Bench cushions
Window Seat and Bench Cushions for Canadian Homes: Mudrooms, Bay Windows and Boot Benches
How to measure and choose cushions for bay windows, built-in window seats, mudrooms and boot benches, with fabric picks for snow, salt and sun.
On this page
Quick answer: Measure the seat at the front and the back, plus the depth, and note any angled ends or cut-outs. Bay windows usually need a trapezoid or three-piece cushion. Choose 2″ to 4″ foam for window seats and 3″ to 4″ for boot benches. Use Sunbrella in mudrooms, and Warwick or velvet for living spaces.
Canadian homes are built around winter. We have mudrooms for wet boots, benches by the door for pulling on toques and mitts, and bay windows that catch every bit of low January sun. All of those seats are hard wood or painted MDF, and all of them are better with a cushion. Because built-ins are rarely a standard size, a cushion cut to your exact measurements is usually the only way to get a clean, tailored fit.
Where these cushions go
Mudroom and boot benches
The hardest-working seat in the house from November to April. People sit on it in wet snow pants, drop hockey bags on it and pull salty boots off beside it. A cushion here needs to be tough, easy to clean and firm enough to sit on for a quick change.
Bay and bow windows
Common in older Canadian homes and in many newer builds, a bay window seat is a natural reading nook. It is also a seat with angled ends, which means a rectangle will not fit. Bay window cushions are usually trapezoids, or a centre rectangle with two angled side pieces.
Built-in window seats and nooks
Straight window seats, dormer nooks and seats under a stair often sit between two walls. Walls are rarely square, so the front and back measurements often differ.
Hallway and entryway benches
Free-standing benches by the front door or at the end of a bed are the easiest to measure, since there are no walls to work around.
How to measure
Use a metal tape measure, work in inches and round up to the nearest quarter inch.
Straight window seats and benches
- Length: measure along the back, against the wall, and again along the front edge. If the seat sits between walls, measure wall to wall at both points.
- Depth: measure from the wall or back panel to the front edge, at the centre.
- Clearance: for a window seat, measure from the seat to the bottom of the sill or window frame. Your cushion needs to sit below it.
If the front and back lengths differ by more than about half an inch, order a trapezoid rather than a rectangle so there is no gap at one end.
Bay window seats
Measure the back edge of each section against the glass, the front edge of each section, and the depth. For a one-piece trapezoid cushion, you need the full back length, front length and depth. For a three-piece cushion, measure each section on its own. Three pieces are easier to lift and clean, and they sit neatly into the angles.
Odd shapes and cut-outs
Curved fronts, notches around radiators or vents, and cut-outs around trim are easy to capture with a paper template. Lay kraft paper on the seat, trace the outline, cut it out and photograph it with a tape measure in the shot. Custom shapes from a template take 5–6 weeks to make, compared with 2–3 weeks for standard shapes.
Our measuring guide covers every common shape in more detail.
How thick should the cushion be?
- Window seats: 2″ to 4″. Check your clearance under the sill first. Thinner keeps a low ledge usable; thicker feels more like a sofa.
- Mudroom and boot benches: 3″ to 4″, in firm foam, so the cushion holds its shape with constant use.
- Dining nooks and banquettes: 2″ to 3″, so you are not sitting too high for the table.
Most people choose firm seat foam. A Dacron wrap adds about 1/4″ and gives a softer, rounded edge.
Choosing fabric
For mudrooms: Sunbrella indoors
Sunbrella is not just for patios. In a mudroom or entryway it is one of the most practical choices you can make. It is solution-dyed, so it can be cleaned without fading, it is water- and stain-repellent, so melting snow beads up and marks clean off more easily, and the covers are machine washable. Darker or patterned colours hide salt marks best.
For living spaces: Warwick and velvet
For a bay window in the living room or a reading nook upstairs, you have a wider choice. Warwick, the Australian design house, makes beautiful upholstery fabrics in textured weaves and soft plains. Warwick upholstery fabrics are for indoor use only, which is exactly where these cushions live. Velvet, which we keep in stock, gives a window seat a rich, warm look that suits a snowy afternoon.
Faux leather
Faux leather wipes clean and suits kitchen banquettes and family entryways. Some premium faux leathers are made to order on a quote basis, with a longer 8–12 week lead time, so plan ahead if you choose one.
Sun on a window seat
A south- or west-facing window seat gets strong sun, even in winter when the sun sits low and shines straight in. If fading is a concern, Sunbrella's solution-dyed fabric is the safest choice. Whatever you pick, order swatches and look at them on the seat itself, at different times of day. The swatch cost is credited back on your order with a one-time code.
Ties, zippers and finishing
- Ties: matching fabric ties come standard, and they keep cushions on free-standing benches from sliding. Velcro is available on request. Built-in seats between walls usually do not need either.
- Zippers: every cover has a zipper, so you can remove it for cleaning. That is essential in a mudroom.
- Piping: piping gives a crisp, tailored edge on a window seat.
- Lift-up lids: if your bench has storage inside, split the cushion so each lid can be lifted on its own.
Ready to order?
Build a custom window seat cushion or browse window seat cushions for trapezoid, L-shaped and curved styles. For entryway and mudroom seats, start with indoor bench cushions or the bench cushion builder. Every cushion is cut within ±0.5″ of your measurements, delivery is free across Canada, and orders ship with duties and GST/HST paid, so there is nothing to pay on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
What shape cushion do I need for a bay window?
Usually a trapezoid, using the back length, front length and depth, or three separate pieces: a centre rectangle and two angled side cushions.
What is the best fabric for a mudroom bench cushion?
Sunbrella. It is water- and stain-repellent, stands up to melting snow, and the covers are machine washable.
How thick should a window seat cushion be?
2″ to 4″ is typical. Measure the clearance between the seat and the window sill first so the cushion sits below it.
Can I use Warwick fabric on a window seat?
Yes. Warwick upholstery fabrics are for indoor use only, so they are a good fit for window seats and living-room benches, but not for porches or decks.
How do I stop a bench cushion from sliding?
Matching fabric ties come standard and work well on free-standing benches. Velcro is available on request.
