Maxing and relaxing: low maintenance maximalism with FibreGuard

At FibreGuard, we've woven comfort and style into the fabric of everything we do. Nothing brings us more joy than hearing how our customers sink into their favourite armchairs, surrounded by all the things that make them smile — that vintage lamp scored at a flea market, a wall of cherished family photos, and those gorgeously bold cushions (upholstered in our fabrics, of course!) that catch the eye every time they walk in.

We're passionate about how our textiles contribute to this colourful world that helps people chill out to the max. Let's share what we've discovered through our years of fabric innovation.

The Power of Personal Expression: When Maximalism Feels Like Home

At FibreGuard, we've always believed in creating fabrics that embrace individuality and authenticity.

We've seen firsthand how this design philosophy creates rooms that embrace people with everything they love. Whether our fabrics are covering boldly patterned cushions or complementing bold wallpaper, we design for spaces that say "come in and stay awhile."

This is maximalism at its finest: a style our fabrics are specially engineered to support, allowing people to surround themselves with joy. And not the minimalist kind! We smiled when we learned that even Marie Kondo, the Japanese decluttering expert who inspired organizers everywhere with her trademark question, "does it spark joy?" has recently admitted she's kind of given up.

In developing our fabric collections, we understand that maximalism isn't just about filling space — it's about creating environments that tell personal stories. That's why we've designed our textiles to be both beautiful and practical, ensuring they can stand up to real life while remaining part of your story for years to come.

"Back in the day, we used to be called hoarders. Now we're called maximalists, so it's OK now," laughs Tara Kolla, 46, who lives in Whitehorse, and describes her design style as "throw stuff at the wall until nothing else sticks." Keep reading

True Relaxation Starts with a Base

In our design studios and manufacturing facilities, we've watched the growing trend that seems to be a backlash to minimalism's austerity and clean, white walls.

Our product development team has created versatile neutral fabrics that form perfect backdrops for maximalist expression. We think of these as the canvas — upholstery for larger furniture pieces in subtle shades that allow for layering more expressive elements. Our customers tell us they appreciate how our neutral fabrics provide that perfect foundation while still offering our signature stain resistance.

FibreGuard in use: Drapes created soft walls throughout a temporary art space, functioning as a canvas for works by 30 Australian artists and makers. “We were thrilled to see this textile come to life within Simone’s exhibition – it completely transformed the very open Craft gallery into a series of soft and dimly lit intimate spaces within which to explore and become quietly emersed in Simone’s vision.” Keep reading Simone Haag Curates Craft | Zepel Fabrics & Wallpapers

And here's something we love about our customers' journeys: there's no pressure to do it all at once! Our fabrics are designed to withstand the test of time while you build your maximalist haven.

Curating Collections: Personal Stories in Fabric and Form

We've designed our fabrics to complement collections of vintage postcards, quirky figurines, and meaningful mementos. Our texture and colour specialists work tirelessly to create materials that highlight these personal treasures, becoming part of the vignettes that tell your unique stories.

We're especially proud of how our fabrics contribute to spaces that feel like flipping through a photo album — full of memories and personality. That's why durability isn't just a feature of our products; it's a core value of our company.

In maximalist spaces, every glance reveals something new and exciting. — Love That Design

As a textile manufacturing company with over two decades of experience, we can confidently say there are no strict rules in this colourful adventure land. Our floral prints are specifically engineered to pair beautifully with our geometric cushions, giving you the freedom to mix, match, and express yourself without worry.

Incorporating Colours That Spark Joy

The joy of maximalism, reflected in our extensive colour library, comes from using colours that lift spirits. We think of our colour development process as creating a conversation between you and your space. colourquotes

"Many, many moons ago, I was married to a man who thought beige was an exciting or risky alternative to white," said Marsha McLean, 55, of Toronto. McLean is in the midst of a project to paint her living room a darker version of Viva Magenta, styled around a pink, velvet couch, and is building a massive, sliding bookshelf to hold her thousands of books. "I decided I would rather live in a more colourful world." - keep reading

Keeping it Comfy

Here's something we're particularly proud of: our R&D team spends thousands of hours testing not just durability and stain resistance, but also comfort. So while that vintage-inspired chair with our FibreGuard upholstery looks amazing, we've made absolutely certain it feels good too. We've developed specialized textures for cushions and throws — they're like a permanent invitation to get cozy, with technology that keeps them looking gorgeous year after year.

"Maximalist interior design is all about embracing bold and vibrant patterns, colours, textures and accessories to create a space that is rich in personality and visual interest. The result is a playful and eclectic environment that's anything but boring." - Robin DeCapua, Madison Modern Home. Keep reading at Interior Insider

Everything Counts in Large Amounts: Our Expert Guide to Defining Maximalist Elements

Our design team has curated this professional guide to maximalist textures, colours, and decorative elements that pair perfectly with our FibreGuard technology:

Textures:

• Velvet: We've invested years developing our velvet fabrication process to create soft, luxurious fabrics that add depth and comfort while still being remarkably stain-resistant. That's right — you can have that deep blue velvet sofa even with kids and pets! Our proprietary Stain Free Technology ensures durability without sacrificing that plush feel our customers love.
• Natural Fibers: We've developed special treatments to achieve designs that maintain their natural, earthy texture while adding cleanability that's simply not possible with untreated natural fibres.

Colours:

• Teal: Our version of deep teal can be both bold and calming, evoking a sense of the ocean.
• Mustard Yellow: This warm, rich colour adds a cosy feel to any room. Our colour stability process ensures it won't fade, even in sunny spots.
• Burgundy: Our textile engineers have perfected a deep, rich burgundy that creates a sophisticated and relaxing atmosphere. It works beautifully with our plush textures like velvet, creating an inviting space that still feels elegant.
• Emerald Green: All of our bestselling emerald green fabric ranges bring a touch of nature indoors with vibrant yet soothing tones.

Our fabrics, your story

We've learned there's no right or wrong way to do maximalism. The best part? We've watched our clients' and customers’ spaces keep evolving, just like they do. And with easy-care fabrics like FibreGuard, we've helped them focus on enjoying their spaces rather than maintaining them.

Making it easy with FibreGuard

Here's the really relaxing part: FibreGuard fabrics are engineered with remarkable stain-resistant technology that's become our customers' easy-going friend who never makes things complicated. Spilled coffee? No worries — we've designed these fabrics so most stains come out with just water. Got something more stubborn? A bit of soap should do the trick.

FibreGuard's high-performance attributes, initially reserved for commercial interiors, are now readily available for residential applications. Washability and cleanability are vital to modern life, making maintenance simple, easy, and affordable — Zepel Fabrics

Our R&D team has developed permanent stain-resistant technology that's engineered into the fibre at the molecular level, ensuring lasting performance without compromising on style or comfort. This technical innovation means our clients can choose bright colours and interesting textures without worry.

We'd love to share more about our textile solutions! Get in touch with our expert team today!