| Outdoor living has reached new highs in popularity. At | | | | and solids, and practically all the solid colors you can |
| one time, our outdoor spaces with furnished with | | | | imagine. |
| simple folding aluminum-frame chairs with woven | | | | If you can't find the cushions you want from the original |
| plastic straps, or those classic metal tulip chairs that | | | | manufacturer, check the Internet. Several websites |
| we remember from the roadside motels we stopped | | | | exist where you can order custom-designed cushions. |
| at on the way to Grandma's house. | | | | You specify the dimensions-width, depth, and cushion |
| But today we treat the patios and porches of our | | | | thickness-and the details of the cushions, such as edge |
| homes as extensions of the inside of our homes. We | | | | treatment, ties, cushion trim, and zipper or Velcro |
| can lounge outdoors on all-weather sofas and | | | | closures. You can choose from a range of |
| sectionals, and armchairs, and eat holiday meals | | | | weather-resistant fabrics that coordinate with your |
| alfresco at dining tables that are as lovely as the one | | | | outdoor décor. Because they are |
| we have in our dining room. Because this furniture lives | | | | custom-manufactured to your specifications, these |
| outside, it suffers more wear than our inside furniture. | | | | outdoor furniture cushions will take some time to be |
| The outdoor furniture cushions suffer the most wear. | | | | delivered. If you go this route, plan ahead so you have |
| It's not unusual for us to buy patio furniture that can | | | | the new cushions at the start of your outdoor living |
| last for a decade or more. But even good-quality | | | | season, or before that big party you have coming up. |
| cushions will need to be replaced periodically. This adds | | | | If you are skilled with a sewing machine, you can take |
| to the expense of owning the furniture, but it also gives | | | | on the project of making outdoor furniture cushions on |
| us the opportunity to update our outside décor and | | | | your own. You can check the pattern books at your |
| keep it comfortable. | | | | local fabric store, or you can make your own patterns |
| You can find replacement cushions at patio furniture | | | | using measurements you take, or even by |
| stores, department stores, and home improvement | | | | disassembling the old cushions. Make a pattern for |
| stores. If you buy replacements where you originally | | | | each different type of cushion you need, select fabric |
| bought your furniture, you have a better chance of | | | | and zippers or Velcro for closures, and check out |
| getting a good fit. It's wise to look for weather-resistant | | | | various types of weather-proof cushions, foam, and |
| fabrics. These fabrics repel water and fade less than | | | | batting. If you want to be particularly careful before |
| standard upholstery fabrics. You'll be happier with | | | | you use your "good" materials, run up a mock-up of |
| cushions that are well-fitted to your existing furniture; if | | | | the final cushion using a fabric remnant. That way, if |
| they aren't, they will slip and provide a less comfortable | | | | you need to make any adjustments, you know it |
| seat. | | | | before you cut your more expensive outdoor |
| If you bought patio furniture from a reputable | | | | materials. |
| manufacturer, you can contact them directly to get | | | | Whether you buy off-the-shelf replacement cushions, |
| replacements for your old furniture cushions. The | | | | order custom-fitted cushions, or make them yourself, |
| benefit is that these cushions are custom-designed for | | | | updating your cushions will make your patio furniture |
| the piece of furniture you own. You'll have a wide | | | | look up-to-date and keep it comfortable for many |
| selection of fabrics to choose from-patterns, stripes, | | | | years. |