on April 23, 2026Updated
Choose a custom cushion if your seat is not a standard size or shape, if you want to choose the foam and the fabric, or if the cushion will be used every day. Choose an off-the-shelf cushion if your furniture takes a standard size, if you need the cushion right away, or if it is a short-term or decorative piece.
Foamera makes made-to-measure foam cushions for benches, window seats, sofas, outdoor furniture and floor seating and sells them online through TURKEX LLC. Foamera wrote this comparison, so it is not neutral. It compares choices, not brands, and each row links to the page where you can check the detail.
How do custom and off-the-shelf cushions compare?
The main difference is fit: a custom cushion is cut to your measurements, while an off-the-shelf cushion comes only in the sizes the maker stocks.
| What you compare | Custom (made to measure) | Off-the-shelf |
|---|---|---|
| Size and fit | Cut to your width, depth and thickness. Sizes can be entered in inches or centimetres on each product page. | Fixed stocked sizes. A seat that is not a standard size is left with a gap or an overhang. |
| Shape | Rectangles plus shapes such as L-shaped corner, T-shaped, angled and bolster cushions. | The shapes the maker stocks. |
| Foam density (lb/ft³ or kg/m³) | You choose the foam on the product page. Ask for the density: 1 lb/ft³ = 16.02 kg/m³. | Whatever the maker used. Check whether the listing states the density. |
| Fabric | Chosen on the product page. See the fabric library. | The covers that are in stock. |
| Lead time | Made after you order. See the order timeline. | Available from stock. |
| Price | Depends on size, foam and fabric. See what a custom cushion costs. | A fixed price per stocked size. |
| Returns | Made-to-measure items cannot be returned for change of mind. Statutory rights for faulty goods are unaffected. See the fit guarantee. | Set by each retailer's return policy. |
When is a custom cushion worth it?
A custom cushion is worth it when a standard size would leave a gap, an overhang or an exposed corner.
- Built-in seating. Window seats, bench nooks and banquettes are built to the room, so their width and depth rarely match a stocked cushion size.
- L-shaped and angled seats. Two stocked rectangles leave a gap at the inside corner. A corner bench cushion is made to the shape of the seat.
- Daily use. A cushion you sit on every day needs foam that keeps its shape. The Polyurethane Foam Association says that "the higher the polymer density, the better the foam will retain its original properties".
- Outdoor seating. A cushion that stays outside needs a fabric made for sun and rain. See the outdoor cushion fabric guide.
When is an off-the-shelf cushion the better buy?
An off-the-shelf cushion is the better buy when the size and the use are standard.
- Standard furniture. A sofa designed for 24-inch (61 cm) square pillows takes 24-inch square pillows.
- Short stays. A rental you will leave soon or a guest room used twice a year does not need a made-to-measure cushion.
- Seasonal accents. Throw pillows you swap every autumn are a styling choice.
- Testing a color. A low-cost cushion lets you live with a color for a month before you commit.
Is foam density the same as firmness?
No. Density is the mass of the foam per unit of volume, and firmness is how hard the foam pushes back. The Polyurethane Foam Association measures density "in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m3)" and notes that "firmness is independent of foam density". A dense foam can feel soft, and a light foam can feel firm. The foam density guide explains both measurements.
What should you measure before ordering a custom cushion?
Measure the seat, not the old cushion: width, depth and the thickness you want. An old cushion has compressed and its cover has stretched. The how to measure guide explains each measurement.
How do you order a custom cushion from Foamera?
Custom sizes (width, depth, thickness), foam and fabric are chosen on each product page. Start with bench cushions or the corner bench cushion, or see every cushion. Questions before you order: hello@foamera.com.
Source: Polyurethane Foam Association, "Foam performance", pfa.org/foam-performance (accessed September 26, 2026). Shapes listed are Foamera product pages.