TL;DR: The right outdoor chaise cushion fabric depends on where your chair lives, how much sun and rain it gets, and how much maintenance you're willing to do. Fully exposed patio or poolside: go waterproof and UV-resistant. Covered porch or sunroom: you have more options. This guide helps you match your situation to the right fabric, understand why outdoor colors are limited to ~23 options, and decide whether to order samples before committing.
Richard from Florida came to us with a simple question: "What type of cushion material do you have for outdoor cushions? Looking for fabric choices."
It's a question that sounds easy to answer. But behind it are a dozen variables that actually determine whether a fabric will look great after one season or five. Sun exposure. Rain. Whether the chair is by the pool or under a pergola. Whether you care more about color options or zero-maintenance durability.
This guide walks through all of it. By the end, you'll know exactly which fabric category fits your situation, what colors are available, and how to confirm your choice before you order.
What Actually Makes an Outdoor Fabric "Outdoor"?
What's the difference between indoor and outdoor cushion fabric?
Outdoor cushion fabric is treated for water resistance, UV stability, and mold prevention. The key difference from indoor fabric is solution-dyeing: color pigments are locked into each fiber during manufacturing, not applied to the surface afterward. This means the color can't fade or wash out, even after years of direct sun exposure.
Indoor fabrics feel softer and come in 90+ colors. They're designed for comfort and aesthetics, not weather. Put them outside and the sun bleaches the surface dye within a season. Moisture gets trapped in the fibers and mold follows.
Outdoor fabrics work differently. According to Sailrite's guide to solution-dyed acrylic, the color runs all the way through each fiber, not just on the surface. Think of it like a carrot versus a cucumber: cut a carrot and the color goes all the way through. Cut a cucumber and the color is only on the skin. Outdoor fabric is the carrot. That's what makes it resistant to fading, bleaching, and the kind of color loss that makes a cushion look washed-out after a summer.
The tradeoff: this dyeing process limits how many colors are achievable. At uscushion.com, outdoor waterproof fabrics come in approximately 23 colors. Indoor fabrics offer 90+. That gap is real, and it's worth knowing before you start browsing.
Three Questions That Point You to the Right Fabric
You don't need to memorize fabric specs. You just need to answer three questions honestly.
Question 1: Where does your chaise lounge actually live?
- Fully exposed outdoors (open patio, poolside, deck with no roof): you need outdoor waterproof fabric, no exceptions. Rain hits it directly, sun beats down all day, and anything less will deteriorate within a season or two.
- Covered outdoor space (pergola, porch with a roof, covered lanai): outdoor fabric is still the safer choice, but a high-quality indoor/outdoor fabric can also work here if you prefer more color options.
- Indoor sunroom or enclosed porch: indoor fabric is fine. UV exposure through glass is much lower, and there's no rain risk.
Question 2: How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Outdoor fabrics are nearly maintenance-free. Wipe them down with mild soap and water, let them air dry. Solution-dyed acrylic is designed to be cleaned with just soap and water, and its colors won't bleed or fade in the process. You can even use a diluted bleach solution on stubborn stains without damaging the color.
Indoor fabrics require more care outdoors. They need to be brought inside when it rains, dried thoroughly to prevent mold, and stored away in winter. If you're not willing to do that, outdoor fabric is the practical choice regardless of color preference.
Question 3: How important are color options to you?
If you need to match a very specific color, or if you want rich textures like velvet or linen weave, indoor fabric gives you far more to work with. If you're happy with a classic outdoor palette of blues, grays, greens, and neutrals, outdoor fabric covers everything you need.
What Colors Are Available in Outdoor Fabric?
How many outdoor fabric colors does uscushion.com offer?
Outdoor waterproof fabrics at uscushion.com come in approximately 23 colors. These cover the most popular outdoor palette: navy blue, peacock blue, taupe gray, white, forest green, terracotta, and more. If you're not sure what's available in your preferred shade, contact us and we'll send you a color card.
When Richard asked about outdoor fabric choices, the most helpful thing we could do was send him the actual color options rather than describe them in text. Colors look different on every screen. A "navy blue" on your phone might read as royal blue in person. A "taupe gray" might lean more beige than you expected.
The customers who end up happiest with their fabric choice are the ones who see it in person before ordering. That's what the sample service is for.
The most requested outdoor colors from our customers, based on real orders:
- Navy blue: a classic for poolside and coastal spaces
- Peacock blue: slightly brighter and more teal-leaning than navy (Marcia from NC asked for navy first, then settled on peacock blue as her backup)
- Taupe gray: a warm neutral that works with wicker, teak, and aluminum frames
- White (ARY001): pure white, fully waterproof, popular for modern minimalist patios
- Forest green and olive tones: earthy colors that blend into garden settings
If you're looking for a color that's not on the standard card, contact us. We occasionally have additional options, and we'd rather tell you what we have than let you guess.
Does Outdoor Fabric Feel Stiff or Uncomfortable?
This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear. People assume outdoor fabric feels like a tarp: stiff, crinkly, uncomfortable for lying on for more than a few minutes.
It doesn't. Quality solution-dyed acrylic fabric is soft enough to lie on for hours. Sailrite's guide to acrylic fabrics notes that despite its toughness, high-grade acrylic has a surprisingly soft texture. It's also breathable, which matters for poolside lounging where you want air circulation rather than heat buildup against your skin.
The surface feels similar to a smooth canvas: substantial, structured, but not rough. It won't snag skin, won't make noise when you shift position, and stays comfortable even in direct sun because it doesn't trap heat the way vinyl-coated fabrics do.
Compared to indoor fabric, yes, outdoor is firmer. Indoor upholstery fabrics like FM-002 have a warmer, softer hand feel that's better suited to a reading nook or living room chaise. But for outdoor use, the comfort difference is minimal, and the durability difference is enormous.
If comfort is your absolute top priority and your chaise is in a covered space, see our indoor chaise lounge cushion fabric guide for a comparison of soft indoor options.
Not Sure? Order Samples Before You Commit
Can I see outdoor fabric samples before ordering a custom cushion?
Yes. Request fabric samples through our contact page. We ship a selection of outdoor swatches for a flat $20 fee, and they arrive in 7-10 business days. You can hold them against your furniture, check them in outdoor light, and compare colors side by side before placing your cushion order.
Screen colors are unreliable. What looks like a perfect match on a laptop monitor can look completely different against your patio furniture in afternoon light. The sample service exists to close that gap.
For a full walkthrough of how to use the sample service to choose your fabric, see our guide to ordering fabric samples before you buy.
Ready to Choose Your Fabric?
Three things to take away from this guide:
- Match the fabric to the exposure. Fully outdoors with sun and rain: outdoor waterproof fabric only. Covered or indoor: more flexibility.
- Outdoor fabric means ~23 colors, not 90+. That's the tradeoff for weather resistance. The color range covers the most popular outdoor palette, and a sample order lets you see exactly what you're getting.
- When in doubt, order samples first. Twenty dollars and ten days is a small investment before committing to a custom cushion order.
Ready to browse outdoor fabric options? Start your custom chaise cushion here. Want to see colors in person first? Request a sample pack and we'll ship swatches to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outdoor fabric colors are available at uscushion.com?
Outdoor waterproof fabrics come in approximately 23 colors. These cover the most common outdoor palette including navy, peacock blue, taupe gray, white, and various greens and neutrals. If you're looking for a specific shade, contact us and we'll let you know what's closest or send you a color card.
What color is fabric ARY001?
ARY001 is pure white, fully waterproof, and designed for outdoor use. It's one of the most popular outdoor fabric choices for modern patios and poolside setups. If you're looking for a crisp, clean white that holds its color in direct sun, ARY001 is the option.
Can I use outdoor fabric for an indoor chaise lounge?
Yes. Outdoor fabric works perfectly well indoors. It's durable, easy to clean, and will outlast most indoor fabrics in high-use settings. The only tradeoff is a slightly firmer hand feel compared to dedicated indoor upholstery fabrics. If maximum softness matters, an indoor fabric is the better choice for a fully protected space.
What happens if I use indoor fabric on an outdoor chaise?
Indoor fabrics are not waterproof or UV-treated. Direct sun will bleach the surface dye within one to two seasons. Moisture exposure leads to mold and mildew growth inside the fabric. For any chaise that sits outdoors and is exposed to rain or prolonged sun, indoor fabric is not recommended.
How do I clean outdoor chaise lounge cushion fabric?
For routine cleaning, wipe the fabric with a soft cloth or sponge using mild soap and cool water, then rinse and air dry. For tougher stains, a diluted solution of mild bleach and water can be used on solution-dyed outdoor fabrics without damaging the color. Avoid machine washing or high heat drying, which can break down the waterproof treatment over time.
TL;DR: The right outdoor chaise cushion fabric depends on where your chair lives, how much sun and rain it gets, and how much maintenance you're willing to do. Fully exposed patio or poolside: go waterproof and UV-resistant. Covered porch or sunroom: you have more options. This guide helps you match your situation to the right fabric, understand why outdoor colors are limited to ~23 options, and decide whether to order samples before committing.
Richard from Florida came to us with a simple question: "What type of cushion material do you have for outdoor cushions? Looking for fabric choices."
It's a question that sounds easy to answer. But behind it are a dozen variables that actually determine whether a fabric will look great after one season or five. Sun exposure. Rain. Whether the chair is by the pool or under a pergola. Whether you care more about color options or zero-maintenance durability.
This guide walks through all of it. By the end, you'll know exactly which fabric category fits your situation, what colors are available, and how to confirm your choice before you order.
What Actually Makes an Outdoor Fabric "Outdoor"?
What's the difference between indoor and outdoor cushion fabric?
Outdoor cushion fabric is treated for water resistance, UV stability, and mold prevention. The key difference from indoor fabric is solution-dyeing: color pigments are locked into each fiber during manufacturing, not applied to the surface afterward. This means the color can't fade or wash out, even after years of direct sun exposure.
Indoor fabrics feel softer and come in 90+ colors. They're designed for comfort and aesthetics, not weather. Put them outside and the sun bleaches the surface dye within a season. Moisture gets trapped in the fibers and mold follows.
Outdoor fabrics work differently. According to Sailrite's guide to solution-dyed acrylic, the color runs all the way through each fiber, not just on the surface. Think of it like a carrot versus a cucumber: cut a carrot and the color goes all the way through. Cut a cucumber and the color is only on the skin. Outdoor fabric is the carrot. That's what makes it resistant to fading, bleaching, and the kind of color loss that makes a cushion look washed-out after a summer.
The tradeoff: this dyeing process limits how many colors are achievable. At uscushion.com, outdoor waterproof fabrics come in approximately 23 colors. Indoor fabrics offer 90+. That gap is real, and it's worth knowing before you start browsing.
Three Questions That Point You to the Right Fabric
You don't need to memorize fabric specs. You just need to answer three questions honestly.
Question 1: Where does your chaise lounge actually live?
- Fully exposed outdoors (open patio, poolside, deck with no roof): you need outdoor waterproof fabric, no exceptions. Rain hits it directly, sun beats down all day, and anything less will deteriorate within a season or two.
- Covered outdoor space (pergola, porch with a roof, covered lanai): outdoor fabric is still the safer choice, but a high-quality indoor/outdoor fabric can also work here if you prefer more color options.
- Indoor sunroom or enclosed porch: indoor fabric is fine. UV exposure through glass is much lower, and there's no rain risk.
Question 2: How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Outdoor fabrics are nearly maintenance-free. Wipe them down with mild soap and water, let them air dry. Solution-dyed acrylic is designed to be cleaned with just soap and water, and its colors won't bleed or fade in the process. You can even use a diluted bleach solution on stubborn stains without damaging the color.
Indoor fabrics require more care outdoors. They need to be brought inside when it rains, dried thoroughly to prevent mold, and stored away in winter. If you're not willing to do that, outdoor fabric is the practical choice regardless of color preference.
Question 3: How important are color options to you?
If you need to match a very specific color, or if you want rich textures like velvet or linen weave, indoor fabric gives you far more to work with. If you're happy with a classic outdoor palette of blues, grays, greens, and neutrals, outdoor fabric covers everything you need.
What Colors Are Available in Outdoor Fabric?
How many outdoor fabric colors does uscushion.com offer?
Outdoor waterproof fabrics at uscushion.com come in approximately 23 colors. These cover the most popular outdoor palette: navy blue, peacock blue, taupe gray, white, forest green, terracotta, and more. If you're not sure what's available in your preferred shade, contact us and we'll send you a color card.
When Richard asked about outdoor fabric choices, the most helpful thing we could do was send him the actual color options rather than describe them in text. Colors look different on every screen. A "navy blue" on your phone might read as royal blue in person. A "taupe gray" might lean more beige than you expected.
The customers who end up happiest with their fabric choice are the ones who see it in person before ordering. That's what the sample service is for.
The most requested outdoor colors from our customers, based on real orders:
- Navy blue: a classic for poolside and coastal spaces
- Peacock blue: slightly brighter and more teal-leaning than navy (Marcia from NC asked for navy first, then settled on peacock blue as her backup)
- Taupe gray: a warm neutral that works with wicker, teak, and aluminum frames
- White (ARY001): pure white, fully waterproof, popular for modern minimalist patios
- Forest green and olive tones: earthy colors that blend into garden settings
If you're looking for a color that's not on the standard card, contact us. We occasionally have additional options, and we'd rather tell you what we have than let you guess.
Does Outdoor Fabric Feel Stiff or Uncomfortable?
This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear. People assume outdoor fabric feels like a tarp: stiff, crinkly, uncomfortable for lying on for more than a few minutes.
It doesn't. Quality solution-dyed acrylic fabric is soft enough to lie on for hours. Sailrite's guide to acrylic fabrics notes that despite its toughness, high-grade acrylic has a surprisingly soft texture. It's also breathable, which matters for poolside lounging where you want air circulation rather than heat buildup against your skin.
The surface feels similar to a smooth canvas: substantial, structured, but not rough. It won't snag skin, won't make noise when you shift position, and stays comfortable even in direct sun because it doesn't trap heat the way vinyl-coated fabrics do.
Compared to indoor fabric, yes, outdoor is firmer. Indoor upholstery fabrics like FM-002 have a warmer, softer hand feel that's better suited to a reading nook or living room chaise. But for outdoor use, the comfort difference is minimal, and the durability difference is enormous.
If comfort is your absolute top priority and your chaise is in a covered space, see our indoor chaise lounge cushion fabric guide for a comparison of soft indoor options.
Not Sure? Order Samples Before You Commit
Can I see outdoor fabric samples before ordering a custom cushion?
Yes. Request fabric samples through our contact page. We ship a selection of outdoor swatches for a flat $20 fee, and they arrive in 7-10 business days. You can hold them against your furniture, check them in outdoor light, and compare colors side by side before placing your cushion order.
Screen colors are unreliable. What looks like a perfect match on a laptop monitor can look completely different against your patio furniture in afternoon light. The sample service exists to close that gap.
For a full walkthrough of how to use the sample service to choose your fabric, see our guide to ordering fabric samples before you buy.
Ready to Choose Your Fabric?
Three things to take away from this guide:
- Match the fabric to the exposure. Fully outdoors with sun and rain: outdoor waterproof fabric only. Covered or indoor: more flexibility.
- Outdoor fabric means ~23 colors, not 90+. That's the tradeoff for weather resistance. The color range covers the most popular outdoor palette, and a sample order lets you see exactly what you're getting.
- When in doubt, order samples first. Twenty dollars and ten days is a small investment before committing to a custom cushion order.
Ready to browse outdoor fabric options? Start your custom chaise cushion here. Want to see colors in person first? Request a sample pack and we'll ship swatches to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many outdoor fabric colors are available at uscushion.com?
Outdoor waterproof fabrics come in approximately 23 colors. These cover the most common outdoor palette including navy, peacock blue, taupe gray, white, and various greens and neutrals. If you're looking for a specific shade, contact us and we'll let you know what's closest or send you a color card.
What color is fabric ARY001?
ARY001 is pure white, fully waterproof, and designed for outdoor use. It's one of the most popular outdoor fabric choices for modern patios and poolside setups. If you're looking for a crisp, clean white that holds its color in direct sun, ARY001 is the option.
Can I use outdoor fabric for an indoor chaise lounge?
Yes. Outdoor fabric works perfectly well indoors. It's durable, easy to clean, and will outlast most indoor fabrics in high-use settings. The only tradeoff is a slightly firmer hand feel compared to dedicated indoor upholstery fabrics. If maximum softness matters, an indoor fabric is the better choice for a fully protected space.
What happens if I use indoor fabric on an outdoor chaise?
Indoor fabrics are not waterproof or UV-treated. Direct sun will bleach the surface dye within one to two seasons. Moisture exposure leads to mold and mildew growth inside the fabric. For any chaise that sits outdoors and is exposed to rain or prolonged sun, indoor fabric is not recommended.
How do I clean outdoor chaise lounge cushion fabric?
For routine cleaning, wipe the fabric with a soft cloth or sponge using mild soap and cool water, then rinse and air dry. For tougher stains, a diluted solution of mild bleach and water can be used on solution-dyed outdoor fabrics without damaging the color. Avoid machine washing or high heat drying, which can break down the waterproof treatment over time.
