Australia
Outdoor Daybed Cushions: Sizing, Foam and Fabric for an Australian Summer
How to size, fill and cover an outdoor daybed cushion so it stays comfortable, colourfast and dry through an Australian summer.
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Quick answer: Measure the daybed base edge to edge in mm, choose 100 to 150 mm of foam (quick-dry foam if the daybed is uncovered), and cover it in a solution-dyed outdoor fabric such as Sunbrella so it resists fading and mould. Add a zip so the cover can come off for washing, and ties if the daybed sits in a breezy spot.
An outdoor daybed is where summer actually happens: a lazy Sunday read, an afternoon nap after the beach, kids piled on with ice blocks. The frame is usually built to last; it is the cushion that flattens, fades or goes mouldy. Here is how to get a daybed cushion right the first time.
1. Measure the base, not the old cushion
Old cushions shrink, sag and lose their corners, so measure the daybed base itself. Take the width and depth inside the frame, edge to edge, in mm. If the base has rounded corners or a curved back, note the radius or send us a paper template. Our mm measuring guide walks through it step by step.
2. Choose the right thickness
- 75 to 100 mm: a firm, tailored pad for slatted daybeds and day lounges.
- 100 to 150 mm: the sweet spot for most daybeds; comfortable for lying down without feeling like a mattress.
- 150 to 200 mm: a plush, mattress-style cushion for deep frames and canopy daybeds.
Not sure? Read our guide to foam thickness in mm.
3. Pick foam for where the daybed lives
On a covered verandah or under a pergola roof, standard high-density foam is fine. If the daybed is out in the weather, choose quick-dry outdoor foam: its open cell structure lets rain drain straight through so the cushion dries quickly and resists mould. Foam for Australian orders is made in Australia by our foam partner.
4. Pick fabric that copes with UV
Australian sun is hard on fabric. Solution-dyed acrylics such as Sunbrella have the colour locked into the fibre, so they hold their colour far longer than printed fabrics and resist mould. For indoor daybeds and sunrooms, a Warwick fabric gives you a softer, more interior look. Weighing up the two? See Sunbrella or Warwick.
5. Add the finishing details
- Zip: lets you remove the cover to wash it or swap the foam later.
- Ties: keep the cushion in place on windy decks and coastal balconies.
- Piping: gives a crisp, tailored edge that holds its shape.
- Scatter cushions and bolsters: turn a flat pad into a proper lounging spot.
Ready to order?
Build your cushion on our daybed cushions page, or browse swing beds if you are starting from scratch. Shipping is free anywhere in Australia, and prices are shown in AUD. Before summer, run through our summer outdoor cushion checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How thick should an outdoor daybed cushion be?
For most daybeds, 100 to 150 mm. Go thinner for slatted day lounges and up to 200 mm for a plush, mattress-style cushion.
Can outdoor daybed cushions stay outside all summer?
With Sunbrella fabric and quick-dry foam, yes. Store them or cover them during long wet spells and over winter to make them last longer.
Do daybed cushions come with a zip?
Yes. Our custom cushions have a zip so the cover can be removed for cleaning.
Can you make a cushion for a round or curved daybed?
Yes. Send us the measurements or a paper template and we will make the cushion to that shape.
Is shipping free in Australia?
Yes. Shipping is free anywhere in Australia, and prices are shown in AUD.
