A Reading by NateL-Shaped Corner Bench Cushions
Teal velvet L-shaped bench cushions that make a narrow reading nook feel wide
Two runs of teal, one line of ivory piping, books at the elbow. A small corner feels generous when the cushions keep it calm.
SaveThe quick answer
An L-shaped bench cushion is best made as two straight cushions that meet at the corner, measured run by run along the wall. One breakfast nook took runs of 68 in and 90 in (173 and 229 cm), 20 in (51 cm) deep, in dark olive velvet. Most buyers choose 3 or 4 in (8 or 10 cm) thick.
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.
Pinned by Nate: five measurements of calm
Five pins across the nook, from the back pad under the shelves to the rug's teal border.
- Long teal back pad
The long back pad runs under the bookcase so you can lean back and reach a book.
- Gallery-wall side
Deep solid teal gives the eye a rest beneath a busy wall of prints.
- Ivory piping
Pale piping keeps the teal edges crisp against white wall and bench.
- Oak bookcase
Books within arm's reach are what make a bench a reading nook.
- Medallion rug
The rug's faded pattern picks up the teal in its border.
- Long teal back padThe long back pad runs under the bookcase so you can lean back and reach a book.
- Gallery-wall sideDeep solid teal gives the eye a rest beneath a busy wall of prints.
- Ivory pipingPale piping keeps the teal edges crisp against white wall and bench.
- Oak bookcaseBooks within arm's reach are what make a bench a reading nook.
- Medallion rugThe rug's faded pattern picks up the teal in its border.
How a narrow corner borrows space
A reading nook is a small-space problem with three variables: seat depth, leaning room and reach. This one solves all three inside an L.
The long teal back pad runs under the oak bookcase, so you can lean back and still pull a book without standing. The shelf becomes the armrest nobody had to build. On the other run, botanical and butterfly prints climb the gallery wall, which is why the cushions are one solid, deep teal. Pattern above, solid below. The eye gets a place to rest, and a resting eye reads a room as larger.
Ivory piping traces every edge. Against a white wall and a white bench it keeps the teal outline crisp, so the two runs don't blur into one soft mass. In a tight corner, a clean edge tells you exactly where the seat ends.
A small oak side table holds the current stack; the leafy plant in a woven basket and the faded medallion rug repeat the teal at lower volume. Velvet gives the seat a soft sheen in daylight, right for a spot where you stay the afternoon.
Angles are just lengths in disguise, partner. An L-shaped bench cushion is two straight runs and one decision about the corner, and the corner joint Pattern settles who owns it. How long are your two runs?
The nook in cross-section, floor to shoulder
- Rug: faded medallion, teal in the border.
- Bench: white L-shaped storage base, floor kept clear.
- Seat: two straight teal velvet cushions, 3 or 4 in (8 or 10 cm) thick.
- Edge: ivory contrast piping on every seam.
- Back: long teal pads, one running under the bookcase.
A dark olive nook in two straight pieces
A buyer in the US needed dark olive velvet for a breakfast nook with two runs, 68 in and 90 in (173 and 229 cm), each 20 in (51 cm) deep, made as two cushions. From her photo, the workshop suggested velvet 924, with 123 and 125 as alternatives.
On thickness, it told her the product photos show 4 in (10 cm) cushions and that most people choose 3 or 4 in.
Two runs, one depth, one thickness. That's a complete L.
- Sizes
- 68 in and 90 in runs, 20 in deep
- Fabric
- Velvet 924, dark olive
The lesson: Make nook corners as two straight cushions and confirm color from a photo.
Buyer questions: short cushions, odd sizes, hinged lids
- A common question
My cushion arrived shorter than I ordered. Will you replace it?
The workshop's answerSend the workshop a photo with a tape measure along the full length. In one case, 54 in (137 cm) arrived instead of 57 in (145 cm), and it was remade at the ordered size, with a new piping color offered.
- A common question
I need a size just bigger than a listed option. Does that cost more?
The workshop's answerOften not, if you write the size in the order note: 18 x 42 in (46 x 107 cm) was made at the 18 x 40 price, and 28 x 50 in (71 x 127 cm) through the 28 x 48 option. Larger increases in length carry a surcharge.
- A common question
Can you add ties on one side so the cushion stays on a hinged lid, like a quilt box?
The workshop's answerYes, on the hinge side, usually for a small extra charge. Note 'ties on the hinge side' with your size, give each hinge's position from a named end, and send a photo showing hinge widths so the ties line up.
On the cutting table: the teal L
| Cushion | L-shaped set: two straight seat cushions plus long back pads |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Solid teal velvet |
| Piping | Ivory contrast piping |
| Edge | Box edge |
| Thickness | 3 or 4 in (8 or 10 cm) |
| Measure | Each run along the wall, then seat depth |
| Base | White L-shaped storage bench |
| Best for | Nooks boxed in by shelves and framed art |
Have it made
Have this made — ask Nate’s workshop
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.
If a reading nook sits under a busy gallery wall, make the L-shaped bench cushions one solid, deep color so the eye has somewhere to rest.
Nate
Questions buyers ask next
Why ivory piping on teal velvet?
Against a white wall and bench, pale piping keeps the teal edges crisp, so the two runs of the L never blur into one soft shape.
How thick should L-shaped nook cushions be?
Most buyers choose 3 or 4 in (8 or 10 cm), and the product photos show 4 in. In a small nook under shelves, the thinner option leaves more room above the seat.
Can a velvet color be picked from a photo of my room?
As a starting point, yes. For a dark olive nook, the workshop suggested velvet 924 from the buyer's photo, with 123 and 125 as alternatives. Confirm with a swatch in your own light.
± 1/4 in — Nate
More photographs to read
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