In this post: French mattress cushions are a beautiful alternative to standard cushions that can be used for window seats, daybeds, and benches. I’m sharing pics of our new window seat cushion along with the sources I found for buying your own!
One of the little details of our previous home that made me fall in love with it is the large bay window seat in the living room. Such a perfect spot for curling up in a blanket with a bunch of pillows and reading a book! But the super thin cushion that came with our house had to go! In order to create the beautiful, comfy window seat that I’d pictured in my mind, I thought that a french mattress cushion would be perfect!
I think the first time I saw one (actually three!) was in Lauren Liess’ to-die-for window seat from the 2011 DC Design House and I totally fell in love:
French mattress cushions simply couldn’t be more inviting! Today I’m answering the questions that so many of you have had about French mattress cushions but first I’ll show you a little “before” and “after” of mine. (post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
Here’s what the our living room window seat looked like when we first bought our home:
And here’s it’s new look with a French mattress cushion (and a paint job and drapes too!):
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It was definitely the go-to spot in our house for naps and book reading, especially during the time of your when that gorgeous rhododendron bloomed outside! The view outside in the winter was gorgeous too:
Our Boston terrier Hope absolutely loved the bird’s eye view it gave her and would beg to come up the second anyone sat down in it. I sure miss that sweet face!
What is a French Mattress Cushion?
Where Do I Buy French Mattress Cushions?
And Urban Outfitters has an overstuffed French mattress cushion in four colors (including this dark gray) that you can find {here}:
And if you love the look but want something more small scale, check out {these highly rated tufted floor pillows}.
Suzanne Riviere says
love French mattress cushions. your go to person sure did a nice one for you.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Suzanne! She sure did!
Michelle says
Are you able to make a 31” x 16” x 3” french mattress cushion for a bench?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Michelle – I don’t make these cushions. I had mine made locally but if you look back in the post, I linked to some online shops that will make them for you!
Kelley Geske says
I am going to try and make one for my glamper. I have the old foam,and bought extra long curtains from Tuesday Morning in a nice, dark grey!
Kris Jarrett says
Sounds awesome – good luck with it!
Jordan says
How do you get the cushion to stay on the window seat?? Mine always slides off!
Kris Jarrett says
Honestly I’m not sure why mine doesn’t but I don’t ever have a problem with that. Maybe because mine is fairly wide??
Brenda says
Did you find someone to make your french matress? I am in the same position. If you did how thick, what was the matress interior material. I’m leaning towards a truckers matress, foam and memory, but no way to make it into a french matress with tuffets. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Hi Brenda, I did end up finding someone to make one and it turned out great. It was a local woman who specializes in making cushions – she had never made a french mattress cushion before but I have her several pictures and she did a great job figuring it out. I believe that she used foam wrapped in Dacron for the base.
Madison says
Do you mind sharing her contact info? I am interested in having 3 cushions made on a budget. Thanks!
Anonymous says
I found some French mattress cushions at Carolina Pottery $16.95 20×20 in a French print linen material
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
What a great find!!
thistlewoodfarm says
Love this!!
I can’t wait to see what you do to it!!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thanks KariAnne – enjoy the weekend!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
You’re right, your existing cushion is pretty but not exactly inviting. The “French” style cushion looks so much more comfy!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Fingers crossed that I can find someone to make it for me. The calls I made today looking for someone weren’t too productive!
Nancy {at} powellbrower at home says
I love the french mattress cushions and I love the bold pattern of those drapes! Let us know your progress with the fr. mattress process!
xo Nancy
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Will do Nancy! So glad you left a comment today because it led me to your blog, which I love!
Linda {Calling it Home} says
I love this idea and have wanted one, too. I bet it won’t be that expensive. I am about to have my cushions recovered, but not with the roll on the edge. Good luck finding someone.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I hope you’re right about it not being too expensive. I’m finding that EVERYTHING in Connecticut is expensive so I’m a bit worried it will end up out of my budget!
Stacey {steward of design} says
I have a bay window seat like yours but smaller. I am also wanting to have a custom cushion made for it, you gave me some great ideas!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Looking forward to seeing what you do with yours Stacey!
kristi coleman says
Oh my gosh I love these! I’ve always dreamed of a window seat too! Thanks for sharing the idea I’m going to have to find a place for one. I want to build a porch swing bed and this would be perfect for that!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Oohhh – a porch swing with one of those cushions would be awesome!! Do it!!
Julie says
Oh…I love these! Lauren Liess’ window seat from the 2011 DC Design House is amazing. I would love to have a place like this to curl up and read or just nap on a rainy day. 🙂 Good luck finding someone to make one for you. {hmmm…wonder how hard it would be to make this a diy project?}
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
I considered DIY for about um.. 0.2 seconds only because my sewing expertise ends at sewing on a button or stitching in a straight line. I’d bet a more handy sewer than me could make a version of this with a little DIY effort though!
jeanette says
love the French mattress style too…..good luck on your search!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
Thanks Jeanette!