Sunbrella reveals the latest trends in marine upholstery fabrics

“Textile trends in the marine market follow residential decorative trends: the notions of comfort, well-being at home, a return to one's roots and serenity are at the heart of aspirations and trends, both in the marine world and in the home world”

stresses A. Eloi, hence the desire to develop the Ameublement and Marine collections in a transversal way.

And when we say boat, we mean travel, escape: homes and boats are increasingly becoming places of peace, in particular by inviting users to travel and escape from their daily lives. “This trend translates into a desire to break down the walls between interior and exterior in order to create a stronger connection to nature which encourages relaxation and rest” explains the textile designer. “The trendy colours bring to mind the infinite number of colours that can be found in nature”

“For a sun lounger for example, avoid choosing a colour that is too dark to avoid burning. The fabric should be comfortable as it will be in direct contact with the skin, and it will encourage rest and relaxation. It will be subjected to intense sun exposure in a nautical environment, so colour fastness and durability are paramount. It shouldn't fade after numerous exposures to the sun on a boat, in a marine environment” explains A. Eloi.

Next comes choosing the boat's fabric design: here, particular attention is paid to the materials that make up the boat: the woodwork, the colour of the hull and the details of the boat's finish. “The fabric must enhance a room, or a piece of furniture,” says the Sunbrella designer. “It is wise to define a colour range so that all colours blend well together and create an atmosphere in which we feel good, while at the same time being in keeping with the owner's tastes”. Upholstery fabrics are an essential element on a boat: they should provoke the desire to relax while bringing identity and character to the boat. They capture attention and help create a personal environment. “They bring pleasure, a beautiful emotion and contribute to well-being at home, particularly thanks to their soft touch” adds A. Eloi.

“Durability is synonymous with quality in the minds of our customers. For upholstery fabrics, fade and stain resistance and water repellency help fabrics to be preserved for a long time while maintaining their colour and brightness. Ensuring mould resistance is essential for marine fabrics. Consumers need to have confidence in the performance of their fabrics when choosing a fabric to last. And it's also thanks to this confidence that we can guarantee them everyday comfort and peace of mind” explains A. Eloi.

As places of transport and living, they must also be easy to live in and easy to clean. “We are seeing more and more imitation leather textiles with woven aspects” says the designer.

This search for sustainability echoes the quest for a connection to nature that can be seen in the Marine and Upholstery trends: “Consumers are increasingly aware of their impact on the environment and are looking for eco-designed materials that are designed to last”, says A. Eloi. “They need to find solutions for a better life and to have a positive impact on the environment.”

This is why the Sunbrella Marine design team supports its customers in their boat furnishing projects, to increase the comfort of their future users, but also to work on developing the boat's identity. “Through the creation of mood boards and inspirational images, we help the customer to visualise. We suggest not only atmospheres but also materials, colours, details etc. Then we define a range of colours in association with the materials that make up the boat, in keeping with the customer's brand image” explains the Sunbrella designer.

Once these guidelines have been defined and validated with the client, the work of our designers can continue: “There is a broad range of design possibilities, as our Sunbrella fabrics are intended for both indoor and outdoor applications. We recommend several different textures in addition to one that allows us to imagine a wide variety of looks, from sober monochrome to shades through the combination of bold colours” she concludes.

The textiles we have on offer are therefore designed for the complete furnishing of marine upholstery fabrics, whatever the size of the boat, which offers infinite possibilities in terms of textile combinations, designs and materials so that each customer can express their identity and provide a memorable and unique experience for its users.