Choosing your cushions can quickly become a headache for those who need to learn about it: which foam to choose, which covers to choose depending on the project? All these questions often come up when choosing your cushions for your living room, terrace, motorhome or even your boat! In this article, our experts help you ask the right questions before buying: follow the guide!

Step 1: set a budget to stick to

It is essential before your research to determine the maximum amount you would be willing to invest. This constraint will force you to find a compromise when choosing the coating, the type of foam or the finishes! However, keep one thing in mind: quality often comes at a price. Made-to-measure cushions Made in UK will necessarily be more expensive than standard models made in China: they will, however, be more suited to your project, more comfortable and will hold up better over time.

It is often better to invest once in a quality product than to buy new ones yearly! At Imperial Rooms, we have chosen to opt for quality. Being a manufacturer and not a reseller, we can offer attractive prices by reducing the number of intermediaries without losing quality for an optimal quality/price ratio.

Step 2: the dimensions of your cushions

The second step to follow is undoubtedly the most technical: to determine the dimensions of the cushion in question. For this, be careful to note all the dimensions (Length, Width and thickness) for the dimensions. You have two options. The first is to opt for standard-size cushions, which are often less expensive. On the other hand, be prepared to make compromises: the chances of finding a standard model with the exact dimensions of your seat or backrest are very slim!

The second solution is to opt for tailor-made: certainly a little more expensive, a tailor-made cushion will adapt perfectly to the dimensions you are looking for! At Imperial Rooms, we suggest you configure your cushion from A to Z to best meet your expectations. Be careful, however, when entering the dimensions for made-to-measure snowflake folders: the dimensions correspond to that of the cover alone. Once padded, its dimensions may change. Contact our advisors for any questions!

Step 3: choose the type of upholstery

There is a huge variety of foams that meet almost every need. To correctly choose the foam for your cushions, ask yourself the right questions!

How many people will your cushions need?

The greater the weight to be supported, the denser the foam must be: the density of foams from Imperial Rooms varies between 28 and 46 kg/m 3. For a seat cushion accommodating several people, choose high-resilience foam (38kg/m 3 ) or Ergolatex (46kg/m 3 ), which will be firmer. Memory foam can also be an excellent solution combining comfort and durability. For outdoor sofa cushion covers 45x45, we recommend you opt for Dry feel foam that lets water through for quick drying.

Is it a back, seat or decorative cushion?

The use you are going to make of your cushion is decisive in the choice of foam: when for a seat cushion, we recommend that you favor high-density foam, favor comfort and be necessary for back cushions where the constraints are less critical in general. Using flakes of foam or wadding can be interesting for a backrest with a cocooning feel. At Imperial Rooms, we crush the foam and wadding scraps used for the seat cushions to stuff the back cushions, thus avoiding the overconsumption of raw materials!

Step 4: choose the cover of your cushions

Once the dimensions and the foam are selected, you will have to choose the coating of your choice. If the diversity of coatings is present, be careful to choose the most suitable for your needs! For an in-depth guide to different outdoor fabrics,

Is this an outdoor or indoor cushion?

The conditions to which your cushions will be exposed are essential when choosing. All coatings can be used without worry for an interior project: from velvet cushions cover to water-repellent fabric, the only limit is your imagination! For outdoor models, the choice is more limited: choose coatings designed to withstand the outdoor conditions they will face. Some coatings are UV resistant and, therefore, perfect for outdoor furniture exposed to the sun's rays. If they are often exposed to water (for a boat in particular), choose water-repellent coatings, if possible stain-resistant!

What are you going to use it for?

A cushion for a motorhome will not be subjected to the same treatment as a model for a boat! For a model that often comes into contact with the skin, such as a camper van seat, opt for a soft covering that won't irritate the skin. For a boat cushion, opt for salt-resistant coatings: note that a coating is never 100% waterproof, the seams often being an entry point for water. Combining a water-repellent or leatherette coating with Dry feel foam is a good idea for cushions suitable for maritime getaways!

Have you got pets?

If you have pets, you know keeping your cushions clean and in good condition over time is challenging. To overcome this problem, opt for thicker and exceptionally stain-resistant coatings. Another solution is to opt for a removable cushion with a machine-washable covering: this solution can allow you more freedom in terms of coverings. However, some are more fragile than others due to scratches, such as velvet. So be careful to notice this detail when making your choice.