18 Types Of Cushions Styles And Materials You Need To Know

Sofa pillows have a fascinating history dating back to Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. It was a symbol of royalty and high status. Romans are well-known for using them in their marbled benches, whether they are installed at home or in the Colosseum. It was also popular in 14th-century England, using these in the coronation ceremonies of kings and queens.  

Since foams were integrated into our lives, they seem simple and unimportant. That is unless you take it out of the equation, resulting in, let’s face it, less comfort and less convenience. Below you’ll discover the types of cushions in our guide, exploring the kinds of padding, cushion styles, fill materials for sofas, and important details to have the best seating experience.

Quicklist: Different Types of Cushion Materials

• Polyurethane Padding Material
• Polyester Fiberfill
• Closed Cell Filler
• Fabric Backed Sew Foam
• Dry Fast Open Cell Foam
• High Resilience Padding Material
• Lux Foam
• Industrial Grade High-Density Foam

Foam Cushions

From prominence and royalty to comfort, cushion-type pillows have come a long way to become part of today’s every day. They come in all sizes and are made from different materials. They even have different cushion fillings; foam is one of the most popular. 

“Inner cushion materials are used in tandem to provide the four characteristics of high-quality cushions: support or firmness, compressibility, resilience, and loft.” – Karla J. Nielson, Interior Textiles, Fabrics, Application, and Historic Style

Foam is among the most popular primarily because they are the most in-demand in the market. You can sink into them and enjoy the day indoors. 

But if you plan to do that, ensure you’re buying the ideal cushion. Here are the different types of polymer cushions used in pillows:  

Polyfoam

Polyurethane is part of the polymers (plastic) family. It can be flexible or rigid, depending on how the manufacturers make them. Polyfoam is the most flexible type, delivering the best support and comfort for you. It has a wide range of applications, including but not limited to the following:

• Sponge
• Car Seats
• Soundproofing Systems
• Mattresses
• Large Filters
• Upholstered Furniture
• Large Filters
• Thermal Insulation

One important thing to note, though, that this material you’d use for your mattresses adheres to the Federal Flammability Standards as indicated in The Consumer Product Safety Act. [Source: ISPA.org]

Medium Density Polyfoam

The medium-density polyurethane variety is the classic type of polyurethane cushion material. It is the traditional choice if you want just the right middle of firmness and softness when it comes to seating and bedding. 

The medium-density polyfoam has a treatment that avoids mold and mildew as it dries out. But it should be protected with a waterproof layer before being inserted into a cover. This is ideal for the following:

• Patio 
• Adirondack 
• Floor 
• Boat Seating
• Indoor Seating

High-Density Polyurethane 

High-density polyurethane foam is the same as medium-density polyurethane type, with a higher density. This means that it is far more resilient and can take constant use compared to its medium-density version. It can also be antimicrobial; this material lasts up to 12 years. It also has different firmness levels, from medium to firm and then extra firm. 

If you want to buy a high-density polyurethane-made material, you can use it for the following:

• Interior Settee
• Sofa 
• Berth 
• Loveseats
• Ottomans
• Rocking Chairs

Polyester Fiberfill

You are looking for polyester fiberfill if you are tight with your budget. There’s a bit of a warning in choosing this filling, though, as it flattens out too quickly and easily. 

They also come in different densities and types, including the following:

• Soft Polyester (Smooth, bouncy, and durable)
• Ply-a Soft Polyester (Limp and far less bouncy)
• Faux-down Polyester (Safe for people allergic to feathers and less expensive)
• Cluster Polyester (Durable and long-lasting)

Considered polyester fibers rather than foam, polyester fiberfill is affordable, mildew-resistant, non-allergenic, and machine washable. You can use it for the following:

• Deep seating back pillows
• Pillows stuffing
• Cushion/pillow fabric support

Closed Cell Foam

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Made from PVN, closed-cell padding is considered firm, buoyant, and expensive. Thrice firmer than polyurethane padding vareity, it does not absorb moisture, which means you can use any fabric to cover it with. 

Closed-cell cushioning material is also used as additional cushion support, acting as a spring in a mattress. This is accomplished by gluing the foam to another same material. 

More than just additional support, though, it is also great for the following:

• Life Vests
• Floating Cockpit Cushions
• Commercial Boat Seating

Fabric Backed Sew Foam

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Another type of cushion is the fabric-backed sew foam. This is known as “sew foam,” “scrim foam,” or polyurethane foam with fabric backing. It is a thin polyurethane sheet you can use for upholstery applications. 

Technically you can only use a portion of it to soften and pad hard edges and add texture to seating covering fabric. 

This upholstery material uses adhesive to make it easy to glue and hold stitches when needed. The backing is where the stitches and pleats are made. This material s ideal for glider seats. It’s also a great choice for the following:

• Coaming Pads
• Motorcycle
• Golf Cart Backrests
• Pontoon
• Powerboat Seats

Dry Fast Open Cell Foam

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The dry fast open-cell cushioning material is an open-cell foam with higher quality. With open pores, open-cell foam has excellent water absorption and airflow, making it comfortable to use. 

This goes the same way with dry fast open cell upholstery filling material but with higher quality. User-friendly and popular, the dry fast open cell padding is also mildew and mold-resistant. 

It can even become a maintenance-free cushion when combined with an outdoor bolster. This material is perfect for a boat’s cockpit and deck upholstery. 

Tip: Knockoff versions are sold on the market because of its popularity. Pour a cup of water on it. If it runs straight and drains through the bottom, it’s authentic. If it runs off the sides, it is a knockoff. 

Types Of Cushion Shapes

Besides the different types of fillers, there are also a variety of cushion shapes that are offered in the market. 

And this is a good thing when it comes to designing your home. When you buy a cushion, its shape is also a consideration besides its softness and color. 

The key when arranging cushions is to mix shapes, sizes and styles rather than sticking to just one. – Shannon Fricke, How to Decorate, An Inspiring and Practical Handbook

The shape will affect the general feel and sofa style you plan to use in the room. This means it will also affect the look and ambiance your home or office is going for. 

To help you decide, here are the standard  pillow shapes on the market:

• Box-shaped
• Triangular
• Round
• Rectangular
• Tubular

There are more quirky shapes out there if you want a more unique-looking one. Just ensure it fits the design and vibe of the room where they will be used. Read more about different pillow dimensions on this page.

Types of Cushion Styles

The cushion styles must be considered more than just the shape and the filler. The styles will decide the general vibe they will contribute to the room. One style can look minimalistic, while one may look unique and quirky. Here are some cushion styles you can expect:

Straight 

The straight type is the simplest style for sofa cushions. This refers to rectangular or square-shaped ones with no additional parts wrapping over the sofa’s arms. A great example of this is the chaise pillow. Both interior and end seat can be in straight style. 

Boxed

The boxed type has clear panels running from the bottom to the top and on both sides of the pillows. The piping trim gives it a more formal and sturdy boxy look than all other styles. 

Loose

Loose ones are named as such because they are not attached to the sofa in the first place. They can easily be removed and reattached if you want to clean a sofa. 

Waterfall 

The waterfall style has fabric wraps. For seats, the fabric runs from the top to the underside. The back part, it runs from the front towards the backside. These sofa fabrics are closed off with side panels and without any interruption. 

Fixed

Fixed cushions are stitched onto the sofa so they cannot be removed and misplaced. Cleaning is impossible without including the entire sofa they are installed in. 

Bench

A bench seat cushion is a combination of two to three padded fabric made like a long bench. The cushion is not divided and runs one long smooth length on the entire sofa. This look offers a more contemporary and minimalist appeal. 

J, L, and T

J, L, and T-styles are named as such based on their shapes. The L-shaped one wraps on the right sofa arm while J -style wraps on the left. Conversely, the T-type are loose and wrapped on both ends of the sofa’s arms. 

Types of Sofa Cushioning Materials

Sofa upholstery stuffing are all about comfort and style. One cannot go without the other. But other factors must also be considered, including lifespan and how it sags as it ages. 

All these factors contribute to a cushion’s quality. Here are the different types of cushion materials for sofas. 

High Resilience Foam

High-resilience foam is considered the best furniture padding material because of its bouncy quality. It normally weighs around 2.5 to 3 lb. per cubic ft. Its lifespan is 8 to 10 years when it is just starting to soften.  

This type is highly springy, buoyant, and resilient. When this is is partnered with an open cell type of padding, the former becomes even sturdier and lasts longer. It is used in yacht seats and expensive furniture upholstery. 

Lux Foam

Lux foam is a good quality cushion material that weighs 2.2 lb per cubic ft. It is known for being on the firmer side but also springy like the high resilience variety. It is one level higher than the industrial grade high density, the average padding available in the market. 

It is a good middle between the high resilience foam and industrial grade high density, cheaper than the former and with better quality. This type can last around six years and be used for camping pads and bench cushions. 

Industrial Grade High-Density Foam

The industrial grade high-density upholstery padding, weighing 1.9 lb per cubic ft., is the most common cushion material available. 

Widely used in most pieces of furniture, this foam is economical and comfortable at the same time. But it is also a bit lower in quality compared to high resilience and lux foams. 

Can I Replace the Foam in My Couch?

 

The straight answer is yes. You don’t have to throw away a good sofa frame just because the cushions are already lumpy, saggy, or have holes. 

Suppose your sofa pillows have zippers; good on you! This only makes your job a lot easier. You can take out the fillers and replace them with new ones. But there are still several steps to accomplish this. 

1. Determine its size (length, width, and thickness), what filler type to use, and how much filler you will need for all of the pillows (Tip: Use high-density variety for higher quality!)

2. Take them out from the sofa, remove the fillers, and turn the fabric inside out (For fixed cushions: pull out the fillers carefully)

3. Take out the cushion material you’ve just purchased and cut it down based on the foam size (You can draw a pattern for each- make sure that it is always 1 inch bigger) 

4. Put the new one inside the fabric or cushion from which you removed the old filler. Insert each form in its appropriate cover and then zip it up!

These are the simple steps to replace the padding filler successfully!

What Kind of Foam Do You Use For Chair Cushions?

There are different types of foam to choose from, but you can’t just pinpoint one and use it. Some foam fillings are more compatible with specific cushion uses. For those used in chairs, you want a foam that’s comfortable to sit on but springs right back after. 

Polyurethane foam is the choice you might want to consider for chairs. Medium-density and high-density foams are both okay. If it’s indoor seating, go for medium-density polyurethane foam. High-density polyurethane foam is ideal if it’s more of a sofa-like chair.  

Which Types Of Cushions Are Best?

Some would immediately say that high-resilience foam is always the right answer when asked for the best. Its bouncy factor helps with this choice since it springs right after use. While that may be a good element, you should also note what and how they will be used.

Will you use the cushion for a sofa at home? Or do you need a cushion for your boat seating? When considering a cushion, these cases will have different answers, so will that be the best? 

 

Of course not. The best cushion types will be ideal based on your need. However, high density is considered at the top regarding quality. It would be a great choice as a material for wicker seats.

In this case, quality comes from a long lifespan and soft character. This would mean that it is more expensive than medium-density cones and others below that.  

What Material Has the Best Density for Sofa Pillows?

The answer is high-density cushions when considering the best density for your sofa. These are soft yet firm at the same time. It is also a good investment since this type material can last up to 12 years. You won’t have to replace them again in the next 12 years. 

Is High-Density Foam Good For Cushions?

High-density foam is a good choice, especially the pouf type. This is among the types that are firm yet incredibly comfortable at the same time.  Though foam density is not a topic people discuss today despite its importance, this is probably a sign that the market needs to start taking it seriously when shopping for cushions.

See more related content in our article about sofa dimensions on this page.