TL;DR: Ordering custom glider cushions is straightforward once you know what to figure out first. This checklist covers the seven questions that trip people up most: how many pieces you need, what dimensions to measure, which fabric to choose, how thick to go, how to keep cushions from sliding, what's actually included in the order, and whether to see the fabric in person first. Answer all seven and you're ready to order with confidence.
We hear from a lot of customers who've been circling the decision for a while. They want new cushions for their glider, they've found uscushion.com, and they're almost ready. Then they stop.
Is the seat and back separate or attached? Does it come with the foam? Can I get Velcro instead of ties? What if I pick the wrong color?
One customer from Pennsylvania wrote in before her order with four different questions, one after another over a couple of days. Each time she got an answer, a new question surfaced. She eventually ordered, the cushions were exactly what she needed, and she was thrilled. But she spent almost a week in back-and-forth that she didn't have to.
This checklist is for the next version of her. Answer these seven questions before you order and you won't need to wait on anyone.
Question 1: How Many Pieces Do You Need?
Most gliders need two cushions: one for the seat and one for the back. But it's worth thinking through your specific setup before you order.
A standard glider with a seat and a backrest needs two independent pieces. Some antique or vintage gliders also have armrests that benefit from cushioning, which brings the count to three or four. Other setups are seat-only, particularly older gliders where the back is a slatted or contoured design that's already comfortable to lean against.
The key thing to know: at uscushion.com, every cushion is made as a separate, independent piece. The seat and back are never sewn together or attached to each other unless you specifically ask for that. You order each piece with its own dimensions, they're made to match, and they arrive as two (or more) distinct cushions. This makes cleaning easier, replacement simpler, and the fit better for a glider's rocking motion.
If you're not sure whether you need two pieces or three, look at your glider's armrests. If they're padded already or narrow enough that you don't lean on them, two pieces is usually right. If they're wide wooden planks that you rest your arms on for long stretches, a third piece might be worth considering.
Question 2: What Are Your Exact Dimensions?
This is the step that matters most and trips people up most often.
You need four measurements: seat width (inside edge to inside edge between the armrests), seat depth (from the front edge of the seat to where the back panel starts), seat thickness (how thick you want the cushion to be), and back height (from the base of the backrest to the top, measured at the tallest point if the back is curved).
One rule worth repeating: measure the chair frame, not your old cushion. An old cushion has compressed and warped over years of use. The frame is the honest measurement.
Not sure where to measure exactly, or worried you'll get it wrong? Our step-by-step measuring guide walks through each dimension with diagrams. Or send us a photo of your glider and we'll draw a sketch showing exactly where to measure. We do this regularly for customers with antique or non-standard gliders, and it takes the guesswork out completely.
Question 3: Will the Cushion Be Used Outdoors or Indoors?
This one question determines which fabric range you're shopping from, so it's worth getting clear on before you browse colors.
If your glider lives outside, on a porch, patio, or anywhere exposed to sun or rain, you need outdoor fabric. It's waterproof, UV-resistant, and mold-resistant. If it lives indoors in a living room or enclosed sunroom, indoor fabric gives you access to 90-plus colors and a softer, more varied range of textures.
When in doubt, choose outdoor fabric. It works perfectly well inside and you lose nothing by going that direction. The reverse isn't true: indoor fabric outdoors fades and deteriorates fast.
For a deeper comparison of what makes each fabric different and how to choose between them, our outdoor vs. indoor fabric guide covers it all.
Question 4: What Thickness Do You Need?
Thickness affects both comfort and how the cushion fits within your glider's frame, so it's worth giving this a moment of thought rather than just picking whatever sounds right.
3 inches is the standard choice for most gliders. It's comfortable for everyday sitting, gives the seat real presence without feeling oversized, and fits neatly into most glider frames. If you're replacing existing cushions, 3 inches is likely what you had.
4 inches gives you noticeably more cushioning underfoot. It's a popular upgrade for people who use their glider daily, sit for long stretches, or just want more of that sofa-like feel. One customer described it as "the difference between a comfortable seat and one you don't want to get up from."
6 inches is the deep-lounge option. It's the choice for a glider that you want to feel like outdoor furniture, thick and plush. Keep in mind that 6 inches adds meaningful height to the seat, which can affect how your feet rest on the ground, especially for shorter users.
For the back cushion, 3 or 4 inches is almost always right. A 6-inch back cushion can feel a bit bulky and pushes you further forward in the seat, which most people find uncomfortable.
Question 5: How Do You Want to Secure the Cushion?
Gliders rock back and forth. That motion will shift a cushion that isn't secured, and over an afternoon of use you'll find yourself pushing it back into place repeatedly. Figuring out your preferred attachment method before you order saves you from having to add it after the fact.
There are three options:
Fabric tie straps are the most common choice. Straps sewn into the cushion tie around the glider's frame or through gaps in the seat slats. They hold well, they're easy to untie when you want to remove the cushion for cleaning, and they're the method most gliders are designed to accommodate. This is usually the right default.
Velcro (hook-and-loop fasteners) give you a cleaner look since there are no visible straps, and they make removing and replacing cushions very fast. They work best on gliders where the cushion sits on a flat, smooth surface. One customer specifically asked for Velcro with an anti-slip backing for her antique glider, and it turned out to be exactly the right combination for her setup.
Non-slip backing is a material applied to the underside of the cushion that grips the seat surface without any straps or fasteners. It works well on gliders where the seat is too narrow or irregularly shaped for ties, and for customers who don't want any visible hardware. It's less secure than ties or Velcro on a glider with a strong rocking motion, but for gentler movement it does the job.
For most gliders, ties or Velcro are the better call. If you're still working through this decision, our guide on how to keep swing and glider cushions from sliding goes deeper on each option.
Question 6: Does the Order Include Foam, or Just the Cover?
Every cushion from uscushion.com includes both the foam insert and the removable zippered cover. You're ordering a complete, ready-to-use cushion, not a slipcover.
The foam is high-resilience, which means it bounces back to its original shape after use rather than packing down and staying flat the way cheaper foam does. The cover zips off for cleaning. You get the full cushion, everything included, in the dimensions and fabric you choose.
This question comes up often enough that it's worth stating plainly. A few customers have arrived expecting to need to source foam separately, or assuming the cover was the only thing being made. It isn't. You order, it arrives, you put it on the glider. That's it.
Question 7: Do You Want to See the Fabric Before You Commit?
If you're deciding between two colors and both look plausible on screen, the answer to this question is yes.
Screen colors are unreliable. The same outdoor fabric can look quite different on a laptop, a phone, and in person, and the actual material has a slight sheen that no photograph fully captures. Ordering swatches first is the single step that eliminates the most post-order regret.
Request fabric swatches from our fabric gallery before you order. Tell us which outdoor (or indoor) colors you're considering and we'll send actual fabric samples to your door for a small shipping fee. Hold them up against your glider frame, your porch railing, your existing decor. The right choice usually becomes obvious within about thirty seconds of having the real thing in your hand.
If you already know your color and you're confident in it, skip this step and go straight to ordering. But if there's any uncertainty at all, swatches first.
Once you can answer all seven of those questions, you have everything you need. Head to our custom swing and glider cushion collection to get started, or reach out if something came up in the checklist that you'd like to talk through before placing your order.
Because at the end of the day, it's not just about getting the order right. It's about finally sitting down on a glider that feels the way you always pictured it would.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a custom glider cushion from uscushion.com? Every cushion includes a high-resilience foam insert and a removable zippered cover made in the fabric and dimensions you choose. You receive a complete, ready-to-use cushion. There is nothing extra to source or assemble. Seat and back cushions are always made as separate, independent pieces unless you specifically request otherwise.
How long does it take to make and receive custom glider cushions? Production and shipping typically takes 2 to 4 weeks from the time your order is confirmed. If you have a specific date in mind, such as a summer gathering or a gift deadline, ordering a few weeks ahead gives you comfortable buffer. If timing is tight, reach out before ordering and we'll give you a current lead time estimate.
Can I change my order after placing it? Reach out as soon as possible after ordering. If production hasn't started yet, we can usually adjust dimensions, fabric choice, or attachment options. Once cutting has begun, changes become difficult or impossible depending on where we are in the process. The best way to avoid needing changes is to work through this checklist carefully before ordering, and to request fabric swatches if you're unsure about color.
