In the world of interiors, fabric is no longer just about color and texture. It’s about how materials perform, endure, and contribute to the health of a space. From hotels and coworking lounges to your own living room, the demands are changing. We want sustainable, beautiful, and resilient upholstery—and we want it everywhere.

The rise of performance fabrics has revolutionized the upholstery market. Originally designed for commercial environments, they’re now embraced in residential spaces for their design, durability, and ease of maintenance.

What Makes a Performance Fabric?

Whether you’re furnishing a hotel lobby or a family home, performance upholstery needs to check several boxes:

The result? You get materials that stand up to daily life—whether that means a rotating guest list or a toddler with a juice box.

The Best in Performance Textiles

Kvadrat – Elevated Design for Every Day

Used in museums, airports, and top-tier offices, Kvadrat’s textiles are built to endure—but their tactile beauty makes them ideal for home.

Canvas/Steelcut Trio Fiber content: Wool + nylon blend Abrasion resistance: 100,000+ Martindale Sustainability: EU Ecolabel, Greenguard Gold, STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® Where it works: Contract: Museum benches, coworking lounges, university auditoriums, office task seating Residential: High-use family sectionals, dining banquettes, cozy armchairs, playroom seating Why it performs: These fabrics bring classic Nordic texture and warmth to spaces that demand longevity. Wool’s natural resilience to dirt, moisture, and flame means these textiles wear beautifully over time. At home, they’re ideal for creating soft, lived-in spaces that still need to endure daily wear from children, pets, or frequent entertaining. In contract spaces, they project sophistication and comfort without looking utilitarian.

Myr / Mylla Fiber content: 100% recycled polyester Abrasion resistance: 60,000–70,000 Martindale Sustainability: PFAS-free, made from post-consumer plastic bottles Where it works: Contract: Hotel suites, boutique lounge seating, flexible workspaces, boutique waiting areas Residential: Curved sofas, modular seating, reading corners, soft sculptural accent chairs Why it performs: The tactile boucle texture offers a sense of softness and modernity, perfect for furniture that invites touch. The stretch in the fabric makes it ideal for curvy, voluminous forms that are increasingly popular in both hospitality and home design. It's a go-to for those seeking trendy comfort with sustainable roots—soft, inviting, but still structured enough for professional environments.

Cifrado Fiber content: 100% Trevira CS chenille (polyester) Abrasion resistance: 70,000+ Martindale Sustainability: Greenguard Gold, inherently flame retardant Where it works: Contract: Boutique hotel lounges, reception seating, conference room upholstery Residential: Media room sectionals, lounge-ready reading chairs, plush statement sofas Why it performs: Cifrado feels and looks luxurious while offering long-term performance. The chenille weave gives it a rich surface depth that works wonderfully in spaces designed for lingering—whether that’s a lounge at a design hotel or a family room where movie night is a weekly ritual.

Reflect Fiber content: 100% Recycled polyester Abrasion resistance: 100,000 Martindale Sustainability: EU Ecolabel, Greenguard, made from recycled materials Where it works: Contract: Public atriums, offices with large windows, commercial lounge chairs, gallery seating Residential: Sunny living rooms, bay window nooks, family room recliners Why it performs: Reflect's standout feature is its colorfastness—it won’t fade in bright spaces, making it ideal for areas flooded with natural light. Its elegant, satin-like appearance allows it to blend in or stand out depending on the context. Reflect feels sophisticated without being overly precious—great for clients who want sustainability and elegance to align.

Dedar – Italian Drama, Contract-Ready

Known for bold weaves and rich color, Dedar’s performance velvets and plains hold up in high-traffic areas while adding a luxurious vibe to interiors.

Adamo & Eva FR Fiber content: 100% Trevira CS velvet Abrasion resistance: 100,000+ Martindale Certifications: Inherently flame-retardant, IMO-certified (marine), EU contract compliant Where it works: Contract: Luxury hotel suites, cocktail bars, upscale lobbies, heritage restorations Residential: Velvet headboards, moody living rooms, vintage-inspired sofas Why it performs: This is the velvet you use when you want to impress. Adamo & Eva FR gives residential spaces a plush, couture edge, and its flame retardancy and durability make it viable in the most demanding luxury commercial spaces. Perfect for theatrical, layered interiors that emphasize touch and drama.

Karandash FR Fiber content: Trevira CS velvet Abrasion resistance: 100,000 Martindale Certifications: IMO flame retardant, lightfast Where it works: Contract: Cinemas, boutique hotel lobbies, jazz lounges, private club seating Residential: Sophisticated dens, jewel-toned living rooms, moody studies Why it performs: Karandash FR provides velvet’s soft richness without the glossy finish—perfect for more grounded, architectural spaces. It holds color beautifully under lighting and offers exceptional abrasion resistance, making it one of the most versatile velvets in the contract world. At home, it brings a high-end, subtle luxury that’s perfect for elegant but unfussy rooms.

Sørensen Leather – Natural Performance

From boutique hotels to family homes, Sorensen Leather brings a quiet strength and subtle luxury that stands up to life while elevating every space it touches.

Dunes® Fiber content: Full-grain aniline leather Abrasion resistance: Medium (ages naturally) Sustainability: Chrome-free, Greenguard Gold Where it works: Contract: High-end executive lounges, designer libraries, gallery seating Residential: Reading chairs, custom sofas, minimalist retreats Why it performs: Dunes is all about natural elegance. It’s not trying to hide flaws—it celebrates them. Over time, the leather gains richness and warmth, making it perfect for clients who appreciate authenticity and slow design.

Ultra® Fiber content: Protected pigmented leather Abrasion resistance: Very high Sustainability: Chrome-free, Greenguard Gold Where it works: Contract: Transportation hubs, libraries, corporate lounges Residential: Family rooms, kid-proof furniture, everyday-use dining chairs Why it performs: Ultra is the workhorse of Sørensen’s portfolio. It performs under pressure and looks sleek doing it. Its even surface and easy maintenance make it ideal for heavy-use environments where functionality can’t overshadow form.

Royal Nubuck® Fiber content: Treated nubuck leather Abrasion resistance: Medium–high Sustainability: Chrome-free, Greenguard Gold Where it works: Contract: Luxe hotel headboards, private club lounges, executive seating Residential: Elevated bedrooms, soft corner chairs, high-end condos Why it performs: It brings the plushness of suede with far better longevity. With special treatment to preserve color and resist wear, Royal Nubuck® offers a tactile, visual richness that’s indulgent without being fragile.

In today’s design landscape, performance fabrics have redefined what it means to live beautifully—effortlessly blending durability with elegance, and sustainability with style. From refined residential spaces to high-traffic commercial environments, these innovative textiles offer elevated living without compromise.

For our design professionals, we invite you to explore the benefits of our exclusive Trade Program, designed to support your projects with personalized service and preferred access. And for clients outside the trade, our complimentary Design Assistance ensures you’ll receive expert guidance in selecting pieces that are not only functional, but flawlessly aligned with your aesthetic. We welcome you to connect with us—we're here to help bring your vision to life, beautifully and seamlessly.