See how a simple set of striped cushion covers completely changed the vibe of my beige outdoor sectional. Learn how to give your patio a fresh, nautical look without replacing the whole sofa!
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I bought the cutest wicker outdoor sofa sectional with navy cushions from Wayfair years ago (read about it HERE). Unfortunately, our pesky little squirrels in the backyard ate through the cushion covers! My husband thinks they were storing their nuts in there for the winter. LOL
Tip: If you find an outdoor sectional set you love, BUY IT! Our set from Wayfair has sold out dozens of times since we bought it. Don’t miss out on the perfect outdoor furniture, since it’s seasonal and might not ever come back.
To my surprise, when I removed them, there was another cover underneath in a neutral beige color (bonus covers!). So, I took threw out the navy covers and rolled with the beige ones…. for a while.
However, those generic beige cushions honestly just blended into the background. Every time I went outside, it just felt blah to me. This outdoor sofa was screaming for a makeover (cue Cher from Clueless). So, I went on the hunt for new outdoor sofa covers and surprise, surprise — I wanted something striped!
Why Striped Patio Furniture Works Outdoors
Shop the Look: Striped Umbrella \\ Striped Chair Cushions \\ Striped Pillow Covers: 1. \\ 2. \\ 3. \\ 4. \\ 5. \\ 6.
Stripes are one of those classic patterns that never go out of style, and they work perfectly outdoors. Whether you’re working with a small balcony or a full backyard setup, striped patio furniture instantly adds visual interest and personality. It’s a go-to for coastal, nautical, or beachy looks, but still feels classic enough to mix with other styles. Plus, stripes + summer just go together like peanut better and jelly!
Also, you don’t have to go full-on striped on your big furniture pieces to bring in coastal or nautical style. Simple striped accents like cushions or an umbrella in the mix can totally shift the vibe.
My Outdoor Sofa Makeover with Striped Cushions
The first place that I look for pillow covers is Amazon, so naturally that’s the first place I looked for outdoor sofa cushion covers too. Amazon has so many sellers and therefore so many options. I have always wanted navy/white striped cushions because I thought that would be so adorable and quintessential nautical.
Before you look for cushions, measure your current ones so you know what size to get. Mine were 28” square and the ones I fell in love with came in several sizes, but 27” was the closest to mine. I took a chance, and they worked perfectly!
We have two big dogs who love to lounge on the outdoor sofa, and thankfully these are incredibly easy to clean. I just wipe them down with a wet microfiber cloth and they’re good to go!
But my absolute favorite part of these cushions is that the back covers have strings on them so you can tie them down! It gets so windy at our house that our cushions used to blow all over the neck. Now, they are totally secured and stay in place, which is awesome. I actually ditched our outdoor throw pillows because I got sick of the constantly getting blown off. This striped outdoor furniture is so cute on its own, it doesn’t even need throw pillows!
Because I went with striped sofa cushions, I needed to replace our striped outdoor rug since the colors were off and the pattern was competing. I was already planning to replace it because it didn’t really fit well on our new deck. And to make matters more complicated, I needed an 11×11 ft rug to be long enough for our sofa but not too long to actually fit on our deck.
Luckily, I found the perfect outdoor rug on Rugs.com that coordinates beautifully. It’s got a mix of light and dark blue shades, making it an excellent choice for our dark navy striped outdoor sofa. Always go for polypropylene for the outdoors for easy cleaning, which is the only material I will use.
Tips for Upgrading Your Existing Outdoor Furniture
If your current setup just needs a little love, you don’t have to start from scratch. A few smart swaps can make your space feel totally new. Here are some tips that helped me when I gave my outdoor sofa a striped refresh:
- Measure first. Before you order anything, grab a measuring tape and jot down the dimensions of your existing cushions. I had to make sure the striped covers I found would actually fit.
- Stick to a color scheme. Choosing stripe colors that work with the rest of your space keeps things feeling cohesive. I went with navy and white for a crisp, coastal look that complements the rest of our patio.
- Layer in accessories. Once your base furniture is styled, add in coordinating touches like striped throw pillows, a patterned outdoor rug, or even a fun umbrella to tie everything together. (Throw pillows are optional! I opted to skip them due to high winds at our house.)
- Mix and match. You don’t need every single piece to be striped. Pairing your stripes with solids (like plain cushions or a wood coffee table) adds balance and keeps the look from feeling too busy.
- Consider cushion covers instead of replacing everything. Covers are such an easy, budget-friendly way to refresh what you already have—and if you change your mind later, they’re simple to swap out again.
I am totally obsessed with our new striped patio furniture. You absolutely do not need to replace your whole patio set to get a fresh, polished look! Whether you’re after a nautical vibe or just want to break up the neutrals with something more bold, striped patio furniture is a super easy way to make a bold change. A few simple swaps can totally redefine your outdoor style—without breaking the bank.
I hope this post gave you some good patio design inspiration. Happy decorating!
Striped Patio Furniture FAQ
Start with your cushions! Swapping in striped cushion covers is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to give your patio furniture a fresh new look.
Not at all. You can layer in stripes through cushion covers, outdoor pillows, rugs, or even umbrellas. A few key pieces go a long way.
Navy and white is a classic choice for coastal outdoor spaces, but you can also try black and white, beige and white, lighter blue and white, or even colorful cabana stripes (like red or yellow) depending on your style.
This post is about a striped patio furniture makeover.
