Measure your furniture before you buy a cover, not after
The most common mistake is guessing the size or measuring only one dimension. Patio furniture covers come in standard sizes — small, medium, large, extra-large — and each one fits a specific range of measurements. If your chair is 32 inches wide but the cover is rated for 28 to 30 inches, it will be too tight and won't protect the legs or feet. If it's 26 inches wide and you buy a large cover meant for 34 to 38 inches, water pools in the folds and the cover flaps in the wind.
You need three measurements for most pieces: width, depth, and height. Write them down before you shop. Bring the measurements with you or photograph them on your phone so you can compare them to the cover's size chart while you're at the store or online.
Key Takeaways
- Measure width, depth, and height for each piece of furniture, and always measure the widest or tallest part, not the frame.
- Use a soft measuring tape or a cloth tape measure, not a rigid ruler, because furniture is rarely perfectly square.
- Check the cover's size chart before you buy — standard sizes vary by brand, and a "large" from one maker may not fit the same chair as a "large" from another.
- Account for cushions if they stay on the furniture; measure with cushions in place so the cover fits over them.
- Round up to the next size if your measurements fall between two sizes on the chart.
Gather the right tools and choose a clear space
You need a soft measuring tape — the kind used for sewing, not a rigid metal tape measure. Soft tape drapes around curves and doesn't pinch, so you get an accurate reading on rounded chair backs, curved armrests, and barrel-shaped ottomans. A cloth tape costs three to five dollars at any fabric or hardware store.
Measure on a flat surface or with the furniture in the position where it normally sits. If your lounge chair reclines, measure it in the reclined position. If your dining chairs are stacked, pull one out and measure it standing alone. Clear away any cushions, throw pillows, or side tables that might get in your way or throw off your measurements.
Measure width, depth, and height correctly
Width is the distance from the leftmost point to the rightmost point. For a chair, measure across the widest part of the armrests or the seat, whichever is wider. For a table, measure from one outer edge to the other. Don't measure just the tabletop if the base is wider.
Depth is the distance from front to back. For a chair, measure from the front of the seat cushion to the back of the backrest. For a table, measure from the edge closest to you to the far edge. For a chaise lounge, measure from the foot end to the head end.
Height is the distance from the ground to the highest point. For a chair, measure from the floor to the top of the backrest. For a table, measure from the floor to the top of the tabletop. For an umbrella stand or side table, measure to the highest point where the cover will rest.
Write down all three numbers. If the furniture is oddly shaped — a curved sectional or a kidney-shaped table — measure the widest and deepest points, because the cover has to fit over those.
Account for cushions and measure with them in place
If your furniture has cushions that stay on year-round or that you plan to leave on when you cover it, measure with the cushions sitting in their normal position. A dining chair with a seat cushion will be deeper and taller than a bare chair. A lounge chair with a thick cushion will be wider and taller. The cover has to fit over the cushion, not just the frame.
If you remove the cushions before covering the furniture, measure the bare frame instead. Some people store cushions separately indoors and only cover the frame, which is a valid approach — just make sure you measure what you're actually covering.
Compare your measurements to the cover's size chart
Every cover comes with a size chart that lists the dimensions each size is meant to fit. A typical chart looks like this:
| Size | Width Range | Depth Range | Height Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 24–28 inches | 24–28 inches | 28–32 inches |
| Medium | 28–34 inches | 28–34 inches | 32–38 inches |
| Large | 34–40 inches | 34–40 inches | 38–44 inches |
| Extra-Large | 40–48 inches | 40–48 inches | 44–52 inches |
Your furniture has to fit within all three ranges — width, depth, and height — for that size. If your chair is 32 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 36 inches tall, it fits the medium size (all three measurements fall within the medium ranges). If it's 32 inches wide, 30 inches deep, and 40 inches tall, you need a large, because the height exceeds the medium range even though width and depth don't.
If your measurements fall between two sizes, round up. A chair that is 34 inches wide, 34 inches deep, and 38 inches tall is right at the border between medium and large. Buy the large. A slightly loose cover is better than one that's too snug.
Measure special furniture shapes
Sectionals, L-shaped benches, and curved sofas need the same three measurements, but measure the longest dimension in each direction. For a sectional that is L-shaped, measure from the farthest left point to the farthest right point for width, and from the farthest front point to the farthest back point for depth. Measure the height at the tallest point — usually the back cushions.
For round or oval tables, measure the diameter (the distance across the widest point) for width, and use the same number for depth. Measure the height from the floor to the tabletop. Some covers for round tables are labeled by diameter only, so check the size chart to see what measurement it uses.
For umbrella stands and side tables, measure width and depth at the widest point of the base or top, whichever is wider. Measure height to the highest point where the cover will sit — usually just below where the umbrella pole attaches or where the tabletop ends.
Double-check before you buy
Before you purchase a cover, verify that your three measurements all fall within the size range on the chart. If the cover is sold online, read the product description to see if it lists the dimensions it fits. If you're buying in a store, ask a staff member to show you the size chart or check the packaging.
If you're buying a cover for an unusual piece — a custom-built bench, a very old chair, or furniture with an irregular shape — consider measuring a piece you already own that is similar in size, then comparing that to the cover's chart. You can also contact the cover manufacturer directly with your three measurements and ask which size they recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I measure the frame or the cushion?
Measure the cushion if it stays on the furniture. If you remove cushions before covering, measure the bare frame. The cover has to fit over whatever is there when you put it on.
What if my furniture is between two sizes?
Buy the larger size. A cover that is slightly loose will shed water and won't strain at the seams. A cover that is too tight won't protect the legs and feet, and it may tear or slip off in wind.
Can I use a rigid metal tape measure?
You can, but a soft cloth tape is better because it conforms to curves and rounded edges. If you only have a metal tape, measure the straightest parts and note where the furniture curves, then add a half-inch to account for the curve.
Do I need to measure the legs separately?
No. The height measurement from floor to the top of the furniture accounts for the legs. The cover will drape down and cover them as long as you measure the full height correctly.
What if the cover is too big after I buy it?
A cover that is one size too large will bunch up and may blow around in wind, but it will still protect the furniture. find it with elastic straps or ties if the cover has them. If it is two or more sizes too large, return it and buy the correct size.