Porch Swing Refresh

Hello, Dear Friends,

There’s no better way to start the morning than sitting on a front porch swing with a book and coffee in hand! This wicker porch swing has been one of my favorite additions to our home. The seat cushion is an irregular shape, and after searching high and low, I could never find the right porch swing cushion fit to complete the space.

So, I ventured out on my own to see what fabrics Hobby Lobby had available in store. I purchased a foam cushion and cut the foam to perfectly fit the swing. Hobby Lobby carries a line of outdoor fabrics, which offer a major benefit to those with outdoor furniture that require cushions. As you know, outdoor cushions can get pricey, and if they are not taken care of properly, they will only last in good condition for a couple of summers outside! Outdoor grade upholstery fabric provides increased durability, weather resistance, fade resistance, and ease of cleaning!

DIY projects can go one of two ways 1) Save you lots of money and give you a custom one-of-a-kind look, or 2) End up being more expensive and time-consuming than something purchased ready-made at a retail store. That’s why it is important to utilize coupons and set a budget for your project.

I purchased 2 yards of the beautiful outdoor striped fabric. The fabric was a major score as it was on sale, and I purchased it for $11.98 in total! The base of the fabric is neutral tan, but the stripe colors of turquoise, red, yellow, navy, and pink make this cushion versatile throughout the seasons. The foam cushion I purchased and cut to size can be used again and again on my porch swing. I utilized the fabric to make an outdoor cushion cover that is applied over the foam cushion.

My novice sewing skills were not up for the task of sewing the cushion, but I worked with a local seamstress, and I could not be happier with how the cushion cover turned out. The cushion cover has a long zipper on the back, which makes the striped cover removable. I can wash the cushion in cool water on a delicate cycle in the washing machine to keep it looking fresh for years to come!

The fun cheetah pillows came from B. Whimsy - you can check out their amazing store here: bit.ly/44ApTLV

Caring for your Outdoor Cushions:

• As you can see, our porch swing is mounted underneath our front porch, and it is nearly 100% protected from the weather and sun damage. I plan to keep the cushion out year-round and update the pillows throughout the seasons to make it a festive seating area!

• Another pro tip to keep your cushions looking fresh is to spray them down with a weather-protectant spray at the start of each season. You can purchase this scotch guard weather spray affordably at many different retailers - here it is on Amazon: Scotchgard Sun and Water Shield, Repels Water, 10.5 Ounces https://a.co/d/4NJhHj8

• I set my cushions out in late April/early May, and then I winterize them starting in September. I wrap up my cushions in large plastic bags and store them away in my storage shed during the winter months. This greatly reduces fabric wear and tear, such as fading or weather stains.

More Porch Swing Inspiration:

Photos by Kelsey's Photography - checkout her talented work here: bit.ly/44y6zyU

Lady K’s One Thing:

I mentioned enjoying a cup of steaming yummy coffee while relaxing on your porch swing. One of my dearest friends introduced me to Java Momma Coffee, and it has quickly become one of my favorites! The Java Momma Store offers a variety of coffees for any taste preference, and they sell their coffee products in multiple formats, such as whole bean, ground, or even Keurig K-Cup coffee. My favorite coffee is Highlander Grogg - deliciousness in a cup! You can view the Java Momma storefront here and shop with a specialized barista: https://javamomma.com/

Livin’ on Porch Time,

Lady K