Key takeaways
- Knife-edge cushions taper at the edges, are lighter and usually cheaper. Good for 2–3 inch seat pads.
- Boxed-edge cushions have side walls and keep their shape longer. Better for 3–4 inch cushions on chairs used daily.
- Tufted cushions hold fill in place with buttons or stitch points, which stops polyester fill from migrating to the edges.
Cushions for 3 piece wicker furniture almost always means two chair cushions for a bistro or conversation set (two chairs plus a small table), so you need a matched pair sized to the chair seat, usually between 18 x 18 and 21 x 21 inches, and sometimes two back cushions as well.
Because most 3 piece sets come from different factories with slightly different seat shapes, generic “fits most” cushions often slide, overhang or leave gaps. A few minutes with a tape measure fixes that.
What a 3 piece wicker set usually includes
| Set type | Pieces | Cushions needed | Typical seat size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bistro or conversation set | 2 chairs + side table | 2 seat cushions (backs optional) | 18 x 18 to 21 x 21 in |
| Rocker conversation set | 2 rocking chairs + side table | 2 seat + 2 back, or 2 one-piece high-back | 19 x 19 to 22 x 21 in |
| Loveseat set | Loveseat + 2 chairs (table counted separately) | 1 loveseat bench cushion + 2 chair cushions | Loveseat about 41–46 x 20–22 in |
| Deep seating chat set | 2 club chairs + coffee table | 2 deep seat + 2 back | 22 x 22 to 24 x 24 in |
If your set came with cushions, look at the old ones before throwing them away. The original thickness and tie placement are the easiest template to copy.
How to measure for a cushion that stays put
- Measure seat width at the front, from inside arm to inside arm. Write it down.
- Measure seat width at the back. Many wicker chairs taper, sometimes 2–3 inches narrower at the back. If they differ, you want a trapezoid cushion rather than a square one.
- Measure seat depth from the front edge to the backrest where it meets the seat.
- Note the front corners. Rounded front corners need a cushion with matching curves, or the corners will bunch.
- Find the tie points. Look for vertical spindles or open weave at the back corners where ties can wrap.
- For back cushions, measure from the seat to where you want the cushion to stop, and the width at the widest point.
Choose a cushion equal to your seat size or up to about half an inch smaller. A cushion even an inch too large will bow upward in the middle; one 2 inches too small will slide forward.
Seat cushion sizes that fit common wicker chairs
| Measured seat (W x D) | Buy this cushion size | Common chair type |
|---|---|---|
| 17.5–18 x 17.5–18 in | 17 x 17 or 18 x 18 in | Small bistro chairs, balcony sets |
| 19–19.5 x 19–19.5 in | 19 x 19 in | Standard wicker side chairs |
| 20–20.5 x 19.5–20.5 in | 20 x 20 in | Wicker dining and armchairs |
| 21 x 19–20 in, tapered | 21 x 19 in trapezoid | Tapered arm chairs and rockers |
| 22–24 x 22–24 in | 22 x 22 or 24 x 24 in, 4–6 in thick | Deep seating club chairs |
Thickness and edge style
Wicker bistro chairs typically take seat cushions 2–4 inches thick. Thicker is not automatically better: a 5-inch cushion in a chair with low arms raises your elbows above the armrest and changes how the chair feels.
- Knife-edge cushions taper at the edges, are lighter and usually cheaper. Good for 2–3 inch seat pads.
- Boxed-edge cushions have side walls and keep their shape longer. Better for 3–4 inch cushions on chairs used daily.
- Tufted cushions hold fill in place with buttons or stitch points, which stops polyester fill from migrating to the edges.
Fill and fabric: what holds up outside
| Fill type | Comfort | Drying after rain | Shape over time | Typical price per pair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester fiberfill | Soft, plump at first | Slow; can stay damp inside | Flattens and clumps in 1–2 seasons | $30–$70 |
| Foam core wrapped in fiber | Firm, supportive | Moderate | Holds shape for several seasons | $60–$150 |
| Reticulated quick-dry foam | Firm, slightly springy | Fast; drains in hours | Holds shape well | $120–$250+ |
For fabric, solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella is the best-known brand) and solution-dyed olefin keep their color far longer in sun than printed polyester, because the color runs through the fiber rather than sitting on the surface. Printed polyester is the cheapest and fine for covered porches or for cushions you bring indoors between uses.
Keeping wicker cushions from sliding
Wicker seats are slightly slick, and cushions creep forward. Solutions, roughly in order of effectiveness:
- Back ties wrapped around a spindle, plus front ties if the chair design allows.
- Hook-and-loop straps instead of fabric ties; they adjust more easily.
- A non-slip shelf-liner style mat cut to size under the cushion.
- A cushion with a grippy underside, sold specifically for resin wicker.
Ties should be stitched into the cushion seam, not just tacked on. Loose ties are the first thing to tear off.
Back cushions and one-piece high-back options
Many 3 piece wicker sets have curved or scooped backs. Separate back cushions often do not follow the curve and tip forward. A one-piece high-back cushion, typically 44–48 inches long and 20–22 inches wide with a hinge seam where seat meets back, drapes over the chair and stays in place better. It also suits rockers, where seat cushions alone tend to slide when the chair moves.
Care that adds seasons
- Stand cushions on edge after rain so water drains out of the seams.
- Store in a deck box or garage between uses during long wet spells.
- Spot-clean with mild soap and lukewarm water; remove covers to machine wash only if the label allows.
- Flip cushions every couple of weeks so both sides fade evenly.
Measure front, back and depth, match the shape, choose foam or quick-dry fill if the set lives outside, and tie the cushions down. That turns a stiff wicker bistro set into one you actually sit in.
