Outdoor living spaces are the perfect setting to relax, entertain, and get a little fresh air. Whether it's a screened porch, a patio, a deck, a balcony, a dock by the lake, or a favourite spot on the lawn, comfortable seating that can handle the elements is key.
Good quality outdoor sets can last for many years or even several generations, often outlasting the original cushions.
Specially treated fabrics that are resistant to moisture, mildew, stains, and fading are available in many colours and patterns. Recovering the faded or worn cushions on your outdoor furniture with these fabrics will update and refresh their look, while replacing old foam and padding will improve the feel and support of your seating so that you can continue to enjoy your time outside in style and comfort.
Click on any of the photos below to see them enlarged in slideshow format. Use the arrows on each side of the screen to navigate and hover on the photos to see captions providing details about each project.
Sectional Sofa & Ottoman
This set was fairly new but the owner wanted a change from the original plain beige fabric (no before photo). The seat foam was still in good shape and the back cushions needed only a little extra stuffing to enhance their comfort. The blue and white geometric outdoor fabric gives this suite a clean and stylish look.
Outdoor Recliners
The cushions and footrests on these outdoor reclining chairs had bonded polyester fibre fill as padding, which compressed after only a few seasons and no longer provided adequate support. New foam padding makes the cushions firmer and more comfortable. A durable outdoor fabric that will stand up to the elements replaced the original faded and stained fabric. (no before photo)
Chair Trio
The fabric on the seat cushions on these three chairs was faded from exposure to the elements. The owner wanted to refresh them and a sofa with a bright outdoor fabric that coordinates with the existing floral toss cushions and creates continuity among the varied furniture styles (toss cushions are client's own). New 2" foam in the cushions on the left and right replaced the compressed padding in the previous set for improved comfort. The foam for the thick cushion in the middle was re-used.
(no before photos)
Sofa With Skirt
This sofa has a single seat cushion on top of a visible wire spring unit that is hidden by a skirt. The existing seat foam was in good shape but the cushion and skirt fabrics were faded and the owner wanted to freshen them up with an outdoor fabric that coordinated with the existing floral back and toss cushions (floral cushions are client's own). The same fabric was also used on three chairs of different styles, tying the suite together nicely.
(no before photo)
Deep Wicker Chair
The old seat spring unit in this chair had lost resilience and no longer provided adequate support, while the cushion was of the old spring and batting style and was dense and lumpy. The deep seat made it necessary to use toss cushions for back support as no back cushion existed.
The old spring unit was removed and replaced with a padded wooden insert. A new foam seat cushion provides necessary support and comfort and a thick back cushion was made to compensate for the depth of the seat. All were covered in coordinating outdoor fabrics that were used throughout the porch on several pieces.
Deep Wicker Sofa
The old spring seat unit on this sofa had lost its resilience and the ill-fitting spring and batting style seat cushions were dense and lumpy and very heavy. Because of the depth of the seat, toss cushions were used for back support in the absence of proper back cushions.
The old spring unit was replaced with a padded insert, new 4" foam seat and back cushions were made and all were covered in a crisp and clean outdoor fabric that was used with a coordinating print on several items throughout this porch.
Rattan Chair & Ottoman
The old faded cushions on this set were ill fitting and had lost density. Custom fit cushions were made using more supportive foam and coordinating outdoor fabrics that were used throughout the porch.
Rattan Sofa
The cushions on this sofa had lost their density and become ill-fitting over time. The floral print fabric had faded and was wearing thin.
Custom fit seat and back cushions with new, supportive foam were covered in a durable polka-dot outdoor fabric to give the sofa added comfort and a new look that coordinates with other pieces throughout this porch.
Mix & Match Sectional
The original seat cushions on this outdoor sectional had faded unevenly and the unit needed back cushions.
The owner liked the original colour of the seats and selected an outdoor fabric in a similar solid shade for the new cushions. She also found print and stripe fabrics that coordinated nicely to create a lovely mix & match collection of back and toss cushions and were also used on an accompanying wicker chair.
Wicker Rocker
A new thick foam seat cushion in a lively print with mix & match toss cushions give new life to this garage sale treasure. The fabrics were also used on an outdoor sectional in this sunroom and tie the pieces together well.
Outdoor Sofa and Coffee Table
The cushions on this sofa were faded and torn and the foam had lost all of its density. A rattan bench with a cushion serves as a coffee table when a sheet of glass is placed on top but the fabric was stained and needed refreshing.
New foam and bright outdoor fabrics in yellow, red, and a coordinating bird print bring comfort and colour back to this seating area. Contrast piping adds a little flare, and the mixing of fabrics ties these and other pieces on the porch together.
Wicker Chair
The foam in these cushions was no longer supportive and the fabric was torn and faded.
Custom cushions that fit the unique contours of this chair were made with higher density foam and covered with a bright outdoor print and red contrast piping that coordinate it with other pieces on this porch.
Rattan Chair
Faded and worn, the cushions on this chair were due for renewal.
New foam and a bright yellow outdoor fabric with red contrast piping gives this chair new life and coordinates it with the other pieces on the porch.
Rattan Love Seat
The torn and faded print on this love seat and the deteriorating foam needed to be replaced.
New foam cushions were covered in a bright red outdoor fabric with contrast piping and toss cushions that coordinate it with several other pieces done with the same fabrics.
Papasan Chair
The cotton batting cushion on this papasan chair was dense and compressed, providing little comfort, and the fabric was badly stained.
New chip foam stuffing provides resilient support and comfort, and tufting helps keep it from shifting. The bright outdoor fabric and contrast piping coordinate with other pieces on this screen porch and will stand up to the elements.
Rattan & Wicker with Buttons
Generous stuffing and buttons gives the cushions in this set a plump and comfortable appearance and feel.
Solid rust coloured fabric and a coordinating floral print used for seats, backs and toss cushions tie these pieces together in their screen porch location. (no before photos)
Low Wicker Chair
This seat of this chair is very low and the flattened cushion did not provide enough support or height to make this chair comfortable.
A new 4" foam cushion brings the height of the seat up to a more suitable level. The faded and stained fabric was replaced with a richly coloured stripe and a mismatched floral toss cushion pads the back and adds interest.
Both fabrics were used in combination with a rust coloured moray on several pieces throughout this screen porch creating a lively and warm environment.
Child's Wicker Chair
This flattened and stained seat pad was replaced with a new 2" foam cushion for much needed support and comfort. The moray patterned fabric compliments the style of wicker well and coordinates with other pieces in this space.
Magazine Chair
This wicker chair with a magazine basket on the side had a faded and stained cushion with dense padding that had compressed over many years and was due for an update.
A new 4" foam cushion has brought much needed comfort to this reading chair. Covered with a rich striped fabric, it goes well with the orange barrel side table and as part of a mis-matched collection of new cushions throughout the porch.
Square Wicker Chair
The seat pad was compressed flat so it provided no support and made the arms slightly higher than was comfortable when sitting in this chair.
A substantial foam cushion raises the seat so that the arm height is improved while giving much needed support and comfort. The riser & piping style of the seat cushion suits the square frame of the chair and the moray fabric compliments the weave of the wicker. Pairing the moray with a coordinating floral toss cushion softens the look and ties in with the other pieces in the set.
Tall Back Wicker
The old cotton batting pad on this chair was very dense which made the seat hard and uncomfortable.
A new 4" foam cushion provides a softer, more resilient seat. The riser & piping style of the cushion suites the structure of the chair, while the floral print softens the look and ties it in with the mix & match collection on this porch.
Wicker Recliner
A flat, dense seat pad and the absence of a back cushion made this lovely reclining chair hard and uncomfortable for prolonged relaxation. A large toss pillow made ahead of time was used to provide back support until custom cushions were made.
The new thick foam seat and a soft but resilient back pad (with elastic straps to keep it in place) provide much needed cushioning and support. The floral print softens the structured look of the chair, coordinates with other pieces in the collection, and is a nice contrast against the dark green wall of this screen porch.
Rocker
The wooden seat base of this rocker is deep, with the surrounding rails extending a couple of inches above it on all sides. The old cushion was a large, dense down filled toss pillow that had compressed to the point where the front rail pressed against the back of the occupant's thighs (no before photo). It was replaced with a 5" foam cushion that offers better support and comfort and was custom fit to the inner dimensions of the rails. The cover was made in the knife edge style so the piping frames it well, sitting just at the top of the rails. The striped fabric suits the lines of the chair and coordinates it with the surrounding wicker set.
Wicker Rocking Chair
The cushions on this chair and matching loveseat were soft and had become misshapen over time so they no longer fit properly and were unsupportive. The owner liked the style but wanted a new look and more comfort.
The bullnose style on the seat cushion and the knife edge style of the back cushion were reproduced. The buttons were eliminated and there is no piping on the cushions, giving them a clean look. To provide the necessary support, higher density foam was used and wrapped with extra batting to maintain the soft feel. The cushions were covered with a neutral outdoor fabric suitable for their screen porch location.
Wicker Loveseat
As on the matching chair, the soft, low density cushions on this loveseat had lost their shape and were ill-fitting and unsupportive.
New cushions were made to fit the frame using denser foam wrapped with extra batting to provide support while maintaining the soft feel. The style of the cushions was reproduced, eliminating the buttons and without piping, and they were covered with a neutral outdoor fabric for a fresh, clean look.
Wicker Sofa
The cushions on this sofa were flattened and ill-fitting, having lost density and shape over time and the floral fabric had faded. The owner wanted to change the style and look, opting for a single seat cushion in a solid green, with separate backs in a coordinating geometric print. Each was piped with the other fabric for contrast. Medium density foam was used for the seat to provide stable comfort, and a softer foam used for the backs gives proper support and a cushiony feel.
The same solid fabric was used with another coordinating print on the chairs from this set to tie all the pieces together.
Wicker Chairs
Like the sofa in this set, the cushions on these chairs were faded and compressed and no longer provided support.
Custom fit cushions with new foam and batting enhance the chairs' comfort while coordinating solid and print fabrics with contrast piping refresh and brighten the look. The solid green fabric was also used on the sofa from this set, tying the three pieces together.
Rooftop Patio
The foam in the seats and the loose batting in the back cushions on this patio set were only slightly compressed, but the fabric had faded and was deteriorating. The foam was steamed to restore its shape and the loose batting was fluffed and redistributed for consistency. All cushions were covered in a warm beige outdoor fabric to withstand the exposure on this rooftop patio. (Toss cushions are client's own)