Outdoor cushions can transform your patio or garden furniture, offering comfort and style. But over time, these cushions wear out, lose their shape, or become outdated, leaving you searching for perfect replacements. The key to getting the best replacement cushions is knowing how to measure outdoor cushions accurately.
This guide will walk you through each step to ensure your new cushions fit seamlessly, whether for lounge chairs, patio furniture, chaise lounges, or any other type of outdoor furniture you might have!
Why Accurate Measurements Matter
The right cushion fit with outdoor furniture ensures comfort and aesthetics while preventing unnecessary wear. Ill-fitting cushions may shift, creating discomfort, or fail to offer proper coverage, diminishing the appearance of your outdoor setup. Understanding how to measure outdoor furniture cushions correctly eliminates guesswork and ensures you always get the perfect replacement cushion.
Gather Your Tools
Before diving into measurements, gather these essential tools:
- A tape measure: Preferably a flexible one to measure both width and depth accurately.
- A notebook or digital device to record measurements.
- The existing cushion (if available) or direct access to the furniture seat.
With these on hand, you’re ready to start measuring. Since each type of cushion requires different measurements, below are the instructions for measuring chair, loveseat, sofa, and ottoman cushions.
How to Measure for Custom Chair Cushions
To measure for custom chair cushions, take the existing cushion off the chair to access the chair frame. Then, follow these steps to find the correct measurements for the seat cushion:
- Start by measuring the inside width of the chair frame at both the front and back; in this case, both measure 23″ wide.
- Next, measure the depth of the chair from the front rail to the back, adding 1″ to the measurement. For a 23″ depth, you’d order a 24″ deep cushion.
- Then, measure from the floor to the top of the deck to determine seat height. An ideal seating height is 18″-19″, so if your measurement is 12 1/2″, you’d need a 6″ thick cushion to achieve a total height of 18 1/2″.
- Record your measurements as you go. For this chair, a 23″ wide x 24″ deep x 6″ thick seat cushion would be ideal.
Next, you’ll need to measure for the back cushion.
- Measure the width of the chair back, which is often the same as the seat width (23″ here).
- Next, measure the height of the back from the top of the deck to the top of the chair. Subtract the seat cushion thickness from this height. For a 25″ back and a 6″ thick seat cushion, you’d order a 19″ high back cushion.
- Also, determine the thickness of the back cushion by subtracting 17″ from the seat depth; for a 23″ seat depth, you’d choose a 6″ thick cushion.
- Finally, decide on the style of the cushion—whether it has a curved or straight top. For a curved chair back, order a 23″ wide x 19″ high x 6″ thick back cushion with a curved top.
Double-check your measurements before ordering, and contact us with any questions.
How to Measure for Custom Loveseat Cushions
You’ll measure for a custom loveseat cushion in a similar way as a chair:
- Begin by measuring the inside width of the frame at both the front and back. For this loveseat, the front measures 46″ wide, and the back measures 44″ wide, so you’d order a cushion that is 46″ wide in the front and 44″ wide in the back.
- Next, measure the depth from the front rail to the back and add 1″; for a 23″ depth, you’d order a 24″ deep cushion.
- Measure the height from the floor to the top of the seat deck to ensure an ideal seating height of 18″-19″. With a 12 1/2″ seat height, a 6″ thick cushion would bring the total height to 18 1/2″.
- Record your measurements. In this example, you’d order a single seat cushion that’s 46″ wide in the front, 44″ wide in the back x 24″ deep x 6″ thick, or two smaller cushions, each 23″ wide in the front, 22″ wide in the back x 24″ deep x 6″ thick.
For a custom loveseat back cushion, follow these steps:
- Measure the full-back width (46″) and divide by two to order two 23″ wide cushions.
- Measure the back height from the seat deck to the top of the loveseat and subtract the seat cushion thickness. For a 25″ back height and 6″ thick seat, you’d order 19″ high back cushions.
- With a 23″ seat depth, back cushions should be 6″ thick. Finally, determine if your loveseat has a curved or straight back. For a curved back, you’d order 23″ wide x 19″ high x 6″ thick back cushions with a curved top.
How to Measure for Custom Sofa Cushions
Custom sofa cushions are similar to custom loveseat cushions but have slight nuances. Follow these steps:
- To measure for custom sofa cushions, start by measuring the inside width of the frame at the front (69″ in this example) and back (66″) of the sofa. You would order cushions that are 69″ wide in the front and 66″ wide in the back.
- Next, measure the depth of the sofa from the front rail to the back and add 1″; for a 23″ depth, you’d order a 24″ deep cushion.
- Measure the height from the floor to the top of the seat deck to ensure an ideal seating height of 18″-19″. With a 12 1/2″ seat height, a 6″ thick cushion would bring the total height to 18 1/2″.
- For this sofa, you’d order a 69″ wide in front, 66″ wide in back x 24″ deep x 6″ thick seat cushion, or three smaller cushions measuring 23″ wide in front, 22″ wide in back x 24″ deep x 6″ thick.
For the back cushions, follow these steps:
- Measure the full width of the sofa (69″) and divide it by three to order three 23″ wide cushions.
- Measure the back height from the seat deck to the top of the sofa and subtract the seat cushion thickness. For a 25″ back height and 6″ thick seat, you’d order 19″ high back cushions.
- Check the thickness of your old back cushions or calculate it by subtracting 17″ from the seat depth; for a 23″ depth, the back cushions should be 6″ thick.
- Finally, determine if the sofa back is curved or straight. For a curved back, you’d order a single back cushion at 69″ wide x 19″ high x 6″ thick with a curved top or three back cushions where the end cushions have curved tops, and the center cushion has a straight top.
How to Measure for Custom Ottoman Cushions
Finally, to measure for custom ottoman cushions, follow these steps:
- Measure the inside width of the frame, which in this case is 23″.
- Next, measure the depth of the ottoman, which is 20″.
- Then, measure the height from the floor to the top of the deck. Most ottomans, including their cushions, are typically 16-17″ high. Subtract the frame height (12 1/2″) from 16 1/2″ to determine the cushion thickness, resulting in a 4″ thick cushion.
- For this ottoman, you’d order a 23″ wide x 20″ deep x 4″ thick cushion. Contact us for additional options if your ottoman lacks sides to secure the cushion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When measuring your outdoor cushions, avoid these pitfalls:
- Guessing sizes: Always measure directly to ensure accuracy.
- Measuring old, flattened cushions: You should always measure the furniture instead of your old, flattened cushions for more precise dimensions. Flattened cushions no longer have the right dimensions and may be misshapen.
- Ignoring shape details: Overlooking curves, rounded edges, or cutouts can lead to ill-fitting cushions.
- Forgetting to double-check: Review all measurements before finalizing your order. That old adage, “measure twice, cut once,” is an adage for a reason!
Replacing Your Outdoor Cushions with Confidence
Once you’ve gathered all the measurements, use them to select cushions that perfectly match your outdoor furniture. Accurate dimensions ensure your replacements will sit snugly, enhance your space, and provide the comfort you want and deserve.
Find Perfect Replacement Cushions with Cushions by Wicker Imports
Getting replacement cushions that fit perfectly doesn’t have to be a challenge. With your measurements in hand, you can browse various options tailored to your furniture’s unique needs. At Cushions by Wicker Imports, we specialize in high-quality, custom-fit cushions designed to elevate your outdoor space. Whether you need deep seat cushions for a lounge chair or a replacement for your patio furniture cushions, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to get started on your cushion replacement journey and bring new life to your outdoor living area!
