Bar stool cushions - backside comfort

We all know what its like to sit on a hard wooden or metal bar stool with no padding. While sipping your beer up at the bar, after a long hard day, the last thing you want is to rest your backside on hard flat stool, especially if there is no back support. Well, if it’s your local pub you’re thinking of, it may be time to switch bars, but if it’s your own bar stools you’re looking at, there are many options to consider.

Having a seamstress for a mother in my family, having custom chair cushions on every chair in the house, whether they needed them or not, was never in shortage. The clear advantage of custom bar stool cushions is being able to choose exactly the fabric you want. Perhaps you would like to match the drapery fabric, or the toss cushions on the nearby lounge chairs, or maybe just simple color coordinating. The downside of custom bar stool cushions is if you don’t know how to sew, you will have to probably pay a little more for someone to make them for you. For some, though, that may be worth it.

Often, the stools will not have lumbar back rests so you will not have the option of tie downs to keep the cushions in place. In that case I’d recommend looking into having a “rubbery” grip style under pad sewn into the cushion, such as with “gripper cushions.” Even if the stool has a framed back rest to tie the cushion too, a grippy underpad will do wonders for keeping the pad in place. Unlike a basic kitchen chair, bar stools are usually a fair bit taller, and dislodging the cushion can be commonplace, while attempting to mount the stool. However, backless bar stools often have the unique option of using a cushion with an elastic “skirt,” which will wrap around under the protruding circular lip of the stool’s seat (see pic below). This will likely be your best option for securing the cushion, especially if used in conjunction with the grip under pad.

If your bar stools have a back support and armrests to frame the pad in, you can get away without an anchoring system. However, I’d advise at least having tie straps sewn in at the back two corners to keep the cushion in place. Be certain to consider the dimensions carefully as you will want the tie straps to line up with a suitable tie down location on the stool’s backing. This will be more of a problem when buying premade universal cushion.

Certainly, the internet is a great place to find bar stool cushions of all shapes, colors and sizes. Basic round bar stool seat pad cushions are simple to find and fit. Peculiarly shaped form fit pads, however, may be a little more difficult to fit, especially if you can’t “try before you buy.” So do your research, consider your options, and pricing, and make the best choice.

Consider the type of padding being used, whether it’s your custom made bar stool cushions or store bought. If foam is the medium being used, I’d highly recommend ensuring that it’s memory foam, especially for the thinner chair pads. Over time regular foam will flatten and permanently indent. Memory foam will retain its original form much longer.

If outdoor cushions for your patio bar, is what you are after, there are additional considerations to factor in. Please see my outdoor pillows hub for more information on this topic.