Cushions
Floor Cushion Sizes for Reading Nooks, Kids' Rooms and Seating
A practical guide to choosing floor cushion sizes, shapes and thickness for reading nooks, kids' rooms, and extra seating around the house.
On this page
Floor cushions are one of the most flexible pieces you can add to a home. They make a reading corner feel inviting, give kids a soft place to play, and turn a living room into a spot where everyone can gather. The key is choosing a size that suits the space and the way you plan to use it.
This guide covers common uses, shapes, and thicknesses, plus how to measure so your cushion fits just right.
Quick answer: Most floor cushions are 20″ to 30″ square for one person, 18″ to 24″ for kids, and 36″ to 48″ for lounging. A thickness of 4″ to 6″ suits most seating, while 2″ to 4″ keeps small children low and stable. Measure the floor space, take off about half an inch per side in a nook, and pick square, round or rectangle.
Start With How You Will Use It
Before thinking about numbers, picture the cushion in use. Will one person sit cross-legged on it? Will a child stretch out across it? Will several people sit on separate cushions around a low table? The answer guides everything else.
Our floor cushions can be made anywhere from 10 to 48 inches across, from 2 to 8 inches thick, in square, round, or rectangle shapes. That range covers everything from a small seat pad to a generous lounging cushion.
Reading Nooks
A reading nook cushion should feel cozy and fill the space without crowding it. If the nook is a corner of a room, a single square or round cushion in the mid-20s to around 30 inches across gives one adult room to sit comfortably with a book. A thickness of 4 to 6 inches feels plush without being hard to get up from.
For a built-in nook or an alcove, measure the floor space and choose a rectangle that fills most of it. Leave a small gap at the edges so the cushion sits flat and doesn't buckle against the walls.
Kids' Rooms
Kids use floor cushions for everything from story time to building forts. Smaller squares, typically somewhere around 18 to 24 inches, are easy for little hands to move around. A thinner cushion, around 2 to 4 inches, is low to the ground and stable for younger children.
For a play corner or a sleepover spot, a large rectangle gives kids room to sprawl. Choose a fabric that is easy to live with and take advantage of the zippered cover, which comes off when you need it to.
Extra Seating
Floor cushions are a great way to add seating around a coffee table, in a media room, or for guests. For individual seats, squares around 20 to 24 inches are a common, comfortable size. A thickness of 4 to 6 inches lifts people slightly off the floor and makes sitting for longer more comfortable.
Think about the height of your table too. A low table pairs nicely with thinner cushions, while a slightly taller one may call for a thicker cushion so people aren't reaching up to it.
Lounging and Meditation
For lounging, bigger is usually better. A large square or rectangle in the 36 to 48 inch range gives room to lie back or share. For meditation or yoga, many people prefer a smaller round cushion with a firmer feel and a little more height, which helps with posture.
Choosing a Shape
- Square is the most versatile. It works for seating, reading, and stacking.
- Round softens a space and suits meditation and kids' rooms.
- Rectangle fills nooks, alcoves, and window bays, and works well for lounging.
How to Measure Your Space
- Mark the area. Decide where the cushion will sit and clear the space.
- Measure the floor area. Measure the width and depth of the spot in inches.
- Allow a gap. For nooks and alcoves, take off about half an inch on each side so the cushion lies flat.
- Test the size. Lay down a blanket or painter's tape at your chosen size and sit on it. It is an easy way to check before you order.
- Pick a thickness. Think about how low you want to sit and how easy it should be to get up.
Foam and Fabric
High Density foam gives a medium feel that suits most floor seating, and Luxury foam is firmer and holds its shape for meditation. For a softer seat, go thicker rather than softer: Super Soft foam is made for back cushions, not seats. If the cushion will spend time on a porch or patio, Dry Fast foam drains water and suits outdoor use.
Indoors, velvet, faux leather, and Warwick fabrics give you lots of looks. For sunny rooms or outdoor spaces, Sunbrella is a solution-dyed acrylic that holds its colour in the sun and resists mildew.
Ready to Order?
Design your own floor cushions in our builder. Choose your shape, size, thickness, foam, and fabric, and you'll see the price as you build. Every cushion is made to your exact size, most orders ship in 2–3 weeks, and shipping is free.
Frequently asked questions
Which fabric is easiest to keep clean on a floor cushion?
Sunbrella is the easiest choice for kids' rooms and family spaces. It repels spills and stains, and the cover zips off and machine washes. Velvet looks richer in a reading nook but needs more care. You can order fabric swatches to compare.
Is the foam in floor cushions CertiPUR-US certified?
Yes. Our US foam is CertiPUR-US certified, an independent program that tests foam for content, emissions and durability. If your cushion arrives vacuum-packed, unroll it on the floor and allow 12–18 hours for the foam to expand fully before use. Read more about CertiPUR-US certified foam.
Can I order a new cover for an existing floor cushion?
Yes. If the foam still feels firm and springs back, order a cover only and keep the insert. Measure the old cover seam to seam, including the thickness, and choose a new fabric or colour. It is an easy way to refresh a kids' room or reading nook. Start with custom cushion covers.
What happens if a floor cushion arrives the wrong size?
Every cushion is cut to within ±0.5″ of the size you order. If we miss that tolerance, we remake it free. Because each cushion is made to your numbers, sizes measured incorrectly at home cannot be returned, so lay out tape at the planned size first. Our measuring guide helps you check before ordering.
