Some of the best DIY projects are the ones that solve a practical problem without requiring expensive materials. This oversized patio floor cushion idea does exactly that by combining inexpensive beach towels with clean, crumpled plastic grocery bags.
The result is a colorful, casual cushion that can provide extra seating on a covered patio, porch, or three-season outdoor space. Instead of buying large outdoor cushions, you can turn materials you may already have into something useful and surprisingly comfortable.
Why This Beach Towel Patio Cushion Idea Works
Beach towels are particularly convenient for this type of project because they are soft, colorful, and relatively easy to sew. Their casual appearance also fits naturally into outdoor spaces.
The plastic grocery bags serve as lightweight filler. When they are crumpled loosely rather than packed tightly, they create a cushion that can compress under your weight.
The finished piece isn’t intended to look like formal upholstered furniture. Its charm comes from the oversized shape, bright colors, and relaxed patio style.
Materials You’ll Need
For two oversized floor cushions, gather:
- 12 inexpensive beach towels, approximately 30 × 60 inches each
- 600 clean, dry plastic grocery bags
- 1 spool heavy-duty polyester thread, 250–300 yards
- 24–30 sewing clips or straight pins
- 1 fabric measuring tape, approximately 60 inches
- 1 fabric marker or tailor’s chalk
- 1 hand-sewing needle
- Sewing machine suitable for thick fabric
You’ll use approximately 300 plastic bags per cushion.
Step 1: Sort and Plan the Towels
Begin by separating the 12 towels into two groups of six.
Think about how you want the colors and patterns to appear. Because the finished cushions are large, the towel arrangement becomes part of the decoration.
You can create matching cushions or deliberately mix bright colors for a more playful patio look.
Step 2: Wash and Dry the Towels
If you’re using new inexpensive towels, wash and completely dry them before cutting or sewing.
Some budget towels can shrink slightly during their first wash. Washing them beforehand helps prevent unexpected changes after the cushions are finished.
After drying, shake the towels outside to remove loose lint and fibers.
Step 3: Prepare the Plastic Bags
Before stuffing anything, inspect all 600 bags.
Make sure they are:
- Clean
- Completely dry
- Free from food residue
- Free from receipts or other objects
Don’t tightly compress the bags into hard balls.
Instead, crumple them loosely. This produces a softer filling and reduces the amount of rustling.
Step 4: Create the Large Cushion Panels
For the first cushion, you’ll divide six towels between the top, bottom, and side construction.
Lay two towels side by side, overlapping their long edges by approximately one inch.
Sew the overlapping seam securely.
Repeat the process with two additional towels to create another large panel.
These panels will eventually become the top and bottom of your oversized cushion.
Step 5: Create the Side Band
Take the remaining two towels and cut them into strips approximately 10 inches wide.
Piece the strips together until you have enough material to create one continuous band around the cushion.
Sew the strips together with approximately 1/2-inch seam allowances.
Because terry cloth can be bulky, you don’t need to obsess over perfectly pressed seams. Smooth them flat with your hands as you work.
Step 6: Attach the Side Band
Place the side band around the top cushion panel.
Keep the right sides of the fabric together and use clips or pins to hold everything in position.
Pay particular attention to the corners.
Instead of forcing the thick towel fabric into sharp corners, ease it gently around them.
Sew around the perimeter using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
Step 7: Attach the Bottom Panel
Now attach the second large towel panel to the remaining edge of the side band.
Again, keep the right sides together.
However, don’t close the entire seam.
Leave an opening approximately 16–20 inches wide.
This opening will allow you to turn the cushion right side out and add the plastic-bag filling.
Step 8: Turn the Cushion Right Side Out
Trim away any excessive seam fuzz if necessary.
Then carefully turn the cushion through the opening.
Use your fingers to gently push the corners outward.
At this stage, you’ll begin to see the shape of the finished oversized floor cushion.
Step 9: Start Adding the Plastic Bags
Now comes the unusual part of the project.
Begin filling the cushion with approximately 300 loosely crumpled plastic grocery bags.
Don’t simply dump all the bags into the center.
Start by pushing bags into the corners and edges. Then gradually fill the middle.
This helps create a more evenly distributed cushion.
Step 10: Find the Right Firmness
As you add bags, periodically press down on the cushion.
You’re looking for a balance.
It should feel full enough to provide support but still compress when someone sits or lounges on it.
If you pack the bags too tightly, the cushion can become stiff and noisy.
If you don’t use enough filler, the cushion may collapse too easily.
Step 11: Close the Opening
Once you’re satisfied with the filling, fold the raw edges of the opening inward by approximately 1/2 inch.
You can close the opening with your sewing machine if the layers fit comfortably beneath the presser foot.
Alternatively, use a strong hand-sewn ladder stitch.
Make sure the closure is secure because the filling will put pressure on the seam whenever someone sits on the cushion.
Step 12: Make the Second Cushion
Repeat the process with the remaining six towels and approximately 300 additional plastic bags.
Try to make both cushions roughly the same height if you want them to look like a coordinated patio set.
Once finished, knead the cushions with your hands to redistribute the bags.
If you discover a particularly lumpy area, gently work the bags toward the surrounding sections until the filling feels more even.
How to Make the Cushions Softer
The way you prepare the plastic bags makes a surprisingly big difference.
Avoid twisting them into dense balls.
Instead, loosely crumple each bag and place it inside the cushion.
For an even softer feel, you can place some of the noisier bags inside old pillowcases or soft T-shirts before adding them to the center of the cushion.
This creates an additional barrier between the individual bags and can make the cushion feel more uniform.
How to Make Them Firmer
If the cushion feels too soft, you can add additional bags.
Try adding approximately 25–50 bags at a time rather than dramatically overstuffing it.
Pay attention to the seams while adding filler.
A cushion that is packed too tightly can put unnecessary stress on the towel seams and make the finished piece uncomfortable.
Make the Covers Removable
If you want the project to be easier to maintain, consider adding a zipper or hook-and-loop closure instead of permanently stitching the final opening shut.
This takes more work during construction, but it offers an important advantage.
You can remove the cover later, wash the towels, redistribute the filling, or replace damaged bags.
For cushions that will receive frequent use, this may be worth the extra effort.
Are These Cushions Waterproof?
Not completely.
The plastic bags themselves are relatively resistant to moisture, but the beach towels are still fabric.
That’s why these cushions are best suited to a covered patio, porch, or sheltered outdoor area.
They shouldn’t be treated like permanently waterproof outdoor furniture.
If your patio receives frequent rain or heavy moisture, bring the cushions indoors when they’re not being used.
A Simple Way to Improve Weather Resistance
For additional protection, you can create an interior liner from water-resistant fabric before adding the plastic-bag filler.
The liner creates another barrier between the filling and the towel exterior.
However, even with additional protection, it’s still best to keep the cushions sheltered from prolonged rain.
How to Reduce the Plastic-Bag Noise
One downside is that plastic bags can make a crinkling sound.
Loose crumpling helps, but you can take another step.
Place particularly noisy bags inside old pillowcases, T-shirts, or similar soft fabric before using them as central filler.
Mixing different types of bags can also make the filling less uniformly crisp and reduce the noticeable rustling.
Choosing the Best Towel Colors
Bright towels are part of the appeal of this project.
You can coordinate colors with your existing patio furniture or deliberately choose contrasting shades.
Busy patterns and saturated colors also have a practical advantage: they tend to hide outdoor dust and small marks better than very pale solid towels.
For a calmer look, choose towels from the same color family.
For a playful summer patio, combine several contrasting colors.
Where to Put the Finished Cushions
These oversized cushions work particularly well in relaxed spaces.
Try placing them:
- Around a low outdoor table
- Beside a patio seating area
- On a covered porch
- In a three-season room
- On a sheltered deck
- In a children’s outdoor lounging area
You can stack them when they’re not being used or spread them around a low table when entertaining.
What Makes This DIY So Appealing?
The biggest attraction isn’t simply the finished cushion.
It’s the combination of low-cost materials, reuse, and practical function.
Instead of throwing away old towels or letting clean plastic bags accumulate, the project gives them a second purpose.
The result also doesn’t require professional upholstery skills. The basic construction is essentially a large fabric shell with a lightweight filling.
Important Safety and Practical Considerations
Only use clean, dry bags.
Keep plastic bags away from young children and pets during preparation and storage because loose plastic bags can pose a suffocation hazard.
Don’t use bags that contain food residue, moisture, sharp objects, or chemical contamination.
Also inspect the finished cushion regularly. If the towel fabric tears or the seam begins opening, repair it before continuing to use the cushion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many plastic bags go into each cushion?
The project uses approximately 300 loosely crumpled plastic grocery bags per cushion, or about 600 bags total for two cushions.
Can I use fewer plastic bags?
Yes. Using fewer bags will create a softer, less-full cushion. Add filler gradually until you reach the firmness you prefer.
Can I use old towels instead of beach towels?
Yes, provided they’re large enough and in good condition. Thicker towels can make the sewing process more challenging, though.
Can these cushions stay outside all summer?
They’re better suited to covered outdoor areas. Prolonged exposure to rain and moisture can damage the towel covers and create unpleasant conditions inside the cushion.
Can I wash the cushions?
A permanently sewn cushion is difficult to wash. For easier maintenance, add a zipper or hook-and-loop closure so the cover can be removed.
Why are my cushions lumpy?
The plastic bags may not be distributed evenly. Open the filling area and move bags from crowded sections into thinner areas until the cushion feels more uniform.
Can I make smaller cushions?
Absolutely. Simply reduce the dimensions of the towel panels and adjust the amount of filling accordingly.
Final Thoughts
This beach-towel-and-plastic-bag project is a great example of how inexpensive materials can become something genuinely useful.
With 12 colorful beach towels and approximately 600 clean plastic grocery bags, you can create two oversized floor cushions that add casual seating and a cheerful splash of color to a covered patio or porch.
The key is to keep the plastic bags loosely crumpled, distribute them evenly, reinforce the seams, and protect the finished cushions from prolonged exposure to rain.
It’s inexpensive, customizable, and practical—and once you see the finished cushions spread across a patio, it’s easy to understand why this kind of DIY idea gets people talking.