Cushions
Adirondack Chair Cushions: How to Choose and Measure for a Perfect Fit
One-piece or seat pad, how to measure a tapered Adirondack seat, and the fabric and foam that survive outdoors.
On this page
Adirondack chairs look inviting, but anyone who has sat in one for an hour knows the slats get hard. A good Adirondack chair cushion fixes that, as long as it fits the chair's deep, sloped seat and tall back. Ready-made cushions are cut for an "average" chair and often slide, bunch or hang over the edges. Here is how to choose and measure for one that stays put.
One-piece cushion or seat pad?
- One-piece seat-and-back cushion: runs from the front of the seat up the fan back. It covers the slats completely and is the most comfortable for long afternoons.
- Seat pad only: simpler, quicker to bring inside and fine if the back already feels comfortable to you.
How to measure an Adirondack chair
- Seat width at the front and at the back. Most Adirondack seats taper, so the two numbers are different.
- Seat depth: from the front edge to the crease where the seat meets the back.
- Back height: from that crease to the top of the back.
- Back width at the bottom and at the top, since many backs flare out into a fan.
If your chair has a curved or contoured back, a paper template is the most accurate way to get the shape. Our cushion size and foam guide covers thickness and foam choices.
Fabric and foam for chairs that live outside
Adirondack chairs usually sit out in the open, so the fabric and foam matter more than for a covered porch. Sunbrella fabric is solution-dyed, so it resists fading, and it resists mildew too. For a chair that gets rained on, choose Dry Fast foam: its open cells let water drain straight through so the cushion dries quickly.
Keep it in place with ties
Adirondack backs are steep, so cushions tend to slide. Ties at the top of the back and at the seat hold the cushion against the slats, even in wind.
Does it work with POLYWOOD and other recycled-plastic chairs?
Yes. Custom cushions are made from your measurements, so the brand and material of the chair don't matter. See our POLYWOOD replacement cushions page for more.
Questions about Adirondack chair cushions
How thick should an Adirondack cushion be?
2″ to 3″ is comfortable for most chairs without pushing you too far forward in the seat.
Can Adirondack cushions stay outside all year?
With Sunbrella fabric and Dry Fast foam they handle rain well, but storing them during long wet spells or winter will help them last longer.
Do you make rocking chair cushions too?
Yes. See rocking chair cushions.
Ready to order? Use the Adirondack chair cushion builder, or browse all Adirondack chair cushions. Every cushion is cut to within ±0.5″ of your measurements, or we remake it free.
