How To DIY Durable Patio Cushions—for A Fraction Of The Price

Creating the perfect home often means carrying the personal touches you use indoors into your outdoor living area as well. While the little things like patio lanterns and bird houses aren't too pricey to pull off, deck furniture can be. Fortunately, the difference between your old bare patio chairs and the outdoor seating you actually want to use is just a simple DIY away. You can transform a metal or wood-framed bench or chair into a beautiful, cushy place to spend time outside by adding new cushions.

At its core, the DIY involves wrapping upholstery foam in fabric and stapling it to a plywood board for support. The finished product makes for a comfortable and stylish spot to sit. If you're looking for trendy ideas for designing your perfect patio on a budget, this is a great place to start. The key to this project is finding affordable materials while still considering the aesthetic you'd like to see in your outdoor seating area. Check thrift stores and fabric store clearance sections for outdoor material before getting started on your DIY.

To start, gather outdoor fabric, 4-inch-thick foam, a saw, ¼-inch-thick plywood sheets, a staple gun, a drill, scissors, and some string. The 2-inch Multi-Purpose Future Foam at Home Depot is a fraction of the cost of the 4-inch version, for those who want to make the project even cheaper. If you've been itching to find a DIY outdoor furniture project you can start right now, this is a good one for that instant gratification. With no sewing, it doesn't take long to turn a collection of supplies into outdoor seat cushions. Once your materials are gathered, you can begin assembly.

Measure the seat you're covering and cut the plywood and foam to fit. Mark where the wood can be tied onto the chair base using a pencil. Drill holes in these spots and lace a string through them. Put the foam on top of the board and wrap it in the outdoor fabric you've chosen, so the material just folds over the edges of the board. Staple everything into place, then tie the finished cushion onto the chair. Customize by using ribbon for the ties or adding decorative faux buttons to the center of the cushions. You can use the same outdoor fabric as a tablecloth to tie the look together. The result is a unique and durable patio set without the big-box store prices.