Outdoor Square Pouf: Size, Fabric and Fit Guide

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Choose an outdoor square pouf by how you will use it, as a footrest or as a seat, and then by size. An outdoor square pouf is a weather-resistant footrest and extra seat that you can move around a balcony or patio. The three poufs compared here are one 24 x 24 x 18 inch model and two 20 x 20 x 14 inch models. The larger one is taller, listed at 12.4 pounds, and the smaller ones are listed at about 5 pounds each. All three describe waterproof or water-resistant fabric. On a 96 inch wall, two 24 inch poufs leave 16 inches per gap, and three 20 inch poufs leave 9 inches.

What an outdoor pouf does well

A pouf gives you a footrest, an extra seat and a low side table in one soft piece, and it can be stored in a closet or a corner. It does not need assembly, and it costs you no wall or floor holes. It suits a balcony where a full set of chairs will not fit. Unlike a chair, it has no back, so it is for short sits and for feet.

It is not furniture for everything. An outdoor pouf is not a replacement for a chair for long sitting, and a foam pouf can soak up rain from below if it is left in standing water. Plan to lift it off the ground in heavy rain or store it.

The three poufs we compare

Square outdoor ottoman pouf, 24 inch, dark gray

The 24 inch pouf is listed at 24 x 24 x 18 inches, in dark gray olefin fabric, weighing 12.4 pounds, with a seat height of 18 inches. The listing says it is filled with a single block of high-density foam, with a laminated inner film beneath the breathable cover for waterproofing, and a portable handle. It says it ships vacuum compressed and needs time to expand. It is the largest and the heaviest, and the tallest of the three.

Outdoor square ottoman 20x20x14, navy

The navy pouf is listed at 20 x 20 x 14 inches, in waterproof polyester with double zippers, with a seat height of 14 inches. The weight is listed at 5 pounds in the structured field and 6 pounds in a bullet, which is a conflict, so use either as a rough guide only. A maximum weight field says 6 pounds, which matches the item weight and is not a seating limit, so we do not use it. The listing says it needs 72 hours of airing out to expand and that it works as a footrest, an extra seat or a side table.

Outdoor ottomans for patio, 20x20x14, black

The black pouf is also listed at 20 x 20 x 14 inches, weighing 5 pounds, in waterproof, fade-resistant fabric with double zipper closures and a high-resiliency foam filling. The listing says it wipes clean with a damp cloth and needs 72 hours of air-drying in a well-ventilated area to fully expand. It is aimed at small balconies and tight corners. Its footprint and weight match the navy model, so the choice comes down to color and which listing you trust.

What to look for

Size and height

The 24 inch pouf is 18 inches tall, and the 20 inch poufs are 14 inches tall. A pouf as a footrest should be close to the seat height of your chair. A pouf that is much higher than the seat lifts your knees, and one that is lower works as a floor cushion. We do not know your chair, so measure it.

Fabric

Fabric decides how the pouf lives outside. The 24 inch pouf lists olefin, a fabric often used outdoors. The other two list waterproof polyester. All three listings talk about waterproofing. None of them tell you how many hours of rain they survive, and the listings do not give a UV rating we could use. Treat the fabric as water-resistant, not as a submarine, and lift the pouf off wet ground.

Fill and sitting

A solid foam block holds its shape better than loose beads. The 24 inch listing says solid high-density foam, and the other two say high-density or high-resiliency foam. The 24 inch listing compares its 18 inch height to outdoor sofas and loungers. The 20 inch listings mention an extra seat and a step stool. The step stool idea is a bad one, since a soft pouf will roll under your weight. Do not stand on it.

Weight and wind

A light pouf blows around. The 5 pound models can move in a strong gust. The 12.4 pound model is steadier. On a high balcony, a light pouf can go over the railing, so bring it in when it is windy.

Cleaning

Wipe it with a damp cloth. The black pouf’s listing says it wipes clean. Let it dry in air, not on a heater. On the navy and black models, the zippered cover lets you check inside if the cover gets wet.

Worked example: a 96 inch patio wall

This is our own planning example, in one place. The patio wall is 96 inches wide, and the poufs sit in a row along it. Each distance below runs along that wall.

Two 24 inch poufs:

• Total width: 2 times 24 in equals 48 in.
• Leftover wall: 96 in minus 48 in equals 48 in in total.
• There are three gaps, one at each end and one between the poufs. The 48 in is the total for all three, so 48 in divided by 3 equals 16 in per gap.
• Check: 3 times 16 in equals 48 in, and 48 in plus 48 in equals 96 in.

Three 20 inch poufs:

• Total width: 3 times 20 in equals 60 in.
• Leftover wall: 96 in minus 60 in equals 36 in in total.
• There are four gaps, one at each end and one between each pair. The 36 in is the total for all four, so 36 in divided by 4 equals 9 in per gap.
• Check: 4 times 9 in equals 36 in, and 60 in plus 36 in equals 96 in.

Four 20 inch poufs:

• Total width: 4 times 20 in equals 80 in.
• Leftover wall: 96 in minus 80 in equals 16 in in total.
• There are five gaps. The 16 in is the total for all five: 16 in divided by 5 equals 3.2 in per gap.
• Check: 5 times 3.2 in equals 16 in, and 80 in plus 16 in equals 96 in.

So the wall holds three 20 inch poufs with 9 inches between them, which is enough to pull one out. Four of them leave only 3.2 inches per gap, which is crowded. Two 24 inch poufs leave generous gaps of 16 inches, and it is the better layout if you want to use them as seats. Keep the path in front of the row clear as well. The US Access Board uses 36 inches for a clear route in public buildings, which we borrow as a yardstick.

Using outdoor poufs in a small space

• Under a bistro table: two 20 inch poufs tuck under a table and come out for guests.
• Beside a lounge chair: use one as a footrest or a side table with a tray.
• In a corner: one pouf and a plant fill a corner without blocking the door.
• By the door: a pouf is a handy seat for taking off shoes.
• Indoors in winter: the listings call them outdoor, but they also work as indoor poufs.

Care and storage

Brush off dirt, wipe the cover, and let it dry fully. Do not leave the pouf in a puddle. Store it in a dry corner or a deck box in a long rainy spell. The 72 hours of airing out that the listings ask for after unboxing is worth it, since a pouf that has not expanded will feel flat. Keep it out of direct heat and flames.

Who should buy an outdoor square pouf

• Balcony owners who want a footrest and a seat in one.
• Patio owners who rearrange often.
• Households with children or pets who like a soft, frameless seat. The 24 inch listing says there are no sharp metal edges.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who wants a back to lean on.
• People on very windy balconies who cannot store it.
• Anyone who wants a table that holds drinks without a tray.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the expansion time. Give a compressed pouf 72 hours.
• Treating a conflicting weight figure as fact. The navy listing says 5 pounds in one place and 6 in another.
• Standing on it. It is not a step stool.
• Leaving it in standing water.
• Buying by color alone.

Checklist before you buy

• Measure the wall or corner where the pouf will sit.
• Decide between a footrest height and a seat height.
• Read the fabric on the page.
• Plan for the expansion time.
• Plan where it goes in a storm.

Keep reading

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

• Small Outdoor Pouf: Size and Fabric Guide
• Small Square Pouf: Size, Shape and Fit Guide
• Square Kitchen Table: Size Guide for Small Kitchens

Frequently asked questions

What size outdoor square pouf should I buy?

A 20 inch pouf at 14 inches high suits a footrest and the listings call it compact. The 24 inch pouf is 18 inches tall, which is closer to a lounge seat height.

Are outdoor poufs really waterproof?

The listings say waterproof or water-resistant, and none give a rain rating. Treat them as water-resistant and keep them off wet ground.

How long does a compressed pouf take to expand?

The two 20 inch listings ask for 72 hours. The 24 inch listing says it ships compressed and needs time to expand.

Can I leave an outdoor pouf outside all year?

Check the listing, and bring it in for heavy rain, snow or high wind. Cover or store it in the off season.

Can an outdoor pouf be used indoors?

Yes. The fabric wipes clean, and the shape suits a footrest.

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