First and foremost, patio cushions are for comfort.  If you miss the mark on this aspect, the rest is all a mute point.  But, you would be surprised how often people will sacrifice comfort over looks.  They must just think that all patio chair cushions are the same or that they will overlook the feel if they look great.

These wrought iron chairs really need chair cushions to be comfortable.

This is definitely a step in the wrong direction.  Don’t be fooled by price alone, however, because you can find good cushions at a fair price. Often, you can find discounted versions of older models that are just as contemporary and will look great for years.  Quality fabrics and craftsmanship are the true mark of a durable cushion, sure to last you many seasons.

There are so many styles from which to choose, and these depend on the type of furniture you have.  Under the broad category of patio furniture, you can find things like chaise lounge chairs and garden benches.  Both of these are much more enjoyable and comfortable with the right padding between you and the furniture.  In the case of bench cushions, don’t be surprised if you notice that you spend more time laying out there.  Because most benches are either wood or metal, a padded seat is crucial.

Other types of patio furniture cushions are helpful but not necessarily essential for comfort.  For example, you can get cushions for plastic and those rubberized pool furniture pieces, but these will likely be comfortable as is.  You will notice as you shop that there are more and more types of waterproof materials that drain quickly and are rot, mildew and insect resistant.  This is a far cry from the older patio chair cushions – simple pads really – that would deteriorate after only a few seasons in the elements.

Again, the truth is that outdoor chair cushions are more for comfort than anything else.  In addition to this, if you plan on entertaining, you will want to make sure that you get the right type of outdoor chairs, capable of receiving a cushion.  Now, most chairs can have a cushion placed on the seat part, but they may feel unstable or cause the back to hit you in the wrong spot, making the chair actually less comfortable.  This is definitely not what you are shopping for, so be certain of what you are looking for when you surf or drive for the perfect chair cushions for your patio space.

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So, there it is, you see it, the empty bench out there waiting for you to just grab a good book or a nice cup of your favorite beverage appropriate for the season.  Most garden benches could tell quite a tale of what they have experienced and seen transform and change in your garden.  They have seen the weather, the flora and fauna if you will and even the people who have rested there change over the years.

A gorgeous garden bench that also has a rustic feel.

And so it goes, when you are looking for that perfect garden bench to fit in that special place in your garden or patio.  Your outdoor garden bench can take on several different styles and materials for that matter.  The most popular, tried and true style is a wooden garden bench.  Metal garden benches can also be quite comfortable as well.  Some metal styles have wooden slats used for the seating and back support areas, which have a bit more give than the entirely metal ones.  However, there is something charming and wonderful about a wrought iron piece of patio furniture.

If you’ve done any looking around on Patio Covers Place, then you’ve likely discovered our passion and support of both sustainably grown and environmentally suitable objects and projects of all kinds that relate to your patio.  Having said this, we definitely understand the lure and beauty of wood.  You just can’t replicate the look of a cedar garden bench using some other type of material, stain or paint.  The grain and aging of cedar makes it a great choice for outdoor use.  It is possible, however, to find sustainably harvested wood and furniture made for people who share these same ideals.  On another note, maybe a teak garden bench is more your style.  You can always look for a used garden bench that someone simply doesn’t want anymore, this is also an Earth-friendly solution and one that gives you a well-broken in bench to boot.

Something else to think about is the comfort you will enjoy on your bench.  Just like if you were looking for patio cushions for your other patio furniture, may we suggest that you look into getting a bench cushion for this new bench you are getting?  You’ll be so much more comfortable and able to sit for a longer period of time if you get a padded area to rest on.

Other options are to look into getting an outdoor storage bench.  This can be very appealing and made of the same great cedar or teak wood that you are seeking with the added benefit of giving you additional patio storage.  While it may not be much, sometimes you just need a place for those extra cushions, lights or lighter for the barbecue grill nearby.  You can also now find garden benches that have liners in the storage area that can open up to be a cooler for storing your cold beverages when you are out on your patio entertaining.

Like all of your outdoor patio furniture, you should consider the costs in terms of both labor and materials to maintain your bench.  Because it will likely be sitting out in the elements year-round, it would be a good idea to either apply some type of sealant or water-proofing to extend its lifespan.  There are tinted and water-based stains and sealers now that are environmentally sensitive as well.  Also, maintaining your items, whether they be patio related or not is a ‘green’ thing to do.  If you think your bench will be sitting unused for extended periods, you can invest in a patio furniture cover for it.  In the end, you might find that this additional purchase will be worth the cost of protecting your $200-400 USD garden bench from premature deterioration or rusting.

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Patio cushions are available in garden stores and some department stores and discount stores but you will generally get the best deal online. You will also get the most choice on the web and therefore you will usually find the best possible cushions for your furniture there.

At least these patio cushions will keep the pots comfortable.

1. Choose Cushions to Match Your Garden
You may think a garden is a garden and any design of patio cushion will go well with it but if you care about how your garden looks you will see that each garden has a mood or overall look. For example, there are poolside gardens and patios which suit one type of fabric design. These cushions are typically in tropical designs or bright colors. The same kind of designs and colors also suit gardens filled with color and exotic plants. However, if you have a more subtle English country or cottage type of garden you are better to go for a floral design and calmer colors.

2. Get the Right Measurements for Your Patio Cushions
If you are buying cushions to replace those which are worn out or stained then you can measure the cushions which are already on the furniture. They may be beaten out of shape a bit but you will be able to get accurate measurements from them if you are careful. If you don’t have existing cushions then you will need to carefully measure the size of the chair seat (depth and width) and also take the size of the back separately. You will probably find that your chairs are a standard size and you will be able to buy cushions to match but if not you can get custom cushions made to fit. These will be slightly more expensive but they will be worth it to get something which fits your furniture properly.

3. Buy Quality Cushions
Don’t be cheap when buying patio cushions because to a large extent you get what you pay for. Look for quality cushions at a discount rather than something which has a low price to start with. The quality of both the fabric and foam pad are important in getting a cushion which will last. The foam should be firm enough to maintain its shape despite a lot of use while it also needs to be soft enough so that it is comfortable to sit on. The fabric must withstand both sun and water as well as wear and tear so it needs to be tough as well as fade resistant and waterproof. Once you have the materials right look at the quality of the construction. The seams must be well made and the cushion needs to have strong ties to attach it to your furniture and stop it slipping around.

4. Care for Your Cushions
Make sure you look after your cushions when you get them so that you protect your investment. Cushions will benefit from being taken indoors when not in use. Although the fabric is tough (if you buy the right cushions) all fabrics will fade and suffer eventually if left outside in the hot sun and rain for extended periods. The best idea is to have some kind of storage near your patio so that it is easy to put your patio cushions away after use and you are not tempted just to leave them when you are finished sitting on your patio for the day. In any case always take them inside during winter and store them in a dry place so that they look good as new for the following summer.

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