Yes! You can make a DIY bench cushion without plywood and even without sewing! Read on for the most simple no-sew seat cushion tutorial on the web!
How to Make a Bench Cushion
I had no idea how expensive cushions were until I started trying to plan this project. Not just the cushion itself but even the foam is crazy expensive and none of the stores around me had it in stock where I could use a coupon. So, as is my style, I just kept putting it off…I really didn’t want to spend $70 to make a cushion let alone have one made due to needing a custom size.
Then lo and behold the other day I was in Walmart and saw a roll of foam that was exactly the length I needed for my cushion! The only caveat was that it was only 1″ thick but because it is in a low use area and really more for decor I decided that wasn’t an issue, and the best part was the price-$16!
DIY Bench Pad Supplies
- roll of foam
- fabric to fit all the way around
- hot glue
I had bought a remnant of Dwell Studio fabric from my favorite pillow shop on Etsy and I thought it would work well for the space-dark enough to disguise any dirt from little boys!
At first I had gotten out my sewing machine to sew the cover but, you know me-I had to try the glue gun first! (I have no idea what my problem is lately by the way-I have just NOT wanted to sew anything!) I trimmed the foam to the size I wanted and laid it on the fabric then carefully folded it, sealing with the hot glue as I went along.
I am in love with the way this DIY Bench Cushion turned out. The red pillows I just threw there for effect when I was taking pictures, I’m thinking I need a different color…any suggestions?
Thanks for stopping by!
Pat says
I had couple of questions about how you did this. On some DIY pages, there were suggestions of using plywood cut to the size of the bench. It doesn’t seem like you did this and I don’t see any need to, but I don’t do much in the way of home improvement projects.
When you wrapped the material, had you pre-ironed creases where the edges would be?
My bench is 45 inches long and 17 inches deep. I think this means that if I buy fabric that is 54 inches wide, i would need about a yard and a half. Does that sound right?
Melissa says
Hi Pat-I just wanted a cushion to sit on top of an existing bench so I didn’t upholster plywood like I have seen others do-I know my boys and wanted something a little more disposible! Your measurements sound right to me, and yes, I pre-ironed the creases out of my fabric (reluctantly as I hate to iron but it was a necessary evil!)
Cristina says
Love this!!
Making a few seat cushions for a theater project and this would save so much time.
Only thing is-I can’t find a roll of foam like this-any chance you remember the brand??
Thank you!
Melissa Riker says
I’m sorry I don’t Cristina, it was in my Walmart fabric section on the bottom shelf if that helps at all!
Nancy Sears says
Was trolling the internet for church pew cushions – which you can only buy, it turns out, in tens of yards at a time. Found your site and took your cue by re-using a cushion from a window seat. Haven’t even glued it yet – just used packing tape to hold down the edges.
Melissa Riker says
Oh good, I’m so glad it helped Nancy-it was definitely the most cost effective option I found!
Wendy says
I like this idea, although I think I would have left one end open and hot glued velcro to close it on the end, that way you could take the foam out to wash the material if/when needed. Just press it and put the foam back in or….if you’re me, wash it and toss it in to steam in my dryer and put it back on. 😉
Melissa Riker says
That’s a great idea Wendy! Unfortunately one of my cats decided use mine as a litter box a few months ago so this cushion, foam and all, went into the trash can! (I was thankful it was such a cheap project when that happened though!)
Diana says
How does the hot glue handle being washed in a washing machine?
Nikki Gillette says
I’ve done the same thing with an old dresser I had in the basement. I cut it off, painted it and added a cushion much like the one you made on the top. Love it! I’d definitely keep the red pillows, they look fantastic!
Stacey says
You know what, I have a bench too and just might do the same thing. Like you I went looking and the price of the foam blew me away! I wondered if wrapping it like a present would work and it looks like it does. 🙂
Melissa Riker says
Mine has held up to three boys now for over a year-go for it!!
Michelle says
I can barely sew a button on a shirt and have only two colors of thread, so naturally, I was looking for a no-sew way to make cushion covers for my new kitchen banquette. I never thought of the glue gun! Excellent idea! I love the fabric on your cushion and I think a light green would go great with the brown. There is a woman on Etsy who makes the.most. gorgeous. pillow covers – Derilyn Atchison – I think. She hand-paints them with white blossoms and the brown branches of a tree. I have bought two sets and I receive so many compliments on them.
TQ says
I live the cushion and your no-sew hot glue idea. I needed something easy to finish my deck. Thank you!!
“Believable Bluff” is a great color. I used in in my master with red and bronze accents and my sister used it all over her house with chocolate and blue.
Melissa Riker says
It is a nice versatile neutral for sure-those color combos sound gorgeous!
Markus says
I’ll immediately grasp your rss feed as I can’t find your
email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me know in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Amy Paulson says
Where did you get the bench set? That is exactly what I have been looking for!
Robin says
I will definitely not sew them. I want to see how they hold up before going to much trouble:) lol bing in the heat outside and partial sun any ideas on what kind of material I should use???
Robin says
Love this idea as I need an inexpensive way to make cushions for my outdoor benches. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing:)
Melissa says
You’re welcome Robin! I need to cover my outdoor cushions too and I’m on the fence about whether to {gasp} sew them or do this route…what to do, what to do?
Jen says
What color are the walls? I’ve been looking for a yellow-ish cream like that!
Melissa says
They are Sherwin Williams Believable Buff, it’s a great neutral!
Sandy says
Thanks for the idea..i have been looking for cushion for my shoe bench……i am not good at hands on work…not even sewing..so thank you for letting me know i could use a glue gun!! =) i will go to walmart today to take a look at the foam.
Melissa says
You’re so welcome! I try to avoid my sewing machine at all costs!
Heather says
You are very clever to use the foam – it looks great too! I know what you mean that foam can be crazy expensive! I love that you used a glue gun! The fabric looks great – love Dwell fabrics. I like the red cushions here – it ties in the painting above on the shelf with the red flowers. Love your blog – I am your newest follower. Please swing by my blog sometime to say hello…I love to make new bloggy friends 🙂 Heather
Kim says
Love this! I need to do this for our toy area when we make the toy storage.
craftythriftydecoratingwifemom says
For that purpose, I’d sure take the 1″ thick $16 cushion!! Isn’t it crazy what this stuff costs, even DIYers can’t catch a break, unless they’re really patient and tenacious like you!
Janet
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says
It looks fantastic, Melissa! I actually like the red pillows. Their color just seems to pop with that awesome cushion fabric.