Fireplaces…
They conjure up the feeling of warmth and cosiness.
But what about another comfortable item that makes you feel comfortable and snug?
A fireplace cushion seat would be a good start.
So do you know what you are looking for then?
Let’s get into this a bit more, shall we?
The Fireplace Seat Cushion for You
What is the seat called in front of a fireplace then?
Well… you could just call it a fireplace bench, with it actually is.
Because you have the fire in front of you you need to have a seat that has no back to it, as that would defeat the whole purpose of the heat getting out into the room efficiently.
Sometimes when it is cold you just want to get beside the fireplace as close as you can. get.
But standing for a long time can be tiring and not really cosy.
You want all the bells and whistles here, you want comfort.
Maybe the chair near the front of the fireplace is not close enough, so the fireplace bench was invented to do just that.
What do you call a Fireplace Bench?
You could say that the base of a fireplace may also be referred to as a fireplace bench.
If your fireplace does not sit at ground level that is, then the base could be that feature that juts out, being an extension that resembles a small sitting area.
And why not!
In fact, The fireplace base is an ideal location to store all those fireplace tools that you have bought and collected from second-hand shops.
Well.. you could have.
Anyway, like fireplace brushes, pokers, shovels… I could go on but I won’t.
Now, these areas for sitting are not going to be comfortable unless you have a cushion on them.
Remember… Comfort!
Mainly the cushions are quite lengthy to fit the area of the fireplace front.
That means that no ordinary cushion is going to do. sure layering all the cushions along the front of the fireplace might work…
No really, that was just hopeful thinking.
They are going to fall off and move apart. And maybe end up in the fire and that would be a waste of a good cushion.
So the fireplace cushion was created as there was a need and someone supplied them.
Mainly shops but you could make one yourself if you so choose if you are that way inclined of course…
What is the Best Cushioning Material?
That’s a good question because being so close to a fireplace does not mean that you can just use any old material. Silk would not be a good item for many reasons.
Just an example of what not to use.
We will be looking at this further down in this article for you.
How Thick Should a Cushion Be?
In most cases, you don’t want to have a cushion that is going to be too thin, as it defeats the purpose if you’re nearly sitting on the surface of the base itself.
Sure…
The cushion looks nice till you sit in it and it all goes sideways. Not literally.
So, your seat cushion should be thick enough to be comfortable, and without flowing over or even slipping over the edge of your seat base.
Apart from not being comfortable, it is not really a good look, is it?
Keep this in mind though…
In general, cushions that are greater than 50mm thick will make a pretty comfortable seating pad overall.
Whereas, if you go for 75mm, this is perfect for a window seat cushion or… as we are concentrating on here, a bench seat cushion. A fireplace seat cushion.
How do I Choose Cushions?
The choice of a fireplace seat cushion does really come down to the overall look of your surroundings.
You can start there…
By coordinating your fireplace seat cushion with the existing decor you will get a more harmonious look and feel.
You do want the fireplace to blend into its surrounding, but also make a statement, don’t you…
That’s where patterns come in, nothing outrageous unless you want a clashing of the harmonious with the’ I am not so comfortable to look’.
Have a look online to get some inspiration on what sort of patterns you might like.
Now if you are going to buy a ready-made fireplace seat cushion, you are going to be inhibited as to the choices you have with the design.
But the manufacturers make a good range that is to blend with fireplaces.
If you are deciding to make your own, then you can look for material to find what best suits your personality.
I have an idea!
What if you bought a ready-made fireplace seat cushion and made your own fireplace seat cover yourself?
You know…
One you can take off whenever the mood suits you. Now there’s an idea.
By transforming your hearth into a comfortable seating option with hearth cushions makes your fireplace more inviting.
You can get them available in a wide variety of colours and lengths when buying them from shops or online.
Also if you have not thought about it the fireplace seat cushion will also provide protection from the hearth’s corners so don’t go bumping yourself around.
It happens…
Hearth cushions are made from fire-retardant materials.
And it is a good idea if the fabric is stain-resistant in case of those little accidents.
The So…
If you are making your own fireplace seat cushion. Look for the materials that are best suited to these cushions
They will come with all of that when buying them from a shop.
But if you are making them yourself. Have a look at the materials that are durable and not flimsy.
And to make them fire retardant and waterproof if you want them to be of course.
There are spray adhesives that you can buy to get the job done.
But remember if you are going to spray the, take the material outside first so that the fumes are carried away on the breeze.
Here’s our handy guide to the pros and cons of different fabrics, and the places in the home they are most recommended for.
Canvas
Canvas is really the undisputed winner when it comes to durability.
It is a plain-woven fabric which is typically made from a cotton blend with synthetic fibres, and it is the most durable, heavy-duty fabric out there.
As it is hardwearing, sturdy and easily washable, and…
Canvas is also water resistant and sometimes even, get this!
Water-proof
But not the softest material out there. If you want colours you will need to colour them yourself.
Polyester & Nylon
These are known as synthetic fibres and can be excellent for cushion cover fabric.
Reason – because they are washed easily, are hard-wearing, and fade less than other fabrics when it comes to regular cleaning.
Also, the added advantage is that Polyester and nylon don’t crumple that easily either.
Now that’s an advantage we can go with here…
They are also less absorbent than cotton, which means… Yes!
They are less likely to stain.
Because they are a man-made material. They do trap heat and sweat and are not going to be the coolest fabrics for you to sit on in the humid summer weather.
BUT!
That does NOT apply to us because we are going to use it for the fireplace ad that means WINTER!
The cooler weather.
Cotton & Linen
As with our clothing, cotton is actually one of the most popular choices for cushion fabrics if you did not know…
Being of a natural fibre, it is kind to sensitive skin, with the added advantage of being washable and hardwearing.
So I would think about this material as it makes it a good option for a hardworking fireplace seat cushion.
Linen, is also a cool and comfy natural material, is a washable material and is also moisture resistant as well.
Did you know that it can absorb 20% of dampness without even getting that wet feeling?
Yes, linen creases – so you will need to make sure it has a fairly tight fit on your fireplace seat cushion.
It does however soften and creaseless after a few visits to the laundry room washes though…
So… the fireplace seat cushion, whether you make one yourself or decide to just buy one. I am sure you’re going to make a statement with your own choices and style.