Ordinary foam and indoor fabric on a patio go wrong quickly: the colour fades, the foam holds water after a summer storm and the cushions smell of mould by autumn. Outdoor furniture cushions made for the job use UV-stable, water-repellent fabric and open-cell foam that drains and dries. Upholsterers make them to size for pool loungers, patio sets, swing seats, daybeds, stoep benches and built-in braai area seating. Tell us the pieces and sizes, and we pass it to independent upholsterers and cushion makers near you. They quote you directly. The request is free, with no obligation.
What can be made or recovered
- Pool lounger and sun lounger cushions
- Seat and back cushions for patio sets, outdoor couches and lounge sets
- Swing seat, hammock and daybed cushions
- Long bench cushions for stoeps, braai areas and built-in seating
- New covers over the old foam, or new foam and covers together
Many people also want to reupholster patio chairs with fixed padded seats, or restore the frames; see furniture restoration. Lodges and guesthouses often order a whole pool deck at once (see commercial upholstery).
Choosing outdoor fabric and foam
- Fabric: solution-dyed acrylic or polyester outdoor fabric holds its colour in the sun far better than printed fabric; ask whether it is UV treated and water repellent
- Foam: open-cell outdoor (reticulated) foam lets water run through; regular foam in a waterproof liner is a cheaper option for a covered stoep
- Finishing: rust-proof zips, ties or hook and loop tape so cushions do not blow off, and mesh panels underneath to drain
Mid-tones fade less obviously than navy or red. For foam sizes, see upholstery foam.
Care, climate and common mistakes
Even good outdoor cushions last longer out of the weather. Store them in a box or under cover when they are not used, stand them on edge after rain to drain, and brush off leaves and pollen before mould starts. On the coast, salt air rusts cheap zips; on the Highveld and in the Karoo, the sun is the main enemy. Common mistakes are indoor fabric outside, thin foam that bottoms out on a lounger, and covers with no zip, which cannot be washed. Most outdoor covers wash in mild soapy water.
What affects the price and what to ask
The price depends on the number and size of cushions, the foam thickness and type, the fabric, piping or welted edges, ties and zips, and whether the old covers can be used as patterns. Ask:
- Which outdoor fabric and foam will you use?
- Are the covers removable and washable?
- Can you measure on site, or should I bring a cushion in?
For indoor scatter cushions, see cushion covers made to size.
What to include in your request
- Each cushion's length, width, thickness
- How many of each
- Covered stoep or open to the weather
- New foam or new covers only
- Fabric colour and piping
Outdoor Cushions and Patio Upholstery for homes, cars and businesses
- Homeowners and tenants: pool loungers, patio sets and stoep benches at a family home, faded after one summer
- Restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and lodges: guesthouses, lodges and hotels refitting a whole pool deck of loungers at once
- Offices and businesses: office park courtyards and staff braai areas with cushions on outdoor seating
- Car, bakkie and taxi owners: dealership outdoor waiting areas and coffee stops with weatherproof bench cushions
- Boats, caravans and 4x4s: caravans, holiday houses and boats that need quick-dry cushions for the deck
- Clinics, salons, spas and gyms: spas and wellness retreats with outdoor daybeds and loungers beside the pool
- Churches, schools and halls: school staff areas, church gardens and municipal resorts with outdoor bench seating
- Upholsterers, makers, designers and DIYers: outdoor furniture makers and landscapers ordering cushions for their clients' patios
Frequently asked questions
How much do outdoor furniture cushions cost to make?
Can outdoor cushions stay outside in the rain?
Can my old patio cushions be recovered?
Do you make the cushions?
Outdoor Cushions and Patio Upholstery by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg