Which Garden Furniture Cover Size Do You Need? Measuring for Dining Sets, Sofas and Fire Pits

Match the cover to the shape and seat count of your set, then check it against three measurements of the furniture: the widest point, the deepest point and the tallest point with cushions in place. Covers are sold by set type, so a 6 seat round dining set, a left hand corner sofa and a 4 seat cube set each take a different cover. At Chimes, our covers come as cover packs made for specific sets, which removes most of the guesswork.

The Three Measurements To Take

Before looking at any cover, measure the set as it stands in the garden.

1. Width. The widest point across the whole arrangement, including chair arms at rest.
2. Depth. Front to back at the deepest point, measured with chairs pushed in.
3. Height. Floor to the tallest point, taken with cushions in place and a parasol removed.

Write all three down in centimetres. A cover that's slightly generous in width and depth is fine, because it still sheds water, and one that's too short in height leaves legs exposed.

Cover Sizes By Set Type

Set type	Cover needed	What to check
2 seat bistro set	Bistro cover	Table height with chairs tucked in
4 seat round dining set	4 seat round cover	Table diameter plus chair backs
6 seat round dining set	6 seat round cover	Diameter at the widest point
6 seat rectangular dining set	6 seat rectangular cover	Length and width, not diagonal
8 seat round dining set	8 seat round cover	Diameter, usually around 1.8m
8 seat rectangular dining set	8 seat rectangular cover	Table length plus end chairs
4 seat cube set	4 seat cube cover	Height with stools tucked under
6 seat cube set	6 seat cube cover	Overall square footprint
Corner dining set, left hand	Left hand L-shaped cover	Which way the long side runs
Corner dining set, right hand	Right hand L-shaped cover	Which way the long side runs
Compact corner set with fire pit	Compact corner cover	Rising table at its highest setting
Deluxe corner set	Deluxe corner cover	Extra benches or armchairs included
Sun lounger set	Lounger cover	Length fully reclined or upright
Storage box	Storage box cover	Lid clearance

Corner Sets: Get The Handing Right

Corner sets are the one place where size alone isn't enough. L-shaped sets come in left hand and right hand versions, and the covers follow the same split.

To identify the handing, stand facing into the set. If the shorter side is on your right, it's a right hand set. If the shorter side is on your left, it's a left hand set. Make sure you order the matching cover, as choosing the opposite handing may leave part of the set uncovered.

Deluxe and compact versions of the same range take different covers again, so check the full product name on your original order.

Fire Pit Tables And Rising Tables

Fire pit sets need a little extra thought.

• Measure with the fire pit lid on, which is how the set will sit through winter.
• Raise the table to its highest setting before measuring, as this is usually the position in which it should be covered.
• Remove windguards before fitting a cover, since glass panels can catch on fabric.
• Let the fire pit cool completely, and ideally leave it a few hours, before covering.

How Snug Should A Cover Be?

A good cover is close fitting without being stretched. Too loose and it collects water on top and flaps in wind, which wears both the fabric and the furniture. Too tight and it's hard to fit, and the seams take the strain.

A few centimetres of ease in width and depth is ideal. On height, it's better to have a cover that reaches the ground than one that stops short, because the lower legs are where splashback and dirt collect.

Look for fixing points too. Straps, drawcords or clips keep a cover in place through an autumn gale, and they matter more than the fabric weight on exposed sites.

Before You Cover The Set

• Make sure the furniture is completely dry.
• Brush off leaves, pollen and bird mess.
• Store cushions in a storage box or indoors, keeping them out from under the cover.
• Raise any rising tables to their highest position before fitting the cover.
• Fit the cover and tighten the fixings evenly.
• Check it after the first windy night and adjust if needed.

Matching A Cover To Your Set

Our range of garden furniture covers is made up of Weathertex treated cover packs built for specific set shapes, including left and right hand L-shaped corner sets, round and rectangular dining sets in 4, 6 and 8 seat sizes, cube sets, bistro sets, sun loungers and storage boxes.

If you're unsure which pack fits your furniture, send us the set name from your order along with your three measurements and we'll confirm the right one. Our team is on 01268 219969 or sales@chimeshomeandgarden.co.uk.

FAQs

How do I measure garden furniture for a cover?

Take the widest point, the deepest point and the tallest point with cushions in place. Measure the whole arrangement as it sits, not the individual pieces.

Should a garden furniture cover be bigger than the furniture?

Slightly. A few centimetres of ease in width and depth helps the cover fit and shed water. A cover that's much too large collects pooled water on top.

Do I need a left hand or right hand corner cover?

Stand facing into the set. If the shorter side is on your right, you need a right hand cover. If the shorter side is on your left, you need a left hand cover.

Can one cover fit different sets?

Covers made for a specific set shape give the best fit. A 6 seat round cover won't sit properly on a 6 seat rectangular set, even though the seat count matches.

Should cushions stay under the cover over winter?

It's better to store them separately in a storage box or indoors, so any moisture under the cover doesn't sit against the fabric.

Do fire pit tables need a special cover?

They take the cover made for that set shape. Measure with the fire pit lid on, and raise any rising table to its highest setting before fitting the cover. Check the manufacturer's guidance on whether the windguard needs to be removed.