What materials are commonly used in commercial furniture?

Commercial furniture commonly uses durable materials including solid wood, engineered wood, metal structures, contract upholstery fabrics, leather alternatives, laminates and performance surfaces selected for professional environments.

How do I choose upholstery fabrics for high traffic furniture?

High traffic commercial upholstery should be selected based on abrasion resistance, cleaning requirements, fire safety standards, color stability and the intended environment such as hotels, restaurants, offices or public spaces.

What is the difference between COM and COL upholstery?

COM means Customer's Own Material, where clients provide their selected fabric. COL means Customer's Own Leather, where clients provide leather materials for furniture production according to project requirements.

Can commercial furniture finishes be customized?

Commercial furniture finishes can be customized through material selection, colors, coatings, surface treatments, upholstery options and project-specific design requirements.

How do manufacturers match materials for large projects?

Manufacturers coordinate material samples, finish approvals, production references and quality checks to maintain consistency across large commercial furniture projects.

Resources / Materials & Finishes / Updated 2026

Architectural & Procurement Reference schedule 10 min read

Materials & Finishes

Commercial Furniture Materials & Finishes Guide

Understanding upholstery, wood, metal and surface materials for hospitality, workplace and public space furniture projects.

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Commercial furniture materials and finishes

Fig. 1.0 — Material reference for commercial furniture. Upholstery, wood, metal and surface finishes for professional environments.

Plate No. 01 / Material Study

01.0

Selecting Materials

Design Expression Visual identity

Performance Durability Contract-grade

Operation Maintenance Cleaning · Replacement

Selecting Materials for Commercial Furniture

Materials define the appearance, performance and long-term value of commercial furniture.

For professional environments, material selection must balance design expression, durability, maintenance, user experience and project requirements. NORDFORM works with different material options to create furniture solutions suitable for hospitality, workplace, restaurant and public applications.

01 Design Expression

02 Durability

03 Maintenance

04 User Experience

05 Project Requirements

Material Integrity — Contract-grade upholstery, joinery and surface finishes engineered for daily commercial cycle.

Spec. 04-A

02.0

Material Categories

Core Material Categories

Six material categories used across NORDFORM commercial furniture collections for professional environments.

01 Upholstery

Fabrics for Commercial Seating

Upholstery plays an important role in both comfort and visual identity.

Commercial upholstery selection usually considers durability, cleaning requirements, color stability and touch experience.

Polyester Fabrics Durable · Easy maintenance · Wide color selection For restaurants · offices · public seating

Wool Blend Fabrics Natural texture · Premium appearance · Comfortable touch For hospitality lounges · executive spaces

Performance Fabrics Stain resistance · Enhanced durability · Easy cleaning For high-use environments

02 Leather

Leather Options for Commercial Furniture

Leather provides premium appearance, natural texture and long-term aging characteristics.

Common applications include executive offices, hospitality lounges and premium seating areas. Alternative materials may include synthetic leather, easy-clean vinyl and performance upholstery materials depending on project requirements.

Natural Leather Synthetic Leather Performance Vinyl

03 Wood

Natural Wood & Wood Finishes

Wood brings warmth and natural character to commercial interiors.

Solid Wood Natural appearance · Strong material character For tables · structural components

Wood Veneer Consistent appearance · Efficient material use For tables · cabinets · office furniture

Engineered Wood Stability · Consistent quality · Flexible production

04 Metal

Metal Structures & Details

Metal components provide strength and design flexibility.

Common applications include chair bases, table frames, structural supports and decorative details.

Powder Coating Durable surface protection · Multiple color options

Stainless Steel Clean appearance · Corrosion resistance · Modern aesthetic

05 Table Tops

Choosing Commercial Table Tops

Different environments require different surface solutions.

Solid Wood Restaurants · Hospitality · Premium interiors

Veneer Offices · Meeting rooms · Executive spaces

Compact Laminate High-use dining · Public spaces · Easy maintenance

06 Outdoor

Materials for Outdoor Commercial Furniture

Outdoor furniture requires weather resistance, UV protection and moisture resistance.

Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Fabrics Solid Outdoor Wood Synthetic Rope

03.0

Selection by Space

Material Selection by Space

Different environments require different material priorities.

01 Hospitality

Recommended Focus Premium appearance · Comfort · Easy maintenance

02 Restaurant

Recommended Focus Durability · Cleaning efficiency · High-frequency use

03 Workplace

Recommended Focus Functionality · Professional appearance · User comfort

04 Healthcare

Recommended Focus Hygiene · Easy-clean materials · Safety

05 Outdoor

Recommended Focus Weather resistance · Long-term stability

04.0

Custom Development

Custom material development and finish matching

Custom material development — fabric selection, finish matching and dimension coordination.

Material Desk

Creating Furniture Solutions for Specific Projects

Commercial projects often require customized materials and finishes. NORDFORM supports fabric selection, finish matching, custom colors, dimension adjustments and material coordination. Customers can select materials according to design concept, budget requirements, performance expectations and project environment.

Fabric Selection

Sourcing contract textiles matched to durability, color and tactile requirements.

Finish Matching

Coordinating wood, metal and surface finishes to project master palettes.

Custom Colors

RAL / NCS color matching for metal frames and painted components.

Dimension Adjustments

Adapting standard products to fit specific spatial and layout requirements.

Material Coordination

Aligning material selections across multiple furniture pieces and spaces.

Build Your Solution

Build Your Commercial Furniture Solution

Materials create the foundation of furniture performance and design identity. NORDFORM combines commercial furniture manufacturing experience with customization capability to support hotels, restaurants, workplaces and professional spaces.

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