Hands up who has a weather alert set on their phone so they’re ready to sprint outdoors and scoop up the garden cushions before the rain sets in?
Does a midnight clap of thunder have you leaping out of bed to tuck the outdoor sofa into its cover?
Wouldn’t it be nice to relax and talk about something other than the weather?! (Especially when it’s garden sofa cushions we're worrying about.)
About the author: Caroline Lomax launched luxury outdoor furniture company, Armadillo Sun, when she couldn't find the ultra-comfortable, but truly low-maintenance, garden furniture she wanted. The discovery of durable, but style-led, technical fabrics whilst on holiday in the USA inspired a range of garden cushions and fabric outdoor seating. It was a great success and the range has expanded to include versatile pouffes and decadent chaise-loungers. All are designed to be left outside in the rain and sunshine.
Weatherproof outdoor cushions that take the drama out of a British summer
The lingering sense of jeopardy when outdoor furniture cushions have been left outside, uncovered, is exhausting.
It’s also unnecessary.
I take my outdoor lounging seriously. Comfy garden furniture is compulsory, but it must be weatherproof and fuss-free. I refuse to run in and out of the house, weather-watching.
Discover how you can have gloriously comfortable, cushioned, garden furniture that can be left outside...
...in the rain,
...in the sun,
...even in the snow.
Snow is no problem for these custom-made Armadillo Sun garden sofa cushions. They are left out all year in the damp, the rain, and even the snow. They do not rot or deteriorate and – after a quick clean with the pressure washer – look as good as new in spring.
Can outdoor furniture cushions be left in the rain?
Yes, they can!
When the cushions of your garden sofa are made in a durable, high-performance fabric with a non-absorbent inner material, they can be left outdoors without worry. Saving you precious time and storage space.
In fact, the outdoor sofas and garden chairs we make at Armadillo Sun are designed to be like large (incredibly comfortable) cushions with no solid inner structure, so there's nothing to rot or deteriorate. This bean bag garden furniture is our secret weapon for sitting out in the garden despite April showers, and the notoriously inclement British summer.
With bean bag furniture there's no need for separate garden sofa cushions – which are often filled with foam that turns soggy in a downpour. (Of course, to transform a patio into a loungey outdoor living room, please do add plenty of outdoor throw cushions!)
The best outdoor furniture for rainy weather
If you want garden furniture with cushions that you can happily leave outside, uncovered, without the worry of rot or mould, then check for the following features:
1. High-performance, water-repellant fabric
2. Premium non-absorbent filling
5. No inner frame susceptible to deterioration
The five features of rainproof garden sofa cushions:
1. High performance, water-repellent fabric
Armadillo Sun furniture fabric is made with the same technical requirements of fabrics used in the marine industry. It is water-repellant and not vulnerable to damage from saltwater or chlorinated pool water.
The fabric is made from woven threads of solution-dyed acrylic or olefin, which are naturally hydrophobic. This means rain beads on the surface of the outdoor cushions and runs straight off – rather than being absorbed where the water can cause rot and damage.
Find out more about why this fabric is brilliant for patio furniture cushions in my article on choosing comfortable garden furniture that lasts outdoors.
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Rainwater beads and runs off the water-repellent fabric used to make all Armadillo Sun cushions and garden furniture. Try the fabric for yourself by ordering samples.
2. Premium non-absorbent filling
In a heavy downpour, rain will penetrate the woven fabric of garden furniture cushions and reach the inner filling. I carefully chose the materials of Armadillo Sun furniture so that water runs straight through it and is not soaked up into the garden sofa cushion.
We use premium polystyrene beans, rather than foam, as the inner filling for all Armadillo Sun garden furniture because the beans do not absorb, or retain, moisture.
As a bonus, these beans also mould gently around your body for exceptional lounging comfort!
If you'd assumed outdoor cushions were made from waterproof fabric that would protect the inner material, then read why you don't want your outdoor cushions to be waterproof.
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3. Quick-drying properties
In an inclement summer, or a typical spring, it's essential to make the most of any gaps between the rain showers. You need your garden seating to dry fast so you can enjoy sitting outside without the risk of a soggy bottom!
Water pools on the surface of Armadillo Sun garden furniture – rather than being absorbed – so it is easy to shake off.
The bean-filling used for all our garden seating also encourages air to circulate around and through the fabric, encouraging moisture to evaporate rapidly.
The result? Less time watching cushions dry and more time relaxing outdoors.
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The vibrant Medina Tropic garden cushion and Sigma Paprika outdoor cushion make a statement against Armadillo Sun's cool Ocean Blue garden sofa. All maintain their colour and won't fade or bleach in the sun.
4. Mould resistance
Making garden sofas from quick-drying fabric – and swapping out the soggy foam filling for non-absorbent beans – eliminates the breeding ground for nasties like mould.
If an unwiped stain does become a little mossy, a jet wash easily removes it along with any superficial dirt.
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5. No inner frame susceptible to deterioration
Armadillo Sun garden furniture has no rattan frame that splits, metal that rusts, or wood that requires maintenance.
Jet wash it for a spruce up and you’re ready to lounge!
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Can you really leave garden furniture outdoors, uncovered? Read independent reviews.
Garden furniture with cushions that can be left outdoors in all weathers is hard to believe. Read product reviews of Armadillo Sun garden seating for unbiased, independent opinions.
“It really does dry as quick as they said!” ~ Sue K. (Garden Sofa Set)
“Ideal for outdoor living… does not go mossy or green when left out in the damp” ~ Meriel N. (Garden Bean Bag)
“An excellent product… copes well with all the rain that arrived the moment it was delivered!” ~ Ian C. (Garden Sofa Set)
"The quality is great and their products really are water resistant! Happy customer!" ~ Alexandra R. (Outdoor Cushions)
Armadillo Sun outdoor furniture is made by hand here in the UK. Get in touch with us for more details of our products – you'll always be talking to a human – or find out more in our FAQs on fabric garden furniture.
Garden sofa cushions: FAQs
1. Are outdoor cushions waterproof?
Not all outdoor cushions are truly waterproof – and that's a good thing! Cushions with a plastic waterproof coating may block water, but they also stop air from circulating, making them sticky and uncomfortable in the sun.
For the best combination of breathability and weather resistance, opt for water-resistant fabric paired with a non-absorbent filling. This way, even if heavy rain does penetrate the surface of the fabric, the cushion won't hold onto the moisture.
Read more: Why You Don't Want Waterproof Outdoor Cushions.
2. Do I need to cover garden sofa cushions?
That depends on the material of your garden sofa and your personal preference!
Armadillo Sun garden sofas – and all our outdoor seating – are designed to stay outside in all weathers, uncovered. Made from durable, water-resistant fabric, and filled with non-absorbent beans, they dry fast and don't rot.
However, if you'd prefer to protect against dirt, leaves, and winter debris, we offer custom-made winter covers. Simply remove the cover come spring and your sofa is ready to sit on – no clean-up or wipe-down required.
3. What happens if outdoor furniture cushions get wet?
Getting wet isn't the issue – staying wet is! Damp cushions create the perfect conditions for mould, mildew, and fabric deterioration.
At Armadillo Sun, we've carefully selected hydrophobic fabric that allows water to bead and roll off the surface. Plus, because the fabric is woven, air circulates through the cushion, speeding up drying.
It's not just about the fabric though – what's inside matters too! Traditional cushion fillings soak up water, leaving them soggy and slow to dry. You'll experience this when a cushion that looks dry on the surface leaves you soggy when you sit down! That's why we have chosen to fill our garden sofas and sunloungers with premium polystyrene beans: they don't absorb moisture so your seat dries fast and you can get back lounging.
4. How do I stop garden furniture cushions going mouldy?
The key to preventing mould is choosing the right materials for your outdoor furniture cushions and ensuring that, after a soaking, they dry fast.
✔️ Choose mould-resistant fabrics: acrylic and olefin are known for their exceptional mould-resistant properties, especially over natural fibres, like cotton, and even other synthetic materials, like polyester. The fabric we use at Armadillo Sun is solution-dyed acrylic or olefin for this reason.
✔️ Pick quick-drying cushions: water-repellant fabric and a non-absorbent filling material (like the beans we use for Armadillo Sun furniture) ensure cushioned furniture isn't soggy and a breeding ground for mould.
✔️ Keep cushions clean: mould and mildew will grow on dirt and stains, not just the cushion fabric itself. It's a good idea therefore to wipe up stains as soon as they happen. Our stain-resistant fabric makes cleanup easy – just wipe spills with water and a cloth.
Still have questions? Get in touch!
We love hearing from you. If you have any other questions about garden sofa cushions that can stay out in the rain please let us know.
Why choose Armadillo Sun for your garden furniture?
Armadillo Sun specialise in outdoor bean-filled furniture designed for comfort, dursability, and all-weather lounging. No more hurrying to bring cushions in at the first sign of rain – our garden sofas are made to stay out year-round, even in a rainy British summer.
To enjoy your garden, despite the weather, pick out a garden sofa with cushions you can leave out in the rain.