Conservatory
Conservatory Furniture Cushions: Why They Fade and What Lasts
Why conservatory cushions fade and go musty, and how to choose fabric, foam and measurements for cane, rattan and wicker conservatory furniture.
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Quick answer: Conservatory furniture cushions fade because ordinary window glass lets UVA light through, and the room swings between hot, damp and cold. Solution-dyed fabric such as Sunbrella keeps its colour far longer than printed cotton. Measure each cane or rattan frame, trace curved seats, and pick a firm seat foam with a softer back.
A conservatory sofa can look tired in two summers. The side facing the garden turns pale, the seat cushions go flat, and the back cushions pick up a musty smell over winter. Here is why it happens, and how to choose replacement conservatory cushions that last.
Why do conservatory cushions fade so quickly?
Glass stops most of the sun's UVB, but lets much of its UVA through. UVA is the part of sunlight that slowly breaks down dyes and fibres.
The Skin Cancer Foundation says window glass filters out most UVB, but UVA passes through windows and clouds all year round. UK glazing firm IQ Glass adds that laminated glass blocks far more UVA than ordinary clear glass. Most conservatory roofs and walls are not laminated, so the furniture inside sits in a steady stream of UVA.
The damage adds up. The American Institute for Conservation's textile guide says light damage is cumulative and cannot be reversed, and that UV is the most harmful part of sunlight for fabric. The Met Office notes that the UK UV index does not go above 8, but a conservatory gets that light from the roof and three walls at once.
The National Trust sees the same thing in historic houses. At Packwood House, its team notes that yellows and greens fade very quickly, and that light can weaken fabric until curtain linings shred. That is why they keep blinds down and fit UV-blocking panels to the windows.
How hot and humid do conservatories get?
Hot in summer, cold in winter and often damp in between. Those swings are hard on cushions as well as the people sitting on them.
Which? warns that the more glass a conservatory has in its roof, the more likely it is to overheat. It says north-facing rooms are less likely to overheat, and that ventilation is essential to keep the temperature steady.
Heat matters for fabric too. The conservation guide notes that heat speeds up the chemical reactions that cause damage.
Many conservatories are built as a separate space on purpose. The Planning Portal says a conservatory is normally exempt from building regulations if it is under 30 square metres and separated from the house by external-quality walls, doors or windows, with its own heating. So it often runs colder than the house in winter.
Cold glass brings condensation. Rother District Council explains that condensation forms when warm, moist air meets a cold surface, and that it can lead to black mould. Cushions that sit against cold glass, or in a room that is shut up for months, can pick up that damp.
Is Sunbrella better than printed cotton for a conservatory?
Yes, for a sunny conservatory. Sunbrella is solution-dyed, which means the colour is added to the fibre while it is made, not printed onto the surface afterwards.
Sunbrella compares this to a carrot and a radish. Printed or surface-dyed fabric is like a radish: the colour sits on the outside and fades or washes away. Solution-dyed fibre is like a carrot, with colour all the way through.
| Feature | Solution-dyed (Sunbrella) | Printed cotton |
|---|---|---|
| Where the colour sits | Through the whole fibre | On the surface |
| Fading in strong sun | Resists fading | Fades, often unevenly |
| Damp and mould | Fabric does not feed mould | Natural fibre can hold damp |
| Cleaning | Mild soap, or machine wash cold | Often dry clean or gentle wash only |
| Look and feel | Plains, textures and stripes | Widest choice of prints |
Printed cotton still works in a shaded, north-facing conservatory. In a south-facing room, choose from our Sunbrella cushions, and order fabric swatches to see the colours in your own light. The swatch cost comes back to you as a one-time code on your order.
How do I measure cane, rattan and wicker conservatory furniture?
Measure the frame of each seat and back, not the old cushions. Cane and wicker frames are rarely square, so check the front, the back and any curves.
- Number every chair and sofa section. Matching pieces often differ by a centimetre or two.
- Measure the seat width at the front and again at the back. Many cane seats taper towards the back.
- Measure the seat depth from the front edge to the back frame.
- For back cushions, measure the width and the height from the seat to the top of the frame.
- If the seat front is curved, lay paper over the seat, trace the inside of the frame and mark which edge is the front.
- Note where arms or uprights cut into the seat, as the cushion may need notches.
Curved and notched seats can be made from your paper template, which takes 5–6 weeks rather than the usual 2–3 weeks. Start with our wicker and cane furniture cushions, or our deep seat cushions for wide conservatory sofas. Our replacement rattan cushions guide covers garden rattan sets in more detail.
What foam firmness suits a conservatory sofa?
Use a firm seat foam and a softer back. Cane and wicker seats have some give, so a soft seat cushion will sink too far and feel flat within months.
High density foam is a good all-purpose seat foam. Firm luxury foam suits people who like to sit up straight or find low seats hard to get out of. Super soft foam is for back cushions only, never seats.
Standard thickness runs from 76 mm to 127 mm (3–5 in), and the builder goes up to 203 mm (8 in). Cane chairs often suit 76–102 mm, while deep sofas usually need 102–127 mm. Foam for UK orders is made and cut in the UK.
Should conservatory cushions have piping?
Piping is a fabric-covered cord sewn into the edge seams. It gives the cushion a crisp, tailored outline and takes some of the wear off the edges.
It suits traditional cane and Lloyd Loom-style furniture, where a defined edge looks right. If you choose contrast piping in a sunny room, use the same type of fabric as the cover. That way both parts fade at the same rate and the edge doesn't stand out after a few summers.
Piping is an option on all our made-to-measure cushions, and you can add it in the builder. It adds about 6 mm around the edge, so leave it off if the cushion is a tight fit between the arms.
How do I clean conservatory cushions?
Brush or vacuum them often, and spot clean spills straight away. For a deeper clean, remove the covers and wash them gently.
For indoor Sunbrella, Sunbrella suggests a light mist of mild soap and water, worked in with a sponge or very soft brush. Rinse, blot away the extra water and let it air dry. Removable covers can go in the machine on a cold, delicate cycle, and Sunbrella says they should only ever be air dried.
Clean before you shut the conservatory up for winter, because mould grows on dirt left on fabric. Our guide on how to clean Sunbrella cushions covers stains and mould. We cut every cushion within 6 mm (maximum ±2.5 cm) of your measurements, and delivery is free across the UK with import duty and VAT paid.
Frequently asked questions
Why have my conservatory cushions faded on one side?
The side facing the glass gets the most UVA light, which passes through ordinary window glass. Light damage builds up over time and cannot be reversed. Solution-dyed fabric such as Sunbrella resists this much better than printed cotton.
Can I use outdoor fabric in a conservatory?
Yes. Sunbrella is made for strong sun and damp air, which is what most conservatories have. Order swatches first to check the colour and feel in your own room.
Can you make cushions for curved cane chairs?
Yes. Trace the seat on paper, mark the front edge and send us the template. Template shapes take 5–6 weeks to make.
Can I replace just the covers on my conservatory cushions?
Yes, if the foam still springs back when you press it. You can order covers only, foam only or complete cushions.
How thick should conservatory seat cushions be?
Cane chairs usually suit 76–102 mm (3–4 in). Deep conservatory sofas usually need 102–127 mm (4–5 in) to sit comfortably.
Sources
- Skin Cancer Foundation: UV window film
- IQ Glass: Can you get sunburnt through glass?
- Met Office: UV index definitions
- American Institute for Conservation: Light and textiles
- National Trust: Our work in the house at Packwood
- Which?: The mistakes that will make your conservatory overheat
- Planning Portal: Conservatories and building regulations
- Sunbrella: How to clean Sunbrella upholstery
