Buying guide
Outdoor Cushion Buying Guide (2026)
How to choose an outdoor cushion: shape, size, fill, fabric, and the mistakes buyers should avoid.
Pick the shape first: deep seat, chaise, dining, wicker, or bench
There are five shapes of outdoor cushion, and they are not interchangeable. Deep seat sets are two-piece sets with a thick seat and a tall back, for deep patio chairs. Chaise pads are long, around 72 inches, for loungers. Dining cushions are tall seat and back cushions, around 20 by 44 inches, for dining chairs. Wicker pads are square tufted pads, around 19 by 19 inches, for wicker chairs. Bench pads are long, around 51 inches, for benches and swings. Decide what the cushion has to fit before comparing models, because the shape decides the shortlist.
Size: measure the chair, not the old cushion
Measure the seat width and depth, then the back height if you need a back cushion. A deep seat chair usually needs a 24 by 24 inch set, a dining chair needs a 19 or 20 inch square pad, a lounger needs a 72 inch chaise pad, and a bench needs a pad as long as the bench itself. Allow for the cushion to sit slightly proud of the frame, and check the ties will reach the chair rails. An old cushion that has gone flat measures smaller than it did when new, so it is a poor guide.
Fill: foam holds its shape, fibre feels soft
High-density foam holds its shape and supports the sitter for longer, which suits a chair used every day. Solid-core foam with a soft outer layer gives a firm but comfortable surface. Plush fibre fill is soft from the first use but goes flat faster under daily use, especially at the foot end of a chaise where the legs rest. Choose the fill for how often the chair is used, not for how it feels in the first five minutes.
Fabric: fade resistance and drying time matter most
An outdoor cushion has to handle rain and sun, so check the fabric before you buy. FadeSafe solution-dyed polyester keeps its colour through the season. Rain-proof polyester with a PFAS-free treatment sheds light rain. Waterproof covers with a hidden zip let a dirty cover come off for a wash. Weather and fade resistant polyester suits wicker pads. A cushion that soaks up rain and stays wet will smell, so drying time matters as much as the first impression: foam dries faster than fibre, and a cover that comes off dries faster than one that does not.
Ties, straps, and care
Ties, straps, and handles matter outdoors, since a cushion that slides off the chair in the wind is no use at all. Two sets of ties hold a deep seat better than one, click-close straps hold a chaise pad tight to the lounger, and a carry handle makes a set easy to move to storage. Some cushions arrive rolled or compressed and need a day or two to expand to full size, and some chaise foams must be stuffed into the cover on arrival. Store cushions dry and out of direct sunlight when they are not in use, and wipe them after use in the sun, since sunscreen marks pale fabrics.
Questions, answered
How many outdoor cushions do I need?
One per chair, to start. A deep seat chair needs one two-piece set, a dining chair needs one seat and back cushion, a wicker chair needs one pad, and a bench needs one long pad. A set of dining chairs needs one cushion per chair, so count the chairs before ordering, since the cost adds up fast.
Are outdoor cushions good for beginners?
Yes, and they are one of the easiest outdoor upgrades, because the job is mostly measuring. Measure the chair, match the shape, and check the ties. The common mistake is ordering a dining pad for a deep seat chair, or a deep seat set for a dining chair, so measure twice and order once.
How do I clean an outdoor cushion?
Wipe the cover with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then let it dry fully before storing. Removable covers can come off for a wash, which suits the Favoyard set. Do not soak foam or fibre fill, and do not store a damp cushion in a sealed box, since it will smell. Bring cushions in before heavy rain.