So many of us get so tired of spending our weekends going from store to store looking for the right sized cushions, settling on any color and any style they have because we think it will work for your needs. We look and look and may finally just give up and spend our hard earned money on cushions that usually don’t fit right and aren’t really the color we wanted and maybe aren’t a very good quality. This will lead us to the same predicament season after season.

Today, everyone from children to grandparents are familiar with the amazing world of online shopping. But sometimes we forget about looking there for items we have always searched the aisles of many home improvement stores for, like cushions and patio furniture. Or sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the almost limitless pages of online stores we don’t even know where to begin.

Start by measuring

If you need cushions for your chaise lounges and dining chairs you have to start with measuring your existing cushions or furniture. This will limit your frustration because what happens to so many people is that they start their search online, they find a website that sells cushions, they pick out the color they want and then they figure out they have to go measure. They run outside and measure their furniture and then find out that all that time was wasted because the cushion they picked out doesn’t come in the size they need. Some people will just give up all together and spend hundreds of dollars on new furniture instead of just replacing the cushions. So, take a few minutes and measure the length, width, thickness and the hinge length from the top of the chair of all your cushions. There are a few websites that allow you to enter the length and width measurements into their search box to find the cushions that include those sizes.

Select a style

Once you find your options based on size you will see that the next step is to choose a style. You will see terms like sling and strap, boxed and welted, smooth edge which may make you think you have entered a shoe store and not a place to buy patio cushions. Selecting a style mostly just comes down to preference. If you find a size that works you need to decide which style you like. Some cushions like the Cartridge style look casual and comfy because they are made with additional seams which make them look like several pillows sewn together. Some, like the Boxed and Welted style have a very boxy, clean look that can fit a more contemporary style. So, just pick which one you like best!

Select a color

Now this step is always the hardest for me. I can never decide if I want a solid, striped or floral pattern whether it is for my patio cushions or my bed sheets. My secret for patio cushions is a site called outdoorfabrics.com. They allow you to buy samples of Sunbrella fabrics for $1 each so you can take a look at them in person and make the right choice, but at least you know you can get a cushion in that color in the size you need! Once you finalize your color you are done, just place the order and your replacement cushions will arrive at your doorstep.

TIP: Just remember, if you are thinking of buying custom cushions, know that they are usually a final sale item and are NOT returnable under any circumstances, so you have to be 100% sure in your decision.

So go outside and measure your old cushions and follow these steps. You will be amazed with the difference your new cushions will make!

By: Jennifer Drozd

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