Outdoor Chair Cushions
Is there really a difference between chair cushions and chair pads? Absolutely! One is nothing more than some cheap polyester material or other foam padding sandwiched between some other polyester material that is made for a cover fabric. I don’t have a problem with polyester, it is with the cheap padding. Polyester or ‘poly-’ any material can be fine in and of itself. It really just relates to the way they are manufactured. By this, we understand that it is a man-made material.
There are other types of natural fabrics that are making a comeback as we move into more of an appreciation of the sustainability issues in design and living principles. In addition to the environmental benefits, there are also more physical benefits to your patio chair cushions themselves. The fact that you can get materials that are made for the outdoors at all is a big improvement. There was a time when you couldn’t even get some of the green materials that you can find today. Just look at materials and fabrics that are made of bamboo. Yes, you can actually buy clothing and other fabrics that use bamboo fibers – a naturally renewable resource, a grass. Outdoor chair cushions seem to be a perfect fit for this type of application.
You might not be able to find as many patterns and colors available with this material yet, but I’m sure it will not be long before it takes off in popularity. As we mentioned, there are just so many products moving forward that work well with the whole Green Revolution that is and has been growing over the last decade or so.
This will surely change and when it does, there will be another great leap forward in designs. This is not too unfamiliar to another design innovation I came across recently that I’ll share with you here. It doesn’t relate specifically to patio cushions, per se, but does involve a beverage holder. It is a unique looking cup holder that attaches to most any type of chair – specifically a wheelchair. This cup holder is nothing short of amazing. If you like, you can learn more about it there. It is basically the last one you’ll probably ever need. Now, if only someone could develop one of those to be built into some sort of patio furniture cushion. I guess we shouldn’t complain, we do have the furniture itself for that. Besides, once you get a cup holder mounted to a chaise lounge, you may never be able to get up again!
