Choosing the Best Cushions for Outdoor Furniture
It can be tricky to find outdoor furniture that is comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to maintain, especially given the current patio furniture shortage. Unlike indoor cushions, outdoor cushions are subject to much more wear and tear from the elements, so quality is key!
Rather than constantly having to replace your outdoor cushions when they fade, stain, or get moldy, read our tips below and invest in high-quality outdoor cushions and cushion covers that are made to last.
Types of Cushions for Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor cushions come in as many shapes and sizes as outdoor furniture. Depending on the type of furniture you’re outfitting, you can either find outdoor cushions that fit your furniture or order custom-made outdoor cushions.
Generally speaking, there are two main types of outdoor cushions: boxed-edge cushions and knife-edge cushions. Boxed-edge cushions have a vertical sidewall with a height that matches the thickness of the cushion. As the name suggests, their shape resembles a box. Knife-edge cushions are made by sewing the top and bottom fabric panels together to make a more traditional sewing seam, which is mid-height on the sides of the cushion. These cushions are more pillow-like.
What to Consider When Shopping for Outdoor Chair Cushions
When shopping for high-quality outdoor cushions, there are some important things to keep an eye out for. First of all, you’ll want to look for cushions that are weather-resistant; depending on the materials used and the processing, outdoor cushions can be waterproof, water-resistant, fade-resistant, and/or mildew-resistant. Therefore, keep your local climate in mind when choosing your cushions and cushions covers.
At Fig Leaf, we typically use a combination of 95% poly and 5% spandex for our cushion covers, which allows them to be fade, stain, and mildew resistant. It also allows for a flexible, optimal fit.
The Importance of Cushion Covers for Your Patio Cushions
No matter what kind of cushions you buy for your outdoor cushions, we recommend investing in some high-quality, removable cushion covers to keep them protected from the elements and looking their best.
Cushion covers will make maintaining your outdoor cushions easy, especially when you buy removable, machine-washable covers. When they start to look dingy or get a stain on them, you can just zip them off, pop them in the wash, and they’ll come out looking as fresh as ever!
As an added bonus, with removable cushion covers, you can easily switch up the look and feel of your patio or outdoor gathering space. You could have some bright red cushion covers to get festive over the holiday season and some floral cushion covers to bring out in the springtime when the garden starts to bloom!
Protecting & Maintaining Your Outdoor Seat Cushions
In addition to covering your outdoor cushions with cushion covers, there are some additional things you can do to extend the lifespan of your seat cushions:
- Avoid placing them in direct sunlight to minimize fading
- Protect cushions with “sunblock” or a UV protective spray
- Cover your patio furniture completely when it’s raining or snowing
- For long periods of non-use, take your cushions and covers inside and store them in a dry place
- Invest in a patio cover to protect your cushions from the elements
Find Cushions for Outdoor Furniture with Fig Leaf
If you’re looking for outdoor cushions that are both beautiful and practical, we’ve got you (and your patio furniture) covered! Our Fig Leaf Cushion Covers come in many different styles, colors, and patterns, but are all machine washable and prepared to withstand the changing seasons.
We can make cushion covers to match almost any kind of patio furniture out there, so feel free to reach out if you can’t find what you’re looking for on our website!
