Creative Ways to Make Kitchen Chair Cushion Covers

Chair pads provide protection and comfort when kitchen chairs are made of wood. They also add color, style and visual appeal. However, cushions with ties are not at all practical. Some are not washable, and the ties eventually tear away. People tend to slide off of chairs and pull on the ties in the process. Inexpensive pads without ties can be enhanced with homemade covers in literally any color or style, and they will last for years on end.

I was tired of wasting money on chair pads with ties, and the set that I preferred were way too costly. I decided to make chair cushion covers to coordinate with the colors and the design of my kitchen. Best of all, the covers are sturdy and washable, and they protect the cushions beneath.

Make Chair Cushion Covers with Any Available Material

Just about any sturdy material can be used to make kitchen chair cushion covers. When I made my first set I used heavy curtain material. I had an extra pair of kitchen curtains that I did not need, and I used the material to create cushion covers to match the window treatments. I had just enough material to make four chair cushion covers.

The cushion covers were really very simple to make. I measured the existing chair cushions, and I added an extra four inches to accommodate the thick pads. I placed the right sides of the material together, and I securely stitched three sides of the squares together. I also stitched the raw edges of the open end to prevent the material from fraying.

Use No-Sew Closures

I did not want to create button holes or add zippers or snaps to my homemade kitchen chair cushion covers. I purchased peel and stick loop-and-hook fasteners, and I securely applied the strips to the inside edges. They worked great to keep the chair cushion covers closed. They also held up real well on the delicate cycle when they required washing, but I did not put them in the dryer. I always hung them on a line to dry, and they lasted for several years.

Enhance Chair Cushion Covers With Hidden Fragrance

Would you like to add fragrance to your kitchen chair cushion covers? When people sit down, air naturally escapes through the fabric. Stuff sprigs of fresh fragrant flowers, herbs or potpourri into the cushion padding. My cushions had a zippered back, and I occasionally added sprigs of fresh lavender from my garden. Guests could not tell where the lovely scent was coming from, and although they asked, I never gave away the hidden fragrance.

Source: Personal and Professional Home Design and Decorating Experience