A Reading by NateBench Cushions
A dusty pink corduroy entryway bench cushion, and how it stays put
An entry bench cushion gets sat on hard, sideways and in a hurry. Partner, here is this one taken apart by its fastenings: ties, base and zipper, with the numbers.
SaveThe quick answer
An entryway bench cushion stays put with one of two fastenings: fabric ties knotted to the frame, or a non-slip base on a smooth, solid top. Tie positions, such as 2 in from each end, should be confirmed against a photo of the bench. The zipper runs around two corners, so the foam slides out and the cover machine washes.
The cushion, cut open
Cover fabric. A removable, zippered cover. Machine wash at 86°F (30°C) on a gentle cycle and air dry.
Piping. A fabric-covered cord sewn into the seams. It sits on the seam line, so it does not change the size.
Fiber wrap. Polyester fiber (Dacron) batting around the foam: it fills the cover out and softens the edges.
Foam core. About 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) high-resilience foam, firm to medium-firm, cut to the ordered size.
Zipper. Along the back band, as hidden as possible. The zipper side faces down or toward the wall.
Base panel. The underside of the cover. A non-slip fabric backing can cover the whole of it instead.
A dusty pink corduroy entryway bench, part by part
Start with what surrounds the bench: cream walls, a patterned runner, coats on hooks overhead, brown leather shoes tucked underneath. This is a bench for putting shoes on, and the cushion is built for it: thick wide-wale corduroy in dusty pink, self piped, box edge, cut flush to the oak frame so the bench looks upholstered rather than dressed.
Behind it, a cane folding screen repeats the corduroy's ribs in woven texture. A brass dome lamp makes the pink glow in a dim hall, and a black vase of bare twigs adds the one dark accent. The pink warms the cream walls and picks up the faded red in the runner.
Now the parts you can't see. On a smooth top like this one, a non-slip base is the usual answer; where a bench has rails or legs, ties do the job. Tolerance is kindness to your future self: send a photo, and the ties land where the frame is. What is under your entry bench seat, slats or a solid top?
From the cushion outward
Five parts of this hallway corner, from the cushion outward.
- Wide-wale seat cushion
Cut flush to the oak frame so the bench looks upholstered.
- Brass dome lamp
Warm lamplight makes the pink glow in a dim hallway.
- Vase of twigs
A black vase adds one dark accent and height beside the bench.
- Cane screen
Woven cane brings texture that matches the ribbed corduroy.
- Coats on hooks
Coats overhead confirm the bench is for putting shoes on.
- Wide-wale seat cushionCut flush to the oak frame so the bench looks upholstered.
- Brass dome lampWarm lamplight makes the pink glow in a dim hallway.
- Vase of twigsA black vase adds one dark accent and height beside the bench.
- Cane screenWoven cane brings texture that matches the ribbed corduroy.
- Coats on hooksCoats overhead confirm the bench is for putting shoes on.
Fastenings, part by part
| Part | Where it goes | Best on |
|---|---|---|
| Ties | Four per cushion, set 2 in (5 cm) from the ends in one real order | Benches with rails, slats or legs to knot around |
| Non-slip base | Across the underside; the cushion becomes one-sided | Smooth, solid tops |
| Zipper | Around two corners of the back | Getting firm foam out for washing |
| Wedge back | Thick at the bottom, leaning on the wall | Backrests that stay up without Velcro |
Two benches, eight ties, one photo
A buyer in the US ordered two 62 × 14 in (157 × 36 cm) brown corduroy bench cushions, each with 4 ties set 2 in (5 cm) from the ends. Before cutting a single tie, the workshop asked for a photo and a sketch of the bench to confirm where the ties would meet the frame.
When the covers were sewn, it sent a photo for approval, and the high-density foam went in the next day, before shipping. Two checkpoints, both before anything was final.
Fastening questions
- A common question
Can you make one L-shaped cushion for my corner kitchen bench?
The workshop's answerAn L is usually made as two or more cushions that meet at the corner; that fits more cleanly and ships far more safely. A common layout is a square corner cushion with a long cushion on each arm, such as 20.75 × 20.75 in with 20.75 × 65 in arms. A small L can be considered as one piece, drawn up as a lettered template you confirm.
- A common question
Does the cover have a zipper so I can wash it?
The workshop's answerYes. The zipper runs around two corners, so the foam insert slides out easily and the cover can go in the washing machine.
- A common question
Should the backrest be pillow-filled or foam, and will it stay up?
The workshop's answerBoth are made, and the workshop sends photos of each. The pillow version is separate soft pillows, three along an 84 in bench. The foam version comes in 1, 2 or 3 pieces, wedge-shaped so it stays in place without Velcro. Either way, backrests lean against a wall.
Set cushion ties from the frame, not by habit: one pair of 62 × 14 in bench cushions had 4 ties each, 2 in from the ends, confirmed by photo.
Nate
Parts list: the dusty pink corduroy bench cushion
| Cushion | Entryway bench cushion, box edge, cut flush to the frame |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Wide-wale corduroy, dusty pink |
| Piping | Self piping |
| Foam | High-density foam, fitted after the cover is approved |
| Zipper | Around two corners of the back band |
| Ties | Optional; positions confirmed from a bench photo |
| Non-slip base | For smooth tops; makes the cushion one-sided |
| Best for | Entryways, mudrooms and hall benches |
Have it made
Have this made — ask Nate’s workshop
Every edge and both diagonals, to the nearest 1/4 in. If the numbers do not close, the workshop will say so on the call. — 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.
Questions buyers ask next
Ties or a non-slip base for an entry bench?
Ties if the bench has rails, slats or legs to knot around; a non-slip base if the top is solid and smooth. Send a photo of the frame with your order so the workshop can confirm which fits.
Which way up does a cushion with a non-slip base go?
Base down, always. The grippy fabric makes the cushion one-sided, so an odd shape must be drawn as seen from above, or it may arrive mirror-imaged.
Is corduroy a sensible fabric for a hallway bench?
It adds texture where hallway light is often low, and a ribbed mid tone like dusty pink is forgiving of everyday use. The cover unzips and machine washes, which matters by a door.
± 1/4 in — Nate
More photographs to read
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
