---
title: "L-Shaped Bench Cushion Measurements: The Corner Deduction"
url: "https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-bench-cushion-measurements-corner/"
section: "The Cutting Table"
author: "Nate Kowalski, The Pattern Engineer of Detroit"
author_url: "https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/"
published: "2026-06-01"
updated: "2026-06-01"
keywords: "l shaped bench cushion measurements, l shaped bench cushion corner, corner bench cushions overlap, l shaped banquette back cushions, measure l shaped bench"
---

# How do I measure an L-shaped bench so the corner cushions don't overlap?

*Two walls, one corner, and a square of seat only one cushion can own. The fix is a subtraction, and the workshop does it for you.*

Also asked as: Not sure how to enter measurements for the corner; I would not like them to overlap

> **The quick answer:** Measure each arm of the L from the back corner to its end, plus the seat depth, and the workshop shortens one cushion by that depth so the two butt together without overlapping. The other cushion runs the full length into the corner. Back cushions are shortened by the backrest thickness the same way. Send a photo or sketch with the numbers.

![Navy and ivory ticking stripe L-shaped banquette seat and back cushions with navy piping around a round oak table](https://cushionguide.com/media/l-shaped-cushions/navy-ticking-l-shaped-banquette-cushions-oak-table-1600.webp "A corner breakfast nook with L-shaped seat and back cushions in navy ticking, piped in solid navy.")

## Key facts

- An L-shaped bench is made as two separate cushions.
- One cushion runs the full length of its wall into the corner.
- The second seat cushion is shortened by the seat depth.
- Example: runs of 68.5 in and 53 in (174 and 135 cm) at 17.7 in (45 cm) deep became 53 x 17.7 in (135 x 45 cm) and 50.8 x 17.7 in (129 x 45 cm).
- The second back cushion is shortened by the backrest thickness, 2 in (5 cm) in one order.
- The workshop calculates the corner from your wall-to-wall sizes.
- L-shaped floor seating is also made of separate cushions placed side by side.

## Three real L benches, before and after the corner math

| Wall runs | Seat depth | Corner cushion | Shortened cushion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68.5 in + 53 in (174 + 135 cm) | 17.7 in (45 cm) | 53 x 17.7 in (135 x 45 cm) | 50.8 x 17.7 in (129 x 45 cm) |
| 63.8 in + 63 in (162 + 160 cm) | 15.7 in (40 cm) | 63.8 x 15.7 in (162 x 40 cm) | 47.2 x 15.7 in (120 x 40 cm) |
| 74 in + 180 in (188 + 457 cm) | 19 in (48 cm) | 74 x 19 in (188 x 48 cm) | 161 x 19 in (409 x 48 cm) |

## Measuring the L in four moves

1. **Measure each arm from the back corner**: Run the tape along each wall from the inside back corner to the end of the arm. Wall to wall, not cushion to cushion.
2. **Measure the seat depth**: Back wall to front edge. This is the number the workshop subtracts from one arm.
3. **Note the backrest thickness**: If back cushions are coming too, say how thick they are. The second back loses that much: 2 in (5 cm) in one real order.
4. **Send the raw numbers with a sketch**: A photo or pencil sketch, plus a line saying whether the numbers run end to end or corner to corner. The [L-shaped measuring Pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/l-shaped-bench-cushion-measurements/) walks the whole bench.

## Why one cushion gives way at the corner

Here is the geometry, partner. Where the two arms meet there is a square of seat, depth by depth, that both arms claim. Only one cushion can sit on it, so one runs into the corner and the other stops short by the seat depth.

Back cushions follow the same logic with a different number: the second back loses the backrest thickness. On 74 in and 180 in runs, 2 in (5 cm) backs made the long back 178 in (452 cm). Measured your backs wall to wall? Say so; in one order the workshop took 4 in (10 cm) off one back so the pair wouldn't collide.

Measure twice; the fabric remembers. The [corner joint Pattern](https://cushionguide.com/guides/l-shaped-cushion-corner-joint/) and the [L-shaped cushion hub](https://cushionguide.com/cushions/l-shaped-cushions/) show more corners. Which arm of your L is longer?

> **Tailor's margin:** On an L-shaped bench, one cushion owns the corner and the other loses the seat depth: a 180 in run at 19 in deep becomes a 161 in cushion.

> Back cushions in an L corner lose the backrest thickness, not the seat depth: a 180 in back run with 2 in thick backs becomes 178 in.
>
> — Nate

## Buyer questions

**A common question:** How do I work out cushion lengths at the corner of an L bench so they don't overlap?

**The workshop's answer:** One seat runs the full length of its wall and the other is shorter by the seat depth. For 74 in and 180 in runs at 19 in deep, the seats were 74 in and 161 in, and the 14 in high backs 74 in and 178 in. Send wall-to-wall sizes and the workshop works it out.

**A common question:** How should I measure my L-shaped bench for cushions?

**The workshop's answer:** Measure each arm from the back corner to its end, and the seat depth. For runs of 63.8 in and 63 in (1620 and 1600 mm) at 15.7 in (400 mm) deep, that meant one 15.7 x 63.8 in (40 x 162 cm) cushion and one 15.7 x 47.2 in (40 x 120 cm) cushion.

**A common question:** I measured my back cushions wall to wall in the corner. Is that a problem?

**The workshop's answer:** No, the workshop adjusts it. Where two back cushions meet in a corner, one is made 4 in (10 cm) shorter so they don't collide. Just say your numbers are wall to wall.

## Questions buyers ask next

### Which arm of the L gets the full-length cushion?

Either arm can. In one order the 53 in (135 cm) arm ran into the corner and the 68.5 in (174 cm) arm was shortened by the depth to 50.8 in (129 cm). In another, the shorter 74 in arm kept its full length.

### What happens if my corner isn't a true 90 degrees?

The workshop draws the cushion to scale and checks that it closes. If it doesn't, you're asked to re-measure or check both diagonals. A gap within 1/4 in is accepted, and nothing is cut until you confirm.

### Should I subtract the seat depth myself before ordering?

No. Send the raw wall-to-wall numbers and say that's what they are. The workshop calculates the corner deduction itself, so you avoid the same depth being taken off twice.

## Related at the atelier

- [L-Shaped Bench Cushion Corners in a Yellow Herringbone Stripe](https://cushionguide.com/readings/yellow-herringbone-stripe-corner-cushions-closeup/): On an L-shaped bench cushion, the corner decides everything: edge style, back pads and run lengths.
- [L-Shaped Bench Cushion in Orchid Pink: Mixing Plain and Pattern](https://cushionguide.com/readings/orchid-pink-l-bench-bedroom-walk-in-wardrobe/): An L-shaped bench cushion is made as two pieces: one runs into the corner at full length, the other is shortened by the seat depth.
- [L-Shaped Bench Cushions in Branch Stripe for a Garden Corner](https://cushionguide.com/readings/branch-stripe-l-shaped-garden-bench-cushions/): Build an L-shaped bench cushion as separate modules, not one L-shaped piece.
- [What measurements do you need for an L-shaped bench with back cushions?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/measure-l-shaped-bench-cushions-backrest/): For an L-shaped bench cushion, send the end-to-end length of each leg of the L, the seat depth and thickness, and a sketch or photo, and say if any part is angled and if you want backrests.
- [How do I order cushions for an L-shaped or U-shaped banquette?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-banquette-cushion-sizing/): Order an L-shaped or U-shaped banquette as separate straight cushions, one per run, and subtract the corner.
- [How much is an L-shaped or corner bench cushion?](https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-corner-bench-cushion-cost/): An L-shaped bench cushion is quoted from both side lengths and the seat depth, so send all three before asking for a price.
- [How to measure an L-shaped bench or corner banquette for cushions](https://cushionguide.com/guides/l-shaped-bench-cushion-measurements/)
- [Which piece owns the corner? Joining L-shaped bench cushions](https://cushionguide.com/guides/l-shaped-cushion-corner-joint/)

*± 1/4 in — Nate*

---

Written by Nate Kowalski (https://cushionguide.com/masters/nate/) for CushionGuide (https://cushionguide.com/about/). The site explains made-to-measure cushions and the partner workshop makes them; measurements are in inches first. This Markdown mirrors the page at https://cushionguide.com/answers/l-shaped-bench-cushion-measurements-corner/