Creating an outdoor living area is a perfect way to unwind and get some fresh air. In addition to practical considerations, it is important to consider how to make your outdoor living space comfortable. And there’s no better way to crank up the relaxation than with some throw pillows and cushions for the patio?
Below, we’ve included a few pointers that should be useful while searching for the perfect outdoor sofa cushions.
Outdoor Sofa Cushions Buying Guide
Select the material
Think about your outdoor furniture and the overall aesthetic you’re going for when you do this.
Fabrics resistant to sunshine, water, and mildew are preferable, as they can be easily wiped clean; otherwise, after a few months in the elements, they won’t look as good as the couch cushions in your living room.
Fortunately, most outdoor cushion materials meet all these criteria such as;
- Olefin/Polypropylene
- Vinyl
- Polyester
- Cotton
- Textilene
- Acrylic
- Duck cloth
Outdoor sofa with sunbrella cushions is also one of the best outdoor materials.
Pick a color palette
Consider the color palette you’ve already established for your outside space and the existing furniture when selecting new outdoor sofa seat cushions.
Summer is the best time for outdoor furniture shopping, so choose bright-colored outdoor cushions for a chic look. However, neutral and pastel-colored outdoor sofa covers will provide the best look if you’re using one of the many wicker, teak, or aluminum sofa sets.
Take measurements
Patio set needs new cushions, and you must find ones that fit. This necessitates thinking about dimensions and forms; therefore, pick replacement outdoor sofa cushions that complement your outdoor furniture.
To begin, check that it is the appropriate size. Measuring the width and depth of the seat is important, as not all chairs and benches are created equal. The next thing to consider is the sitting height by determining the cushions’ thickness.
Select the cushion thickness
Cushions intended for use in the great outdoors tend to be plumper than those used indoors. Waterproofing the foam used in outdoor cushions is a design priority, and less expensive cushions may use foam that breaks down after a season, requiring frequent replacement. The ideal thickness of foam for use in outdoor sofa back cushions, daybed cushions, and similar outdoor chair cushions is between 10 and 15 centimeters.
Pick the cushion filling
When searching for outdoor sofa cushions, you will find a few options for stuffing. One example is foam, which is both inexpensive and widely available. Batting, which is Dacron-wrapped foam, is the other. If you don’t want to ‘sink’ into your cushions, this is a good alternative because it is smooth and sturdy.
But you can still find firmly stuffed pillows that simply use foam. If you want really firm outdoor sofa seat cushions, use the maximum density foam you can locate.
What Extra Qualities Should You Look for in Patio Cushions?
Ties
Replacement outdoor sofa cushions can be secured to chairs permanently with ties, even after repeated usage.
Throw Over
Slipcovers are like ties that protect outdoor furniture from the elements but also provide a stylish flair. When placed over outdoor furniture, a coordinating slipcover covers the whole frame.
Foldable
Seams on a foldable cushion join the back and seat cushions into a single, portable piece. This convenient storage outdoor sofa back cushion is made from a single, compact piece.
Reversible
Reversible cushions allow for easy sartorial swaps. Providing a variety of color and pattern options for the same cushion gives clients a quick and easy way to switch up their decor.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Outdoor Cushions?
Replacement outdoor sofa cushions should be cleaned by regularly brushing off dirt and debris.
Vacuuming outdoor cushions is fine and won’t ruin them; it will help you remove dust or dirt from between the seams and corners.
Outdoor sofa cushion stains are best removed by blotting rather than rubbing.
Outdoor sofa with sunbrella cushion fabric that you want to keep looking bright should be protected from direct sunlight.
Lotions and sunscreens can leave oily stains that are difficult to remove if not cleansed promptly and thoroughly. Use cornstarch or other adsorbents if oil-based stains appear. Any surplus oil will be kept out of the fabric. Then, clean it with a mild soapy solution and water. Only use it once it’s completely dry.
One gallon of distilled water, one cup of bleach, and one-fourth cup of mild soap will effectively remove mildew from cushions covered in solution-dyed acrylic textiles. Apply the entire mixture by spraying it on the fabric, then washing and letting it dry naturally.
Drain cushions completely by placing them with the seam side down.
Outdoor sofa seat cushions and upholstery cloth can dry rapidly and independently thanks to convenient features (like zippers).
You should clean and dry your pillows before putting them away.
Can You DIY Outdoor Sofa Cushions?
You can easily DIY outdoor sofa cushions for your furniture. Here are some supplies you might need to get started:
- Outdoor cushion fabric to handle the weather.
- Cushion insert or old cushion.
- A sewing machine to create professional-looking covers.
- A needle and thread.
- Sewing pins to keep everything in place.
5 Easy Steps to DIY Your Outdoor Cushions
Make a blueprint before drawing
The first steps aren’t buying fabric or using the sewing machine. Think if you want to make or buy a patio cushion. Do you want to make simple cushions, backrest cushions, throw pillows, or replacement cushions for curved outdoor sofas? Before committing, scale your ideas.
Cut and pin your fabric
Place your cushion insert or old cushion right side up on your fabric. Fold the material over the cushion, wrong side out (or right side in). Cut the three free ends to cover the cushion on all four sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance and the ends meeting in the center. Before stitching, pin the parts together.
Join the side seams
Remove the cushion insert from the cover. Sew a straight line down the side seams with the right sides facing in. Reverse the cushion in the fabric. Re-sew the side seams if it feels loose.
Sew the edges
Pin the line you’ll sew along the outdoor sofa cushion edge in the two front corners where your fabric overhangs the cushion insert. Remove the stuffing and stitch the pinned lines for tidy box edges.
Finish the back
Finally, turn the fabric inside out and check the cushion fit. Fold the wrong sides together, tuck the raw edge under, and press with a needle and thread to properly finish the seam. Sloppy stitching is fine since the back doesn’t show.
Final Thoughts
The right cushion may serve as a decorative accent and a comfortable seat in your outdoor space. They can be a fun way to inject color into your bland patio outdoor decor.
You can make the most of your outside space with the right outdoor sofa cushions and our helpful guide.
