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DIY· Projects

How To Prep Cushions for Outdoors

June 19, 2015

Cushions are expensive. Like, whoa!, really expensive. When I was searching for a patio set, I knew a chunk of money would need to be spent on cushions. Then, our dishwasher went out, and any money I had for cushions and a patio set went with it.

But when I found our set on Craiglist, I knew I could make it work. Have you seen the before pictures?? Yikes.

After I got the set home, I was motivated to get the furniture repainted and reupholstered, so I started looking around at outdoor fabric. Yikes, and double yikes. The fabric alone was half the cost of a brand new patio set. I was so torn with what to do.

Then, I remembered the potential of drop cloths.

But, instead of buying the drop cloths right away, I decided to do a Pinterest and Google search on the best way to protect and maintain outdoor fabric. I’m not sure if you’ve ever searched that, but finding a really good tutorial, or info, is pretty limited. I searched the best products to use to water proof the fabric, what to do for washing, and wear, etc.. It’s like crickets out there. (Chirp, Chirp.)

So, I went along with the limited info I found, not entirely sure what to expect. Here’s what I did to protect the cushions, and to give them a longer life…

How To Prep Outdoor Cushions for Water Exposure. By The Wood Grain Cottage

My one strike of luck? The foam of the existing cushions was in great shape. The fabric, not so much, but the foam, YES! With it being from the 70’s, I knew I was lucky. And that, was my first way to save a bit of money.

Patio Furniture Before by The Wood Grain Cottage

Some of the products I’m sharing in this post have affiliate links… thank you so much for helping support this blog!

My second bit of luck, was the actual drop cloth fabric. I bought it here. I can honestly tell you, this fabric is lovely. It’s the perfect cream color, and you would never know it’s drop cloth! It looks more like thick, cream canvas.

Third, my lovely lady who did the actual re-upholstery was nice enough to reuse the zippers from the original cushion covers. She saved me some money, just by using what was there. And it helps the zippers were in great shape.

How To Prep Outdoor Cushions for Water Exposure. By The Wood Grain Cottage

Now, for the fabric. Before I took it to the upholsterer, and because I have every intention of washing these covers, I washed and dried the fabric. She was nice enough to iron it with her heavy duty iron before she cut it. I really can’t brag on her enough. She does amazing work.

After I picked up the cushions, (Yes, I spent a bit of money for her to do them. In my humble opinion, it was well worth it! And if I were to do it, they wouldn’t be done yet…) I brought them home and picked a day when I knew the weather was going to be good for a few days. Then, I laid the cushions on the grass…

How To Prep Outdoor Cushions for Water Exposure. By The Wood Grain Cottage

After researching several spray options, I used this fabric protector/ repellent, and sprayed it over the entire front, back and sides of each cushion…

How To Prep Outdoor Cushions for Water Exposure. By The Wood Grain Cottage

I was a bit worried it would turn the fabric a different or darker color, but it didn’t. After it dried, I couldn’t tell where I had sprayed, and where I hadn’t. I went over each cushion twice, and let them dry a few hours in between coats. And just for usage measurement, I used about 3-4 cans for 11 cushions.

I can honestly say, I had no idea what to expect from doing this. From what I read online, some people had great results, others said it was a waste of time and money… It has exceeded my expectations!

Our sprinklers do mist the couch cushions, and water just beads and runs off…

How To Prep Outdoor Cushions for Water Exposure. By The Wood Grain Cottage

The fabric isn’t crazy expensive either, so I don’t worry so much about them getting a little wet. Soaked, yes. But that’s just as a precaution, I’m sure they would be fine, and dry without any problems.

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage-5686

So far, they have held up great, and we’ve had them outside for over a month. I am planning to purchase a giant waterproof bag to store them in until I figure out whether I want to buy, or build a deck box for storage. Right now, I’m just packing them in and out when the weather gets angry. And really, it’s not that hard for me to just pull them inside, then put them back.

I’m also really looking forward to seeing how the fabric does with the sun exposure. It’s a heavy, thick fabric, so I have good expectations. Plus, it’s already a light color, so if the sun bleaches them, I won’t stew over it. And when they get dirty, they’ll go right in the wash. After they are washed and dried, I’m sure I will need to reapply the water repellent. No biggie.

Outdoor Patio Furniture Makeover. By The Wood Grain Cottage

Now, for the other concerns about the furniture not lasting, or standing up to the weather and outdoor elements: I am anxious to see how it does. With that being said, I do have high expectations. Yes, the wood is not specific for the outdoors, but every inch of the wood has been painted (literally), so it should stand up just fine. When I start to notice any chipping/ warping/ etc., we’ll deal with it then. I can say, that since the majority of the furniture was made with normal 2″ x 4″ boards, they will be easy to replace as needed. Touch up painting is normal maintenance with any paint, and with anything, so I’m not worried about that either. If I only get a a few seasons out of it, that’s totally fine, although I do see it lasting longer than that. Especially since I will be babying it bit, and checking it regularly to see how it’s holding up.

For our needs, location, specifications and budget, this set has been ideal in nearly every way. I am so beyond happy to have found it!

I hope this has helped with any questions, and if you decide to go the same route, or have done this, I’d love to hear any tips, tricks, failures, etc.. We’re all in this together, right?

Main Signature

I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

Tagged with: outdoors, patio13 Comments

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    June 19, 2015 at 9:32 AM

    Hi Shayna…How many of the drop cloths did you buy to re-do the cushions? Just curious because & have the opportunity to buy 2 glider rockers real cheap & I wanted to do the same thing with them. Thanks for any info you can give. Love your projects <3

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 23, 2015 at 12:17 PM

      Thank you so much, Barbara! I bought two of the drop cloths mentioned above. There was a little bit leftover, but not much. 😀

      Reply
  2. Terri Lee says

    June 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM

    What a resourceful gal. Great job!

    Reply
  3. Peg says

    June 19, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    Love the up-cycle!! turned out so nice! before seating was one of those that you look at and can’t imagine them to be anything but ugly 😀

    Reply
  4. Linda Cole says

    June 19, 2015 at 7:36 PM

    Love how these turned out! Thanks for the info on how you did them.

    Reply
  5. Renee says

    June 19, 2015 at 7:42 PM

    Enjoyed your post regarding covering your cushions. I am in the middle of a similar project. Scored two really nice ottomans for $3 each, sweet, and want to use them outdoors even thou they are indoor furniture.

    Also going with drop cloth fabric may try the Rustolium waterproof product or your recommendation which I think is less expenses.

    Time will tell how successful we are. Enjoy your new furniture love the upcycle

    Reply
  6. Cecilia says

    June 20, 2015 at 5:34 AM

    Oh, nice. I didn’t think too much about the furniture being out but I did wonder about the cushions. Thanks for sharing. This will be good info to have.mplease keep us updated! (And I really, really love how your set turned out. Just amazing!)

    Reply
    • Cheryl says

      June 20, 2015 at 5:58 AM

      Great transformation! I too have this same set. I purchased it 10 yrs ago. I’m just starting to redo mine now. Hope mine turns out as good as yours! Lol!

      Reply
  7. Jodi says

    June 22, 2015 at 9:57 AM

    Thanks for sharing this tutorial with the link to purchase the drop clothes. Want to do this to replace the fabric on my worn cushions. Can you share the cost to have each cover sewn by an upholster? Thanks

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 23, 2015 at 12:14 PM

      I’m so glad you found this post helpful! For the cushions, I paid about $30 each to have them re-done, not including the fabric. Money well spent! 😀

      Reply
  8. Lynn A. says

    June 23, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    Where did you find the adorable “HOME” pillow? So cute.

    Reply
    • Shayna says

      June 23, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Thank you so much! I found it at TJMaxx! 😀

      Reply
  9. Kari says

    October 8, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    I just found you via Remodelaholic and love this repurposing idea! I live on a farm too with strong winds that treat most patio furniture like feathers so this heavy set is perfect! I have an old 70’s wood round table with the 1/2 moon benches out at the campfire ring that looks dated but being able to go out and sit down rather than picking up pieces strewn across the yard is a real treat as I am sure this 70’s living set has been for you! We had an orange and brown floral set like this in our family room growing up in the 70’s and it seems I might be going full circle on trying to find a used one to update for outdoors like your gorgeous makeover – I can’t believe what I considered an eye sore could look so stunning!

    How have things held up over the summer? The black and white make me a little nervous – looks like you protected the white but on the Canadian Prairie farm – never ending dust on black worries me. How much maintenance did you have to do with dust patrol on yours? Anything you would do differently now in hindsight? Gotta go check out the used ads for an old 70’s set – thanks for the inspiration!!! Kari

    Reply

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I’m Shayna… The small town Colorado girl who’s obsessed with home and everything that entails! I’m a creative, a decorator, a day dreamer, a huge fan of scones and I’m passionate about loving where I live and making a home.

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