Outdoor Cushions

Your outdoor setting looks a little bare, and the seats are hard to relax on. Last season's outdoor cushions may have faded or gone flat in the sun.

Early Settler's outdoor cushions change that. Our collection adds comfort and colour to the deck or a sunny spot by the pool. Each one is easy to sink into and built to live outside.

Outdoor cushions, also known as outdoor pillows, split into two groups. Decorative cushions add comfort and colour, and seat pads soften a hard chair. The shape you pick depends on where it sits and what it needs to do.

Match the shape to the spot before you start layering:

• Square outdoor cushions, usually 45 by 45 centimetres, are the all-rounder for outdoor sofas, chairs and benches.
• Rectangular outdoor cushions, around 35 by 55 centimetres, add contrast and double as a back cushion on chairs and lounges.
• Lumbar outdoor cushions are long and slim, around 70 by 35 centimetres, and work as a bench cushion with lower-back support.

Outdoor seat cushions or seat pads are the second type. They sit on the chair base to soften a hard seat, and some are shaped to fit.

Our range is in stock and ready to deliver, so you can refresh your outdoor living space before the first warm weekend.

Most outdoor cushions are water-resistant, not fully waterproof. They handle light rain, splashes and morning dew, but they are not made to sit through steady, heavy rain. A quick shower will not ruin them, though it helps to bring them undercover when the weather turns.

Sun is the harder test in Australian conditions, so fabrics with good UV resistance hold their colour for much longer. We select high-performance outdoor fabrics built for our climate, so your cushions handle sun, damp and everyday use season after season.

Outdoor cushions are usually made from tough synthetic fabrics like olefin, polyester or acrylic. The fill, sometimes called the cushion insert, is often a quick-drying foam or fibre. Together, they cope with sun and light moisture far better than indoor cushions.

Solution-dyed yarns resist fading best, because the colour runs right through each fibre rather than sitting on top. Some of our outdoor cushions use fabric woven from recycled drink bottles. It stands up to sun and everyday use just as well.

Choosing outdoor cushions comes down to size, fabric and how you use the space. Get those right, and the rest is just colour and pattern. A few practical checks keep it simple:

• Measure the seat or back first, then match the cushion to those dimensions, and size up if you land between two sizes.
• Most outdoor dining chairs suit a 45 by 45 square, while benches and lounges take a 35 by 55 rectangular or a 70 by 35 lumbar.
• Full sun and poolside spots need fabric with good UV resistance, and a shady, rainy corner wants a fill that dries quickly.

We have spent over 40 years helping families choose pieces that suit real homes, so ask our team if you would like a hand.

Most outdoor cushions clean up with a soft brush, warm water and a little mild detergent. Spot clean spills as they happen, then rinse and let the cushion dry fully before you use it again. Some outdoor cushions come with removable covers you can machine wash, so always check the care label, since others are made to be spot cleaned only.

When the season winds down, store your cushions somewhere dry and out of the sun. A quick wipe now and then keeps them looking fresh for years.

Good outdoor cushion styling starts with a base colour, then builds up with pattern and texture until the space feels like yours. Larger outdoor lounge cushions set the base, and smaller scatters add the finishing layer.

A few simple moves make it come together:

• Start with one or two solid cushions in a base colour, then layer a print or two on top for depth.
• Mix pattern scales, so pair a bold botanical with a fine stripe rather than two busy prints that compete.
• Pull your colours from the setting around you, whether that is coastal blues, earthy greens or warm terracotta tones.
• Combine square, rectangular and lumbar shapes on the same daybed or sun lounge for a look with a bit of movement.

An outdoor rug in the same palette as your outdoor cushion covers pulls the whole setting together.

Outdoor cushions do not last forever, and a couple of clear signs tell you it is time for new ones. Faded fabric is the first. Once the colour has softened right down, no amount of cleaning brings it back.

The second sign is a cushion that has gone flat and stopped springing back. When the fill no longer holds its shape, the comfort has gone with it.

The good news is that new cushions are one of the simplest ways to lift your whole outdoor space. A fresh set of prints changes the feel of a setting in minutes, for far less than replacing your furniture. It is the easiest seasonal update we know.

Early Settler is a design-led homewares retailer, so our outdoor cushions pair fresh colour with fabrics chosen for our climate. You get pieces that feel considered and suit a real budget. They are also part of our wider cushions & throws range.

There is a simple way to save, too. Our Home Club membership is free to join, and it gives you a $20 welcome reward plus 10% off full-priced items. It works online and in store, so the savings follow you wherever you shop.

Add a few cushions and your whole outdoor space feels fresh again, ready for the next long lunch outside.

Outdoor cushions use synthetic fabrics and quick-drying fills made to handle sun, rain and damp. Indoor cushions use softer fabrics that can fade or hold moisture outside. The build is what sets them apart.

You can leave outdoor cushions out through the warmer months, but constant sun and damp shorten their life. Bring them undercover in heavy rain and over winter to keep them looking their best.

Mix warm water with a little mild detergent, then scrub the mould gently with a soft brush. Rinse well and let the cushion dry fully in the sun before you use it again.

For a two-seater, three cushions strike the right balance. A three-seater suits four or five. Work in odd numbers, then mix sizes so the look feels relaxed rather than staged.