The short answer: A luxury outdoor pillow comes down to five things you can check: a solution-dyed performance fabric such as Sunbrella, hand-finished construction with a removable cover, a supportive outdoor-safe insert, a written warranty that covers fading, and a design worth keeping. This guide explains each one, compares the common fabrics and inserts, and covers sizing, color, poolside use and care.
What makes an outdoor pillow luxury?
Price alone does not tell you. These five features do, and each one can be verified before you buy.
Fabric
Look for a solution-dyed performance fabric such as Sunbrella. In solution-dyed acrylic, the color is added before the fiber is formed, so it runs through the whole yarn instead of sitting on the surface. That is what lets the fabric hold its color in strong sun.
Construction
A luxury pillow is finished by hand and built to be maintained. Elaine Smith pillows are hand-crafted in the USA with a hidden zipper, so the cover comes off for washing. Removable covers matter outdoors, where dust and rain are a fact of life.
Insert
A pillow is only as good as what is inside it. Elaine Smith pillows come with a hypoallergenic polyester fiber insert as standard, with a hypoallergenic faux-down upgrade available. Both are outdoor safe and machine washable.
Warranty
Ask what a warranty covers, not only how long it lasts. Elaine Smith gives every pillow a 1-year craftsmanship warranty against manufacturing defects. Most pillows, made with solution-dyed acrylic, also carry a 3-year limited fabric warranty against excessive fading, loss of fabric strength and abrasion under normal outdoor exposure. Improper care, misuse and abnormal wear are not covered.
Design
The design is the part you keep looking at. Elaine Smith works with the Sunbrella design team on patterns and colors, and the collection on our site runs to hundreds of pillows across square, lumbar and orb shapes. Browse the full range of luxury Sunbrella outdoor pillows by Elaine Smith.
Outdoor pillow fabrics compared
Fabric is the biggest difference between pillows that last and pillows that do not. Here is how the common options compare.
Solution-dyed acrylic (Sunbrella)
Color goes into the fiber before it is formed. The fabric resists fading, moisture and stains, feels soft and cleans easily. It is the premium choice and the fabric used in most Elaine Smith pillows.
Printed or piece-dyed polyester
Color is applied after the fabric is woven, so it can fade sooner in strong sun. Prices range widely. Some polyester is solution-dyed, so check the label before assuming.
Solution-dyed olefin
Color is also in the fiber, and it is a durable choice for heavy-use upholstery and rugs. It typically feels firmer than acrylic, so it is less common on decorative pillows.
Cotton, linen and blends
Soft and attractive, but natural fibers hold moisture and are more prone to mildew and fading outdoors. Best kept in covered spaces or brought inside.
Tip: The word "outdoor" on a label tells you little. Look for the fiber type and how it was dyed.
Inserts: polyester fiber or faux-down
Elaine Smith offers two insert options. Both are hypoallergenic, outdoor safe and machine washable.
Polyester fiber (standard)
Gives a fuller look and a firmer, more supportive shape. A good fit for pillows that back up against arms and frames or get leaned on every day.
Faux-down (upgrade)
Plusher and softer, and it can be shaped with a chop for a relaxed, designer look. It carries an additional charge per pillow. Choose it for deep seating where softness matters most.
Sizes and shapes
Elaine Smith pillows come in 20" and 22" squares, 12" x 20" lumbars and 12" orbs. Sizes vary by design, so check each product page.
22" square: Suits deep sofas and large seating, where smaller pillows get lost.
20" square: Works on standard chairs, benches and daybeds.
12" x 20" lumbar: Sits against chair backs and adds a long, layered shape on a chaise or sofa.
12" orb: A small accent that adds contrast in shape.
To layer them, start with the largest pillows at the back, add mid-size squares, and finish with a lumbar or orb in front. Odd numbers and a mix of solids and patterns tend to look the most natural.
Choosing colors and patterns
Start with the furniture and the setting, then choose pillows that add either contrast or continuity. Around a pool, blues and aquas echo the water, while neutrals and textures keep the space calm. Botanical and graphic patterns work best as one or two accents against a quieter base. For a water-inspired palette, see our aqua collection of Elaine Smith outdoor pillows.
Outdoor pillows by the pool
We keep several Elaine Smith pillows poolside ourselves. After a few years of rain, snow and sun, they have performed just as intended.
Elaine Smith makes its fabrics to resist rain, sun, stains and mildew, and every cover unzips for washing, which suits poolside lounging. The manufacturer does not publish specific guidance on chlorine or salt water, so if you plan heavy pool-deck use or frequent splashing, call or chat with us and we will go over your setup.
If you are furnishing the pool itself, see our in-pool furniture, and for lounger comfort, the Ledge Lounger headrest pillow.
Caring for outdoor pillows
Regular care does most of the work. Brush off dirt as it appears, shake off rain and wipe up spills quickly. For seasonal cleaning, unzip the cover, machine wash it in cold water with a mild detergent and let it air dry. For a stubborn spot, mist it with a gentle cleaning solution, work it in with a soft brush, rinse thoroughly and blot dry. The fabrics are not dry-cleanable and should not be steam cleaned at high temperature.
Mildew: The fabrics resist mildew, but it can grow on dirt trapped in the fibers. Elaine Smith recommends spot cleaning with 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of mild liquid soap per gallon of clean water.
Frequently asked questions
How many pillows should I put on an outdoor sofa?
A common approach is three to five, in an odd number, adjusted for the length of the sofa. Use larger pillows at the back and smaller ones in front.
How long do outdoor pillows last?
It depends on the fabric, the exposure and how you care for them. Most Elaine Smith pillows carry a 3-year limited fabric warranty, and our own poolside pillows have lasted several years.
Are Sunbrella pillows waterproof?
Elaine Smith describes its fabrics as resisting rain, sun and stains. That is different from being waterproof, so shake off standing water and let pillows dry after heavy rain.
What is the difference between a lumbar pillow and a throw pillow?
A throw pillow is usually square. A lumbar pillow is long and narrow, 12" x 20" in the Elaine Smith line, and sits against chair backs or in front of squares for layering.
Can I use outdoor pillows indoors?
Yes. Elaine Smith's solution-dyed fabrics keep their appearance both indoors and out, so the same pillows work on a covered patio and on an indoor sofa.
How do I clean outdoor pillow covers?
Unzip the cover, machine wash it in cold water with a mild detergent and air dry it. Do not dry-clean or steam clean at high temperature.
Ready to choose?
Shop the full collection of luxury Sunbrella outdoor pillows by Elaine Smith, or call or chat with us for help matching pillows to your furniture.
Written by the SHOP Botanik team. Last updated September 2026.