During the warmer months, our family practically lives on our wrap-around porch, having our coffee outside in the mornings, reading on the chaise lounge, and occasionally enjoying a romantic, candlelit dinner under the stars.
It can be rather dismaying to have to chase down your outdoor cushions before you can begin relaxing in your outdoor space. A windy day can blow your cushions out into the yard, potentially depositing them in a wet or muddy area, turning your precious free time into chore time while you clean them up.
Need a solution for keeping those cushions in place? Here are five easy ways to secure your outdoor cushions to your wicker furniture, enabling you to make the most of your “chill time”.
5 Ways to Secure Outdoor Cushions to Wicker Furniture
1. Place Non-Slip Material
Almost equally annoying as chasing down your cushions is having them slip beneath you as you’re settling into place, especially if your hands are full. Try using a non-slip material that grips both the furniture and the cushion to solve the problem of sliding cushions. These types of products are affordable and typically come in a larger sheet that can be custom cut to the size you need. Although this won’t stop your cushions from taking flight, it will help stop cushions from sliding around when you sit.
2. Attach Velcro Strips
You may have heard of using sticky Velcro strips to secure cushions but are hesitant to apply a product with adhesive to your wicker furniture, because the gummy residue left behind would be hard to remove if you ever change your mind.
No worries – Velcro tape is also available without adhesive backing – specifically designed to be sewn into place. Simply cut a few strips roughly 5” long, and position them on your wicker furniture, at intervals across the seat. Using a needle and thread, secure each strip with a few loops over and under the wicker, paying special attention to each strip’s ends. Measure the approximate locations and sew on strips to the underside of the cushions in corresponding places. (Tip: You can scrape a piece of chalk across the surface of the furniture’s Velcro strips, then place the cushions on top and press down. The cushion will now be marked where your tape should be sewn.)
Again, this will stop your cushions from slipping underneath you as you sit but may not stand up to strong winds.
3. Use Patio Cushion Pillow Weights
My favorite method of securing outdoor cushions is by using pillow weights. The product below is comprised of 1-lb. of micro-glass beads in a fabric liner, which is quilted into 16 tiny squares to make a 10” overall size. It is applied via adhesive tape to the inside of your cushion’s removable pillowcase, so it’s not visible. They are extremely comfy, and you’d never guess there’s a weight under your cushion unless you were to pick it up. The manufacturer states this pillow weight will hold up against 50 mph winds.
4. Add Ties to Your Cushions
If you’re handy with a needle and thread, you can make your own fabric ties. Use a sturdy fabric (or four to five layers of any fabric), folded over and sewn together, before attaching to the corners of your cushions. Aim for at least a 5” length to be sure you have a long enough strap to tie around the wicker furniture.
To prevent the ends from fraying, consider applying a product like this Fraying Permanent Fabric Adhesive.
5. Zip Ties
Looking for a no-fuss fix? If your cushions are waterproof and you already leave them in place no matter what the weather is doing, you can use zip ties to stop cushions from blowing away. However, if your cushions don’t already have loops, you’ll need to make a small hole in the fabric to loop the zip tie through, before securing the tie to a sturdy section of the wicker.
This is not an ideal fix, as you’ll need to cut the zip ties anytime you want to remove the cushions, but it might work for cushions that are always left in the same spot. Be aware before doing this that even a small hole in the fabric may expand over time.
Is it Safe to Connect Ties Around Wicker?
Before choosing a method to secure your outdoor cushions to wicker furniture, it’s a good idea to evaluate the condition of the wicker, itself. An older piece of natural wicker furniture may have dried out and become brittle. For this scenario, it’s best to choose an option such as pillow weights instead of ties, to avoid having wicker pieces snap off from the stress of high winds. Certain wicker material, such as resin wicker, will be sturdy enough to withstand wind stress in most cases.
Proper Storage Ensures Your Outdoor Cushions Stick Around
The best way to protect your patio furniture investment is to store cushions away during extreme weather, whenever possible. Although it may be tempting to leave waterproof or water-resistant cushions out all the time, the elements will eventually take their toll. Bright colors will fade in the constant sun, and synthetic coatings will crack and peel over time from harsh sunlight. Even securing your cushions with ties so they don’t end up in the mud could shorten the lifespan of wicker furniture, especially if the ties are looped through weak sections, making them likely to snap from wind stress.
Consider investing in an outdoor storage container. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and could help extend the life of your outdoor cushions, saving you a lot of money. Many of the ones on the market are bench-style, which has the added benefit of offering more seating to your outdoor space.
Read our related post “How to Store Outdoor Cushions (9 Creative Ways)” here!
Final Thoughts
There are quite a few options available to keep your outdoor cushions where they belong – on your patio furniture! The right choice for you will depend on your style of furniture, your budget, and how much time and effort you’re willing to put forth. I hope one of these ideas works for you and enables you to spend more time relaxing this summer. Happy lounging!
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.