Fabric Buying Guide by Purpose: Specification Guides for Interior Designers

This guide indexes the KOTHEA fabric specification library by purpose. It is organised three ways: by the environment a fabric is specified for, by the application it is used in, and by the performance requirement that governs the selection. Each entry links to a full guide covering the standards, test methods, and specification detail for that subject. Use it to move from a project requirement to the relevant specification guidance without reading the library in sequence.

By environment

The environment a fabric is specified for determines the combination of fire standard, durability, cleaning compatibility, and light fastness that applies. The guides below cover the principal contract and residential environments.

Hotel and hospitality

Martindale thresholds by room type, BS 7176 Medium Hazard fire certification, cleaning regime compatibility, and dye lot consistency across phased projects are covered in the hotel fabric specification guide. For the thermal and moisture behaviour of mohair in hospitality use, see the mohair thermal properties guide.

Healthcare

Disinfectant cleaning compatibility, BS 7176 fire certification, 100,000 Martindale durability, and infection control are covered in the healthcare fabric specification guide.

Marine and yacht

The IMO FTP Code, MCA MGN 580, and why BS 5852 Crib 5 is not interchangeable with IMO Part 8 are covered in the IMO marine fire standards guide.

Outdoor terraces and semi-outdoor spaces

Exposure mapping, solution-dyed acrylic, outdoor-rated faux leather, and light fastness by location are covered in the outdoor terrace fabric specification guide.

Poolside, spa, and chlorine-exposed areas

Why chlorine degrades fabric by a different mechanism than salt and UV, and what to specify for pool and spa surrounds, are covered in the poolside and chlorine-exposed fabric guide.

Acoustic and home cinema

How heavy velvet absorbs mid and high frequency sound and functions as an acoustic treatment is covered in the velvet sound absorption guide.

Contract versus residential

Why contract grade is defined by performance rather than by building type, and when a residential project needs a contract specification, are covered in the contract versus residential guide.

By application

The application a fabric is used in sets the abrasion, drape, and construction requirements independently of the environment.

Upholstery

The Martindale rub test, its classifications, and how it compares to the Wyzenbeek standard are covered in the Martindale rub test guide and the Wyzenbeek versus Martindale guide. Pilling resistance is covered in the pilling resistance guide, and the tactile character of the principal upholstery fibres in the fabric hand and tactile properties guide.

Curtains

Pattern repeat calculation and matching for curtains and upholstery are covered in the pattern matching guide. The applications where velvet is unsuitable, including several curtain and window conditions, are covered in the when not to use velvet guide.

Wall panels and headboards

BS EN 13501-1, BS 476 Part 7, the composite testing requirement for wall fabric, and the headboard fire standard ambiguity are covered in the wall panels and headboards guide and the BS 476 Part 7 guide.

By performance need

Where a single performance requirement governs the selection, the guides below address it directly.

Fire certification

BS 5852 Crib 5 is covered in the Crib 5 guide. How FR treatment works and which fibres can be treated are covered in the how FR treatment works guide and the FR treatment and fibres guide. Dye and FR treatment compatibility is covered in the dye types and FR treatment guide. The Building Safety Act 2022 documentation requirements are covered in the Building Safety Act guide.

Chlorine, UV, and salt resistance

Chlorine exposure is covered in the poolside and chlorine-exposed fabric guide. Light fastness and UV fading are covered in the light fastness and Blue Wool Scale guide. Cold crack temperature performance for coated fabrics in exterior and marine use is covered in the cold crack temperature testing guide.

Colour fastness and matching

Colour fastness and crocking are covered in the colour fastness and crocking guide. Colour naming, systems, and metamerism are covered in the colour naming and specification guide.

Chemical compliance and sustainability

UK REACH compliance is covered in the REACH compliance guide. Sustainability certifications are covered in the fabric sustainability certifications guide. Cashmere and mohair welfare certification is covered in the cashmere and mohair welfare certifications guide. Faux leather sustainability is covered in the faux leather sustainability guide.

Material selection

Velvet types compared across every specification dimension are covered in the velvet types guide, with mohair and cotton velvet compared directly in our mohair velvet vs cotton velvet guide. Faux leather types are compared in the faux leather types guide, with PVC and PU compared directly in our PVC vs PU leather guide.

Procurement and project planning

How much fabric a chair, sofa, or headboard needs is estimated in the how much fabric to upholster furniture guide. Contract curtains, covering the BS 5867 fire standard, light control, and fullness, are specified in the contract curtain fabric specification guide. How to write a complete fabric specification and what certificates to require is set out in the how to write a fabric specification guide. Definitions of the terms used across these guides are collected in the fabric specification glossary. Which fabric decision belongs at each project stage is covered in the RIBA Plan of Work fabric guide. Lead times, cuttings, dye lot reservation, and custom colour matching are covered in the lead times, cuttings and custom colour matching guide.

Quick answers

How do I choose the right fabric for a contract project?
Start from the governing requirement. Where a single environment sets the specification, such as a hotel, healthcare, marine, or poolside setting, the environment guide covers the full combination of fire, durability, cleaning, and light fastness standards that apply. Where a single performance requirement governs, such as fire certification or chlorine resistance, the relevant performance guide addresses it directly. Confirm the fire standard, Martindale threshold, cleaning code, and light fastness grade for the specific application before selecting a fabric.

What fire standard does my project need?
For most UK contract upholstery the standard is BS 7176 Medium Hazard, which incorporates BS 5852 Crib 5. Marine interiors follow the IMO FTP Code under MCA MGN 580, which is not interchangeable with Crib 5. Wall panels and headboards may fall under BS 476 Part 7 or BS EN 13501-1 depending on construction. The fire certification guides linked above cover each standard and when it applies.

How do I request samples of KOTHEA fabric?
Request cuttings of any KOTHEA fabric at KOTHEA.com/cuttings. Request cuttings early in the selection process, and where a scheme depends on several fabrics together, request cuttings of all of them so the combination can be assessed under the project’s lighting conditions before specification is finalised.

To request cuttings from the KOTHEA range, visit KOTHEA.com/cuttings.