Measuring guide
Garden Swing Cushions: How to Measure, Fix and Choose Fabric
How to measure a 2-seater or 3-seater garden swing for cushions, keep them tied on, and choose fabric and foam that cope with British weather and winter storage.
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Quick answer: To order garden swing cushions that fit, measure the seat between the arms at the front and back, the seat depth and the back height, then mark where the ties will go. Separate seat and back cushions dry faster than one-piece designs. Use Sunbrella fabric, plus quick-drain foam if the swing has no canopy.
Most swing seat cushions fail in the same way. They slide forward every time you push off, soak up a week of rain and go mouldy by August. This guide covers measuring a 2-seater or 3-seater swing, fixing the cushions in place, and choosing fabric and foam for a British garden.
How do I measure a garden swing seat for cushions?
Measure the swing frame, not the old cushions. Old foam shrinks and old covers stretch, so their size is always a little off.
- Measure the seat width between the arms at the front edge, then again at the back. Many swings are slightly narrower at the back.
- Measure the seat depth from the front edge to where the seat meets the backrest.
- Measure the back height from the seat to the top of the backrest, or to where you want the cushion to stop.
- Note anything that sticks into the seat, such as chain brackets, cup holders or arm posts. These may need a notch or a cut corner.
- Find the tie points. Look for a back rail or slat near each corner that a tie can wrap around.
- Choose a thickness. Most swing seats suit 76–102 mm (3–4 in).
Say your 3-seater measures 165 cm between the arms and 55 cm deep. That could be one long cushion, or three 55 cm pads you can lift out one at a time. Our guide to measuring cushions in centimetres covers tapered and curved shapes.
Should I choose a one-piece cushion or separate seat and back cushions?
For most garden swings, separate seat and back cushions work better. They dry faster, sit flatter and are easier to wash and store.
A one-piece cushion runs from the front of the seat up the backrest, with a fold where the two meet. It looks neat and stays put, because the back half holds the seat in place. The catch is the fold: it traps water, creases with use and makes the cushion hard to stand on edge to drain.
Separate cushions avoid this. The seat can be firm and the back softer, and you can replace one without the other. If you still want a one-piece design, send us your measurements and a photo of the swing before you order.
How do I stop swing seat cushions sliding off?
Fit fabric ties at the back corners of every cushion and tie them around a rail or slat. Ties in matching fabric come as standard on our cushions, and Velcro tabs are available on request.
A swing moves more than a bench, and wind makes it worse. The Royal Meteorological Society's Beaufort scale describes force 6 as a "strong breeze" in which umbrellas are hard to use. That is plenty to flip a loose back cushion into a flower bed.
On a tall backrest, tie back cushions near the top as well as the bottom. Wrap ties around a slat rather than the chain, because the chain moves as you swing. We don't add rubber or non-slip backing, as it stops the cover being machine washable.
What fabric is best for a swing with a canopy, and one without?
Sunbrella suits both, because its colour runs right through the fibre and it resists mould. What changes is the foam, and how much rain the cushion will take.
Sunbrella explains this with a carrot and a radish. Ordinary fabric is like a radish, with colour only on the outside that fades or washes out. Sunbrella adds pigment while the fibre is made, so the colour goes all the way through, like a carrot.
A canopy blocks some sun, but not all of it. The Met Office says the UV index in the UK does not go above 8, and even 8 is rare. Rain also blows in sideways under most swing canopies, so see our Sunbrella cushions for either set-up.
| Your swing | Fabric | Foam | Typical thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy, sheltered spot | Sunbrella (water-resistant) | High density foam | 76–102 mm seat |
| Canopy, open garden | Sunbrella (water-resistant) | Quick-drain open-cell foam | 76–102 mm seat |
| No canopy | Sunbrella waterproof range | Quick-drain open-cell foam | 76–102 mm seat |
| Hammock or sling seat | Sunbrella (water-resistant) | High density foam | About 76 mm |
| Back cushions | Same as the seat | Super soft or high density foam | About 76 mm |
Most Sunbrella fabric is water-resistant, not waterproof. Rain beads and runs off, but a long downpour can get through the seams. Our guide to waterproof garden cushions explains when the waterproof range is worth it.
Why use quick-drain foam on a garden swing?
Quick-drain open-cell foam lets rain run straight through instead of holding it. The cushion dries in hours rather than days.
Ordinary foam works like a kitchen sponge, and damp foam is where mould starts. The Met Office's 1991–2020 averages give the UK about 1,163 mm of rain a year, falling on 159 days. A swing cushion left out in that needs to dry fast between showers.
Quick-drain foam is reticulated, which means its cells are open so water and air pass through. Foam for UK orders is made and cut in the UK. Keep super soft foam for back cushions only, as it is too soft for a seat.
How do I measure for hammock swing cushions?
Measure along the curve of the seat with a soft tape, not straight across. A sling or hammock seat dips in the middle, so a straight measurement comes up short.
Keep these cushions to about 76 mm so they follow the curve without bunching. If the seat has an odd outline, trace it on paper and we can cut a custom template shape. Template shapes take 5–6 weeks, compared with 2–3 weeks for standard shapes.
How should I store swing seat cushions over winter?
Clean them, dry them fully and store them somewhere dry with air around them. Don't seal them in plastic, because trapped moisture causes mould.
The Met Office records an average of 53 days of air frost a year across the UK. Few people sit on a swing then, so bring the cushions in once autumn arrives. Stand them on edge in a dry shed or garage, or stack them loosely under a sheet.
Sunbrella's cleaning guide says its fabric does not promote mildew, but mildew can grow on dirt left on the surface. It suggests a quarter cup of mild soap per US gallon of lukewarm water, roughly 60 ml in 4 litres. Removable covers can be machine washed on a cold, delicate cycle, then air dried only.
Ordering replacement swing seat cushions
Start with our swing seat cushions, or use bench cushions for a simple rectangular seat. You can order a complete cushion, a cover only or foam only. Standard thickness runs from 76 mm to 127 mm (3–5 in), and the builder goes up to 203 mm (8 in).
We cut every cushion within 6 mm (maximum ±2.5 cm) of your measurements and remake it free if we miss that. Delivery across the UK is free, with import duty and VAT already paid.
Frequently asked questions
What size are garden swing cushions?
There is no standard size, because every swing frame is different. Measure the seat between the arms at the front and back, the depth and the back height. A cushion cut to those numbers will fit better than a generic one.
Can I leave swing seat cushions out in the rain?
You can if they use quick-drain open-cell foam and a fabric such as Sunbrella. Stand them on edge after heavy rain so they dry faster. In long wet spells, bring them in or cover them.
How thick should swing seat cushions be?
Most swing seats suit 76–102 mm (3–4 in). Hammock and sling seats are better at about 76 mm so the cushion follows the curve.
Can I replace just the covers on my swing cushions?
Yes. If the foam still springs back when you press it, order covers only. If the covers are fine but the seat has gone flat, order foam only.
How long do made-to-measure swing cushions take?
Standard shapes take 2–3 weeks to make, and template shapes take 5–6 weeks. Delivery is free across the UK with duty and VAT paid.
