How to Find the Best Seat Cushion

Do you often feel that the surfaces you have to sit down on are giving you a tushy ache? People don’t invest in comfortable seating as much as they should, which eventually leads to the lower back, bottom, or tailbone pain. 

If you spent good money on that office chair or your patio furniture, replacing it altogether is not a solution. Thankfully, seat cushions can help, so let us show you how to find the best seat cushion out there. 

Top 8 Best Seat Cushions

Types of Seat Cushions 

So, there are a lot of different seat cushions out there, especially because there are many different places that demand a different type of seating. 

• Indoor vs. Outdoors

The main difference between indoor and outdoor cushions lies in the materials used to make them. Indoor cushions are more delicate, with the great emphasis falling upon the design. Outdoor cushions are made from more durable materials and are usually waterproof and UV-resistant. 

• Chair Cushions

As the name suggests, chair cushions are placed on top of a chair to make it more comfortable and stylish. They usually have ties to secure the cushion to the chair and prevent it from moving. Chair cushions can be made from a single piece or have the bottom and the back cushions joined together to create a set. 

• Bench Cushions

Bench cushions are designed for indoor or outdoor benches. They can be as short as a two-seater or usually as long as a four-seater. Their width usually ranges from 8 up to 205 inches. They aren’t more than 3 inches long (of course, there are exceptions to this rule). 

You might want to check this out: Best Outdoor Benches

• Chaise Cushions

The most well-liked and comfy varieties of outdoor cushions are those that are designed for traditional chaise lounge chairs. The typical depth of a chaise lounge is between 3 and 4 inches, and they are almost always constructed with a boxed edge design or a boxed design with double welting. 

Sunbrella furniture grade textiles that are resistant to fading, mildew, and water are the best option for covering chaise cushions because they combine these properties. Sunbrella textiles are guaranteed not to fade for 3 years and have a longer lifespan that can withstand extreme wear and strain. 

• Rocking Chair Cushions

Rocking chair cushions aren’t that different compared to chair cushions. They usually have 2 separate pieces: one for the back and one for the seat. Some of them are designed for outdoor use since plenty of people like to place their rocking chairs on the porch. 

• Window Seat Cushions

The area beneath a window with a bay style can be converted into a seating area by the simple addition of a cushion. Cushions for window seats are most frequently fashioned in a rectangle shape, a bow shape, or the traditional trapezoid shape.

Boxed double-corded design cushions that range in thickness from 2 to 4 inches are the ones that are most frequently used for window seat cushions in these kinds of settings.

You may be interested in: Best Back Cushions for Your Needs

Best Material for Seat Cushions

If you’re going to utilize cushions in your office or home, at the very least make sure they’re covered in nice materials so they don’t get destroyed. There are a plethora of high-quality textiles available, but only if they are properly fitted. 

In certain cases, cushions may serve the same purpose, but they can also be used in different locations, so it’s critical to keep in mind the fabric type when providing cushion maintenance. 

Cushion textiles in the bedroom should be softer, whilst cushions on your patio should be more durable and weather-resistant. Differences in both the environment and use must also be considered.

• Cotton

The most prevalent types of cushion fabrics that can be found in home improvement stores and fabric shops are cotton and linen. The fact that both of these textiles can be washed and are hypoallergenic makes it quite unlikely that anyone will experience irritation due only to the choice of fabric. 

Because it is so readily available, cotton is an excellent material for meeting the requirements of a seat cushion. Because it is a cool cloth, using it indoors, whether at home or in your office, is even more comfortable than usual because of this quality. 

However, it only makes a good indoor choice, as the constant exposure to damp and dry conditions brought on by the weather has the potential to swiftly deteriorate the fabric. 

• Linen

People say that linen has antibacterial properties, can resist mildew, and is unlikely to pill, making it a great pick for usage both indoors and outdoors. In addition to being just as lightweight as cotton, linen is also heat resistant, making it an excellent choice for use outside.

• Canvas

You might not have anticipated it, but canvas cloth is an excellent option for a seat cushion, particularly for usage in the great outdoors. Canvas is an exceptionally durable fabric that can withstand harsh circumstances for an extended period and offers excellent strength. 

Canvas cushion fabrics are highly favored by those individuals who need outdoor seat cushioning because they are waterproof and can withstand some serious sun damage.

• Polyester & Nylon

Both polyester and nylon are extremely durable fabrics due to the usage of synthetic fibers in their production. Because synthetic materials tend to have a longer lifespan than natural ones, they are an excellent material choice for locations where the cushions are subjected to heavy use. 

Because of the resilience of both fabrics, your cushions will have a longer lifespan. Both can withstand high temperatures and do not suffer significant wear and tear when exposed to the sunlight and its accompanying heat. 

This makes them ideal for placement in outdoor settings. In addition to their ability to withstand high temperatures, polyester and nylon are not prone to scratches and fiber stretching. 

• Wool 

Wool should be on your shopping list if you want to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while also giving the finest possible care for your cushions. Wool is favored not just for its eco-friendliness but also for its fire resistance, hypoallergenic nature, and ability to ward off dust mites. 

In addition to this, the rough surface of the wool provides richness to the fabric, and wool is quite tough, which means that it does not readily crease. The benefits of wool extend to both summer and winter.

• Faux Silk

Because of its silky feel and realistic appearance, imitation silk is an excellent choice for the pillows that you keep in your bedroom. It is best to use faux silk, which has an iconic appeal thanks to its elegant appearance, in settings in which you want to feel relaxed and tranquil. 

In contrast to the common perception of silk, which is that it can be easily pulled off, faux silk is created of synthetic fibers to give the necessary resilience for materials that are required for cushions. 

A cover made of faux silk can be used to safeguard your cushions while also lending a hint of sophisticated elegance to your furniture.

• Velvet

Velvet is a fabric that can be just as sturdy as it is elegant, and it could be the ideal choice for covering your pillows. The woven and tufted fabric of velvet not only provides your pillow’s depth but also ensures that their textiles will not quickly wear out over time. 

The soft appearance of velvet fabrics is achieved by using a variety of fibers, including both natural and synthetic threads, which are woven together. 

This gives your cushions a relaxing appearance while also making them more durable. Even though the material is incredibly pliable, it is yet durable enough to withstand rigorous use in the home.

What To Look for in Seat Cushions 

When you’re on the market looking to buy a seat cushion, the most pressing question that demands an answer is “What am I going to use this cushion for?”

Cushions that are good for outdoor use have different properties compared to those used indoors. Similarly, seat cushions used in the car are not the same as seat cushions used at home or in the office. 

Material

First thing’s first: different seat cushion cover materials have different properties and will be suitable for different scenarios. As you read in our section called “Best Material for Seat Cushions”, some fibers are better for indoor use, while some are better for outdoors.

For example, as comfortable and soft as a cotton seat cushion is, it won’t last very long if left outside in the rain. A nylon cushion isn’t very soft or aesthetically pleasing, but it can take a beating. 

Fill

You also have to consider that seat cushions are filled with one material and have a cover that’s usually made from a completely different one. 

As far as the fill is concerned, the most common material choices for seat cushions include:

• Polyester – Used to fill cheaper cushions, has multiple density options but flattens out with ease.
• Foam – Very common filling, has multiple foam density options, and multiple firmness levels, and is one of the most comfortable options out there. 
• Down/Feathers – They make the cushion softer but they are also more expensive materials. 

Medical Benefits

Some seat cushions have an ergonomic design that can help improve posture or ease pain in certain regions of the body. The most prevalent characteristic of these is a curved design, which allows it to conform to your body and provide ergonomic support, both of which are necessary if you want to experience any significant level of pain alleviation.

Some models feature a curved surface that provides additional support. Nonetheless, some individuals can find this feature to be more uncomfortable.

If they have been built appropriately, seat cushions may alleviate symptoms associated with a variety of common medical conditions, including sciatica, pregnancy, herniated discs, hemorrhoids, hip discomfort, and back pain.

Final Words

As you can see, the variety of seat cushion options out there is very satisfying. Always consider the main purpose of buying these cushions, as well as the setup where you’re going to use them. This will determine what properties the seat cushion should have, significantly narrowing down your choices to help you find the best seat cushion on the market. For more great recs, have a look at our list of best hammocks with stands.

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Frequently Asked Questions