Yes, you can specify light neutrals in high-traffic spaces
Every designer knows that moment. Your client wants a sophisticated neutral palette for their high-traffic space, but you're hesitant to specify light upholstery in areas that will see thousands of visitors. The maintenance teams are already pushing back, and you haven't even started the project.
"It will yellow."
"It will fade."
"The cleaning will change the colour."
"The sun will ruin it."
We're here to change that conversation.
Dare to Use Neutral Upholstery Fabrics
Traditional upholstery fabrics might fade, stain, and wear, but FibreGuard fabrics stay fresh thanks to protection engineered into every fibre. That pristine greige specified for a hotel lobby remains perfect after thousands of guests. The warm ivory restaurant banquette stays clean through countless coffee spills. Your sun-drenched family room wrapped in cream upholstery? Absolutely possible.
Our collections are engineered specifically for spaces that never stop moving. The protection isn't sprayed on as an afterthought - it's built into every fibre. The colour isn't just on the surface - it's part of the material's DNA.
The Science Behind FibreGuard's Easy Clean Fabrics
Here's what makes our upholstery collections special, especially for neutral colour palettes:
Stain Free Technology
Rather than treating the surface of finished fabric, we protect each individual yarn during manufacturing. We've developed a special solution that wraps around every fibre, creating an invisible shield. This isn't a coating that wears off - it's permanently part of the fabric's structure.
Colourfast, Cleanable Fabrics: Even Neutrals
When we say our fabrics are colourfast, we mean it. Each FibreGuard fabric undergoes extensive laboratory testing to ensure exceptional resistance to light and fading. We've engineered our colours to maintain their vibrancy through all seasons, regardless of exposure to daylight.
No Forever Chemicals
When it comes to fabric manufacturing, we believe in doing things right. That's why you won't find any forever chemicals (PFAS) in our fabrics. Instead of cutting corners, we take extra care in monitoring every step of our production process. Our team regularly checks for chemical safety, because we know how important this is for your family and our planet. This isn't just about making great fabric - it's about making sure we protect the environment while we do it.
Genuinely Easy to Clean in Real Life
When you spill your morning coffee or your little one gets creative with ketchup, something remarkable happens. Instead of soaking in, the stain sits on top of the fabric. Water-based spills like wine or juice bead up on the surface. Even tricky substances like lipstick or pen marks stay on top where you can easily clean them away.
The best part? Simple soap and water is all you need. No harsh chemicals. No special cleaning products.
Specification Made Simple
Looking to start specifying neutrals with confidence? Here are three options we particularly love:
Kid-Friendly Furniture by Medley USA
Fabrics from Medley's Oeko-Tex 100 Certified Smart Collection are a great option to start with: soft, versatile, and highly durable. They also incorporate FibreGuard yarn to achieve a high level of repellency, making spills easy to clean.
Astro Velvet by Nobilis, France
For those seeking drama without compromise, velvet always defines 'luxe'. Nobilis carries fabrics with a supple drape and rich colorways (including sophisticated neutrals), proving that practicality can be truly beautiful. We recommend Astro Velvet, a slub effect velvet for upholstery and curtains.
The Tao Curved Sofa from Jehz Zofas, South Africa
This beautiful piece showcases the true potential of neutral upholstery. Its sculptural form, wrapped in cream fabric, demonstrates how light neutrals can enhance bold design. This piece proves that high-impact aesthetics and practical performance can coexist beautifully.
Neutral interiors with fabulous fabrics
FibreGuard fabrics are the powerful solution to designers' most common concerns over choosing neutral fabrics. The easy-to-clean quality of FibreGuard's upholstery is just one reason among many to include neutral shades in your decor—even if you have clients (and their kids) who insist on eating chocolate fingers while watching TV.
Get in touch with us today and dare to decorate with neutrals.