The most stylish outdoor cushions to bring some colour to your garden or balcony this summer

Whether you’re revamping an inner-city balcony or adding the finishing touches to a landscaped garden in the countryside, when it comes to creating your dream garden living space, a set of outdoor cushions is a simple way of adding some colour and personality to your outdoor space.

With an endless variety of designs and artwork to choose from, as well as cushions specifically designed to fit rattan garden furniture, sun loungers and outdoor dining sets, there’s a set of garden cushions out there to suit every home.

To help you find the cushions that best match your style, The Recommended scoured the internet to find a collection of the best outdoor cushions to buy online. We’ve also included a handy buyer's guide, sharing some tips including how to keep your outdoor cushions clean and how to store them safely to ensure you can continue using them year after year.

The best outdoor cushions at a glance:

• Best stylish cushion: furn. Capri Cushion, £17 at Next
• Best set of cushions: M&S Collection Set of 2 Outdoor Cushions, £19.50 at M&S
• Best waterproof cushions: MIULEE Waterproof Outdoor Cushion, £10.99 at Amazon
• Best affordable cushion: John Lewis New Country Stripe Outdoor Cushion, £15 at John Lewis
• Best reversible cushion: Squiggle Print Reversible Outdoor Cushion, £7 at George at ASDA
• Best outdoor floor cushion: Lazy Bag Giant Bean Bag Chair XXL, £89.90 at Amazon
• Best patterned cushion: Coast Blue Water Resistant Outdoor Cushion, £20 at Dunelm
• Best premium cushions: Izabela Peters Luxury Designer Garden Outdoor Cushions, £18.99 at Amazon

The best outdoor cushions

Best stylish cushion: furn. Capri Cushion

Contemporary design

Transport yourself to the Italian island of Capri! This cushion is bright and boldly coloured in blues and pinks, with a radiant yellow sun decorating it and the slogan ‘Capri’.

Rest against your favourite chairs, benches or hammocks and add watch the colours pop out in your garden. Made from 100% polyester and wipe clean only to maintain its condition.

Best set of cushions: M&S Collection Set of 2 Outdoor Cushions

A matching pair

Double up on your cushions with this handy duo set, available in six different colours including yellow, pink and green. The polyester composition is finished with a water-resistant finish to offer full protection in outdoor spaces, and will add a dash of style and comfort your seating.

Best waterproof cushion: MIULEE Waterproof Outdoor Cushion

Great all-rounder

These stylish square cushion covers are made from a light and waterproof polyester material and come in a choice of 16 textured colours to inject some brightness to your garden living space.

These 16x16 inch cushion covers come in packs of two and are designed to keep their colour after being exposed to outside air and the sun for long periods. They also feature nicely concealed zips and are machine washable.

Best affordable cushion: John Lewis New Country Stripe Outdoor Cushion

Soft and comfortable

Add some stripey flair to your garden space with this vibrant multi-coloured cushion. Made from 100% cotton with a water-repellent coating, it’s designed to withstand outdoor conditions, and will keep plump and comfy for a long duration.

Measuring 35 x 55cm, the rectangular shape will look great lined up against a garden bench, or grab a couple at this price for a matching set for your outdoor dining chairs.

Best reversible cushion: Squiggle Print Reversible Outdoor Cushion

Vibrant and bold

Bring the fun to your garden with this squiggle print cushion, double-sided for extra jazziness. The blue and purple colours will brighten up your garden furniture, and made from a mix of polyester and recycled polyester, they’re machine washable. At £7 we think it’s a steal!

Best outdoor floor cushion: Lazy Bag Giant Bean Bag Chair XXL

Versatile

Sitting somewhere between a traditional bean bag and a regular cushion, this extra large outdoor bag chair from Lazy Bag offers a range of comfortable seating positions.

This outdoor cushion is filled with 400 litres of polystyrene beads that sit in a separate inside bag to the outer cover to ensure they stay put. It is also water-resistant, tearproof, and is available in a choice of 11 colours, as well as two materials - nylon or cotton.

Best patterned cushion: Coast Blue Water Resistant Outdoor Cushion

Practical and comfortable

Create a seaside feel in your outdoor area with this coastal blue and white-themed cushion. Pair with several of the same or mix it up with other patterned cushions scattered across your space and bring the nautical vibe to your very own home.

This cushion is made from polyester for comfort and of course, practicality - it is fire retardant and water resistant.

Best premium cushions: Izabela Peters Luxury Designer Garden Outdoor Cushions

Double-sided design

With 26 award-winning designs to choose from, these elegant outdoor cushions from Izabela Peters will bring a touch of class to your garden.

These cushions are double-sided - so the design is replicated on each side. They are made from a breathable, waterproof and hard-wearing fabric and are treated with an antifungal agent to protect them from mould.

Outdoor Cushion Buyer's Guide

Read up on all you need to know when shopping for garden cushions - from the features to look for to how to maintain them, we've got your back (quite literally).

What features to look for in an outdoor cushion

When it comes to choosing the perfect cushions for your outdoor space, whether a garden or small patio, there are several key features to look out for - we've rounded up some of them below:

• Weather resistant: Ensure the cushions are suitable for outdoor use, and resistant to the elements. Look for cushions with water-resistant or waterproof coatings, which will help prevent mould and mildew growth.
• UV Protection: Some cushions will also offer UV protection to prevent fading caused by the sun.
• Zipped covers: Cushions featuring removable, zippable covers will make your life a whole lot easier when it comes to cleaning them (especially if machine washable)!
• Thickness and comfort: Consider the thickness of the cushion for optimal comfort, without compromising its support.

What material is best?

All outdoor cushions generally come in similar materials, designed to prolong the longevity and performance of them. Here are some common materials to consider:

• Polyester blends: Probably the most common, polyester blends are an affordable option offering weather resistance, as well as being quick-drying and easy to clean.
• Sunbrella fabric: This is highly durable fabric, which offers UV and weather resistance, ideal for outdoor use.
• Foam (for the filling): Foam fillings provide both comfort and support. Opt for high-density foam for better longevity.

How much do outdoor cushions cost?

Pricing of outdoor cushions can vary, depending on factors such as material quality, the brand and size of the cushion. As a general guideline, basic outdoor cushions can cost anything from £5 to £50 each, mid-range options could cost up to £100, and high-end, designer cushions can be £100 and more. The great things is - there is something for every budget.

How to clean outdoor cushions

With rain, mud, and excitable children all posing potential risks to the cleanliness of your garden furniture, when it comes to outdoor cushions, stains and spillages are often an inevitability. Cleaning them, though, needn’t be a tough task. Here are some of our top tips for cleaning your outdoor cushions for when disaster strikes:

• Machine washing: Like regular indoor cushions, many garden cushions have outer covers that you can remove and place in a washing machine. Make sure to check the washing instructions on your cushions as outdoor furniture is often treated with a water-resistant coating which may require a specific temperature or wash cycle. Generally speaking, a cold wash on a gentle cycle with some mild detergent is best. Some cushions are not suitable for dry cleaning, tumble drying and ironing - so watch out for this too.
• Hand washing: How you wash your outdoor cushions will again depend on the instructions listed on the label. If there are no instructions, then your best bet is to fill a bucket with lukewarm water, add a small amount of mild detergent and gently work the cushion covers in the water for a few minutes. Then gently squeeze most of the excess water out, turn them inside out and hang on a washing line until dry.

How to remove mould from outdoor cushions

As garden cushions are often stored in cold and damp sheds and garages, the build-up of mould is not uncommon. Luckily, cleaning them is fairly straightforward. The first thing you should do is remove the outer covers (if they have them) and wash them according to the instructions above.

If your cushions don’t have outer covers, or if washing them doesn’t work, then try spraying them with white vinegar in a spray bottle, leaving them to sit for ten minutes, and then washing them with a sponge soaked in soapy water. You should then rinse the cushions with fresh water and leave them to dry outside - preferably out of direct sunlight.

How to store outdoor cushions

The best way to store outdoor cushions is to first make sure that they are clean - either by machine/ hand washing or by brushing off any debris - then, once dry, place them in an air-tight plastic container. To stop the build-up of mould, keep the cushions away from moisture in a dry and enclosed space such as a garage or loft.

If you would like to read more expert-recommended round-ups, check out our household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best rattan garden furniture, recommended by garden design experts.