How to Order Custom Chair Cushions That Fit Your Chairs

Most chair pads are sold in two or three standard sizes, and most chairs are not built to those sizes. The result is a cushion that hangs over the front rail, slides around, or leaves a gap at the back. Custom chair cushions fix that by starting from your chair instead of a stock size. This guide walks through the four decisions that matter: size, shape, foam and fabric.

1. Measure the seat, not the old cushion

Old cushions shrink, sag and stretch, so measure the chair itself. Use a steel tape and take three numbers:

• Width across the front of the seat, from one arm or edge to the other.
• Depth from the front edge to the back rail or back cushion.
• Back width at the rear of the seat, if the seat narrows toward the back.

Round to the nearest quarter inch. If the chair has arms, take off about a quarter inch on each side so the cushion drops in without being forced. Our sewing tolerance is up to half an inch, so careful numbers matter more than perfect ones. For a step-by-step walkthrough with photos, see how to measure for replacement outdoor cushions.

2. Pick the shape that matches the frame

Chair seats come in more shapes than people expect. The common ones are:

• Rectangle or square for most dining, bistro and lounge chairs.
• Trapezoid when the seat is wider at the front than the back.
• Rounded front corners for many wicker and wrought iron frames.
• Seat and back (a hinged cushion) for high-back and reclining chairs.

If your seat has notches around the back posts or an unusual curve, trace it on kraft paper and send the template. We cut to the template and confirm any price difference before we start.

3. Choose foam for how the chair is used

Thickness and fill change how a chair feels more than anything else. Three to five inches is the usual range for seat cushions; we make them up to eight inches thick.

• Firm foam keeps its shape on dining chairs that get daily use.
• Dry-fast foam lets rain drain straight through, so it suits chairs that stay outside all season.
• A Dacron wrap adds a softer, fuller look to the top of the cushion.

All of our foam is CertiPUR-US certified. If you are torn between two feels, start with one cushion and order the rest once you have sat on it.

4. Choose fabric for sun, rain and spills

For chairs on a patio, porch or pool deck, solution-dyed Sunbrella is the safe pick. The color runs through each fiber, so it holds up to strong sun, and most Sunbrella fabrics shed water and wipe clean. Sunbrella comes with a five-year fabric warranty, and we add two years on our workmanship. If you are still deciding on colors, the patio chair cushion buyer's guide covers palettes and patterns that work well outdoors.

5. Finish the details

Small choices make a big difference on chairs:

• Ties in matching fabric keep cushions from sliding. Tell us where your back posts are and we place them there.
• Piping gives a tailored edge and adds about a quarter inch to the outside size.
• Zippers let you remove the cover for washing.

How long does it take?

Custom chair cushions are cut and sewn to order. Most orders ship in two to three weeks, and shipping is free in the US. If anything changes along the way, we tell you before your ship date, not after.

Ready to start?

Browse custom chair cushions by color, or open the chair cushion builder and enter your sizes to see the price as you go. Need cushions for a dining set? We also make dining chair cushions, rocking chair cushions and Adirondack chair cushions.