Nardi Frame Colours Explained: Bianco, Antracite, Tortora & Agave (2026)

Choosing Nardi furniture usually starts with the shape you love: a curvy Costa armchair, a low modular Komodo sofa, an extendable Rio table. But the decision that will define how your garden or terrace feels for the next decade is quieter and easier to overlook: the frame colour. With Nardi, the colour isn't a coat of paint that can chip, flake or fade back to a different shade underneath. It is a colour-through, UV-stabilised resin, so the tone you pick is the tone you keep, right through the material.

That permanence is exactly why frame colour deserves proper thought. This guide walks you through the four classic Nardi frame colours you will meet again and again across the chairs and modular ranges — Bianco, Antracite, Tortora and Agave — explains the mood each one sets, the gardens and buildings they flatter, and exactly which Sunbrella cushion fabrics to pair with them. We will also decode the newer regeneration and Maximo colour names (Terra, Gesso, Cactus, Basalto) so you are never left confused at the checkout.

Why Frame Colour Is the Biggest (and Most Permanent) Decision

Cushions can be swapped. Throws come and go with the seasons. Parasols get upgraded. The frame, however, is the bones of the piece — and because Nardi mould their fibreglass-reinforced resin with the pigment mixed all the way through, that colour is essentially forever. There is no primer, no lacquer and no top coat to wear away. A scuff on a painted metal chair reveals bare metal; a scuff on a Nardi frame reveals… the exact same colour.

So the frame is doing two jobs at once. Visually, it is the single largest block of colour in your outdoor scheme, far bigger than any cushion. Practically, it is the element you commit to for the lifespan of the furniture. Get it right and everything else — fabrics, planting, paving — falls into place around it. That is a decision worth slowing down for.

Pro tip: Before you fall for a fabric, lock in your frame colour. Fabrics are seasonal and swappable; the frame is the constant. Design outwards from the frame, not inwards from the cushion.

A Quick Word on the Names: Classic vs Regeneration

Nardi uses two overlapping colour vocabularies, and it trips a lot of buyers up. Here is the plain-English version.

• The classic four — found across chairs, bistro sets and modular pieces: Bianco (white), Antracite (anthracite / charcoal), Tortora (taupe / dove grey) and Agave (soft sage green).
• The regeneration / Maximo names — used on Nardi's recycled-material ranges such as the ReGen Combo and the Maximo modular sofa: Gesso (a chalky off-white), Basalto (a warm dark grey), Cactus (a green cousin of Agave) and Terra (an earthy clay tone).

Think of the regeneration palette as earthier, more matte relatives of the classics. If you love Bianco but want something softer, look at Gesso. If Antracite feels a touch cool, Basalto brings warmth. Adore Agave? Cactus is its slightly deeper sibling. Throughout this guide we focus on the classic four, but we will flag the regeneration equivalents where it helps.

Bianco: Bright, Coastal and Space-Expanding

The mood: Fresh, clean, unmistakably Mediterranean. Bianco is the crisp white of a whitewashed Greek terrace or a sun-bleached Italian lido. It bounces light around, feels effortlessly summery and never dates. If your dream is a bright, airy, holiday-at-home feeling, Bianco delivers it instantly.

Where it shines: Bianco is the small-space specialist. White visually recedes and reflects light, so a compact courtyard, a shaded balcony or a north-facing patio feels larger and brighter with white frames than with any dark colour. It is magnificent against blue — blue render, blue shutters, a glimpse of sea — and it suits rendered white or cream house walls, pale limestone paving and coastal architecture beautifully. In a bright, sunny garden it positively glows.

Fabrics to pair: Bianco is a blank canvas, so you can go two ways. For calm and coastal, pair it with Sunbrella Ghiaccio (an icy pale grey) or Grigio for a soft, tonal, barely-there look. For a proper hit of holiday, bring in Adriatic — that gorgeous deep sea-blue — for a classic navy-and-white nautical scheme. Want warmth against all that cool white? Rosa Quarzo, a dusty blush, softens Bianco romantically, while Canvas (a warm sand) keeps things natural and unfussy.

Care note: There is a genuine practical bonus to white. Being highly reflective, Bianco frames absorb less solar heat than dark colours, so they stay noticeably cooler to the touch in direct summer sun — a real comfort on a south-facing terrace. Wipe-downs are simple too; a mild soapy cloth lifts most marks and, because the colour runs right through, there is no finish to damage.

See Bianco in action on the elegant Nardi Palama Outdoor Armchair or the sculptural Nardi Folio Outdoor Armchair.

Antracite: Modern, Dramatic and Confident

The mood: Architectural, urban and quietly luxurious. Antracite is a deep charcoal-grey that reads almost black in shade and softens to graphite in sunlight. It is the colour of contemporary design — grounding, sophisticated and endlessly chic. Where Bianco lifts and brightens, Antracite anchors and defines.

Where it shines: Antracite is made for modern spaces — rooftop terraces, city courtyards, and gardens with grey porcelain paving, dark render, corten steel or black window frames. It ties effortlessly into the anthracite-grey aluminium bi-fold doors and window frames so common in new-build and renovated homes, creating a seamless, joined-up look. Against green planting it looks positively editorial. One thing to know: dark frames are wonderfully dramatic but they are honest — dust, pollen and water spots show more readily on charcoal than on taupe, so an occasional wipe keeps them looking their sharpest.

Fabrics to pair: This is where you can be bold. For high-contrast drama, pair Antracite with Ghiaccio (pale ice grey) or crisp light Sunbrella tones so the seat pops against the dark frame. For a tonal, all-grey, seriously sophisticated look, layer Grigio on Antracite. Want to inject personality? Rosa Quarzo blush against charcoal is a designer favourite — soft meets strong — while Adriatic blue brings moody, maritime depth. For an unexpected, on-trend twist, an olive-toned Avocado cushion on an Antracite frame looks fabulously modern.

Explore Antracite on the versatile Nardi Net Relax Chair, the space-saving Nardi Spritz Outdoor Table and the generous Nardi Cube 80 Outdoor Table.

Tortora: The Versatile Neutral That Goes With Everything

The mood: Warm, calm, timeless. Tortora — the Italian word for turtle-dove — is a soft greige/taupe that sits exactly between grey and beige. It is the most quietly sophisticated of the four and, frankly, the safest bet if you want furniture that will never fight with anything. It has the warmth beige brings without going yellow, and the elegance grey brings without going cold.

Where it shines: Everywhere. That is Tortora's superpower. It flatters natural materials — timber decking, sandstone paving, wicker, rattan and stone — and sits happily against brick, render or painted walls in almost any shade. In a planted, green garden it feels organic and unobtrusive; on a natural-timber deck it looks tailor-made. If you are furnishing a rental, staging a space, or simply cannot decide, Tortora is the answer that quietly makes everyone happy.

Fabrics to pair: Because the frame is neutral, your fabric choice sets the tone. Keep it serene and tonal with Canvas (warm sand) or Grigio for a soft, earthy, spa-like palette. Bring nature in with Avocado or the deeper Giungla (jungle green) for a botanical, garden-room feel. For a touch of romance, Rosa Quarzo blush is beautiful on Tortora, and if you want a hint of coastal, Adriatic blue keeps it grounded rather than nautical-loud. Tortora genuinely partners with the entire Sunbrella range — you cannot really go wrong.

Pro tip: If you are buying furniture for a home you may sell or restyle in a few years, Tortora is the smart long-term choice. It adapts to whatever colour scheme comes next, so you only ever need to change the cushions.

Tortora looks superb on the Nardi Tevere 210 Extendable Outdoor Table, the comfortable Nardi Bora Bistrot Chair and the modular Nardi Komodo Corner Module.

Agave: Nature-Led, Garden-Blending Sage

The mood: Organic, restful and thoroughly on-trend. Agave is Nardi's soft sage-green — muted, dusty and gentle, named after the succulent. Sage green has become the defining decor colour of recent years, indoors and out, precisely because it is so calming and so at home in nature. Agave brings that feeling straight into the garden.

Where it shines: If you want furniture that belongs in a planted space rather than standing apart from it, Agave is unbeatable. It melts into greenery, olive trees, box hedging and lawn, reading as part of the garden rather than an object placed on it. It looks wonderful against natural timber, terracotta pots, cream render and cottage-garden planting, and brings a soft, biophilic, country-house calm to a courtyard. It is the antithesis of a hard, contract-looking scheme — gentle and grounded. (Prefer a slightly deeper, earthier green? The regeneration colour Cactus is Agave's close cousin.)

Fabrics to pair: Lean into the garden story. Canvas (warm sand) on Agave is a fresh, natural, effortlessly chic combination — think linen and foliage. For a lush, layered, tonal-green look, pair Agave with Avocado or Giungla. To lift and brighten, a neutral like Grigio keeps things soft, while Rosa Quarzo blush against sage is a beautifully modern, slightly romantic pairing — sage and blush is a designer classic for good reason. For crisp contrast, cool Ghiaccio makes the green frame sing.

Fall for Agave on the relaxed Nardi Doga Relax Chair, the everyday Nardi Costa Outdoor Chair and the smart Nardi Costa Bistrot Chair.

How to Choose Your Nardi Frame Colour

With the four characters clear, here is how to land on the right one for your space. Work through these five questions.

1. Match your house, render and decking

Look at the fixed elements you cannot change: your house wall, paving and decking. White or cream render loves Bianco. Grey porcelain, dark render and anthracite window frames call for Antracite. Natural timber decking and sandstone are made for Tortora. A green, planted, cottage-style garden welcomes Agave. Your frame should either echo these tones or deliberately contrast them — not clash accidentally.

2. Read your light levels

A shaded, north-facing or enclosed space benefits enormously from a light frame — Bianco or Tortora — to keep it feeling open and bright. A bright, sunny, south-facing terrace can carry Antracite's drama without feeling gloomy, and Bianco will also stay cooler to the touch there.

3. Consider the size of the space

In a small courtyard or on a balcony, pale frames (Bianco, Tortora) recede and make the area feel bigger. Dark Antracite is stunning but visually heavier, so it works best where you have room for it to breathe, or where you actively want furniture to feel grounded and substantial.

4. Decide: blend or pop?

This is the big one. Do you want the furniture to disappear into the setting or stand out against it? Agave and Tortora blend — they settle into planting and natural materials. Antracite and Bianco pop — they make a crisp, deliberate statement against a contrasting backdrop. Neither is right or wrong; it is purely the look you are after.

5. Think long-term

Because the colour is permanent, ask which tone you will still love in ten years. Trend-led Agave is gorgeous now and shows no sign of fading in popularity, but if you crave total flexibility, timeless Tortora and classic Bianco are the most future-proof.

The Pairing Cheat-Sheet

Short on time? Here is the at-a-glance guide to frames, the fabrics that flatter them and the mood they create.

Frame Colour	Character	Best Sunbrella Pairings	Look It Creates
Bianco (white)	Bright, coastal, space-expanding	Ghiaccio, Grigio, Adriatic, Rosa Quarzo, Canvas	Mediterranean & fresh
Antracite (charcoal)	Modern, dramatic, architectural	Ghiaccio, Grigio, Rosa Quarzo, Adriatic, Avocado	Urban & sophisticated
Tortora (taupe)	Warm, timeless, goes with everything	Canvas, Grigio, Avocado, Giungla, Rosa Quarzo	Natural & calm
Agave (sage)	Nature-led, garden-blending	Canvas, Avocado, Giungla, Grigio, Rosa Quarzo	Botanical & restful

Want the full run-down on the fabrics themselves — the difference between the Sunbrella acrylic and the TECH Panama outdoor textiles, plus care and cleaning advice? Read our companion piece: Nardi Outdoor Fabrics: The Complete Guide to Sunbrella Colours & Care.

Mixing Frame Colours: The Golden Rules

Can you mix Nardi frame colours in one scheme? You can — but there is a right way and a wrong way, and a couple of simple rules keep it looking designed rather than accidental.

• Keep one frame colour for your seating. The single most effective rule: let all your chairs and sofas share one frame tone. That consistency is what makes a collection of pieces read as a coordinated set rather than a mismatch.
• Vary the cushions, not the frames. Craving colour and personality? Get it from the fabrics. Different cushion colours on matching frames looks lively and intentional; different frame colours with matching cushions usually looks like a mistake.
• Tables can differ — deliberately. A contrasting table frame can work as a considered accent — say an Antracite table anchoring Bianco chairs. Treat it as a purposeful choice, not a happy accident.
• Stay within a family. If you do want two frame tones, keep them tonally related — Tortora with Bianco, or Antracite with a regeneration Basalto — rather than jumping across the whole spectrum.

Pro tip: Building a modular set piece by piece over time? Note your exact frame colour name and order the same one each time. Because Nardi resin is colour-through and consistent, matching a future addition is easy — as long as you record the name now.

See the Colours on Real Pieces

The best way to commit to a frame colour is to see it on the design you love. These pieces show the palette across chairs, bistro sets and tables:

• Nardi Costa Bistrot Chair — available in all four classic frame colours.
• Nardi Trill Bistrot Chair — a full-palette bistro favourite.
• Nardi Doga Bistrot Chair — slatted comfort in Agave, Antracite and more.
• Nardi Doga Outdoor Armchair — a relaxed armchair for lounging.
• Nardi Maximo Modular Armchair — showing the regeneration palette (Terra, Gesso, Cactus, Basalto).

Browse the full range in our Nardi Outdoor Furniture collection. Every piece is made to order and available to order in your chosen frame colour and fabric — so you build exactly the scheme you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What colours does Nardi come in?

Across the chair and modular ranges, Nardi's classic frame palette is four colours: Bianco (white), Antracite (anthracite / charcoal grey), Tortora (taupe / dove grey) and Agave (soft sage green). Some designs offer additional shades — a mid Grigio grey, warm Tabacco, Corda and seasonal accent tones — while Nardi's recycled regeneration and Maximo ranges use earthier names: Gesso, Basalto, Cactus and Terra. Cushion fabrics then come in a wide Sunbrella and TECH Panama colour library on top.

What is Nardi Tortora colour?

Tortora is Nardi's soft taupe — a warm greige that sits between grey and beige. The name is Italian for turtle-dove, which captures it perfectly: gentle, muted and warm without going yellow or cold. It is the most versatile frame colour in the range, pairing effortlessly with timber, stone, brick and virtually any cushion fabric, which makes it the most popular choice for buyers who want timeless, adaptable furniture.

Which Nardi frame colour is best?

There is no single best — it depends on your space. For maximum flexibility and a colour that suits any setting, Tortora is the smart all-rounder. For bright, coastal, small or shaded spaces, Bianco is ideal. For modern homes with grey paving and dark window frames, Antracite is the sophisticated choice. For planted, natural, garden-led schemes, Agave blends in beautifully. Match the frame to your fixed surroundings — house, paving, planting — and you cannot go wrong.

Can I mix Nardi frame colours?

Yes, but follow one rule: keep all your seating in a single frame colour and get your variety from the cushions instead. Matching frames with different fabric colours looks coordinated and lively; mismatched frames tend to look accidental. A contrasting table frame can work as a deliberate accent, and if you do mix, stay within tonally related colours (for example Tortora with Bianco) rather than combining opposite ends of the palette.

What cushion colour goes with anthracite furniture?

Antracite is wonderfully flexible. For crisp, high-contrast drama, pair it with pale fabrics like Ghiaccio (ice grey) or a light Grigio. For a tonal, all-grey, sophisticated scheme, layer Grigio on charcoal. To add personality, Rosa Quarzo blush against Antracite is a designer favourite, Adriatic blue brings maritime depth, and an olive-toned Avocado cushion gives a fresh, contemporary twist. As a rule, either contrast the dark frame with something light, or go tonal with grey — both look superb.

Ready to Choose Your Colour?

Your Nardi frame colour is the one decision that stays with the furniture for its whole life — so take the time to get it right, and everything else becomes easy. Match it to your house and garden, decide whether you want it to blend or pop, keep your seating consistent, and let your Sunbrella cushions bring the seasonal colour. Do that, and you will have an outdoor scheme that looks considered, calm and completely yours for years to come.

Explore every design, frame colour and fabric in our full Nardi range — each piece made to order and available to order in the exact colour combination you choose.