How to Keep Outdoor Cushions From Sliding Off Garden Furniture

By   | Last Updated :   August 2, 2021 | Filed In :   DIY & How To

Outdoor cushions that keep sliding off your garden furniture are no fun. And you probably don’t like running after flying cushions each time the wind picks up speed and the storm clouds gather over your garden.

Keeping cushions on garden furniture is convenient. It’s also going to save you a lot of time and hassle picking up cushions off the ground and washing them.

Whether the problem you’re facing is rain, wind, or gravity, we have you covered. Here are the best methods to keep cushions for outdoor furniture in place.

1. Use a non-slip pad or rubberized mat under the cushions

Are the cushions constantly falling off your garden furniture? It’s annoying and it may dirty the covers. Non-slip pads or rubberised mats are an easy way to deal with this problem.

You can get pre-cut rubberised mats or cut non-slip pads with scissors to the size you need. All you have to do then is place them between the cushion and the furniture.

You can find standard size non-slip pads that work for all types of chairs. For outdoor benches, sofas, loungers, swingers, and larger types of seating, rubberised mats tend to cover more surface.

Non-slip pads or mats are cheap and don’t require sewing. If in a few years you decide to change your garden furniture, you can remove and reuse them.

non-slip pad

Credit: Pinterest

2. Use shelf-lining paper

Got some shelf-lining paper around the house? You could cut it to size and use it in the same way as non-slip pads or mats to prevent the cushions from sliding.

It’s a cheap way to deal with sliding cushions, but results may vary. Still, you could try it out before ordering some pads or mats or moving on to the next method.

How to Keep Outdoor Cushions From Sliding Off Garden Furniture 1

Credit: Duckbrand

3. Use peel and stick velcro to keep cushions from sliding off chairs

Velcro is a plastic fastener that comes with two strips—one with loops and one with hooks. Press the two together, and they adhere to each other. They can also be easily separated whenever you need to remove the cushions.

The advantage of peel and stick Velcro is that both strips come with a backing that sticks. You can simply stick one strip to the cushions and one to the furniture—no sewing needed.

Peel and stick Velcro is usually available as a roll. You can add multiple strips to each seat and cushion for best results. You can also use it for all sorts of other things around the house.

4. Use cushion grippers

Another Velcro option, cushion grippers are small self-adhesive fasteners that you stick to the cushion and the furniture seat. Most are round or rectangular and made from nylon. They are easy to use, and you can apply as many as you need.

Two or three can be enough to secure a cushion to a chair, while for an outdoor sofa or lounger you can use a few more. They are removable and some varieties are reusable, so you don’t have to throw them away if you change your furniture.

You can apply them to most types of furniture materials including wood, plastic, PVC, and metal. For best results, make sure the surfaces you’re adding them to are dry and dust-free.

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Credit: Pinterest

5. Use ties to attach cushions to garden furniture

Feeling crafty? You can add your own DIY ties to your outdoor cushions if they don’t have any. All you really need is to be decent at sewing. This method takes a bit more work than the others we’ve discussed so far, but it’s more environmentally friendly.

You can reuse any fabric strips you may have or buy some bias tape that’s ¼ or ½ inches wide depending on the size of your cushions.

You’ll also need yarn, a large needle, and a pencil to mark the spots on the cushions where the ties will be attached. Depending on the thickness of your cushion covers, you may also need a hole puncher.

Follow these easy steps to get the job done without headaches:

  1. Use the pencil to mark the spots where the ties will be attached to the cushions.
  2. Remove the covers from the cushions if possible. If not, move on to the next step.
  3. Sew the ties to the marked spots or punch holes in the fabric and thread the yarn through them.
  4. Sew or thread the yarn through the ties, ensuring that the ties are long enough to be fixed to the legs of the chairs.

Tip: You could also use a fabric-friendly glue to fix the ties to the cushions. But in time you may have to reapply the glue if it’s not moisture-resistant.

How to Keep Outdoor Cushions From Sliding Off Garden Furniture 3

Credit: Etsy

6. Use furniture covers

Furniture covers can help you keep cushions on your garden furniture when it’s raining. You’ll have to put them on and take them off, but the advantage of using them is that they will protect your furniture too. They’re great for wooden or metal furniture prone to rust.

Garden furniture covers can keep mildew and fungi at bay and protect your cushions from rain, moisture, and sunlight damage. It’s good to have a set around even if you don’t use them all the time.

Tip: Make sure to pick waterproof furniture covers with built-in UV protection. The covers should fit snuggly to prevent moisture from building inside them, so make sure to measure your furniture first.

furniture cover

Credit: Sunvilla

7. Get waterproof cushion covers

Do your garden furniture cushions look worn out and faded? You could replace them with tie-on waterproof covers to help keep them on the furniture during rain.

Waterproof covers come in all shapes and styles. Keep in mind that waterproof and water-repellent covers provide more protection than water-resistant or shower-proof ones.  The latter are generally made to handle spills and rain showers only. Solution-dyed olefin and acrylic covers tend to provide the best protection.

If you can’t find the right size covers for your cushions, consider replacing them with non-slip waterproof foam cushions. It’s a no-hassle solution that will help you forget about sliding or wet cushions.

Go for polypropylene or outdoor acrylic garden furniture cushions as these are the most resistant and can withstand exposure to UV light.

8. Waterproof your current garden cushion covers

You can also simply waterproof your outdoor cushions to protect them from summer storms and rain all year round.

The easiest way to do this is to use a fabric water shield protector—whether liquid or spray. Choose one that’s clear so it won’t affect the colour of the cushions. If it also protects against thermal damage and contaminants like mould, grime, or fungi, all the better.

Most fabric water shield protectors are applied in one or two layers directly on the cushion. You’ll have to do this in a well-ventilated space to minimise inhaling fumes. Most of the time, you can apply it directly to the cushions without having to remove the covers.

Make sure to apply it evenly on all sides. Wait for it to fully dry before putting the covers back on the chairs.

Different products may have different instructions, so check the details for optimal protection. Also, make sure that the product you choose works for the type of fabric you have.

If your cushion covers are washing machine-friendly, you could also try using a wash-in fabric waterproofer that you can add to your washing machine. This way you can wash and waterproof the covers at the same time.

The wrap up

From non-slip pads and rubber mats to waterproofing sprays and solutions, there are many practical ways to keep cushions on garden furniture.

That said, outdoor cushions can only take so much rain and stormy weather before they start showing signs of wear and tear.

Consider placing your garden furniture in a protected location, use furniture covers and wash the cushions regularly to keep them looking at their best for longer. Putting in a bit of work into this is worthwhile.

After all, what would garden furniture be without cushions? Not half as comfortable, for sure.

HOW TO KEEP OUTDOOR CUSHIONS FROM SLIDING OFF GARDEN FURNITURE-min

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