Office partition manufacturers offer upholstery fabrics in their own palettes (usually 40–120 colours) as well as the option to supply the customer's own material (COM). Fabric colours are described in RAL, NCS or the manufacturer's proprietary codes. For a precise match to branding, you should request a physical sample: an on-screen print and a colour card can differ from the actual fabric by several Delta-E degrees.
Pantone is the dominant system in branding, but fabrics are rarely given in Pantone codes. Usually an advisor provides a bridge: a Pantone–NCS–RAL converter from which the closest equivalent in the fabric palette is selected.
Office fabrics fall into several texture categories. Smooth and mélange — a uniform colour, a minimalist look, a good fit for modern Scandi or tech interiors. Structured (tweed, herringbone weave, linen) — more organic, warmer, popular in boutique offices and co-working spaces. Microfibre — stain-resistant, easy to clean, available in almost any colour.
Texture affects not only aesthetics but also sound absorption. Smooth, tightly woven fabrics have a lower α coefficient than looser, more open structures of the same foam thickness.
Office trends change more slowly than in residential architecture, but they have their cycles. Currently popular are earth tones (terracotta, beiges, olives) and cool greens. The same colours were popular in the 1970s and have returned. That is good news: a neutral earthy palette will not look dated over 8–10 years of use.
Colours that quickly "go out of fashion": intense saturated hues (electric blue, neon orange, magenta) when used as the dominant colour over large surfaces. As accents in glass infills or a single partition element they are safe.
Colours that are safe long-term: greys (warm, with a hint of beige or green), navy and graphite, olive green, warm off-white.
If a company has defined brand colours, partitions can reinforce them. A few practical rules: don't cover the whole office with the brand colour as a dominant background — it overwhelms and quickly becomes tiring. Use the brand colour as an accent: one partition, a strip of fabric, a dedicated reception zone. Combine the brand colour with neutrals: if the brand is red, partitions in grey with a red accent on the desk fronts.
Fabrics with an abrasion class of at least 60,000 Martindale cycles are suitable for heavily used surfaces. In offices with high foot traffic (corridors, entrance areas) a coated or PVC fabric works better, being more resistant to abrasion and dirt. Most office fabrics can be wet-cleaned with agents of pH 5–8. Deeper stains require steam cleaning or panel replacement.