Outdoor Cushions Made Easy

Shopping for Outdoor Cushions can be a bit of an art form. You are no longer limited to purchasing those plain cushions that come in one or two standard sizes and colors from your local retail store. With the boom in online stores you can find the perfect replacement cushions to fit your taste and style without the hassles of driving all over town and wasting an entire day or more. Now, with a simple click of a mouse, you can access hundreds of online stores and just as many selections of outdoor cushions.
 

Here are some of the things you will want to consider when you start shopping for the perfect outdoor cushions:

 
The first thing you may want to do, that will take a little time, is measure your existing patio furniture.  For chairs, there are three measurements that you will need when ordering your cushions, the length (from top to bottom), the width (side to side) and the hinge measurement, which is the length from the top to the hinge. If you have existing cushions you will also want to measure the current thickness if it meets your needs.
 
Now you are ready to start the fun stuff! Your next step will be to find an online store that has a great selection and fair pricing. A minimum requirement will be to find a store that offers Sunbrella fabric. This fabric is the most durable fabric and will last you for many, many years. Sunbrella fabric is a marine grade fabric that is fade-resistant, stain-resistant, mildew-resistant and literally worry-free. It will not rip or tear after a year or two in the elements.
 

Next you will need to determine which style of cushion will meet your needs. Here is some information on the most popular styles:

 
Cartridge Style cushions are probably the most commonly seen outdoor cushions. They offer comfortable seating and are considered the "universal" cushion. They have rounded edges and added decorative stitching that gives the effect of multiple pieces and adds a unique touch of style to the cushion. They fit well with any style furniture whether wood, aluminum or cast iron.
 
Box and Welted cushions work well with square or rectangular shaped chairs. This style cushion is usually offered in a thickness ranging from 2.5" to 5" which make them extremely comfortable. They offer well-defined lines that give a clean contemporary look. They are simple yet will make an elegant statement to your guests. The welting or tubing along the edges adds a beautiful finishing touch to these types of cushions.
 
Sling and Strap cushions are very versatile. They compliment any type of furniture from wood to aluminum. They are light and can be stored easily by simply rolling them up and placing them on a shelf. These cushions work well with sling style patio furniture where the fabric is stretched across a frame or strap style furniture where plastic straps are used to create the seats.
 
After you have picked the style that will meet your needs you are ready to pick the color. You are no longer limited to green or tan, you can choose brilliant colors such as terra cotta or calming colors such as ice blue. There is not only a wide range of colors to choose from but you can even select a striped or floral pattern to really add that special touch.  Here is a tip: If you are not sure about a color there are sites such as www.outdoorfabrics.com where you can get a sample of the fabric before you buy.
 
So go online and get those cushions you have only been able to dream about!