Key takeaways
- Buy the 2 seater cover if your bench is under 52 inches wide. A 3 seater cover on a small bench leaves 10–15 inches of loose fabric that catches wind and holds water.
- Buy the 3 seater cover if your “2 seater” has wide arms and measures 54 inches or more across, or if it has deep, raked back slats. Many generously styled two-seaters fall in this zone.
- Glider and swing-style benches often need a cover with extra depth for the base frame; check that the depth listing exceeds the base footprint.
A 2 seater garden bench cover should measure roughly 52–56 inches wide, 26–30 inches deep and 34–40 inches tall at the back, which fits the 48–52 inch two-seat benches sold by most outdoor furniture makers. Measure your own bench first, though: “2 seater” covers a range of about 10 inches in width, and a cover that is too short at the back will not shed rain away from the seat. Here is how to size it, which fabric weight is worth paying for, and when a 3 seater cover is the better buy.
Typical Bench Sizes vs Matching Cover Sizes
Bench widths vary by style. Curved-back and Adirondack-style benches are deeper; slim park-style benches are shallower. Use this chart as a starting point.
Classic Accessories Ravenna Water-Resistant 50 Inch Patio Loveseat Cover, Patio Furniture Covers
Included for 'Garden Bench Covers for 2 Seaters: Sizes, Fabric Weights and When to Size Up' because the listing specifies Patio Furniture Covers, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Classic Accessories Veranda Water-Resistant Patio Sofa/Loveseat/Bench Cover, 58 x 32.5 x 31 Inch, Patio Furniture Covers
Included for 'Garden Bench Covers for 2 Seaters: Sizes, Fabric Weights and When to Size Up' because the listing specifies 58 x 32.5 x 31 Inch and Patio Furniture Covers, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon
Classic Accessories Veranda Water-Resistant 60 Inch Patio Bench Cover, Patio Furniture Covers
Included for 'Garden Bench Covers for 2 Seaters: Sizes, Fabric Weights and When to Size Up' because the listing specifies Patio Furniture Covers, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon
Classic Accessories Terrazzo Patio Bench/Loveseat Cover, Large
Included for 'Garden Bench Covers for 2 Seaters: Sizes, Fabric Weights and When to Size Up' because the listing specifies Large, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on Amazon| Bench type | Typical bench size (W x D x H, in) | Cover to buy (W x D x H, in) |
|---|---|---|
| Compact 2 seater (balcony, metal) | 44–48 x 20–23 x 32–34 | 50–52 x 26 x 35–36 |
| Standard 2 seater (wood or poly) | 48–52 x 22–25 x 34–36 | 54–56 x 28 x 37–38 |
| 2 seater with arms and curved back | 50–54 x 24–27 x 35–38 | 56–58 x 30 x 38–40 |
| Standard 3 seater | 58–66 x 22–26 x 34–37 | 64–70 x 28 x 37–40 |
| Long 3 seater or 4 seater | 70–72 x 24–27 x 35–38 | 74–78 x 30 x 38–40 |
The cover should be 2–4 inches larger than the bench in width and depth so it slides on and leaves a little air gap. Too much extra length lets the fabric flap and wear against the frame.
How to Measure a Bench for a Cover
- Width: measure across the widest point, which is usually the outside of the armrests, not the seat.
- Depth: measure from the front edge of the seat (or the front of the legs if they splay out) to the furthest point of the backrest. Benches with reclined backs are deeper than they look.
- Back height: measure from the ground to the top of the backrest.
- Front height: measure from the ground to the seat or armrest at the front. Most bench covers are cut with a sloped profile, taller at the back than the front, so rain runs off rearward. Look for a listing that gives both heights.
If the front height is not listed, a cover where the front panel reaches within a couple of inches of the ground is fine; a full-length front helps keep blowing rain off the seat.
2 Seater or 3 Seater Cover?
A common question is whether to buy the larger cover “just in case.” Usually that is a mistake.
- Buy the 2 seater cover if your bench is under 52 inches wide. A 3 seater cover on a small bench leaves 10–15 inches of loose fabric that catches wind and holds water.
- Buy the 3 seater cover if your “2 seater” has wide arms and measures 54 inches or more across, or if it has deep, raked back slats. Many generously styled two-seaters fall in this zone.
- Glider and swing-style benches often need a cover with extra depth for the base frame; check that the depth listing exceeds the base footprint.
Fabric Weight and What “Heavy Duty” Means
Bench covers are sold by fabric denier (thread weight) and coating. The coating keeps water out; the denier mostly determines tear resistance and how long the cover lasts in sun.
| Grade | Typical fabric | Expected life in full sun | Typical price for a 2 seater cover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | PE tarp or 210D polyester | About 1 season | Usually $12–$20 |
| Standard | 420D polyester with PU backing | 2–3 seasons | Usually $20–$35 |
| Heavy duty | 600D polyester with PVC or PU backing, taped seams | 3–5 seasons | Usually $30–$60 |
| Premium | Solution-dyed acrylic or marine-grade polyester | 5+ seasons | Usually $60–$120 |
For a bench that stays out all year in open sun, the heavy duty 600D tier is the sweet spot. Below that, UV breaks down the coating, and the cover starts letting water through long before it looks worn.
Features worth checking
- Air vents on the sides or back to release humidity. Without them, condensation can mildew wood and fabric cushions.
- Hem drawcord with toggles or adjustable buckle straps that clip around the legs, so the cover stays on in wind.
- Taped or double-stitched seams, especially along the top of the backrest where water sits.
- Padded handles on larger covers, which make removing a wet cover far easier without tearing it.
Covers from established outdoor cover brands such as Classic Accessories and Duck Covers are made in several bench widths with vents and straps, which makes matching your measured size simpler than buying a generic one-size cover.
Covering a Bench With Its Cushion
A 2 seater garden bench cushion typically measures 42–46 inches wide and 17–19 inches deep, 2–3 inches thick. You can leave a cushion on under a cover for short periods, but it is not a long-term storage method: moisture still gets in from the ground and the cushion dries slowly under fabric. Store cushions in a deck box or indoors through wet seasons, and use ties so a cushion does not slide when the cover is pulled off.
If you buy a new cushion, measure the seat between the arms, not the overall bench width, and look for removable covers in solution-dyed acrylic or olefin, which resist fading better than printed polyester.
Does Your Bench Even Need a Cover?
| Bench material | Cover benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Teak | Moderate | Fine left out; cover keeps the color and stops algae on shaded sides |
| Acacia, pine or eucalyptus | High | Softer woods check and rot faster when wet repeatedly |
| Powder-coated steel or cast iron | High | Rust starts at chips and joints; cover reduces exposure |
| Aluminum | Low to moderate | Will not rust; cover mainly keeps it clean |
| HDPE poly lumber | Low | Weatherproof; cover mainly prevents dirt and pollen buildup |
Care Tips That Extend Cover Life
- Brush off leaves and debris regularly; trapped wet leaves stain both cover and bench.
- Clean with mild soap and a soft brush, then let it dry fully before folding.
- Avoid pressure washers, which can strip the waterproof coating.
- Prop the center of the seat with a small block or ball if water pools on top.
- Store the cover dry and folded loosely during summer months if the bench is in daily use.
Quick Follow-Ups
Will a 2 seater cover fit a loveseat?
Usually not. Outdoor loveseats are deeper (30–34 in) and wider than benches, so look for a loveseat cover instead.
Can I use a bench cover for winter storage?
Yes. Choose a heavy duty, vented cover, raise the bench feet off wet ground if possible, and remove snow loads that press on the fabric.
