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A Reading by HanaBench Cushions

Four textured bench cushions and a tape measure: measuring the seat right

A stack of four, each piped differently, and a tape measure lying on the bench. The tape is the point. Every one of these was cut to someone's own numbers.

The quick answer

To order a custom bench cushion, measure the bench seat itself: length along the front, depth from front to back, and the thickness you want. Give true measurements and do not subtract anything, because the workshop adds its own seam allowance. Measure each section of a built-in separately, and send a drawing for notches or angles.

Read by

The Quiet Geometer of SeattlePublished 4 min read

Four stacked textured bench cushions in charcoal, blue, taupe and cream with cream, self and caramel piping on an oak benchSave
The same textured fabric with three piping treatments, stacked beside a tape measure.
Water poured onto a charcoal brown bouclé bench cushion with cream piping forms beads on the surface, pale oak cabinet belowSave
Poured water sits in beads on the dark bouclé instead of soaking in, the test that matters on a busy hallway bench.
Caramel bouclé box cushion on an oak bench with a slatted lower shelf, open book and mug on top, Persian rug belowSave
The caramel pad sits on a two-tier oak bench whose lower shelf is left bare to show the woodwork.
Four stacked crinkle-textured bench cushions in chocolate, denim blue, ochre and cream on a slatted oak benchSave
A warm-and-cool mix of four textured cushions, without piping, stacked on an oak bench.
Navy bouclé window seat cushion with self piping on cream shaker cupboards, leather books and a mug on top, oak floorSave
Deep navy anchors a pale cream window seat, and self piping keeps the edge crisp without a second color.
Oatmeal crinkle-textured angled bay window seat cushion on cream shaker cabinets with a waffle throw, books and mugSave
An oatmeal cushion cut to an angled bay, without piping so the texture wraps the edge.
Mustard ochre bouclé cushion in a deep arched plaster window alcove, lavender and olive in stoneware jugs, terracotta floorSave
Mustard reads like late sunlight on plaster, so this alcove cushion looks warm even on a gray day.

Four cushions, three kinds of welt

Four bench cushions in a textured bouclé, stacked on a slatted oak bench in a pale hallway. Charcoal with a cream welt. Denim blue with self piping. Taupe with a caramel welt. Cream at the bottom.

Together they show what a swatch card cannot. Piping changes a cushion's character more than color does. Cream on charcoal draws a hard outline. Self piping on blue almost disappears. Caramel warms the cool taupe and ties it to the oak.

The rule follows the seat. On a hallway or mudroom bench seen side-on, contrast piping earns its place. Seen mostly from above, self piping is enough.

The jug of eucalyptus and dried wheat and the Berber rug keep the corner soft. The tape measure is the real subject, because every custom bench cushion starts with one.

What the stack shows

Four cushions, top to bottom, and one tape measure.

Pinned: Four stacked textured bench cushions in charcoal, blue, taupe and cream with cream, self and caramel piping on an oak bench
  1. Charcoal with cream welt

    Cream piping on charcoal draws a sharp outline around the cushion.

  2. Blue with self welt

    Matching piping keeps the edge neat but quiet.

  3. Taupe with caramel welt

    Caramel piping warms a cool taupe and ties it to the oak bench.

  4. Cream cushion

    The lightest color sits at the base as the neutral option.

  5. Tape measure

    A reminder that each cushion is cut to your own measurements.

  1. Charcoal with cream weltCream piping on charcoal draws a sharp outline around the cushion.
  2. Blue with self weltMatching piping keeps the edge neat but quiet.
  3. Taupe with caramel weltCaramel piping warms a cool taupe and ties it to the oak bench.
  4. Cream cushionThe lightest color sits at the base as the neutral option.
  5. Tape measureA reminder that each cushion is cut to your own measurements.

Measuring this exact bench

  1. Start at the bench itself

    Length along the front edge, depth from front to back. An old cushion is a fair guide only if it fit well. More in how to measure a bench.

  2. Write true numbers

    Inches or centimeters, halves and quarters welcome. Take nothing off for a snug fit; the workshop adds the seam allowance.

  3. Say which depth you mean

    Depth is front to back. Call the other one thickness: 4 in (10 cm) is standard, 3 in sits lower and neater.

  4. Measure every section

    Built-ins drift. One three-section bench measured 17¼, 16½ and 16⅞ in deep.

  5. Draw what is not a rectangle

    Legs, posts, notches and angled ends go on a drawing with every edge measured. The cushion follows the drawing. The bench cushion builder helps you see it first.

A real project

Three sections, measured to the eighth

A buyer with a three-section built-in bench wanted a classic tufted look: button tufting with flat sides, double piping, buttons set on the diagonal instead of in rows. The sizes were 65⅛ x 17¼ in, 33⅞ x 16½ in and 40⅜ x 16⅞ in. Three depths on one bench.

They ordered fabric samples first and chose a teal green velvet. The sizes sat just past the standard size brackets, so they asked for one quote for the set.

Tufted covers are sewn through and do not come off, so choose a fabric you can spot-clean.

Sizes
65⅛ x 17¼ in, 33⅞ x 16½ in, 40⅜ x 16⅞ in
Fabric
Teal green velvet

The lesson: Measure each section on its own; when sizes straddle size brackets, ask for a set quote.

Three questions from benches and nooks

  1. A common question

    What exactly is the non-slip base on a seat cushion?

    The workshop's answer

    The whole bottom face is made in a grip material, not strips, so the cushion stays put. You choose it in the personalization options when you order.

  2. A common question

    Can you match a paint color or a CMYK value exactly?

    The workshop's answer

    Not exactly. The workshop picks the closest chart codes (for a deep brick red and a pinkish red, two neighboring reds) and sends close-up photos to compare. You can ask for close-ups of any code.

  3. A common question

    My breakfast nook needs two rectangles and one angled corner piece. Is that three separate orders?

    The workshop's answer

    No. Add each cushion to the cart in its own size and check out once, with the codes and shapes written in personalization.

Measure a custom bench cushion from the bench itself and send true numbers. The maker adds the seam allowance, so never take an inch off yourself.

Hana
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The bench pad, noted

CushionBench pad, box edge, cut to size
FabricTextured bouclé: charcoal, denim blue, taupe, cream
PipingCream, self or caramel welt
Thickness4 in (10 cm) standard; 2, 3 or 5 in also standard
SizesCut to any size; half and quarter inches accepted
ToleranceAbout ½ in (1 to 2 cm)
BasePlain, or non-slip across the underside
Best forHallway, mudroom and entryway benches

Order this cushion

Have it made

Have this made — ask Hana’s workshop

Measure once, slowly. Write the numbers here. The workshop will go over them with you. — Hana

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.

Fabric · Foam · Pipingwhat the workshop will confirm with you

Fabric
Textured bouclé: charcoal, denim blue, taupe, cream
Foam
The core: its density and thickness set the feel.
Piping
Cream, self or caramel welt
Only for this request: no marketing calls or texts. Outside the US, add the country code.
In inches: length × depth × thickness, plus any angles or cut corners.

* Required. A member of the workshop team will call you to talk it through; nothing is charged and nothing is made until you have agreed on every detail with them.

We use these details only to answer this request and make your cushion: your name and contact details, the cushion details and photos you send, the page you came from and the ad or link that brought you, if any. The workshop that makes the cushions receives them. We don't sell them or share them for advertising, and we delete requests after 24 months. Privacy notice for requests.

Nothing is made or charged until you approve the details.

Want to pick the shape and add photos? Use the full quote form

Questions buyers ask next

Should I subtract a little so the bench cushion fits snugly?

No. Send the true measurements of the seat. The workshop adds seam and fit allowances itself and makes the cushion to the full size you give, so subtracting makes it too small.

What if my bench has legs or posts in the way?

Order it as a custom shape. Draw the seat with every edge measured, mark the notches, and add a photo of the bench. The cushion follows the drawing, not the photo.

Does piping change the size of the cushion?

No. Piping sits on the seam line, so the ordered length, depth and thickness stay the same with contrast, self piping or none. It is included at no extra charge.

— Hana