Which Cushion Type Is Right for Me?

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Are you ready to create the perfect DIY cushion but feeling overwhelmed by all the options? We understand — with so many different cushion features, it can be tough to know where to start. Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the seven key qualities to consider before beginning your cushion project. We’ll also introduce the seven cushion styles from our Cushion Masterclass video series to help you find the best fit for your needs.

Choosing the Right Cushion for Your DIY Project

Every cushion project requires making a few key decisions that impact both the look and functionality of the final product. Let’s break down the essential features to help you create a cushion that’s perfect for your project.

1. Regular vs. Irregular Shape

Cushions come in two main shape categories: regular (square or rectangular) and irregular (custom shapes).

Regular Shapes: Ideal for standard seating like chairs or benches.
Irregular Shapes: Best for unique or unconventional spaces that require a custom fit.

If your cushion needs to fit an odd or non-standard space, a custom shape might be the way to go.

2. Pattern Matching: Automatic or Manual

X Ht 300720 3 — Left: A cushion with automatic pattern matching. Right: A cushion with manual pattern matching.

When working with patterned fabric, you’ll need to decide if you want to match the pattern across multiple fabric pieces.

Automatic Pattern Matching: Uses a single piece of fabric for a continuous design, making assembly faster and easier.
Manual Pattern Matching: Involves multiple pieces of fabric that require careful measuring and sewing to align the patterns. This approach allows for more design versatility, like mixing different materials, but is more time-consuming.

If you prefer simplicity and a seamless design, go with automatic pattern matching. For more creative flexibility, manual matching is the better choice.

3. Boxing Style: Continuous, Seamed or Integrated

X Ht 300720 4 — Left: Continuous boxing. Center: Seamed boxing. Right: Integrated boxing.

Boxing refers to the fabric covering the vertical sides of a cushion, and there are three styles to consider:

Continuous Boxing: A single piece of fabric wraps around the cushion’s sides, offering a smooth, seam-free look at the corners.
Seamed Boxing: Separate strips of fabric are sewn together at the corners, providing a tailored, classic appearance, but requiring more time and effort.
Integrated Boxing: Boxing is built into the top and/or bottom fabric plate, eliminating the need for separate strips. It’s a more streamlined approach but doesn’t allow for piping.

If you’re looking for a polished, minimalistic look with easy assembly, integrated boxing might be ideal. If you want a more traditional, custom feel, seamed boxing will work best.

4. Piping: To Add or Not to Add

Piping is a fabric-covered cord that adds a decorative finish to a cushion, providing both visual interest and a clean seam cover.

With Piping: Choose this option for a refined, traditional look, especially if you’re working with multiple fabric pieces and want to conceal seams.
Without Piping: Opt for a sleeker, modern appearance, ideal for minimalist designs or cushions made from a single piece of fabric.

5. Backer Board vs. Zipper Closure

X Ht 300720 5 — Left: A cushion with a zipper in the bottom plate. Right: A cushion with a backer board on the underside.

The way you close your cushion matters in both its functionality and appearance. Here’s what you need to know about backer boards and zippers:

Backer Board: This option adds firm support and prevents sagging, making it a great choice for high-use cushions. However, it’s a permanent closure, requiring you to remove staples to access the foam or wooden board.
Zipper: A zipper provides flexibility, allowing easy removal for cleaning the cushion cover or replacing the foam. While convenient, it can affect the cushion’s look and sometimes cause irregularities in shape.

6. Zipper Placement: Side or Underside?

When using a zipper, where you place it is key:

Underside Zipper: A great choice for cushions that need to be hidden from view. It can wear down from friction if not covered properly. The cushion will not be flippable.
Side Zipper: Offers flexibility by allowing you to flip and use both sides of the cushion, but it may cause a bulge and potential wear from constant rubbing.

Consider the look and function of your cushion when deciding where to place the zipper.

7. Upholstery Fabric vs. Cushion Underlining for the Underside

For the cushion’s bottom plate, you can choose between upholstery fabric or cushion underlining:

Upholstery Fabric: Matches the top fabric for a seamless, polished look, and is durable enough for long-lasting use. Matching your top and bottom plate makes your cushion flippable (with a side zipper).
Cushion Underlining: Designed specifically for the underside, this fabric helps with grip, prevents slipping, and allows water drainage and airflow.

Choose upholstery fabric for a sleek, aesthetic finish or cushion underlining for added functionality and durability.

Now that we've explained the seven cushion features to consider when deciding what you want your cushion to look like, it's time to choose your cushion style!

Types of Cushions: Choosing Your Cushion Style

When choosing your cushion style, prioritize the feature(s) that are most important for your needs. That will help you figure out which of the seven cushion styles in our Cushion Masterclass video series is the best fit for your application. Let’s look at each style’s features to help you make an informed decision.

Quick & Easy Box Cushion

The Quick & Easy Box Cushion is one of the simplest cushion-making methods. It’s the one for you if you want the following features:

Regular shape only.
Automatic pattern matching from front to back.
No separate boxing strips; boxing integrated into top plate.
Seamed corners and rolled edges.
No way to add piping.
Zipper closure on underside.
Underlining on bottom plate; cushion can’t be flipped.

Click here to make the Quick & Easy Box Cushion.

30-Minute Cushion

An easy project for novice upholsterers, this versatile option features decorative fabric that wraps completely around the cushion foam. It has these other qualities:

Regular shape only.
Automatic pattern matching from top to bottom.
No separate boxing strips; boxing integrated into top and bottom plates.
Seamed right and left sides.
Seamed corners and rolled edges.
No way to add piping.
Zipper closure on back side.
Completely wrapped in upholstery fabric; cushion can be flipped.

Click here to make the 30-Minute Cushion.

Box Cushion With Seamed Corners

Learn to make a box cushion the traditional way! This cushion style has four boxing strips, a top plate and a bottom plate. Enjoy these other features:

Regular and irregular shapes.
Can include a curved or wedged side.
Manual pattern matching possible (except side boxing).
Seamed corners and edges.
Piping can be used for top and/or bottom edge, or neither.
Zipper closure in back boxing.
Can be flipped if upholstery fabric is used on underside and shape allows.

Click here to make the Boxed Cushion With Seamed Corners.

Box Cushion With Continuous Boxing

This cushion style has only one boxing strip. It wraps around three of the cushion’s sides for seamless corners. Plus, it has these other characteristics:

Regular or irregular shapes.
Manual pattern matching possible (except side boxing).
Rolled corners and seamed edges.
Piping can be used for top and/or bottom edge, or neither.
Zipper closure in back boxing.
Can be flipped if upholstery fabric is used on underside and shape allows.

Click here to make the Box Cushion With Continuous Boxing.

Irregularly Shaped Cushion

Learn how to make a custom cushion to fit any measurements. This irregular cushion is made without boxing for simplicity and has these other features:

Irregular shape; can’t be flipped unless shape and zipper placement allow.
Automatic pattern matching from front to back.
No separate boxing strips; boxing integrated into top plate.
Seamed corners and rolled edges.
No way to add piping.
Zipper closure on underside.
Upholstery fabric or underlining can be used on underside.

Click here to make the Irregularly Shaped Cushion.

Platform Cushion

The Platform Cushion has four boxing strips sewn to a top plate, which is then pulled over a wooden backer board and stapled in place. It also has these characteristics:

Regular or irregular shapes.
Manual pattern matching possible (except side boxing).
Seamed corners and top edge.
Piping can be added to top plate only, or not at all.
Backer board with stapled closure; cushion can’t be flipped.
Upholstery fabric or underlining can cover backer board.

Click here to make the Platform Cushion.

Quick & Easy Platform Cushion

With only seams at the corners, this cushion is almost a no-sew project. The cover is stapled to a backer board, making it great for novice DIYers. These qualities complete the cushion:

Regular shape only.
Automatic pattern matching from front to back.
No separate boxing strips; boxing integrated into top plate.
Seamed corners and rolled top edge.
No way to add piping.
Backer board with stapled closure; cushion can’t be flipped.
Upholstery fabric or underlining can cover backer board.

Click here to make the Quick & Easy Platform Cushion.

Conclusion

Which of these popular cushion styles is the best match for your needs? In the comments below, tell us which cushion you picked and why it’s the top fit for your project. And if you want to try your hand at a different style, be sure to revisit our Cushion Masterclass series to see all seven tutorials. Happy sewing!

Which Cushion Type Is Right for Me?