This post was updated in March 2022.
If your outdoor space needs some TLC after months of battling the rain, snow, and cold, a great place to start is with outdoor seating cushions. Replacement cushions are a wonderful way to update existing outdoor porch furniture and add in refreshing color. With our large assortment of outdoor seating cushions, we want to make sure you make the best decision when it comes to updating to new ones. So, here are some quick tips on how to measure for outdoor cushions on your patio furniture.
Before you get started, you’ll need to measure your existing cushions for size, so lay them out on a flat surface and grab your measuring tape. Remember, don’t measure from seam to seam, but rather from edge to edge.
Chair Seat & Back Replacement Cushions
- Measure the length of the seat cushion from the front to the back.
- Measure the width of the seat cushion from one side to the other. Measure in three places and take the smallest measurement (seat cushions tend to flatten over time).
- Measure length of the back cushion from top to bottom.
- Measure the width of the back cushion from one edge to the other.
High-back Seat Replacement Cushions
- Measure the length of the top back portion from the top to the first fold.
- Measure the length of the middle back portion from the top fold to the bottom fold (where seat portion begins).
- Measure the length of the seat portion from the fold to the end.
- Measure the width of the seat portion from one edge to the other.
Chaise Lounge Replacement Cushions
If you have a trifolding cushion, see step 2. If your cushion consists of a seat back and leg rest, skip step 2.
- Measure the length of back portion from the top to the first fold.
- Measure the length of the seat portion from top fold to bottom fold (where leg rest portion begins).
- Measure the length of the leg rest portion from the fold to the end.
- Measure the width of the seat by measuring edge to edge.
Sofa or Loveseat Replacement Cushions
- Measure the length (or depth) of the seat cushion at the center from the top to the bottom.
- Measure the width of the back of the seat cushion from end to end.
- Measure the width of the front of the seat cushion from end to end.
Finally, now that you know how to measure for outdoor cushions, you’re ready to choose your replacement cushions for your Ballard outdoor furniture.
Don’t forget to check out our Outdoor Cushion Care Guide to help lengthen the life of your outdoor cushions. For more outdoor space inspiration, check out these posts below:
- Which Outdoor Cushions Should You Buy?
- Up Your Outdoor Decorating Game
- 5 Outdoor Decorating Rules to Live By
Did you find this post helpful? Comment below and let us know!
Kimble Gaebler
My wicker sofa set was flooded during Harvey. The wicker furniture survived, but not the cushions. The bottom cushions are larger than any I see in stores or online (31.5″ x 31.5″) so I guess I will have to find a seamstress to make new slipcovers as you have suggested in prior posts. Any suggestions on where I could find the square foam pads of at least 4″ thickness?
Cristy Wilton
These Measures are really helpful for me. But i did not understand the graph properly because it looks like some type of technical thing which i can’t understand. But your measures helps me a lot to find out the why i have to replace outdoor cushions.
Susan Triplett
I have a 3 cushion wicker chaise. I measured inside the frame and from one side to the other the width is 67 inches. I am assuming each cushion should be 22-22.5 inches and that the old ones that i have from the chase have flattened out. The thickness of the box cushions are 5 inches and the lenth of the bottom cushion from front to back is 25 inches. The top cushion is 27-28 inches wide and 20 inches tall and 5 inches thick. I have look everywhere for cushions that would fit and no one has any. I also have a rocker that goes with this chaise but that just takes a double cushion. I am so frustrated because I bought this 12 years ago and now I can’t get something to update it. Can you help?
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Susan,
Oh no! That sounds super frustrating. We suggest finding a local upholsterer or someone that makes slipcovers. They should be able to create some cushions for your chaise easily. And we don’t expect it’ll be very expensive either.
Our best suggestion for where to start — ask a design savy friend or interior designer who may have a good suggestion.
Best of luck!
Cindy
I know I must be measuring wrong. I have deep seated wicker chairs when I measure it’s 19 width x 24 depth x 5 height of the cushiin.. do you have something for this replacement cushions?
Mary Love Garverick
We have ordered a new patio dining table and chairs. It did not come with cushions for the dining chairs. The website from which we purchased the set lists the dimensions for the chairs to be a width of 25″ and a depth of 26″. Which size dining cushion would be our best option? thanks!
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Mary Love,
We can definitely make some recommendations for you as to watch replacement cushions would match your dining set. Simply complete this form (don’t forget to include photos and measurements!), and our design team will contact you with a plan and next steps!
The How to Decorate Team
Tova Siegel
I need cushions for the chairs of a vintage wrought iron patio set but I only have the chair seat to measure, not any cushions. Do I just measure the actual chair seat or should there be some adjustment of sorts?
Thanks
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Tova,
Thanks for your comment. We actually have a design team that can help you with your home. It’s a free service that we offer to all of our customers. Use this form to submit some photos, and our design team will create a design plan for your space. We look forward to helping you!
Happy Decorating,
The How to Decorate Team
Tiffaney
Hello,
We have great cushions in our Florida room for our rattan couch and chair. However, we would like slipcovers for those cushions to update the fabric. Do you know if you can do slip covers for a seat and back cushion? We have four sets of seat and backs to do.
Thank you,
Tiffaney
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Tiffaney,
We do offer slipcovers for some of our furniture pieces, but unfortunately we don’t offer custom slipcovers. If you cushions are the same shape and size as one of our furniture styles, you could try using one of our slipcovers, but we would suggest finding a seamstress near you that can sew some custom slipcovers for you!
Best of luck,
The How to Decorate Team
lea
Hi, I have looked and looked but unfortunately can’t find your answer of how to get tree sap out of sunbrella outdoor cushions.
please help
thanks
Lea
Bonnie Stertz
Right now we have a patio table with four covered padded chairs and two chase lounge chairs. We have ordered new coverings for the lounge chairs and the material where our feet go keeps rotting out. My husband said to just get rid of them, but everything else is good on them. Do your cushions come where we could attach them to our frames?
Samantha
Help! Desperately seeking replacement cushions for a 20 year-old, very traditional (flowers, scroll work) REAL, wrought-iron dining set. Unfortunately, I no longer have the original knife-edge cushions from which to take measurements. What do you suggest? Thanks!
Samantha
It’s too bad no one offered you any solutions. Fortunately you found EXACTLY the right replacement cushions at Grandin Road!