Loveseat Cushions: One Long Cushion or Two? What Our Customers Choose

When you replace the cushions on a loveseat, you have a choice the original maker made for you: one long seat cushion across the whole loveseat, or two matching cushions side by side. Both look good. They wear, wash and fit differently, though. Here's how to decide, and what our customers actually order.

Quick answer: Choose one long cushion (a "bench seat") for a clean, modern look with no gap, on frames with no center support or divider. Choose two cushions if your loveseat had two originally, if you want to flip and rotate cushions for even wear, or if the cushions are deep and heavy to handle. Either way, back cushions are ordered separately, and you should measure the frame or old cushions yourself rather than relying on the furniture's listed size. Browse loveseat cushions to start.

What our customers choose

Both options come up regularly in the orders and questions we get.

• Two seat cushions plus two back cushions is the most familiar setup, especially for outdoor deep-seating sets. Each seat is ordered as its own cushion, often in the 22 to 28 inch wide range, with a matching back for each.
• One long bench seat is popular for sofa and loveseat frames with a continuous platform. Sizes we've been asked to make include seats of about 65 × 27 inches and 72 × 25 inches, usually 4 to 5 inches thick, often paired with two or three back cushions.
• Some wicker loveseats have T-shaped seats, with "ears" that wrap in front of the arms. If yours are, order the T shape. A rectangular cushion won't fill the space, and a rectangular cover won't fit T-shaped foam.

One question we hear a lot: "If I choose loveseat, do I get all the cushions automatically?" The answer is no. Seats and backs are separate cushions with their own sizes, so you order each one. A typical loveseat is two seats and two backs, or one long seat and two backs.

One long cushion: pros and cons

Why customers choose it

• No gap down the middle. Nothing to slip between, and no crumbs or toys disappearing into a seam.
• A cleaner, more tailored look on modern frames and built-in seating.
• Cushions can't drift apart. Two cushions on a slick outdoor frame can slide away from each other over time.
• Good for lying down. A single surface is more comfortable for napping across the seat.

What to weigh up

• You can't swap sides. If one person always sits in the same spot, that spot wears faster, and you can't rotate it to the other end. You can still flip the cushion over.
• It's bigger to handle. A long, deep cover is harder to take off, wash and get back on than two smaller ones.
• Very long pieces have limits. Foam over about 90 inches long has to be made in more than one piece and joined. Very large pieces may also need a fabric seam, because fabric comes in a fixed width.
• The frame must suit it. If your loveseat has a center post, divider or raised middle rail, a single cushion won't sit flat.

Two cushions: pros and cons

Why customers choose it

• Even wear. You can swap and flip the cushions to spread wear across both.
• Easier to handle when you remove covers to wash them or bring cushions inside in bad weather.
• Matches the original look of most loveseats and outdoor sets.
• Replace just one. If a pet or a spill damages one cushion, you only replace that one.

What to weigh up

• A seam down the middle, which some people find less comfortable when two people sit close.
• The cushions can separate on smooth frames. Ties at the back corners of each seat help.

A third option: one cover, two inserts

For long seats, there's a middle ground: a single cover with two foam inserts inside. From the outside it looks like one long cushion. Inside, the foam is in two pieces, which makes it easier to get in and out of the cover. We often suggest this for very long seats. If you'd like it, mention it when you order and we'll confirm whether it suits your size.

How to measure a loveseat

1. Measure the seat platform from arm to arm (width) and from the front edge to the back (depth). Measure the width at the front and at the back.
2. For two cushions: divide the width by two. If the old cushions were slightly different sizes because the frame tapers, measure each one.
3. For one long cushion: use the full width, and check for any center post or bump that would stop it lying flat.
4. For back cushions: the longer side runs horizontally, and that's where the zipper goes. For height, measure from the seat platform to the top of the backrest, then subtract the seat cushion thickness, since the back sits on top of the seat.
5. Measure it yourself. Don't rely on the size listed by the store where you bought the loveseat. Those figures often don't match the cushions. If you still have the old cushions, measure the covers seam to seam with the foam inside.

For more detail, see our measuring guide. For curved or T-shaped seats, see custom-shaped cushions.

Thickness and foam

Outdoor loveseat seats are usually 4 to 6 inches thick, and the indoor sofa seats customers ask us for run from about 4 to 7 inches. Back cushions are usually the same thickness or a little thinner than the seats. Outdoors, choose Dry Fast foam, which lets rain drain through. Indoors, High Density foam gives a medium feel, and Luxury foam is firmer. Our thickness and foam guide compares them.

When we're not the right fit

• We don't make tufted cushions. Our covers are zippered and removable.
• Curved, U-shaped or crescent seats need a full-size paper template or the old cover. We can't copy them from photos alone.

Frequently asked questions

Is one long cushion or two better for a loveseat?

Neither is better for everyone. One long cushion looks cleaner and has no gap. Two cushions are easier to handle and can be rotated for even wear. Match the original if you're unsure.

Does a loveseat order include the back cushions?

No. Seats and backs are separate cushions. Order a back cushion for each seating position, or the number of backs your frame has.

Can I replace just one of my two cushions?

Yes. Measure the cushion you're replacing seam to seam. If you want the fabric to match, keep in mind that a new cover may look brighter than one that has been outside for a while.

How do I keep two cushions from sliding apart?

Add ties at the back corners of each seat and tie them around the frame. Ask for ties when you order replacement couch cushions, and tell us where you want them.

Can you make a single cushion for a long sofa?

Yes, within limits. Very long seats need the foam made in more than one piece, and we may suggest one cover with two inserts. See sofa and couch cushions.

Sources

• Questions customers send our care team about loveseat, sofa and deep-seating cushions, and the cushion sizes they order.