Replacement cushions for garden furniture: how to measure, choose and order
Rattan and aluminium furniture lasts fifteen years. The cushions it came with last two. Replacing them is the cheapest way to get a new-looking set.
Why the original cushions failed
Almost every garden set is sold with printed polyester covers over standard foam. The print fades in a summer and the foam goes mouldy the first time it is stored damp. The furniture maker chose them to hit a price. You do not have to. The fabric comparison is in Sunbrella vs olefin vs polyester.
Step 1: measure
- Seat pads: width and depth of the seat frame, inside the arms. Subtract 1 cm each way. Thickness: match the old pad or choose 6-8 cm.
- Back cushions: width of the backrest and the height from seat pad to top of frame. Most back cushions on rattan sets are 55-65 cm wide and 40-50 cm high.
- Scatter cushions: no measuring; 45×45 fits any sofa seat 50 cm or deeper. See sizes guide.
- Benches and loungers: length, width, and whether the pad needs to fold. Note any ties or straps.
Measure the furniture, not the old cushion. Old foam has shrunk or spread.
Step 2: choose the construction
- Fabric: solution-dyed, water-repellent, bleach-cleanable. We use Sunbrella®.
- Filling: hollow fibre for scatter and backs; quick-dry reticulated foam for seats. See fillings.
- Zip: hidden, full length, so covers wash and inners can be swapped.
- Ties: on seat pads for dining chairs and loungers; not needed on deep sofas.
If the new cushions cost less than a third of what the furniture cost, they will be the same cushions that just failed.
Step 3: order
Scatter cushions in 45×45 ship next day from stock in any of 158 Sunbrella colours. Seat pads, back cushions and bench cushions are made to order in the same fabrics, any size up to 120×120 cm. Send measurements and a photo of the set through the contact page and we quote within one working day. How it works: made to measure.
What it costs
A 45×45 Sunbrella scatter cushion with filling is €29-45 depending on the collection. Made-to-measure seat pads start around the price of two scatter cushions and go up with size and thickness. A full set of six seat and back cushions for a corner sofa is typically a few hundred euros, roughly what the furniture's own cushions cost new, and it lasts five times as long. The sums are in cheap vs quality.
158 Sunbrella® colours in 45×45, filling included, shipped next working day. Browse the collection or ask about made to measure.
