Learning how to measure standard wicker furniture for replacement cushions is easy. Hundreds of thousands of people every spring order replacement cushions for their patio furniture. Some find it relatively easy to do, while others find it daunting. It’s not that difficult to figure out what to do if you know a few things about your furniture. Below are some helpful hints in identifying what you need to know to order replacement cushions for standard furniture.
Standard Wicker Furniture With Seat Cushions
Standard wicker furniture, such as a wicker chair or loveseat, can be used without cushions. Back cushions are not commonly used on this type of furniture because it is generally unnecessary, but also because the seats are not deep enough to accommodate a back cushion without leaving your legs hanging over the front of the chair. However, most of us would rather use a seat cushion to soften the blow, especially if we sit for long periods.
So, to get the right seat cushion for standard furniture, you must consider the following:
- Seat cushion shape
- Seat cushion dimensions
- How to measure
- Seat cushion type (Tufted or Foam)
Seat Cushion Shape
Unless you have purchased some oddball furniture, you will be very happy to know that some standard cushion designs will meet your needs. In particular, the shape of your cushion will be either rectangular with four square corners, rectangular with rounded back corners and square front corners, or rectangular with a rounded (arched) back that fits the shape of the backrest.
Seat Cushion Dimensions
- Seat cushions have three dimensions
- Width (left to right measurement)
- Depth (front-to-back measurement)
- Thickness (top to bottom measurement).
For square or rectangular cushions, it’s pretty straightforward what the width and depth measurements are. However, the width and depth measurements might differ for designs that require rounded-off back corners. Don’t overthink this. Typical chair pads, almost always square, have the width and depth measurements the same, even if they have rounded corners. Now, for loveseats and sofas, the widths will be wider than the depth.
You can order replacement cushions in some standard sizes. These measurements are listed in inches.
- Chairs: 18×18, 19×19, 20×20, 22×22 and 24×24
- Love Seats: 18×41 or 18×42, 19×42 or 19×43, 20×44, 22×46 and 24×48
- Sofas: 19×60 and 20×62
- Ottomans: 16×20, 17×21, 15×19 and 16.5×15.5
- Custom designs are made to order
How To Measure
One would think that if you have an old set of cushions, you can measure the old ones, giving you the necessary measurements. That’s great if the cushions are still in good shape. But, since you are buying new cushions, they probably warn and flatted out and most likely will measure a little larger than the originals. So, to make sure you get the right measurements, measure the furniture seat frame surface.
Use the image diagram above and record the measurements A & C for furniture that has seats with rounded back corners. If the back of the seats are squared off, record measurement B. Comparison between Measurements A & B will identify whether you have a tapered cushion.
For all seat cushions, measure the width across the front edge of the seat between the arm frames. Measure the depth from the center front edge of the seat to the backrest.
This works for chairs, loveseats, and sofas.
Over time, tufted cushions, for example, will flatten out a bit. So, if they are too big to start with, they will hang over the front end of the chair and won’t look good in the long term. This is not so much of a problem with the width because the sides of the furniture keep the cushion in place, even if it’s too big. But, if you order foam cushions, they will hold their shape quite well. You might want to supply a template to the cushion maker to ensure the curve of the seat cushion matches the cushion.
Seat Cushion Type
Most people buy tufted replacement cushions for standard furniture. They are more economical than foam replacement cushions and carry a style that is adorned by many. On the other hand, if you are looking for more support and a flat-level elegant look, foam cushions are the way to go.
Tufted cushions are filled with fiber. Tufts are sewn between the top and bottom panels of the cushion that have three purposes:
- Aesthetics
- Hold the fiber in place
- To control thickness
Foam Cushions are simply cushions that use solid foam rubber inside rather than fiber-filling like tufted cushions. These are more expensive cushions because the materials and labor cost more. Foam cushions are flat and vary from two inches up to 6 inches thick for standard furniture.
Unconventional Shaped Cushions
If you’re unsure of the shape of your cushions or have a cushion design, you won’t be able to get off-the-shelf design replacement cushions. You will need to talk to a cushion maker. You must provide a template drawn on paper of the shape you need your cushions made into. Provide all the information. You can include a picture if you have one of the pieces of furniture. The image is unnecessary, but any additional information will help ensure you get the product you want and need for your furniture.
Summary
This article covered identifying the cushion shape, dimensions, how to measure the furniture frame and the type of cushion you need. It was identified that measuring the old cushions are an acceptable way to go if you know the cushions are not flattened and out of shape. To ensure you have accurate measurements, to measure your furniture frames and not to order too large of a cushion. Tufted cushions are by far the most popular cushions for standard furniture because they are comfortable and inexpensive as compared to foam cushions. And finally, if you need a specially designed cushion, you will need to make a template of the shape and provide it to your cushion maker to ensure you get cushions that will fit and look great on your furniture.
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