Daybed Cushions

Outdoor Daybed Cushions for Rooftop Bars, Beach Clubs and Hotels

A practical guide for venue owners, hotel teams and designers ordering custom outdoor daybed and swing bed cushions for rooftops, beach clubs and terraces.

By Sam K5 min read
Rooftop bar terrace with large outdoor daybeds dressed in thick white and sand cushions at golden hour

Quick answer: Outdoor daybed cushions for venues should be made to the exact frame size, with Dryfast quick-drain foam and Sunbrella fabric in zipped removable covers. Double daybeds can go up to 12 inches thick, and spare covers keep beds in service on busy weekends.

Daybeds are often the most booked and most photographed seats at a rooftop bar, beach club or hotel terrace. They are also the hardest-working: sun all day, spilled drinks, damp towels and evening dew. When a cushion sags or fades, guests notice right away. This guide is for venue owners, hotel operations teams, beach club managers and the designers who fit them out. Send your frame sizes through our bulk cushion enquiry form for a quote.

We make daybed cushions, swing bed cushions, bolsters and scatter pillows to measure, with no minimum order.

What a venue daybed set includes

  • Main mattress cushion: one piece or split into two halves for easier handling. See our daybed cushions collection.
  • Back and side cushions: for daybeds with frames on three sides.
  • Bolsters: long round cushions along the back or sides.
  • Scatter pillows: optional, but plan for them going missing.
  • Swing beds: hanging beds need cushions sized to the platform. Browse our swing bed cushions.

Measuring daybeds and swing beds

  1. Measure inside the frame: length and width of the platform, at both ends. Rattan and wood frames are often slightly out of square.
  2. Check the frame lip: if the platform has a raised edge, decide whether the cushion sits inside it or over it.
  3. Choose thickness: our builder goes up to 8 inches, and double chaise and daybed cushions go up to 12 inches. Thicker cushions feel luxurious but are heavier to move.
  4. Split large beds: a two-piece mattress is easier for staff to lift, dry and store.
  5. Template curves: round daybeds and curved cabanas need a paper template. Custom shapes take 5 to 6 weeks.

Foam that dries fast

Dryfast is an open-cell, quick-drain outdoor foam. Water runs through rather than soaking in, so beds are back in use sooner after rain or a spilled ice bucket. It carries a 5-year foam warranty. For covered daybeds that rarely get wet, HD36-R or Lux-R give a firmer, more supportive feel, and Lux-R carries a 7-year warranty. Our US foam is CertiPUR-US certified, from The Foam Factory, and made without added flame-retardant chemicals.

Fabric for sun, towels and spills

Fabric Water Good fit
Sunbrella upholstery and outdoor fabric Water-repellent, fade and mold resistant Most terraces and rooftops
Sunbrella waterproof range Waterproof Uncovered beds, beach clubs, wet climates
Sunbrella Horizon marine vinyl Wipe-clean Poolside daybeds, high-spill areas

Sunbrella is solution-dyed, so color holds up in strong sun. Most Sunbrella is water-repellent rather than waterproof, so in very wet spots choose the waterproof range or vinyl. Light colors look fresh but show sunscreen and fake tan; mid tones hide marks better. With over 5,000 colors, you can match brand standards closely. Ask for swatches and check them outside in your own light.

Care, spares and storage

  • Ask guests to use a towel on daybeds. It cuts down on sunscreen marks.
  • Brush off debris and blot spills during service.
  • Unzip and wash covers following the fabric maker's guide. Sunbrella covers are machine washable.
  • Keep at least one spare cover set for every few beds, so a stained bed can be swapped mid-service.
  • Stand cushions on edge after rain to drain before stacking.
  • Store cushions dry and indoors in the off-season.

Fire and venue rules

Rooftop bars and terraces can be places of assembly. Ask your fire marshal, building department or insurer about requirements for outdoor upholstered seating. Sunbrella upholstery fabrics are tested to Cal TB 117-2013, NFPA 260 and UFAC Class I, confirmed per pattern, and we attach the maker's test reports to your quote. We do not certify finished installations, and the local authority has the final say.

Planning around your season

Outdoor venues have a short window to get beds ready, so plan backwards from opening day.

  1. Count every bed: daybeds, swing beds and cabanas, with frame sizes for each.
  2. Approve swatches early: brand teams often need sign-off on color, so build in time for that.
  3. Order a sample set: one finished bed lets you check thickness, comfort and color on site before the full run.
  4. Allow production plus shipping: 2 to 3 weeks for standard shapes and 5 to 6 weeks for custom shapes, before transit.
  5. Plan storage: thick daybed cushions take up space, so confirm where they will live overnight and in the off-season.

Cabanas and shaded beds

Cabana cushions often stay drier than open daybeds, but they still face humidity and pool splash. Many venues use the same fabric for cabanas and daybeds so the deck looks consistent, then pick foam by exposure: Dryfast for open beds, and a firmer HD36-R or Lux-R under cover. Back cushions and bolsters inside a cabana make it feel more private and more comfortable for long stays. Measure each cabana platform separately, because built-in cabanas are often made on site and vary more than shop-bought frames.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Ordering one huge mattress cushion that staff cannot lift.
  • Using standard foam on uncovered beds, so they stay wet for hours.
  • Choosing a pale fabric for a sunscreen-heavy pool deck.
  • Skipping spare covers before a busy season.
  • Assuming every frame from the same supplier is the same size.

Ordering for a business

  1. Send frame sizes, photos and quantities to operation@fabricakraft.com or through our daybed cushion enquiry form.
  2. Order swatches. They are $7 each, and the cost is credited back with a one-time code on your order.
  3. Approve the spec sheet and drawing. Nothing is cut until you sign off.
  4. Production takes 2 to 3 weeks for standard shapes and 5 to 6 weeks for custom shapes. Order well ahead of your season, and ask about rush production and express shipping at extra cost.

Every cushion is made within ±0.5 inch of the ordered size, or we remake it free. Fabric carries a 5-year warranty and workmanship carries 2 years. For pool decks and full terraces, see our hotel and resort pool cushions and commercial outdoor cushions pages. Designers and hospitality groups can join our trade program, and our commercial cushion services page lists everything else we make for venues.

Frequently asked questions

How thick should an outdoor daybed cushion be?

Most venues choose 4 to 6 inches. Double daybeds can go up to 12 inches thick, though thicker cushions are heavier to move and store.

What foam is best for an uncovered daybed?

Dryfast quick-drain foam, which lets water run through so the cushion dries faster.

Can you make cushions for round daybeds and swing beds?

Yes. Send a paper template for round or curved shapes. Custom shapes take 5 to 6 weeks.

Can we order spare covers only?

Yes. Covers can be ordered without foam, made to the same size.

Is there a minimum order?

No. We make one daybed set or a full terrace.