How to Keep Patio Cushions from Blowing Away

by

Last updated on May 8th, 2023

Outdoor cushions are a great way to make outdoor furniture more comfortable and organized. But in a windy situation, they can get toppled or blown away. As a result, you may have to pick them up every 5 minutes, or worse still, they can end up in strange locations, such as a pool of water, leaf litter, dirt or mud.

So, what are some ways on how to keep patio cushions from blowing away?

Fortunately, there are several solutions to this.

  • Use Velcro to attach the cushions to the furniture
  • Weigh down the cushions with weights
  • Use ties to hold down cushions
  • Secure cushions with bungee cords or furniture straps
  • Use hook and eye closures
  • Cover the cushions and patio furniture

We will look at each method in detail and answer a few more questions about using outdoor cushions outdoors. So, keep on reading!

6 Ways to keep patio cushions from blowing away

If you’re looking for ways on how to keep patio cushions from blowing away, here are the methods we recommend:

Velcro

Using Velcro is probably the best way to attach cushions to patio furniture. You simply attach the strips to both the chair cushion and furniture. This helps to keep the cushions from slipping or blowing away in a storm or strong breeze. Most Velcro strips have an adhesive backing, which sticks to the cushion and furniture, thus holding them together. But some can be sewed into place.

The good thing about using Velcro is that it’s cheap and easy to set up. Also, although it’s clearly visible when not in use, it stays hidden when attached. Whatever Velcro you choose, it’s always recommended to choose a color that matches that of your outdoor cushions.

Ties

Ties are another great way to make sure outdoor cushions stay attached to outdoor furniture. A lot of cushions are sold with these ties, which are little ribbons or string at the corners of the cushion. They are meant for securing the cushion to the chair or piece of furniture.

Simply tie and knot them down. This way, the cushions will remain tied down to the chair unless you untie them.

This method can be very useful when you have large or oversized cushions that are difficult to store. You can tie them down and leave them outside, i.e., if there’s no rain.

Like Velcro, cushion ties are cost-effective and simple to use. If your existing sofa cushions do not come with ties, you can cut a small hole into them and loop tiny cords or fabric ties through the holes.

Weights

You can also use weights to hold outdoor cushions. This method works best for cushions or pillows that open up with a zipper. You can add some weight inside to keep the seat cushion from blowing off. Such weights are known as hidden weights. You can also use magnetic weights, which are fixed to the cushions.

Generally, anything will work as long as it’s small and heavy and can go inside the cushion cover.

If you’re concerned about aesthetics, you could opt for decorative rocks. Simply place them on the cushions to keep them in place during high wind conditions. If you want to go “savage,” you can also fill a small bag with sand or dirt and use it to hold the cushions.

The downside of using patio furniture weights is that they can make your cushions less comfortable.

Covers

Furniture covers are great when your entire furnishing is not in use. Instead of securing individual cushions, you can cover them with the furniture. Most outdoor furniture sets are sold with a cover, or you can buy them aftermarket.

As indicated above, the main benefit of using wood or rattan furniture covers is that they protect both the furniture and cushions. The downside is that you have to remove them anytime you wish to use the furniture.

In open areas, we highly recommend using a plastic tarp for additional waterproofing. You can use a heavy canvas in a covered area.

Bungee Cords

If you are looking for how to keep outdoor cushions from flying away, bungee cords can be an easy fix. These are simply furniture straps you can use with most cushions. Simply stretch the cords, wrap them around the cushions, and attach them around the legs or chair frame. Once they tighten, they will keep the cushions from blowing away.

Closures

For people who are savvy sewers, hook, and eye closures can be a great choice. They look exactly like the fasteners on bras. To use a hook, line it up on the cushion and sew it on with multiple stitches. Then sew and tie the other side to the furniture or another cushion.

While this method is simple, it might not work for string winds. The good part is that it won’t affect the look of your cushions. A good alternative to closures are patio drapes or curtain clips.

How do you secure patio cushions?

One of the best ways to secure your patio cushions is by using a strip of Velcro tape.

Start by attaching two strips vertically around the outer edges on each side of the cushion cover. Then attach another strip or two horizontally inside. Make sure there is at least 1 to 2cm spacing between the three strips to prevent them from sticking to each other. Also, each strip of Velcro tape should be around 10 to 15 cm.

Besides Velcro strips, another thing you can use to secure patio chair cushions are bungee cords. This method allows you to group your furnishings together, thereby creating a heavier cluster that cannot be toppled by the wind.

Simply place the cushions on the chair and secure them with bungee cords. The tensity in the cords will keep them from moving out of place when there’s a strong breeze.

How do you keep seat cushions in place?

For one reason or the other, you may have seat cushions that are constantly sliding or moving out of place. Here are a few ways to fix this.

  • Use adhesive tape or strips of Velcro tape to secure the cushions on the seat as described in the previous section.
  • Try tying the cushions to the seat using slipcovers. You can use a piece of fabric if you don’t have a slipcover.
  • Thirdly, you can weigh down the cushions by placing a heavy object on top of them.
  • Some seat cushions come with a non-slip surface or built-in grip that prevents them from sliding. You can opt for these instead of the normal cushion design.
  • Lastly, you can also prevent cushions from slipping by choosing properly sized ones for your seat. You don’t want something too small or too big.

How do you keep a bench cushion in place?

Just like your patio cushions, having a bench cushion that keeps sliding or getting toppled can be irritating and even dangerous. It can end up in a pool of water in someone’s yard, on the road, or in other odd places. Luckily, this can be prevented.

The best method we’ve found is using tension bands. Tension bands are pieces of plastic used to wedge cushions between them and the bench. This helps to keep the cushions from slipping or sliding away. The bands are mostly found in hardware stores.

What to do if your outdoor pillow blew away?

It’s not uncommon for “loose” outdoor pillows and furniture to get tossed from their place, especially when there’s a strong wind gust.

If you find your outdoor pillows lying around the patio after a strong breeze, simply pick them up and put them back into position. You might want to secure them using a bungee cord or any of the methods discussed above.

However, if you can’t find the pillows around, you can start by doing a search. Move around the neighborhood and see if you can find the outdoor pillows. If you have a neighbor you share a backyard with, let them know you’re looking for your pillow. It’s possible they found it and kept it safe for you.

Also, if you belong to your local Facebook group or any other online platform, you can alert the people there and tell them about missing outdoor pillowsHow to Identify Vintage Woodard Patio Furniture ( 7 Pro Techniques).

If you’ve done everything but still can’t find the pillow, it’s probably time to get a new one.

FAQs – How to keep outdoor pillows from blowing away

Can you add ties to outdoor cushions?

Yes, you can. As the name suggests, ties can be used to tie down patio cushions to your furniture.

Can you leave outdoor furniture cushions outside?

Yes, you can, but it’s not the best thing to do. While most outdoor cushions are made to withstand the conditions outside, they are not indestructible. Constant exposure to rain and sunlight can encourage mold growth and bleach the fabric, thus reducing their lifespan. So, it’s best to store them indoors when you’re not using them.

Can you make Cushions Waterproof?

Yes, you can. The easiest way to do this is to use a good waterproofing spray like the Scotchgard Heavy-duty Water Shield. Simply prepare the area and spray the waterproofer. The whole process only takes about 10 minutes, and the cushion should be ready for use within 24 hours.

What is the best material for patio furniture covers?

Polyester and canvas are two of the best material for patio furniture covers. Both materials are strong, stain-resistant, and stain-resistant. However, while vinyl is waterproof, polyester outdoor fabric (though more affordable) is only water-resistant, which means it can only withstand drizzle and frozen precipitation. If you’re choosing polyester, make sure it’s treated to the degree that it’s waterproof, especially if you leave in a place where it rains hard.

What Is The Best Outdoor Cushion Material?

The best outdoor cushion material is arguably polypropylene. It is durable, colorfast, stain-resistant, and dries quickly. Acrylic is another great material commonly used to make outdoor cushions. Like polypropylene, outdoor acrylic is UV- and mildew-resistant but can be very costly.

How do you reinforce outdoor cushions?

There are various ways you can reinforce or recover old or worn-out outdoor cushions. First, you can sew new covers and pin them to the foam cushion with a sewing machine. The fabric should be slightly larger than the cushion. Second, you can simply paint the cushions with a good upholstery spray paint. Other methods are patching small tears and holes and using a throw as a temporary fix.

Conclusion – how to keep patio furniture cushions from blowing away

We will draw the curtains here. As you can see, these are the top 6 methods for how to keep patio cushions from blowing away.

The method we found to be most effective is the use of Velcro. The only thing you need is a surface to stick it to, and your cushions will always remain in place. Cushion weights are also great, especially if you prefer something that isn’t too obvious.

Whatever method you choose, it’s important you follow the right steps and precautions to secure your cushions. Also, you want to store the cushions away when they’re not in use.

Let us know if you have any more questions about keeping your patio cushions in place.