches later.

Replace Batteries in Power Recliner Backup Packs

If you have a La-Z-Boy power recliner or any motorized furniture, now’s the time to swap in fresh batteries. Most power recliners have a battery backup system that lets you return the chair to an upright position if the power goes out. Check your owner’s manual for the battery compartment location (usually underneath the chair). Keep spare 9-volt batteries on hand year-round so you’re always ready.

Clear Emergency Pathways

Walk through your home and make sure hallways, doorways, and exits are clear. Move ottomans, accent chairs, or side tables that could become obstacles in the dark. If you need to evacuate or move quickly, you don’t want to navigate around furniture.

Gather Furniture Protection Materials

Collect tarps, plastic sheeting, or old sheets you can use to cover furniture if leaks develop. Keep them accessible—not in the attic or storage unit you can’t reach during the storm. Painter’s plastic or heavy-duty garbage bags work in a pinch too.

Identify Your Safe Room

Choose a central room in your home, ideally without exterior walls or large windows. This becomes your comfort zone during the storm—more on that in the next section. Make note of which furniture is already there and what you might want to move in.

Winter-Specific: Drip Your Faucets

When freezing temperatures are expected, let faucets drip slightly to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. This simple step can save you from major water damage to floors, walls, and any furniture nearby. Focus on faucets along exterior walls first.

Hurricane-Specific: Secure or Move Outdoor Furniture

Bring patio furniture, planters, and decorative items inside or secure them in a garage or shed. These can become dangerous projectiles in high winds and can damage your home’s exterior or windows, which in turn threatens your indoor furniture.

Protecting Your Furniture During Severe Weather

Once severe weather arrives, your furniture faces two main threats: physical damage from the storm itself and secondary damage from temperature and moisture changes. Here’s how to protect your pieces.

Moving Upholstered Furniture Away from Windows

Windows can break from flying debris or extreme pressure changes. If you have sofas, chairs, or sectionals positioned near windows, pull them at least three feet away if possible. Even a broken window that doesn’t shatter completely can let in rain that soaks upholstery. Drag heavier pieces on furniture sliders if you have them, or ask for help lifting—don’t risk injury trying to move a heavy sectional alone.

Elevating Furniture If Flooding Is Possible

If your area is prone to flooding or you’re concerned about burst pipes, elevate vulnerable furniture off the floor. Place cinder blocks, bricks, or sturdy plastic storage containers under furniture legs to create a barrier. Even four to six inches of clearance can make the difference between salvageable and ruined. Focus on wood furniture first—upholstery can sometimes be dried and cleaned, but water-damaged wood furniture often warps beyond repair.

Covering Furniture for Leak Protection

If you spot ceiling stains or suspect roof damage during the storm, cover furniture with the tarps or plastic sheeting you gathered earlier. Tuck the edges under furniture legs to keep covers in place. For particularly valuable pieces, add towels or blankets on top of the plastic to absorb any water that gets through. Remember: getting to safety is more important than protecting furniture, so don’t put yourself at risk.

Temperature Fluctuations and Wood Furniture

Wood furniture is particularly sensitive to dramatic temperature and humidity changes. When power goes out in winter, your home becomes very cold and dry. In summer outages, it can become hot and humid. These swings cause wood to expand and contract, which can lead to cracks, warping, or veneer separation. There’s not much you can do during an active storm, but after power is restored, avoid placing wood furniture directly next to heating or cooling vents until the climate stabilizes. Gradual temperature adjustment is gentler on the wood.

Creating Your Emergency Comfort Zone During Severe Weather

During extended power outages, one well-arranged room becomes your home base—a space where your family can stay warm (or cool), rest safely, and weather the storm together. The right furniture setup makes all the difference.

Choosing Your Safe Room

Pick an interior room with minimal or no exterior walls, which helps with both safety and temperature regulation. A family room, large bedroom, or finished basement often works well. The room should be large enough to accommodate your household comfortably but small enough that body heat can help maintain warmth in winter (or that a small generator-powered fan can circulate air in summer).

Furniture Arrangement for Comfort and Function

In winter, arrange seating in a tight cluster to maximize shared body heat. A sectional sofa is ideal because everyone can sit close together while still having their own space. Pull recliners into a circle or semicircle. Add ottomans to create makeshift beds for kids or extra seating. In summer storms, spread furniture out more to allow air circulation. Position recliners near any windows (interior ones, not exterior) that you might open for cross-ventilation once it’s safe.

Safe Sleeping Arrangements

If you’ll be sleeping in this space, think about comfort and practicality. Power recliners with the backup batteries you already replaced can offer a comfortable sleeping position. Sectionals work well for kids to curl up on. If you’re using an air mattress, place it away from exterior walls. Layer blankets and sleeping bags on top of your regular furniture—your sofa becomes much more comfortable as a bed with the right padding.

Maximizing Natural Light

Once the storm passes and daylight returns, furniture placement can help you make the most of limited light. Position chairs and sofas near windows (interior ones) so family members can read, play games, or do activities without straining their eyes. Keep a side table or coffee table nearby to hold flashlights, lanterns, or battery-powered lamps for when darkness falls again.

Home Office Emergency Prep

If you work from home, your office furniture and electronics need special consideration during severe weather and power outages.

Protecting Electronics and Office Furniture

Before the storm, unplug all electronics from the wall. Power surges when electricity comes back on can fry computers, monitors, and other devices. If your desk is near a window, move it or at least move your equipment away from the desk to an interior location. Cover your desk and office chairs with plastic sheeting if you’re concerned about ceiling leaks. Computer chairs with mesh backs dry faster than upholstered ones if they get wet.

Setting Up Alternative Workspaces

If your main office becomes too cold, too hot, or unsafe, you’ll need a backup workspace. Your comfort zone from the previous section might double as a temporary office. Set up a lap desk, TV tray, or small folding table in that room. If you need to take calls or work on a laptop once power returns, having a designated spot ready saves scrambling later. A comfortable chair or recliner with good lumbar support matters more than a traditional desk during these temporary setups.

Temporary Ergonomic Solutions

Working from a couch or recliner isn’t ideal for your posture, but you can make it better. Use throw pillows to support your lower back. A lap desk brings your laptop or tablet to a better height, reducing neck strain. If you’re sitting in a recliner, use the adjustable positions to find something that supports you without reclining too far back. When you return to your regular office setup, your neck and back will thank you for these small adjustments.

Winter Safety: Furniture Placement and Heating

When power goes out in cold weather, many people turn to space heaters, fireplaces, or generators. These can be lifesavers for warmth, but they also present fire and safety hazards if furniture is too close.

Safe Distances from Space Heaters

Keep all furniture at least three feet away from portable space heaters. This includes sofas, chairs, ottomans, and tables. Upholstered furniture is particularly flammable, and even wood furniture can scorch or ignite if a heater tips over or runs too hot. Never drape blankets or clothing over chairs near heaters—they can fall onto the heat source. If you’re using a space heater, make it the center of your seating arrangement with furniture forming a circle around it at a safe distance.

Fireplace and Wood Stove Clearances

Maintain a minimum three-foot clearance zone around fireplaces and wood stoves. Move furniture, especially anything upholstered, well back from the hearth. Sparks can pop out even from screened fireplaces. If you typically have a coffee table or ottoman in front of your fireplace for aesthetics, relocate it during actual use. Consider placing a sturdy barrier like a metal fire screen to protect both your family and your furniture.

Generator Placement and Indoor Air Quality

Generators produce carbon monoxide and must always be used outdoors, but the furniture inside still needs consideration. Keep all furniture away from exterior doors where generators might be running—carbon monoxide can seep inside. Close doors and windows near generators. If you’re using a generator to power a fan or small heater in your comfort zone, ensure proper ventilation and never, ever run a generator inside your home or garage, even with the door open.

Childproofing Considerations

If you have young children, emergency heating creates additional hazards. Create a physical barrier using furniture—arrange dining chairs or ottomans to block access to space heaters or fireplaces. Position adult seating (like recliners or sofas) between the heat source and children’s play areas. Keep hot surfaces like the tops of space heaters or wood stoves completely inaccessible. In a crisis situation, it’s harder to supervise constantly, so use your furniture strategically to create safe zones.

After the Storm: Furniture Recovery

Once the immediate danger passes and you can safely assess your home, it’s time to check your furniture for damage. Quick action can save pieces that might otherwise be lost.

Assessing Water Damage by Material

Different materials react differently to water exposure. Upholstered furniture that’s been soaked needs immediate attention—mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours. Press on cushions to see if water squeezes out. If it does, the padding is saturated and needs professional extraction or replacement. Leather furniture handles brief water exposure better than fabric—wipe it dry and condition it to prevent cracking. Wood furniture shows water damage through swelling, warping, white rings, or cloudy finishes. Solid wood can sometimes be sanded and refinished; veneered pieces are usually total losses if the veneer separates or bubbles.

Drying and Restoration Techniques

For upholstery, remove cushion covers if possible and hang them to dry in a well-ventilated area. Use fans to circulate air around wet furniture—this prevents mold growth. Don’t use heat directly on furniture; let it air dry naturally. For wood furniture, wipe away standing water immediately with absorbent towels. If you see water beading on the finish, the protective layer is intact and you have a better chance of saving the piece. For stubborn water stains on wood, try placing a thick towel over the mark and pressing with a warm (not hot) iron—sometimes the heat draws moisture out of the wood. Professional furniture restoration services can help with severe cases, but act quickly while the wood is still wet.

When Furniture Is Salvageable vs. Needs Replacement

Be realistic about what can be saved. If upholstery smells musty even after drying, mold has likely taken hold and the piece is a health hazard. If wood furniture has warped so badly that drawers won’t open or doors won’t close, it’s usually not worth the cost to repair. On the other hand, furniture with superficial water damage—water rings, minor swelling, or dampness that dried within 24 hours—can often be restored. Contact your homeowner’s insurance to document damage before disposing of anything. Take photos of all damaged furniture, even if you think it can be saved. Your insurance may cover professional restoration or replacement.

Dealing with Humidity Damage

After power outages, especially in summer, your home’s humidity levels might be very high. Even if furniture didn’t get directly wet, excessive humidity can cause issues. Wood furniture joints may loosen as the wood swells. Upholstery can develop a musty smell. Once power returns, run dehumidifiers to bring moisture levels back to normal (aim for 30-50% relative humidity). Open windows to create airflow. Check furniture joints and tighten any loose screws or bolts. For pieces that feel damp but weren’t soaked, placing them in front of a fan for 24 hours usually solves the problem.

Final Thoughts

Severe weather is unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. By taking a few preventive steps before storms arrive—replacing batteries, clearing pathways, identifying safe spaces—and knowing how to protect your furniture during and after an outage, you’re setting yourself up for the best possible outcome. Remember that furniture can be replaced, but your safety and your family’s wellbeing cannot. When in doubt, prioritize getting to safety over protecting possessions. That said, the steps in this guide can help you safeguard the furniture that makes your house a home, so when the power comes back on and normalcy returns, your space is ready to welcome you back.