Small Outdoor Pouf: Size and Fabric Guide

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For a small balcony, choose the outdoor pouf by diameter first. A small outdoor pouf is a footrest, a spare seat or a low side table that can sit on a balcony or patio and be stored when not needed. The three compared here are the foam-filled outdoor ottoman in linen (20 inches across, 14 inches high), the foam-filled navy outdoor pouf (20 inches across, 12 inches high) and an inflatable ottoman (21 inches across, 9 inches high). The foam ones need about 72 hours to expand after unpacking, according to their listings, while the inflatable one comes with a pump and weighs 1.8 pounds. None of the three gives a weight rating in the listing data.

What a small outdoor pouf does well

It is movable. You can pull it up to a chair for a footrest, set it by a door as a seat for putting on shoes, or put a tray on it for a drink. Because it has no frame, it fits into a tight corner and does not scratch the floor.

A pouf is not a full chair. It has no back. On a small balcony, it replaces a footstool and a side table, and if the space is very small it can be stored inside when you are done.

The three small outdoor poufs we compare

Foam-filled outdoor ottoman in linen, 20 x 14 inches

This pouf is listed at 20 inches deep, 20 inches wide and 14 inches high, in a linen color, with a waterproof, fade-resistant outdoor fabric and a high-density all-in-one foam filling. The listing says it is shipped pre-filled and needs 72 hours of air-drying in a well-ventilated area to fully expand. The cover has double zippers, and the fabric wipes clean with a damp cloth according to the bullets. The listing says it is compact enough for small balconies. It gives no item weight or weight rating in the listing data.

Outdoor ottoman in navy, 20 x 12 inches

This pouf is listed at 20 inches deep, 20 inches wide and 12 inches high, weighing 4 pounds, in navy blue, with a waterproof polyester cover with extra-large double zippers and a single-piece high-resilience foam core. The listing says it ships in vacuum packaging and that you should let it expand for 72 hours. It is two inches lower than the linen one, which makes it better as a footrest for a low chair and less good as a seat.

Outdoor inflatable ottoman with air pump, 21 x 9 inches

This ottoman is listed at 21 inches deep, 21 inches wide and 9 inches high, weighing 1.8 pounds, in beige polyester. The listing says the package has the cover, a PVC liner and an air pump. It is the only inflatable one, so it can be packed away smaller, and the lightest by a wide margin. The listing data we have gives no weight rating, so check the listing, and note that a very light piece can blow away in wind. At 9 inches high it is a footrest and not a seat.

Foam or inflatable

The filling decides how the pouf behaves.

• Foam (linen and navy poufs). It holds its shape and stays put. The trade-off is that foam is bulky, takes 72 hours to reach full size and needs a dry place if the fabric is not fully weatherproof. Foam can hold water if the cover leaks, so wipe it and let it dry.
• Inflatable. Light, quick to set up and easy to store. But air can leak, the surface is firmer and bouncier, and a hard edge or thorn can puncture a liner. At 1.8 pounds, you need to weigh it down in wind.

Fabric and weather

All three describe an outdoor-ready fabric. The linen one says waterproof and fade-resistant. The navy one says waterproof polyester. The inflatable one is described as fade-resistant. These are maker claims, and we have not seen any of them in use, so treat them as claims. Practical steps help any outdoor cushion: bring it inside in heavy rain or snow, put it on a dry surface and wipe it after rain.

Direct sun fades color over time, even on fade-resistant fabric. A pouf under a covered area lasts longer. Avoid placing it next to a grill, since heat and sparks can damage the fabric.

Size: 20 inches across is not small on a balcony

A 20 inch pouf covers 20 inches by 20 inches of floor, which equals 400 square inches as a bounding box. The inflatable one is 21 inches across, so 21 in times 21 in equals 441 square inches. On a balcony where every inch counts, that is more than you might expect.

The heights are 14, 12 and 9 inches. A 14 inch pouf is closer to a seat, while a 9 inch one is a low footrest.

Worked example: a balcony 66 inches deep

One balcony is 66 inches deep from the door to the railing. We put one pouf against the railing and check the path from the door. We use 36 inches as a planning yardstick for a path walked every day (from the US Access Board accessible route guidance). We check only this one direction.

• Linen or navy pouf, 20 in across. 66 in minus 20 in equals 46 in left. Then 46 in minus 36 in equals 10 in to spare.
• Inflatable pouf, 21 in across. 66 in minus 21 in equals 45 in left. Then 45 in minus 36 in equals 9 in to spare.

Check: 20 plus 46 equals 66, and 21 plus 45 equals 66. Both clear the yardstick, but not by much, and a chair or a pot on the same balcony would use the spare room.

Now the long direction. The balcony is 96 inches long, and we place two 20 inch poufs in a row along the wall.

• Two 20 in poufs. 20 in plus 20 in equals 40 in. Then 96 in minus 40 in equals 56 in left in total. If we center them, the 56 in is the TOTAL for both ends, so we split it: 56 in divided by 2 equals 28 in on each end.

Check: 28 plus 28 plus 40 equals 96. It adds up.

Where to put it

• In front of a balcony chair as a footrest.
• Beside a door as a quick seat.
• Next to a bench as a low table, with a tray on top.
• Indoors in a winter corner, where the foam ones can wait for spring.

Storage and care

Foam poufs do not fold. Plan a closet, a bench with storage or a corner indoors. The inflatable one deflates, so it is the one for a household with no storage. Wipe covers with a damp cloth, which the linen listing describes. For the others, check the listing for cleaning notes. Let any wet pouf dry before you store it, since a damp pouf can grow mold.

Who should buy a small outdoor pouf

• Balcony owners with one chair and no footrest.
• Renters who want something they can move inside.
• People with a patio set who want a low, flexible seat.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who needs a stable seat in wind. The inflatable one is light.
• People with no storage who live where winters are harsh. A foam pouf needs a place indoors.
• Anyone who needs a high seat. The poufs here are 9 to 14 inches high.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using the pouf the day it arrives. The foam ones need 72 hours to expand.
• Leaving it out in a storm. Waterproof is a claim, not a guarantee.
• Placing it near a grill. Heat damages fabric.
• Ignoring the wind. The inflatable pouf weighs 1.8 pounds.

Checklist before you buy

• Measure the balcony depth and subtract the diameter, as in the example.
• Decide between foam and inflatable.
• Plan where you will store it.
• Check the fabric and weight notes in the listing.
• Keep 36 inches for a path.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• Poufs Chairs: 3 Floor Poufs Compared by Size
• Pouf Woven: 3 Woven Poufs Compared by Size and Material
• Outdoor Poufs: 3 Space-Saving Picks

Frequently asked questions

What size is a small outdoor pouf?

These three are 20 or 21 inches across and 9 to 14 inches high. Subtract the diameter from your balcony depth and check the path.

Is an outdoor pouf waterproof?

The linen and navy listings say waterproof, and the inflatable one says fade-resistant. These are maker claims, so bring it inside in heavy rain.

Can I sit on an outdoor pouf?

The 14 and 12 inch foam poufs are described as seating and footrests. The listings do not give weight ratings in the listing data, so check the listing. The 9 inch inflatable is a footrest.

Why does the pouf need 72 hours to expand?

The navy listing says it ships in vacuum packaging, and both foam listings say to allow 72 hours to expand before use.

How do I store an inflatable ottoman?

Deflate it, let it dry and fold it. The listing includes a pump for inflating; check the listing for storage notes.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides