Outdoor furniture is essential, even in winter, if you live in a temperate climate, have a sunroom or garden room, or can gather around a fire pit to enjoy time with family and friends. A Calico specialty is the fabrication of custom cushions and pillows, made in fabrics that can weather the weather. We recently partnered with four designers who wanted to upgrade their outdoor living spaces. Be inspired by their projects!

1. SAMANTHA REGAN of Charleston, South Carolina, @shiningondesign

Samantha came to Calico to refresh a patio sofa. “It’s incredible how much it transformed the entire space!” she stated. “The color and pattern options are unmatched—and I had so much fun designing custom pillows to complement the upholstery.”

Samantha opted for one long bolster pillow to add style to the outdoor sofa. “I’ve always loved bolster pillows for beds,” she noted, “so bringing that idea outdoors was a perfect way to add personality while keeping maintenance low.”

I fell in love with this striped pattern on our ottomans from last season, so I was thrilled to bring it back on a larger scale for the outdoors. The fabric is not just beautiful; it’s durable, washable, and bleach-safe, making it ideal for our family’s busy lifestyle ~

Samantha Regan

Did you know?
In addition to replacement cushions for outdoor furniture, Calico can create chaise cushions, outdoor bench cushions, or even outdoor seat cushions for your boat! Foam cushion inserts are wrapped in a Dacron blanket for added softness. Outdoor foam is available to extend the life of cushions used outdoors and for boat seating. All are custom made to fit just right, crafted with the highest quality workmanship. Learn more about custom cushions, chair pads and pillows here.

2. KATE PEARCE of Chicago, Illinois, @katepearcevintage

Kate has a knack for transforming thrifted furniture finds with fabrics and reupholstery from Calico. This is not only the best way to tap into your personal style, she notes, but it’s also a sustainable choice for your home. In her extensive blog post on Kate Pearce Vintage, she provides lots of tips and tricks on how to buy thrifted furniture (indoor or outdoor) and restore these pieces.

Kate found a set of sturdy metal chairs on Facebook Marketplace—but with no cushions! That was not a problem, as Calico workrooms can create new cushions from scratch. They can also replace the fabric and filling of a tired old cushion, using it as a template.

Kate chose a yellow striped fabric from Sunbrella—plus a contrast welting of cornflower blue—“my favorite detail!” The Calico designers streamlined the process, telling her the pros and cons of choosing certain fabrics and on cushion thickness, recalled Kate. “Their shops are beautifully curated, unlike sifting through fabric warehouses. The Calico staff is knowledgeable and skilled.”

One tip from Kate: Now is the perfect time to head to second-hand sources to find good outdoor pieces and good deals. Think a season ahead and allow time to have cushions and pillows made, so that you’ll be able to enjoy them when warmer weather arrives.

3. WILL TAYLOR of New York City, New York, @brightbazaar

Will Taylor is a designer, author and blogger at Bright Bazaar, where he has been writing about “everyday style and feel-good homes” since 2009. He has also been renovating a fixer-upper beach house—and was looking to update the outdoor space.

“Don’t forget about custom pillows!” said Will. “They’re a great way to refresh furniture without having to replace it. My outdoor sofa was a few years old, so I was looking for a way to give it some new life.”

Will partnered with Calico to create custom pillows from our large selection of outdoor fabrics. “Calico offers free design consultation and can create pillows in unique shapes and sizes—you can even add trim and welting in so many styles,” enthused Will. One visit to his local Calico was all it took to start this project.

When it comes to picking pillows, be sure to mix and match prints, textures, and sizes for a collection that feels cohesive yet effortless.~

Will Taylor

Will started his pillow project with blue, as he already had an outdoor rug in that color. “I was drawn to a beautiful indigo fabric by Sunbrella, known for its durable and weather-resistant fabrics. The fabric has a subtle detail that adds depth and interest. Once I had these, I knew I needed neutrals, but I wanted to keep things interesting, so I went with Sunbrella patterns in Dune and Camel colors.”

Will finished off this project with a small rectangular pillow for a different shape. “Because it’s smaller, I wanted to go with a more eye-catching pattern,” he explained. “I chose the Hache fabric in Nautical and added contrast welting to make the pillow feel even more unique.”

Bright Bazaar: Outdoor Sofa Refresh for Fall - Bright Bazaar by Will Taylor

4. BRITTANY PALAZZO of Atlanta, Georgia, @addisonswonderland

Adding a pool to the back yard of their home created a new “family hangout spot” for Brittany Palazzo, her husband and their four children. But one finishing touch was missing: pillows! “I wanted something that felt unique, was really well made and durable for our hot Georgia summers,” said Brittany. She never found anything ready-made that she loved, so it was off to Calico.

“John and I stopped by our local Atlanta location and worked with the sweetest design associate who laid out all the outdoor fabric and trim options,” recalled Brittany. “I chose two performance fabrics, Nurture and Heritage from Sunbrella, to create a fun, colorful striped design along with outdoor brush fringe trim.”

Sunbrella fabrics are highly fade-resistant, odor and mildew-resistant and can even be cleaned with bleach! Added bonus: they are made in the USA.

With custom outdoor upholstery, you can perfectly match your space and aesthetic, adds Brittany, thanks to the wide array of outdoor fabrics, unique shapes and sizes, plus custom details like contrast welt and trimmings. “Also, Calico’s design services are free!”

Blog: Addison’s Wonderland: Finishing Out Our Pool Area with Custom Pillows from Calico!