Choosing outdoor cushions isn’t always simple, but with the right formulas, you can create an arrangement that looks polished, feels comfortable, and holds up beautifully to outdoor living.
From bold stripes and breezy palms to eye-catching prints and classic solids, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to picking beautiful outdoor cushions. And while outdoor styling can feel more limited than indoors, it also comes with clarity: fewer textures and a tighter colour palette mean fewer decisions and more confidence.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a set of go-to outdoor cushion formulas. Each one is designed to be easy to use, visually balanced, and adaptable to your space. You’ll also learn how to tailor them with your own choice of colour, size, layout, and number of outdoor designs.
Your outdoor space should reflect how you live and what you love. These formulas aren’t rules, just simple starting points to help you create a look that works for you.
How to customise our formulas
Our outdoor cushion formulas offer a simple starting point, but the way they come together is shaped by your choices. A few thoughtful adjustments can help each formula feel right for your space. Here’s what to keep in mind as you consider each one.
Colour
You get to pick the colours in the formulas, and there are two main styling options: monochrome or contrasting. A monochrome look uses a single colour across all designs, such as pairing a solid, a stripe, and a geometric all in an outdoor navy colour. A contrasting palette uses clearly different colours that work well together, like navy and mustard, or a darker outdoor green and terracotta. Check out our guide on what colour outdoor cushions for more colour palette suggestions.
Size and shape
You can use any mix of sizes and shapes with these formulas. Most work well with a combination of bold square outdoor cushions in 55x55cm and 45x45cm sizes, or you can add a slender outdoor rectangle in 30x50cm size for extra variation. Having multiple sizes will give you more flexibility when it comes to layering. Prefer a cleaner, more organised look? Keeping all your outdoor cushions in the same size will work too, it depends on the look you are after.
Number
There’s no set number of outdoor cushions you need to stick to with the formulas. Each one features three design types, but that doesn’t mean you’re limited to just three pieces. These combinations are starting points to guide your choices. If you want a larger setup, simply repeat or mirror elements of the formula. For example, a five piece arrangement might double the solid and stripe while keeping a tropical outdoor focal print as the standout.
Layering
Each formula gives you a mix of designs. How you layer them is flexible, but a few general tips can elevate the result. Larger outdoor designs typically sit at the back or sides, with smaller ones layered in front. Solids are versatile, and they can anchor the arrangement from behind or sit between prints to soften the overall look. If your combo includes a multicoloured focal print, place it at the front to let it shine.
Outdoor cushion combination formulas
Outdoor cushion combinations require a balance of durability, style, and harmony with nature. These tried-and-true formulas blend colours, patterns, and shapes that hold up beautifully in outdoor settings while creating inviting, fresh looks. Use these combinations as a guide to effortlessly choose your outdoor cushions for lasting appeal and personality.
Solid + Stripe + Geometric
This formula blends simplicity with structure. It’s ideal for creating a tidy, tailored look outdoors. The solid keeps things grounded, the stripe adds energy and definition, and the geometric design sharpens the whole arrangement with a modern edge.
Do this:
- Start with a solid outdoor cushion to create a clean base. Choose a colour that either complements or contrasts with your furniture.
- Add a striped outdoor piece in a matching or coordinating tone to bring movement and definition to the mix.
- Finish with a geometric print to introduce a bold focal point with crisp, structured lines.
Styling tip:
Try layering this combo by placing the stripe at the back, the solid in the middle, and the geometric at the front. This arrangement helps the clean lines of the geometric design stand out. For larger setups, repeat the stripe and solid on either side to build out the look.
Solid + Stripe + Palm Print
This trio blends classic patterning with a touch of nature. It’s perfect for outdoor areas that need structure, softness, and a hint of botanical flair.
Do this:
- Begin with a bold solid colour cushion, such as a vibrant outdoor pink, as your backdrop. It sets a simple and sturdy foundation.
- Layer a striped outdoor cushion next. Mirror the stripe colour to enhance rhythm and cohesion.
- Finish with a delicate palm tree print at the front to introduce tropical detail and visual interest.
Styling tip:
On larger outdoor sofas or benches, repeat the striped cushion on either side and position the palm print centrally to create a balanced frame and a relaxed, breezy centrepiece.
Solid + Stripe + Focal Print
This combo balances boldness and clarity, making it perfect for outdoor spaces that need a strong visual feature without feeling chaotic. The solid grounds the look, the stripe adds structure, and the focal print brings colour and character.
Do this:
- Start with a solid colour cushion in a tone that contrasts with your furniture. Red outdoor designs and blue outdoor pieces work well in this role. This will set the base and keep the mix grounded.
- Add a striped outdoor cushion to build structure and rhythm. A complementary or contrasting stripe colour works depending on how much pop you want.
- Finish with a focal print, such as a multi-coloured or high-impact design like a parrot, tropical floral, or toucan. It will create a clear centrepiece for your arrangement.
Styling tip:
To keep things cohesive, pull one or two tones from the focal print and echo them in your solid or stripe. If you’re styling five outdoor cushions, repeat the solid and stripe to create two clusters. Place a trio at one end with the focal print as the centrepiece, and a pair at the other for balance.
Solid + Geometric + Palm Print
This formula mixes clean structure with a laid-back, tropical touch. It’s perfect for adding a little personality to outdoor spaces without going overboard.
Do this:
- Start with a solid colour to anchor the palette. Outdoor white designs and outdoor black cushions can provide a calm starting point for more detailed patterns.
- Add a geometric outdoor cushion to introduce shape and a more graphic feel. This brings structure and contrast.
- Finish with a palm-print to add a hint of the outdoors. Its natural motif softens the lines and brings casual energy to the arrangement.
Styling tip:
For a refined look, use all three outdoor cushions in the same 45x45cm size. For more variety, try a 30×50cm palm-print at the front of the arrangement, with your solid and geometric designs behind.
Solid + Geometric + Focal Print
This formula brings graphic order and bold colour together. It’s ideal for creating a refined outdoor look with a playful centrepiece. The solid calms, the geometric guides, and the multi-coloured print adds energy.
Do this:
- Start with a solid outdoor cushion to create a clean foundation. Whether neutral like an outdoor beige, or bold like a zesty outdoor orange, to keep the arrangement from feeling too busy.
- Add a geometric design to introduce structure, using defined lines or shapes that pair comfortably with the solid.
- Finish with a colourful focal print, such as florals, botanicals, or tropical motifs, to create a standout moment in your setup.
Styling tip:
Pick one or two tones from the focal print and reflect them in the solid or geometric designs. This ties everything together without overwhelming the palette.
Solid + Solid + Stripe
Elegant and easy to style, this combination is ideal for more refined outdoor settings or for anyone who prefers a cleaner, less decorative look. The solids offer simplicity, while the stripe introduces subtle interest without overwhelming the palette.
Do this:
- Start with a solid outdoor cushion, like a striking outdoor teal, that contrasts with your seating to anchor the arrangement.
- Add a second solid, either in a different colour such as outdoor yellow for contrast, or in the same tone to keep it understated.
- Finish with a stripe that complements one or both solids to bring the look together.
Styling tip:
For a polished effect, stick to outdoor cushions in the same size and arrange them in a neat row. For a slightly more dynamic layout, use a rectangular solid piece at the front or mix regular and large sizes throughout the collection.
Solid + Solid + Palm Print
This formula brings a refreshing mix of natural charm and simplicity. It’s ideal for anyone wanting a relaxed, nature-inspired look with minimal effort. Two solid outdoor cushions provide a clean foundation, while the palm print adds subtle interest and connects to outdoor surroundings.
Do this:
- Start with a solid colour piece as your base. Elegant outdoor grey works well as it creates a neutral backdrop that works across different furniture types.
- Add a second solid outdoor cushion, either in the same colour or a related tone like outdoor black and white, to introduce gentle depth.
- Finish with a palm-print design to evoke an outdoor, botanical feel and softly enrich the palette.
Styling tip:
Position the palm print at the front to draw the eye and highlight its organic pattern. Stick to matching sizes for a clean presentation, or use a mix such as a large solid, a mid-sized second solid, and the palm at the front to create structure and depth.
Wrapping up
Creating a stylish outdoor space doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right formula, you can pull together outdoor cushions that look cohesive, feel comfortable, and hold up to life outside.
These combinations aren’t rigid rules. They’re starting points that make styling easier, whether you’re dressing a bench, a two-seater or a large modular lounge.
Each formula gives you room to personalise. You choose the colours, sizes and layout, and scale things up or down depending on your setup.
Or, if you’d rather skip the styling process, explore our range of pre-styled outdoor cushion sets. These curated combinations take the guesswork out of getting it right.
Whichever way you go, the result should be a space that’s not only well styled, but easy to enjoy every day.
