Patio Cushions

The Perfect Patio Cushion

The perfect patio cushion to enhance your garden probably already exists somewhere. If you know what you are looking for in patio cushions no doubt you will be able to find it here on the web even if you don’t get quite the same choice in your local store.

But do you know what you are looking for? Here are some guidelines to finding the perfect patio furniture cushion.

1. A Cushion which Gives the Right Look to Your Patio

Patios come in all shapes and sizes and they are made of all types of materials. Ditto patio furniture and accessories. The best patios however have every element working together to create a particular style. They don’t have a classic style chair coupled with a funky or retro patio seat cushion. Better to have a classic chair with a cushion in a plain sober color or in a subtle stripe. The best patios don’t have a colonial sun shade in a natural color together with a tropical palm print patio chair cushion. The natural color umbrella goes much better with natural colored seat cushions.

Reversible Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)

Reversible Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)

2. A Cushion which Fits Your Patio Furniture Exactly

When choosing a patio furniture replacement cushion make sure you measure your furniture first. You will find patio cushions comes come in many standard sizes but you have to get the right standard size so that the cushion can be secured to the chair with ties and is not slipping all over the place. If your patio furniture is not in a standard size then you can look for custom cushions which are available from a number of sites. They are a little more expensive but worth it to get a good fit. If you are not sure how to measure see How to measure for replacement patio cushions

3. A Cushion which Feels Good

Patio cushion covers are generally made from waterproof fabric but the perfect outdoor patio cushion will not actually FEEL waterproof (or look it). You want it to feel like standard fabric so that it is comfortable to sit on. Certain manufacturers specialize in this kind of fabric. If you feel a PVC cushion and then a Sunbrella patio cushion, for example, you will know the difference. The perfect cushion is thick enough so that you don’t feel the hardness of the furniture through it and it is filled with foam that is comfortable yet firm and springy.

4. A Cushion which is Weatherproof

Aside from being waterproof which means that your cushion will manage to cope with the odd shower of rain, the fabric needs to be fade resistant too. If you buy a patio furniture replacement cushion in a fabric which cannot withstand the baking sun, no matter how good it looks now, it will be faded and gray looking after one good summer.

5. A Cushion which Lasts and Lasts

Patio cushion replacement is expensive especially if you have quite a few different items of furniture. So it is not something which you want to do too often if you are on a limited budget. Of course, the fabric is important in making sure that the cushions look good year after year and if you look after your cushions well (especially by taking them indoors over winter) you will help their longevity. However, above all else, it is the quality of the construction which well help your patio cushion to last and last. Make sure that the seams are strong and fasteners sturdy and that ties are well stitched within the seams.

Outdoor Patio Cushions In Every Color

With a patio being the focal point of most gardens and the place where you will probably spend most time relaxing outside, it makes sense to take care when choosing the most visible element there : the outdoor patio cushions which will add comfort and color to your garden furniture.

The color choice for your patio cushions is one of the most important criteria in your selection and the one thing which you will have most choice in. Outdoor cushions may be piped or not, with buttons or not but for the most part they don’t vary much in basic design. However, the color and pattern of the fabric does vary and, in fact, you might find so much variation that you might feel a bit lost.

Natural Patio Cushions

Having said that color is most important in your choice of an outdoor patio cushion does not mean that it has to be loud or over the top. If you would like a classic or colonial type garden with lots of natural wood furniture and leafy green plants then your patio will suit subtle coloring in cushions too. But there are plenty of cream, natural green, beige and rust colors available to provide the look you need.

Bright Patio Cushions

If you are planning a tropical or poolside patio then seek out bright outdoor patio chair cushions. Nothing suits the bright turquoise blue of a swimming pool more than a tropical print. Look for beautiful designs in lime green, fuchsia pink and bright blue. If palm tree and parrot designs are not your thing, you will get many bright striped and plaid cushions or even bright plain shades which will probably suit your taste better.

Pastel Patio Cushions

If you have a patio furniture set in white painted wicker or wrought iron reminsent of Victorian gardens where the butler served tea on the lawn, then you will find pale pastel colored cushions will be an excellent match for your garden style. You will find outdoor patio furniture cushions in plain ice cream shades as well as subtle patterns in pale colors.

Black and White Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)

Black and White Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)

Classic Patterned Patio Cushions

If none of these styles apply, don’t worry, you can still have a wonderful patio. Most garden furniture is traditional in style and therefore will suit cushions in classic fabrics : think spotty, striped, plaid or paisley designs to name just four examples. The main thing when buying outdoor patio replacement cushions for classic furniture is to think how you can pull the look together using the fabric to give your patio a unique edge. Will you be able to pick out colors in the fabric and use them for other accessories such as a throw or scatter cushions? And is the color classic enough that you will be able to find it in other items? With a color like black, red or navy blue this will be easy but it may not be the case with a particular shade of mustard yellow or sage green. Definitely something to consider when picking out colors for your outdoor patio cushions.