It's been a long time now that I've been looking into getting some garden furniture. I had in mind seating for about 5-7 people, something heavy, that wouldn't blow away in a storm, but also comfortable (especially for older and heavy-set people), and so I figured that would involve big sofas with big cushions.
Well, not only is such furniture expensive, I hate cushions on garden furniture (I mean the big cushions for seating and back-rests on sofas). Such cushions are bulky, tend to get dusty, rained on, and smell. And when stored elsewhere, well, it's not always easy to find a place to store such a mountain of cushions, and then it's a hassle to get them out again— or in again— and they end up getting dusty and rained on.
I already have 2 heavy teak garden benches, not the type that require cushions, just benches. Whilst procrastinating on looking for the usual garden furniture with (...sigh...) cushions, I started using Ikea sheepskins rugs for some padding and then just throwing a colorful old tablecloth over the whole of the bench.
I finally realized that, for me, this make-do solution with sheepskins and tablecloths is actually better than traditional garden sofas with cushions because the sheepskins and tablecloths are easier to store, easier to keep clean, and the set-up is comfortable and, in my opinion, looks nice. So.
I get the sheepskins from Ikea (about USD 40 each), and use 2 per bench. I could use more. The tablecloths are brightly colored cotton prints.
The pile of sheepskins and folded table cloths lies flat in a closet, no problem, and unlike big sofa cushions, I can carry what I need in my arms from the closet to the garden in one trip.
Anyway, I was glad to conclude that I could cross "garden furniture" off my list.
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branchandroot
Outdoor furniture
Date: 2025-05-18 10:43 pm (UTC)Well, not only is such furniture expensive, I hate cushions on garden furniture (I mean the big cushions for seating and back-rests on sofas). Such cushions are bulky, tend to get dusty, rained on, and smell. And when stored elsewhere, well, it's not always easy to find a place to store such a mountain of cushions, and then it's a hassle to get them out again— or in again— and they end up getting dusty and rained on.
I already have 2 heavy teak garden benches, not the type that require cushions, just benches. Whilst procrastinating on looking for the usual garden furniture with (...sigh...) cushions, I started using Ikea sheepskins rugs for some padding and then just throwing a colorful old tablecloth over the whole of the bench.
I finally realized that, for me, this make-do solution with sheepskins and tablecloths is actually better than traditional garden sofas with cushions because the sheepskins and tablecloths are easier to store, easier to keep clean, and the set-up is comfortable and, in my opinion, looks nice. So.
I get the sheepskins from Ikea (about USD 40 each), and use 2 per bench. I could use more. The tablecloths are brightly colored cotton prints.
The pile of sheepskins and folded table cloths lies flat in a closet, no problem, and unlike big sofa cushions, I can carry what I need in my arms from the closet to the garden in one trip.
Anyway, I was glad to conclude that I could cross "garden furniture" off my list.