Search for a bean bag cover in New Zealand and you will find two kinds of listing: pre-filled bags, and cover-only options that you fill yourself. Cover-only costs less up front, lets you choose your own filling and means a worn cover can be replaced without buying a whole new bag. It also means a few more decisions.
This guide covers cover-only versus pre-filled, filling, size, fabric and indoor use, with the Marlow range at EasyMart NZ as a worked example.
Pre-filled bags are convenient, and several NZ retailers sell them with shredded foam. A cover-only product is a different purchase. The Marlow covers on our site state that filling is not included, so add the cost of filling to your budget before you compare prices.
The upside is flexibility. The listings describe a built-in zipper and say you can use styrofoam beads, beans, foam or a mix. If a cover wears out, you can replace the cover and reuse the filling.
Choose a cover-only bean bag if your existing cover has worn out, if you want to pick your own filling, or if you would rather spread the cost. Choose a pre-filled bag if you want to sit down the day it arrives and do not mind paying for that convenience.
Polystyrene beads give a light, sink-in feel, but they compress with use, so expect to top the bag up from time to time. Foam fill tends to hold its shape for longer and feels firmer, which some people prefer for reading or working. Neither is right for everyone.
Fill the cover gradually and sit on it as you go. Leave some room inside so the bag can mould around you rather than being packed tight. Keep loose beads away from children and pets.
Volume tells you how much filling the cover is designed to hold, and dimensions tell you how much floor space it takes. Check both. The covers below are roughly 90 to 100 cm across, so mark the size on the floor with masking tape and allow clear space around it. A 100 cm cover needs about 120 cm of clear floor if you want to walk around it comfortably.
A larger cover suits adults who want to sprawl out, while a smaller one is easier to move around a flat. If two people will use it, two bags are often easier to place than one very large bag.
Whichever you choose, check the care label before washing, because fabrics differ in temperature and drying needs.
The listings say to unzip the cover and hang it out to dry after washing. Wash it as the care label directs, and avoid soaking a PU cover. Give the filling a shake and top it up when the bag starts to feel flat, since beads and foam both settle with regular use.
A bean bag works well in a games room, a reading corner or a teenager's bedroom, and it is easy to move between rooms. The listings also describe using one as a relaxed seat in a home office. For long working days, a proper desk chair is still the better choice, so treat a bean bag as extra seating rather than a replacement.
The Marlow PU covers are described as indoor covers, and none of the three listings states outdoor suitability. If you want a bean bag for the deck, look for a cover sold specifically for outdoor use, and keep these covers inside.
Confirm the latest details on each product page before ordering.
The velvet cover has the largest capacity and the tallest listed height, so it needs the most room. The PU covers are a little smaller, and one has a couch-style shape.
Browse the bean bags collection and compare the listings against your measurements. If you would rather have a fixed seat, the sofas and lounges collection is worth a look too.
Does a bean bag cover come with filling?|||Not for the Marlow covers at EasyMart NZ. The listings state that filling is not included, so buy it separately and allow for it in your budget.@@@Can I replace just the cover on a bean bag?|||Yes, if the new cover suits your bag's volume and dimensions. Compare both figures before ordering a replacement bean bag cover.@@@Can I wash a bean bag cover?|||The Marlow listings describe a removable zipped cover and mention washing. Check the care label first, because the right method depends on the fabric.@@@Are Marlow covers suitable for outdoors?|||The listings describe indoor use and do not state outdoor suitability. Choose a cover sold specifically for outdoor use if you want one for the deck.@@@
