Good garden cushions turn a chair you sit on for a moment into a spot where you stay all afternoon. Choosing one is trickier than it seems, though. There are cushions with high and low backs, for stacking chairs, benches, sun loungers and lounge sets, and they differ in filling, fabric, zip and colourfastness. In this buyer's guide you'll read which type of cushion you need, how to measure your furniture and what to look for on the product page. There's a checklist and examples from the range.
In brief: first decide which type of cushion suits your furniture and measure the width and total length yourself. Then look at the filling (a higher SG number is firmer), the fabric and colourfastness, and whether the cushion is water-repellent and has a zip. Water-repellent is not waterproof: always store cushions somewhere dry when it rains.
Which type of garden cushion do you need?
Garden cushions are made for a specific type of furniture. Their shape and length therefore vary considerably. The table shows the types you'll come across most often, with the sizes available in the range we compare.
| Type of cushion | Sizes in the range | For |
|---|---|---|
| High back | Approx. 120x50 or 123x50 cm | Reclining chair, chair with a high backrest |
| Low back | Approx. 105x50 cm | Chair with a lower backrest |
| Stacking chair | Approx. 97x49 cm | Stacking chair |
| Tub chair | Approx. 96x45 cm | Tub chair |
| Loose seat cushion | Approx. 40x40, 46x46 or 48x48 cm | Seat only |
| Bench cushions | Approx. 120, 150 or 180 x 48 cm | Garden bench |
| Sun lounger cushion | Approx. 190x60 or 200x65 cm | Sun lounger |
| Lounge cushion | Approx. 60x60, 73x73 or 120x80 cm | Lounge set, pallet sofa |
For a cushion for a chair with a back, the size is the total length: backrest and seat together. A high-back cushion runs up to just above your shoulders, while a low-back cushion stops halfway up. You'll find them under high-back garden cushions, low-back garden cushions, seat cushions, bench cushions and sun lounger cushions.
Lounge cushions are a different story: each element has a seat and a back cushion, with corner and middle elements that often differ. You can read how to measure and choose them in replacing the cushions on your lounge set.
Selection test: which cushion suits your furniture?
Not sure which type you need? Answer three questions. If you have a lounge set, use the selection test in replacing lounge set cushions.
Which garden cushion suits your furniture?
What piece of furniture will the cushion go on?
- A reclining chair or adjustable chair with a high backrest
- A dining or stacking chair with a backrest up to halfway up your back
- A garden bench for two or more people
- A sun lounger or sunbed
How long is the section the cushion needs to cover, measured along the back and seat?
- Roughly 120 cm
- Roughly 95 to 105 cm
- Only the seat, but 120 cm or wider
- Roughly 190 to 200 cm
What should the cushion mainly do for you?
- Support your back and shoulders when you sit outside for a long time
- Make it comfortable to sit at the table without the cushion bunching up
- Create one continuous seat for several people
- Lie flat and soft in the sun
A high-back cushion You're looking for a cushion that covers both back and seat in one piece, in the range approximately 120 or 123 x 50 cm. Check the length against your own measurement.
A low-back cushion or a stacking chair cushion For a chair with a lower backrest, a shorter cushion fits: approximately 105 x 50 cm, or approximately 97 x 49 cm for a stacking chair.
A bench cushion A long seat cushion for the whole bench, in the range approximately 120, 150 or 180 cm wide. Measure the bench between the armrests.
A sun lounger cushion A long, flat cushion, in the range approximately 190 x 60 or 200 x 65 cm. Measure your sun lounger from head to foot.
Measuring your chair, bench or sun lounger in 5 steps
A cushion that's too small slides off. A cushion that's too big bunches up or hangs over the edge. The product photo tells you little: only your own measurements will show whether it fits.
Measure the seat from left to right, between the armrests on a chair with arms. For a garden bench, measure the full width of the seat.
For a chair with a back, place the tape measure at the top of the backrest, follow the backrest down and the seat forward. Compare that length with the long measurement of the cushion. For a sun lounger, measure from head to foot.
A cushion for a chair with a back bends at the point where the back and seat meet. Also measure the seat depth separately, so you can see whether that point lands roughly in the corner of your chair. For an adjustable sun lounger, the same applies to the pivot point of the backrest.
A thicker cushion feels softer, but you'll sit higher. Check how much room there is up to the armrest or table edge. Chair cushions in the range are approximately 3 to 7 cm thick, lounge cushions approximately 8 to 10 cm.
Check whether the cushion has ties or loops, and whether your chair or bench has slats or a frame to fasten them to. That way the cushion stays in place when you stand up.
Use your old cushion as a template
Do you already have a cushion that fits well? Measure that instead of the chair. If a size in the online shop says "Approx.", allow for a small difference, and if in doubt, choose a few centimetres smaller rather than larger.
Filling: SG number, flakes and fibres
The filling determines how the cushion sits and how long it keeps its shape. These are the fillings you'll most often come across on the product page:
- Foam with an SG number, such as SG-28 or SG-35. SG indicates the density: a higher number is generally firmer and springs back better.
- Mix SG-20: a filling based on SG-20. What exactly is in the mix is usually not stated. In the range we compare, this is by far the most commonly used filling for chair, bench and sun lounger cushions.
- Foam flakes with polyester fibres or polyester fibres alone: soft and plump, mainly in back and decorative cushions.
If you want a cushion that dries quickly after a shower, the filling is just as important as the fabric. You can read what quick dry foam is and why you rarely come across it in most loose cushions in quick dry foam cushion filling.
Fabric and colourfastness
The fabric determines how the cushion feels, how long the colour stays lovely and whether it repels water. You'll see this in the fabric composition of the loose garden cushions we compare:
| Fabric | Colourfastness | Water-repellent |
|---|---|---|
| 100% acrylic | 7 out of 8 | Usually, check per cushion |
| Acrylic with polyester | 7 out of 8 | Yes |
| Cotton with polyester | 4 to 8 out of 8 | Varies per cushion |
| Polyester | 4 to 7 out of 8 | Varies per cushion |
Acrylic is known as a colourfast outdoor fabric. A cotton blend feels softer but absorbs moisture more easily. With cotton blends and polyester, a lot depends on the finish: the same fabric can be sold with and without a water-repellent coating. You may also come across olefin, a synthetic fibre that absorbs little moisture. In the range you'll mainly see it in cushions that come with a complete chair or set, rather than loose cushions. You can find which fabric belongs to which Madison series in Madison reviews.
Colourfastness: the higher, the better
Colourfastness is measured on a scale up to 8 and indicates how well the colour withstands sunlight. If the cushion lies on a sunny terrace all season, choose 7 or 8 out of 8. If you use it occasionally and then put it away, a lower value is perfectly fine. You can read how to freshen up faded cushions in garden cushions faded by the sun.
Choose the fabric for the place where the cushion will be, not for the photo. A cushion in full sun needs high colourfastness, whereas a cushion under a canopy needs less.
Water-repellent: what it does and doesn't mean
Water-repellent means that rain stays on the fabric for a while and beads off. During a brief shower that's handy: you wipe the cushion down and sit down. In prolonged rain, water still soaks in, and a wet filling dries slowly. So water-repellent is not the same as waterproof.
Watch out for contradictory information
For some cushions, the short specifications say something different from the description. For example, some seat cushions state "Water-repellent: Yes" in the specs and "Not water-repellent" in the text below. Always read both, and if in doubt, go with the most cautious answer.
If you want to give a cushion extra protection, you can impregnate it. You can read how this works and what to expect in making garden cushions waterproof.
Zip and fastening
A zip lets you remove the cover. That makes cleaning easier, and a wet filling dries faster if you open the cover for a while. In the range we compare, mainly lounge cushions and loose seat cushions have a zip, although by no means all of them do. The chair and sun lounger cushions we compare don't have a zip: you clean those as a whole with a damp cloth and mild soapy water.
For chair and bench cushions, the fastening is at least as important. Ties or loops keep the cushion in place when you stand up or when it's windy. If the specifications say nothing about it, check the photos.
Six garden cushions from the range
To make the choices concrete, below you'll find one cushion per type from the range. The specs come from the product information; you can see the current prices on the cards. Always compare the sizes with your own measurements.
| Cushion | Type | Notable |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester light grey | High back | 100% acrylic, SG-35 |
| Panama grey | Low back | Water-repellent |
| Napels azure | Stacking chair | Colourfastness 7 out of 8 |
| Panama grey | Bench cushion | Ties, not water-repellent |
| Manchester taupe | Sun lounger cushion | 100% acrylic, SG-35 |
| Eco-line beige | Lounge cushion | Zip, 8 out of 8 |
High back: Manchester light grey 120x50
A universal high-back cushion of approx. 120 x 50 cm and approx. 4 cm thick. The cover is 100% acrylic and water-repellent, with a colourfastness of 7 out of 8. The filling is SG-35, a firm type of foam. There is no zip.
High-back cushion Manchester light grey
Low back: Panama grey 105x50
A chair cushion with a low back of approx. 105 x 50 cm and approx. 6 cm thick, made of 50% cotton, 45% polyester and 5% other fibres. This version is water-repellent, with a colourfastness of 6 out of 8 and a Mix SG-20 filling. There is no zip.
Chair cushion low back Panama grey
Stacking chair: Napels azure 97x49
A shorter cushion is intended for a stacking chair: this one is approx. 97 x 49 cm and approx. 5 cm thick. The fabric is 55% cotton and 45% polyester, water-repellent and with a colourfastness of 7 out of 8. The filling is Mix SG-20.
Stacking chair cushion Napels azure
Bench cushion: Panama grey 120x48
A bench cushion of approx. 120 x 48 cm and 6 cm thick, with ties to fasten it to your bench. The fabric is 50% cotton, 45% polyester and 5% other fibres, with a colourfastness of 6 out of 8 and a Mix SG-20 filling. This cushion is not water-repellent and does not have a zip: store it away when it rains and clean it with a damp cloth.
Bench cushion Panama grey 120x48
Sun lounger cushion: Manchester taupe 190x60
A sun lounger cushion of approx. 190 x 60 cm and approx. 6 cm thick. The cover is 100% acrylic, water-repellent and has a colourfastness of 7 out of 8. The filling is SG-35. There is no zip. If your sun lounger is longer or wider, also look at the size of approx. 200 x 65 cm.
Sun lounger cushion Manchester taupe
Lounge cushion: Eco-line beige 60x60
A lounge seat cushion of approx. 60 x 60 cm and approx. 10 cm thick. The fabric is 75% cotton, 20% polyester and 5% other fibres, stated as 100% recycled. The cushion is water-repellent, has a colourfastness of 8 out of 8 and a zip, so the cover is removable. The filling is SG-28.
Lounge seat cushion Eco-line beige
Also worth a look:
High back Napels sand 123x50
View cushion →
Sun lounger cushion Palma 200x65
View cushion →
Primo cushion box 680 litre
View box →
Checklist before you order
Go through these points before you click to order. Tick off what you have checked.
- I know which type of cushion I need: high back, low back, stacking chair, bench, sun lounger or lounge
- I have measured the width and the total length myself
- The thickness suits the height of the armrest and table
- I know which filling is in it and whether it is firm or soft
- I have checked the colourfastness and know how much sun the cushion will get
- The specifications and description say the same about water-repellency and zip
- The cushion has ties or loops if my furniture needs them
- I have a dry place to store the cushions
How to choose quickly
- Choose the type for your furniture and check the length against your own measurement
- If the cushion is often outside: choose a water-repellent fabric with a colourfastness of 7 or 8
- If you want a firm seat: look for a higher SG number
- If you want to be able to remove the cover: look for a cushion with a zip, mainly found in lounge and loose seat cushions
- Still need to choose a piece of furniture? Use the selection tool first
Common mistakes
Buying on "fits most chairs"
A claim like that says nothing about your chair. A 120 cm high-back cushion will double over on a chair with a short backrest. Always compare the size with your own measurement.
Only measuring the width
For a chair cushion with a back, the length is at least as important. Measure from the top of the backrest to the front of the seat, and check where the fold should fall.
Treating water-repellent as waterproof
Even a water-repellent cushion gets wet in long rain. Don't leave it outside through the whole autumn. Read how to store garden cushions.
Choosing on colour alone
Two cushions in the same colour can have a very different fabric and colourfastness. Look at the fabric composition, especially if the cushion will be in full sun.
Sourcing cushions separately
Cushions from different series differ in colour, fabric and thickness. If you're buying for several chairs, choose the same series and the same size, so your garden set looks like one whole.
After purchase: keeping clean and storing
How long a cushion stays looking good depends mainly on how you treat it. Let it dry completely after rain before you store it, and put it in a protective cover, cushion box or indoors if you won't be using it for a longer period. That way you prevent mould and fading.
More on maintenance
You can read about removing stains, mould and green deposits in cleaning garden cushions. A cover in the washing machine? Read how to wash lounge set cushions first. You can compare cushion boxes and cushion bags in storing garden cushions, and you'll find the boxes themselves in storage boxes.
Cushions belong with a piece of furniture. If you're also looking for a chair, bench or sun lounger, have a look at garden chairs, garden benches and sun loungers.
Frequently asked questions
What size garden cushion do I need?
Measure the width of the seat and the total length from the top of the backrest to the front of the seat. In the range we compare, high-back cushions are roughly 120 or 123 x 50 cm, low-back cushions roughly 105 x 50 cm, stacking chair cushions roughly 97 x 49 cm and sun lounger cushions roughly 190 x 60 or 200 x 65 cm. Compare these with your own measurements: a cushion does not automatically fit every chair.
What is the difference between a high-back and a low-back garden cushion?
A high-back cushion extends up to above the shoulders and is designed for chairs with a tall backrest, such as a reclining chair. A low-back cushion stops halfway up the back and suits chairs with a lower backrest, such as many dining and stacking chairs. You can see the difference in the length: roughly 120 to 123 cm compared with roughly 97 to 105 cm.
What does SG mean for garden cushions?
SG stands for specific gravity of the foam, or density. A higher number, such as SG-35, is generally firmer and springs back better than SG-20. If it says "Mix SG-20", it is a blend based on SG-20. You can find more information in our article on quick dry foam.
Is a water-resistant garden cushion also waterproof?
No. A water-resistant fabric will shed a brief shower, but in prolonged rain water will still soak in and the filling will get wet. Therefore, store cushions dry when it rains and in winter, even if they are labelled water-resistant.
Is a garden cushion with a zip better?
A zip makes the cover removable, so you can clean it separately and the filling dries more quickly. In the range we compare, mainly lounge and loose seat cushions have a zip; chair and sun lounger cushions usually do not. Without a zip, clean the whole cushion with a damp cloth and mild soapy water.
What does colourfastness of 7 out of 8 mean?
Colourfastness indicates how well a fabric keeps its colour in sunlight, on a scale up to 8. The higher the number, the longer the colour stays looking good. In the range we compare, it ranges from 4 out of 8 to 8 out of 8. If your cushion will be in full sun a lot, choose a fabric with a high rating.
