Egg Chair and Papasan Cushion Replacements: How to Get the Right Fit

Quick answer: Measure the inside of the basket at its widest point and from front to back in mm, and note whether the seat is round, oval or teardrop-shaped. Choose a softer, thinner cushion for a hanging egg chair and a thicker padded cushion for a papasan bowl. Use Sunbrella or another solution-dyed outdoor fabric if the chair sits outside.

Hanging egg chairs are everywhere on Australian verandahs, but the cushions that come with them rarely last more than a summer or two. The good news is the frame almost always outlives the cushion, and a well-fitted replacement makes the chair feel new again.

Egg chair or papasan?

• Hanging egg chair: a tall, teardrop basket. The cushion needs to follow the curve of the seat and often the back as well.
• Papasan: a wide, round bowl on a base. The cushion is a large, thick round pad that fills the whole bowl.

How to measure

1. Measure the widest point across the inside of the basket or bowl, in mm.
2. Measure from the front lip to the back of the seat.
3. For an egg chair, measure the height of the back from the seat to where you want the cushion to finish.
4. Note any hanging hooks or straps the cushion needs to sit around.

Curved shapes are easy to get wrong with a tape alone, so a paper template traced from the seat is the most reliable option. More tips are in our mm measuring guide.

Fill and thickness

Egg chairs suit a softer cushion around 75 to 100 mm thick, so it moulds into the curve. Papasans need more padding, usually 100 to 150 mm, because you sit right down into the bowl. Read our foam thickness guide for more detail.

Fabric

If the chair hangs on a verandah, deck or by the pool, choose Sunbrella for its fade and mould resistance. For an egg chair indoors or in a sunroom, a Warwick fabric gives a softer look.

Making a template for a curved seat

1. Press a large sheet of paper into the basket so it follows the seat.
2. Trace around the inside edge where the cushion should finish.
3. Mark the front, the centre line and the position of any straps or hooks.
4. Cut it out and check it in the chair, trimming until it sits right.
5. Lay it flat and photograph it with a tape measure in shot.

Template-based cushions take 5–6 weeks to make; standard shapes take 2–3 weeks. We cut within ±13 mm and remake it free if the cut is outside that. For a papasan bowl, you can also start from a round cushion.

Keeping it in place

Hanging chairs swing, so cushions tend to slide forward. Ties in matching fabric are standard, and Velcro is available on request. Tell us where the frame gives a good anchor point for the ties.

Caring for an outdoor egg chair cushion

• Bring it under cover during storms; a hanging basket catches rain.
• Stand it on edge to dry after a downpour.
• Brush off leaves and pollen, and wash the zipped cover when needed.
• Use quick-drain Dryfast foam if the chair sits in the open.

Spotted black marks after a humid week? See how to remove mould from outdoor cushions.

Mistakes to avoid

• Measuring the outside of the basket instead of the inside.
• Choosing foam that is too thick for an egg chair, so it can't follow the curve.
• Dark colours in full sun, which get hot to sit on.

Foam for Australian orders is made in Australia by our partner Premier Group, and GST is handled for you.

Choosing a colour

Natural, sand and grey suit most rattan and wicker baskets. A bold stripe or a deep green looks great against a dark frame.

Order a replacement

Start on our egg chair and papasan cushions page. Shipping is free anywhere in Australia, and prices are shown in AUD. Replacing other outdoor cushions too? See replacement outdoor cushions for any brand.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a replacement cushion for any egg chair brand?

Yes. Our cushions are made to your measurements, so they fit egg chairs and papasans from any brand.

How thick should an egg chair cushion be?

Around 75 to 100 mm, so it follows the curve of the basket. Papasan cushions are usually thicker, at 100 to 150 mm.

Can an egg chair cushion stay outside?

If it is made in Sunbrella fabric, yes. Bring it under cover during long wet spells to help it last.

What is the best way to measure a curved seat?

Trace the seat onto paper to make a template, then measure the template or send it to us.

Do you ship egg chair cushions free in Australia?

Yes. Shipping is free anywhere in Australia, and prices are shown in AUD.