The short list of places that reliably sell patio cushions right now includes Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart, Target, Costco, IKEA, Wayfair, Amazon, and specialty outdoor retailers like Frontgate or Ballard Designs. Each one has a different sweet spot: big-box stores are great for in-person fitting and same-day pickup, warehouse clubs like Costco offer seasonal bundles at strong prices, and online marketplaces give you the widest selection for replacement and custom-sized cushions. Which one is actually best for you depends on whether you need a standard size, a brand-specific replacement, a weatherproof fabric, or just the cheapest option fast. If you want to jump straight to shopping options, this guide breaks down where to buy patio furniture cushions by store type and use case.
Who Sells Patio Cushions: Places to Buy and What to Look For
Where to buy patio cushions: the full retailer breakdown
Here's how each major channel stacks up, so you can go straight to the right one instead of bouncing around.
Big-box home improvement stores: Home Depot and Lowe's
Home Depot and Lowe's are two of the most practical starting points because you can see cushions in person, check the thickness and feel the fabric, and often take them home the same day. Home Depot filters its chair cushion category by water resistance and UV protection, which makes it genuinely easy to narrow down options online before you visit.
Lowe's carries its own Allen + Roth line with STAINMASTER fabric that's marketed as fade- and stain-resistant, and the site has a dedicated UV-resistant cushion category. Both stores run seasonal promotions from spring through Labor Day, so pricing fluctuates more than you'd expect. If you need a standard bench, loveseat, or chair cushion in a common size, these two stores will almost always have something on the shelf.
Mass-market retailers: Walmart and Target
Walmart is a surprisingly good source for replacement slipcovers specifically. Their outdoor cushion slipcover section carries zippered and tied covers described as fade-resistant and washable, sold separately from the foam insert, which is exactly what you want if your existing cushion foam is still fine but the fabric is worn or faded. Target has a decent outdoor cushion selection and one of the best return policies around: 90 days for most items, and 365 days on Target's own brand with a receipt. That longer window is worth knowing about if you're buying at the start of the season and want flexibility.
Warehouse clubs: Costco
Costco typically sells patio cushions as part of complete furniture sets rather than as standalone items, which is great if you're outfitting a whole patio but less useful if you just need one replacement cushion. What Costco does well is value: you generally get thick, quality cushions bundled with the furniture at a lower per-item cost than buying separately. Their return policy is one of the most generous out there, online purchases can be returned at any Costco warehouse for an immediate refund including shipping charges. For sourcing replacement cushions for older Costco sets specifically, the community advice is to go directly to the original manufacturer or search by cushion dimensions, since Costco doesn't typically stock individual replacements once a set sells out.
IKEA
IKEA is underrated for patio cushions. They sell seat and back cushions separately, which gives you flexibility if you only need to replace one piece of a set rather than buying everything at once. Their FRÖSÖN covers are machine washable and removable, which is a practical feature worth paying attention to. IKEA's return policy is also very generous at 365 days for new and unopened products with proof of purchase. The catch is that IKEA's outdoor cushion sizes are built around their own furniture frames, so they may not fit non-IKEA sets. Check dimensions carefully before ordering.
Online marketplaces: Wayfair, Amazon, and specialty stores
Wayfair and Amazon have the biggest raw selection, especially for unusual sizes, specific foam densities, and premium fabrics like Sunbrella. If you've struck out at physical stores because your cushions are an odd size or a discontinued model, this is where you'll find the most options. If you need a specific fit fast, start with online marketplaces like Wayfair and Amazon to compare sizes, foam densities, and replacement options. Specialty retailers like Frontgate, Ballard Designs, or Grandin Road skew toward higher-end Sunbrella-covered cushions with more color options and customization. They're pricier but worth it if you want something that's going to hold up for many seasons without fading.
How to choose the right type of patio cushion
Before you start shopping, it helps to know what category of cushion you actually need, because the terminology varies across retailers and buying the wrong type is an easy mistake.
Seat cushions vs. back cushions
These are sold both together and separately depending on the retailer. IKEA explicitly sells them as individual pieces. If you're replacing just a worn-out seat cushion, look for listings that specify seat cushion only so you don't end up paying for a back cushion you don't need. Back cushions are typically thinner and sometimes tied to the frame, while seat cushions take more weight and wear and usually need thicker foam.
Slipcovers vs. full replacement cushions
A slipcover (or replacement cover) slides over an existing foam insert. If your foam is still in decent shape but the fabric is faded, torn, or just ugly, a slipcover is a cheaper fix. Walmart and Home Depot both carry replacement slipcovers in standard sizes. Full replacement cushions include both the cover and the foam insert and are the right call when the foam has compressed or gotten waterlogged beyond saving.
Fabric: weatherproof, water-resistant, and UV-resistant
Here's something most product listings gloss over: true "waterproof" outdoor fabric can actually encourage mold and mildew growth because it traps moisture without letting air circulate. What you actually want is water-resistant or water-repellent fabric that still breathes. Look for that distinction when reading product descriptions. For UV protection, Sunbrella is the gold standard: the color pigments are infused into the fiber before it's woven, which is why Sunbrella fabrics hold their color far longer than surface-dyed alternatives.
Sunbrella backs this up with a 5-year limited warranty covering the fabric itself, with labor included for the first three years. Lowe's Allen + Roth with STAINMASTER and Home Depot's UV-resistant category options are solid mid-range choices if you want UV protection without paying Sunbrella prices.
Finding replacement cushions that actually fit
This is where most people get frustrated, and it's worth doing this step carefully before you click "add to cart."
Search by brand and model first
If your furniture is from a known brand like Hampton Bay (Home Depot's house brand), Allen + Roth (Lowe's), or a specialty brand like Homecrest, start by searching the manufacturer's site or the original retailer directly. Homecrest, for example, provides specific replacement guidance and recommends referring to the fabric label on the original cushion as a baseline. Brands that use custom cushion sizes sometimes sell replacements directly or through authorized dealers, so that's worth checking before you assume the cushion is discontinued.
Measure for fit when brand matching fails
If the brand route doesn't work (which is common with older Costco sets, store-brand furniture, or discontinued lines), measure the existing cushion instead. Get the length, width, and thickness of the seat and back separately, and note whether the corners are rounded or squared, because that affects slipcover fit. Searching by dimensions across Wayfair, Amazon, or even Walmart's site will surface more compatible options than searching by brand name alone. This dimension-first approach is genuinely the most reliable way to find a compatible replacement when you can't match by model.
When you only need new foam
If the cover is still good but the foam has gone flat, you don't need to replace the whole cushion. Search for "upholstery foam cut to size" online, several specialty foam suppliers like Foam Factory or Foam Order will cut foam to your exact dimensions and ship it.
One Costco subreddit commenter also recommends checking the owner’s manual or manufacturer for replacement-cushion guidance and, if you need new filling, searching for upholstery foam cut to your dimensions upholstery foam cut to size. You can also take the old foam to a local upholstery shop and have them cut a replacement.
You can also take the old foam to a local upholstery shop and have them cut a replacement. It's one of the more cost-effective fixes for expensive cushions with quality outer covers.
In-store vs. online: what actually matters for cushions
| Factor | In-Store (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart) | Online (Wayfair, Amazon, specialty) |
|---|---|---|
| Selection | Limited to what's on the floor, especially late in season | Vastly wider, including odd sizes and premium fabrics |
| Same-day availability | Yes, if it's in stock | No — shipping typically 3-7 days, longer for custom |
| Ability to check quality in person | Yes — feel the foam, check the stitching | No — rely on reviews and product specs |
| Return ease | Return to store same day | Ship back, which can be inconvenient for bulky cushions |
| Pricing | Clearance opportunities in-store, especially late summer | Competitive year-round, easier price comparison |
| Replacement/custom sizing | Very limited | Best option for non-standard and custom sizes |
If you're early in the season and have standard-size cushions, going in-store first makes sense because you can verify quality and take them home today. If you're replacing cushions for a specific frame, have an unusual size, or want Sunbrella fabric, go online. If you want the fastest option, search for where to buy patio cushions near me and filter by pickup or delivery to compare prices quickly go online. Shipping bulky cushions back if they don't work out is a pain, so measure carefully before ordering.
The best times to buy patio cushions for less
Timing your purchase can save you 30 to 60 percent compared to buying at peak season. Here's how the sale cycle runs through the year.
- Late July through August: Most big-box stores start clearing out summer inventory. This is when you'll find the deepest markdowns on in-store cushions at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart — sometimes 40 to 60 percent off. Selection gets thin, but prices are lowest.
- Labor Day weekend (early September): One of the biggest outdoor furniture sale events of the year. Retailers across the board discount remaining summer inventory, and online prices drop sharply too.
- Memorial Day weekend (late May): Opposite end of the cycle — this is peak season pricing. You'll see sales advertised, but the discounts are usually modest (10 to 20 percent) because demand is high.
- October through March: End-of-season and off-season pricing. Slim pickings in stores, but online retailers maintain fuller selections year-round and sometimes discount to move older inventory.
- Costco timing: Costco brings in seasonal patio furniture and cushions in late February or March and tends to sell through by early summer. If you want Costco's prices on a full set with cushions, shop as early in the season as possible.
- Holiday weekends like July 4th (right now): Some retailers run summer promotions around the holiday, so it's worth checking Wayfair and Amazon for flash sales this week specifically.
If you need cushions right now in early July, you're just before the peak clearance window. Prices are still fairly full at most stores, but July 4th promotions may be running online this week. If you can wait six to eight weeks, you'll see much steeper discounts. If you can't wait, check whether your local Home Depot or Lowe's has any clearance items already tagged, floor models and discontinued colors often get marked down even before the official end-of-season sale.
How to compare prices and cushion quality
Not all patio cushions are priced the same for a reason, and knowing what drives the difference helps you decide how much to spend.
What to look for in the fabric
Sunbrella is the benchmark for outdoor upholstery fabric: the UV-stable color pigments go into the fiber before weaving, not on top of the surface, which is why it outperforms cheaper alternatives for fade resistance. It comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Mid-tier options like Lowe's STAINMASTER-backed fabric and Home Depot's UV-resistant selections will do the job for a few seasons in most climates.
Budget fabrics from unbranded cushions may look fine on day one but fade noticeably within one summer in direct sun. If cushion replacement is frustrating to deal with (and it is), spending more on a quality fabric upfront usually pays off. Spending more is usually about better foam density, higher-quality outdoor fabric, and warranties that actually cover wear why are patio cushions so expensive? .
What to look for in the foam
Foam density and thickness matter more than most people realize. A 4-inch thick cushion with high-density foam will last years longer and stay comfortable longer than a cheap 2-inch alternative. Look for cushion listings that specify foam density (measured in pounds per cubic foot) if that information is available. Polyester fiberfill is common in cheaper cushions and compresses quickly. Quick-dry foam is worth prioritizing for cushions left outdoors, since standard foam holds moisture and can develop mildew even with water-resistant covers.
Warranties and what they actually cover
Read cushion warranties carefully because they vary a lot. Sunbrella's 5-year warranty covers the fabric specifically and includes labor for the first three years. Lowe's patio furniture warranty language for cushion covers typically carves out sun fading and cleaning damage after a certain point. IKEA's return policy is generous at 365 days, but that's a return window, not a warranty against wear. If you're spending over $100 on a set of cushions, knowing what the warranty actually covers for fading or structural failure is worth five minutes of reading.
What to do right now to get the best deal
- Measure your existing cushions first: length, width, thickness, and corner shape. Do this before you do anything else, because it determines whether you can shop in-store or need to go online for a custom size.
- Check your local Home Depot and Lowe's store inventory online — both sites show in-store stock before you make a trip. Look for any items already marked clearance in the outdoor cushion category.
- Search Wayfair and Amazon today for any July 4th flash sales on outdoor cushions. Online prices may be discounted this week specifically.
- If you have branded furniture (Hampton Bay, Allen + Roth, Homecrest, etc.), check the manufacturer's site or the original retailer for matching replacement options before buying a generic alternative.
- Decide if you need a full replacement cushion or just a slipcover. If the foam is still good, a replacement cover from Walmart or Home Depot's slipcover section is significantly cheaper.
- If you can wait 4 to 6 weeks, hold off until mid-August clearance events hit. You'll save significantly at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart as they discount summer inventory.
- For premium Sunbrella cushions or hard-to-fit sizes, go directly to Wayfair, Amazon, or a specialty retailer like Frontgate and filter by fabric type and dimensions rather than browsing broadly.
The best place to buy patio cushions really does depend on your specific situation: budget, timing, whether you need a replacement for an existing set, and how quickly you need them. But with the retailers and tactics above, you have everything you need to make a smart call today rather than guessing.
FAQ
How do I tell if I’m buying a slipcover or a full cushion (cover plus foam)?
If you are replacing only fabric, confirm the product is a slipcover, not a full cushion. Slipcovers slide over your existing foam, so check that the listing includes dimensions for the cover’s outer measurements and whether the cover is zippered, tied, or has a corner hook system (these details affect how secure it looks on the chair).
What’s the difference between “waterproof” and “water-resistant” outdoor cushion fabrics, and why does it matter?
For best mold prevention, prioritize water-resistant or water-repellent fabrics that still breathe, and use cushions that can dry quickly. Even “waterproof” materials can trap moisture, so look for listings that mention quick-dry foam, breathable backing, or drainage-friendly construction, and plan to keep cushions under a cover when not in use.
What measurements should I take to avoid buying cushions that don’t fit my frame or slipcover?
Measure twice, then choose a listing that matches both seat and back separately (if applicable). Also note thickness, and whether the cushion corners are rounded or squared, since those features change fit for slipcovers. If a retailer offers only length and width, consider asking customer support for the cushion profile or cover overhang before ordering.
How can I tell if a cushion warranty actually covers fading or structural failure?
Warranty coverage often does not mean “it will never fade,” it means limited protection under specific conditions. Before buying, check whether the warranty excludes sun fading, normal wear, mildew, or damage from improper cleaning, and confirm the coverage is for the fabric only versus structural components like foam.
Is Sunbrella always worth paying for, or are there good alternatives for shaded patios?
Sunbrella is the safest bet for UV stability, but you can save by choosing mid-tier outdoor fabric if your sun exposure is limited. If your cushions sit in full direct sun, prioritize UV-stable pigment-through-fiber fabrics; if they live under an awning, you may get away with better value fabrics as long as the listing clearly states UV resistance and breathable performance.
Can I reliably return patio cushions if they don’t fit, and what should I check before ordering online?
Yes, but plan around shipping and returns. Bulky cushion returns can be expensive, so confirm the return policy specifically includes shipping refunds (and whether the item must be unused). If the cushions are custom-sized or discontinued, assume returns may be limited and focus on dimension-matching accuracy first.
How do I compare cushion comfort and durability if different listings use vague descriptions?
Use foam density information to compare quality, but only if the listing provides it (pounds per cubic foot). If density is missing, thickness plus material description helps, and quick-dry or moisture-resistant foam is a better sign than generic “outdoor foam.” For comfort, also consider whether the cushion is high-resilience foam or uses fiberfill on top, since fiberfill compresses faster.
What should I do if the cushion cover looks fine but the foam is compressed?
If your foam is flat but the cover is still in good shape, the most cost-effective route is to replace just the foam and keep the existing cover if it fits. For best results, use your old foam as the template (include thickness), then verify the cover’s internal dimensions match your new foam so it does not bunch or stress seams.
What’s the best strategy for replacing cushions for older or discontinued patio sets?
If you have a discontinued model, brand searching may fail. A better approach is to search by dimensions and cushion type (seat only, back only) and to include thickness and corner style. If the furniture is a known store brand, also search for replacement guidance from the original manufacturer, then fall back to dimension-first matching.
Should I buy in-store or online if I want the lowest price and the fastest resolution?
If you want “the cheapest option fast,” start with local in-stock standard sizes and pick a store that offers easy pickup. For odd sizes or Sunbrella, go online, but use a pickup window when available so you can confirm fit before fully committing, since bulky returns can cost more than the price difference.