The Cutting Table · compared on the table
If I order covers only, how much filling do I need, and will it look like the photos?
Also asked as:Just the cover for my cushion.A custom slipcover for my daybed.
A cover is a shape waiting for something to hold it. Short it five liters and it will tell on you.
SaveThe quick answer
A new cover only looks as crisp as the filling inside it: high-density foam gives the flat, structured look in the photos, while soft, tired filling stays slouchy under new fabric. How much filling cushion covers need depends on the piece: about 180-200 L (6.4-7.1 cu ft) of polyester fiber for a standard sofa set's backrests, 20-25 L per throw pillow.
Get a quote for a cushion covers
Fill volumes for a covers-only order
| Piece | Fill | Plan on |
|---|---|---|
| All backrests, standard sofa-with-ottoman set | Polyester fiber | 180-200 L (6.4-7.1 cu ft) |
| Each throw pillow | Polyester fiber | 20-25 L (0.7-0.9 cu ft) |
| Seat or daybed cushion | Your old core or new high-density foam | The shop asks which |
Key facts
- High-density foam gives the structured, flat look in the photos.
- A new cover over soft filling keeps a slouchy look.
- The shop asks whether you want the cover only, bolster covers too, or new foam.
- Backrests for the standard sofa-with-ottoman set take about 180-200 L (6.4-7.1 cu ft) of polyester fiber in total.
- Each throw pillow takes about 20-25 L (0.7-0.9 cu ft).
- A little extra filling gives a plumper, fuller look.
Have it made
Have Nate’s workshop cut this for you
Send the numbers in inches: length × depth × thickness, plus any angle. The workshop checks them with you, because foam has no undo button. — Nate
Leave your details and the workshop will call you to confirm measurements, fabric, foam and piping. No prices, dates or payment on this page: it is a request, not an order.
What the new cover will look like
| Inside the new cover | The look you get |
|---|---|
| High-density foam, as in the photos | Structured, flat, crisp |
| Your existing soft or slouchy filling | Slouchy, as it looks today |
| Fiber at the planned volume plus a little extra | Plumper and fuller |
Why a cover can't fix the core
A cover is a skin with fixed dimensions. It adds no structure; it shows whatever structure is inside it. Put a new cover over a daybed cushion whose filling has gone soft and you get a new color on an old slouch. That's why a buyer asking for a slipcover gets one more question: cover only, bolster covers too, or new foam as well?
If you fill covers yourself, buy by volume, not by guess. Measure twice; the fabric remembers. The workshop's seat cushions use high-density foam wrapped in polyester batting, which is the look in the photos. Compare fills in high-density foam vs memory foam, latex and fiber and read covers only for foam you already own. Unsure how firm a new core should be, partner? Try the foam firmness finder.
A new cushion cover over soft, tired filling keeps the slouch; high-density foam is what makes the photo look flat and crisp.
Nate Kowalski
Buyer questions
- A common question
If I order only a cover for my daybed cushion, will it look as crisp as your photos?
The workshop's answerNot necessarily. The cushions in the photos use high-density foam, which is why they look structured and flat. A new cover over soft filling will likely keep that slouch, so the shop asks whether you want the cover only, bolster covers too, or new foam.
- A common question
How much filling should I buy for the backrests and throw pillows if I get covers only?
The workshop's answerFor the standard sofa-with-ottoman set, about 180 to 200 L of polyester fiber for all the backrests together and about 20 to 25 L per throw pillow. Buy a little extra for a plumper look.
- A common question
Is your seat foam wrapped, or is it a bare block?
The workshop's answerWrapped. The firm, about 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) foam gets a layer of polyester fiber batting before it goes into the cover, which softens the surface and rounds the edges.
- A common question
What's inside the tufted cushions?
The workshop's answerSilicone-ball fiber: polyester hollow-fiber clusters that feel like cotton, packed densely and often mixed with some cotton. There's no foam core.
Questions buyers ask next
Can I reuse my old foam inside a new cover?
Yes, but the cushion will look like the foam, not like the photos. A core that has gone soft keeps that shape under new fabric. If the seat dips or the edges have rounded off, new foam is the fix.
What density is the workshop's seat foam?
Bench and seat cushions use high-density, high-resilience polyurethane foam at 32 kg/m³, about 2.0 lb/ft³. It is medium-firm and keeps its shape for years of daily sitting.
Should bolster covers be ordered with a daybed seat cover?
If the bolsters are part of the look, yes. The shop asks whether you want the seat cover alone, bolster covers too, or new foam, so the daybed comes back as one matched set.
