Nardi Outdoor Fabrics: The Complete Guide to Sunbrella, Colours & Care (2026)

If you have started shopping for Nardi outdoor furniture, you will quickly notice that the frame is only half the story. The part your skin actually touches, the part that catches the evening light on the patio, the part that has to survive an Irish summer of sun, showers and salty sea breezes, is the fabric. Choosing the right Nardi cushion fabric is the single decision that most affects how your garden furniture looks in year five, not just week one.

This is the complete, no-nonsense guide to Nardi outdoor fabrics: the two fabric worlds Nardi uses, every cushion colour we supply, how the fabrics actually perform in the real Irish and UK climate, how to clean and care for them, how long they genuinely last, and exactly which fabric to choose for your terrace, balcony, poolside or seafront garden. It is written by people who sell these pieces every day here at Custom Wood Designs, so everything below is practical advice you can act on today.

The two worlds of Nardi cushion fabric

Nardi, the Italian maker famous for its resin frames and Sunbrella-clad cushions, essentially offers you two families of cushion fabric. Understanding the difference between them is the foundation of every good buying decision, so let us start here.

1. Sunbrella® acrylic — the marine-grade benchmark

Sunbrella is a solution-dyed acrylic fabric originally engineered for boat covers, awnings and yacht upholstery. It is the gold standard for outdoor textiles worldwide, and it is the fabric Nardi reaches for on its premium cushion ranges. When you see a Nardi colour described as "Sunbrella" — for example Grigio Sunbrella, Rosa Sunbrella or Avocado Sunbrella — you are looking at this marine-grade cloth.

The reason Sunbrella is so highly regarded comes down to how the colour gets into the yarn, which we explain in the next section. In short: it is built to live outdoors permanently, it shrugs off UV, and it can be cleaned aggressively without losing its character.

2. Nardi's standard and technical weaves — TECH Panama and the resin-backed cushions

The second world is Nardi's own range of standard and technical polyester-based weaves. The best-known is the TECH Panama fabric (you will see it listed as Tech Panama on our Komodo cushions), a smart, textured basketweave-style cloth with a natural, linen-like look. Nardi also produces its house colours such as the Grigio Komodo weave that sits between the pure Sunbrella options and the entry weaves.

These technical weaves are excellent, weather-resistant fabrics designed specifically for outdoor use — they are water-repellent, quick-drying and colourfast to a high standard. They typically come in at a slightly friendlier price than full Sunbrella, and their matte, textural finish suits a more contemporary, understated look. They are a brilliant choice for covered terraces, balconies and any spot that is not in relentless, all-day, unbroken sunshine.

Pro tip: There is no "bad" choice between these two families — only the right choice for your situation. Full-sun, coastal and poolside settings reward the extra investment in Sunbrella. Shaded, covered or occasional-use spots are perfectly served by Nardi's TECH Panama and standard weaves.

Solution-dyed vs surface-dyed — the one thing that matters most

If you remember only one technical idea from this whole guide, make it this one, because it explains why some outdoor fabrics fade to a sad, patchy grey in two seasons while others still look rich after a decade.

Surface-dyed (or piece-dyed) fabric is woven first and then dipped in colour, so the dye coats the outside of each fibre like paint on a fence. The colour sits on the surface. When UV light, rain and scrubbing get to work, that surface layer wears and bleaches away, and the pale, undyed core of the fibre starts to show through. That is why cheap outdoor cushions look tired so quickly.

Solution-dyed fabric — which is exactly what Sunbrella is — takes the opposite approach. The colour pigment is added to the raw acrylic while it is still in liquid form, before it is extruded into yarn. The result is that the fibre is the same colour all the way through, like a stick of seaside rock. There is no surface layer to wear off. You can scrub it, bleach it, leave it in full sun for years, and the colour goes right to the core, so it holds. This is the technical secret behind Sunbrella's legendary fade resistance and its long, confident warranties.

Nardi's better technical weaves borrow the same principle where they can, which is why they are rated as genuinely colourfast rather than just "outdoor-ish". When you are comparing any two outdoor fabrics anywhere, "solution-dyed" is the phrase that tells you the colour is built to last.

Colours and the current Nardi cushion palette

Nardi's cushion palette is deliberately curated — a tight, considered range of tones that work with the brand's frame colours and with real gardens, rather than an overwhelming swatch book. Here are the core cushion colours we supply, what they actually look like, and the kind of garden each one flatters. This is where a fabric guide becomes an interior-design guide, because colour is where you make the space feel like yours.

Rosa Quarzo — soft blush, quietly luxurious

Rosa Quarzo is a dusky, greyed-off blush pink — think quartz rather than bubblegum. It is far more sophisticated than "pink" suggests, reading almost as a warm neutral in daylight. It is gorgeous against a white (Bianco) frame for a soft, romantic, coastal-cottage feel, and surprisingly striking against Antracite for a modern, fashion-led contrast. Perfect for anyone who wants a touch of warmth without going bold. You will find it across the Komodo back cushions and the Nardi outdoor scatter cushions.

Grigio — the timeless everyday grey

Grigio (Italian for grey) is the workhorse of the range and the colour we recommend most often to people who want something they will never tire of. It is a mid, cool grey that hides everyday dust, pollen and the odd splash better than any pale tone, and it partners with absolutely everything — timber decking, grey porcelain patio tiles, planting, and every Nardi frame colour. There is both a standard Grigio weave and a premium Grigio Sunbrella for full-sun spots. It is the safe, smart, resale-friendly choice.

Adriatic — deep sea blue

Adriatic is a rich, saturated blue named after the sea, and it is the natural pick for any coastal or seafront garden. Set against a Bianco frame it delivers that crisp, nautical, Greek-island look; against Antracite it turns moody and contemporary. Blue is a calming, expansive colour outdoors and pairs beautifully with green planting and natural stone.

Ghiaccio — icy pale neutral

Ghiaccio means "ice", and this is the palest, most delicate tone in the palette — a soft, cool off-white with a whisper of grey-blue. It is the choice for a serene, minimalist, high-end scheme where you want the furniture to feel light and airy. Because it is pale, it suits shaded and covered areas best, and it looks especially elegant on a Tortora (taupe) frame for a full tonal, barely-there palette.

Avocado — warm muted green

Avocado is a soft, dusty, sage-leaning green — not a loud lime, but a gentle, earthy tone that practically disappears into a planted garden. It is the fashionable, biophilic choice: cushions that echo the foliage around them. It is stunning with Agave (Nardi's own green frame) for a full nature-inspired look, and it warms up beautifully against timber. A designer favourite right now.

Giungla — lush botanical green

Giungla ("jungle") is the deeper, richer, more dramatic green in the range. Where Avocado is muted, Giungla is confident and verdant. It brings a boho, tropical, garden-room energy and looks fantastic layered with patterned scatter cushions and lots of planting. Choose it if you want your outdoor sofa to feel immersive and lush rather than neutral.

Canvas — warm natural sand

Canvas is a classic, warm, sandy oatmeal — the quintessential neutral outdoor fabric colour. It has more warmth than grey and reads like natural linen or unbleached cotton. It is the Mediterranean choice: think terracotta pots, olive trees, cream render and sun-bleached timber. Endlessly easy to live with and to accessorise.

TECH Panama — the smart technical weave

Finally, the TECH Panama option (listed as Tech Panama on our cushions) is Nardi's textured technical fabric rather than a single colour — a refined, neutral, basketweave cloth with a natural, linen-like appearance. It is the choice for a contemporary, understated scheme and for buyers who want excellent outdoor performance at a slightly gentler price than full Sunbrella. It is offered right across the Komodo modular sofa range.

How Nardi fabrics actually perform

Colour choices are the fun part, but performance is what you are really paying for. Here is how these fabrics stand up to the specific challenges of an Irish and UK garden, in plain English.

UV and fade resistance

This is where solution-dyed Sunbrella earns its keep. Because the pigment runs through the whole fibre, the fabric resists fading from UV exposure for many years — Sunbrella cloth is typically rated to the very top of the industry colourfastness scale. In everyday terms: leave a Sunbrella cushion out all summer, every summer, and it will still look like itself. Nardi's TECH Panama and standard weaves are also good performers here, though for relentless, unshaded, all-day sun the pure Sunbrella options are the surer bet.

Water, mould and mildew resistance

Nardi outdoor cushions are made with a water-repellent finish and — crucially — a quick-drying, breathable structure. The fabric sheds light rain and does not soak it up like an indoor cushion would. Just as importantly, mould and mildew cannot feed on acrylic and polyester fibres themselves; they can only grow on dirt, pollen and organic debris that sits on a damp surface. So the enemy is not rain, it is trapped moisture plus grime. Keep the fabric reasonably clean and let it dry and mildew simply has nothing to live on.

Salt air and coastal suitability

Sunbrella was born as a marine fabric, so salty coastal air is exactly the environment it was engineered for. Salt spray, strong coastal UV and damp sea breezes that would punish a lesser fabric are business as usual for solution-dyed acrylic. If you live on the coast or overlook the sea — and a great many Irish gardens do — Sunbrella colours such as Adriatic, Grigio Sunbrella and Canvas are the natural specification.

Quick-dry open-weave structure and breathability

A clever detail of Nardi's cushions is the open-cell, quick-dry foam and breathable weave used inside many of them. Water drains through and air moves freely, so cushions dry out fast after a shower instead of staying soggy. This breathability is also why they are comfortable to sit on in warm weather — the fabric does not trap heat and moisture against you the way a sealed vinyl seat would.

Colourfastness in plain English

"Colourfast" simply means the colour stays put — it does not fade in sunlight, run in the rain, or rub off onto clothes. Nardi's Sunbrella fabrics sit at the top end of colourfastness because of solution-dyeing, and the technical weaves are rated highly too. Practically, it means you can put light-coloured cushions next to a white frame without worrying about colour transfer, and you can clean them without watching the colour wash down the drain.

Care and cleaning — keep them looking new

The best news about Nardi fabrics is that they are genuinely easy to care for. Because the colour is locked in, you can clean them properly without babying them. Here is the practical routine.

Routine cleaning

• Brush off loose dirt, pollen, crumbs and leaves regularly with a soft brush — this is 80% of keeping cushions fresh, because it stops grime building up for mildew to feed on.
• For a general clean, mix a little mild washing-up liquid in lukewarm water, sponge over the fabric, and rinse thoroughly with clean water so no soap residue is left to attract dirt.
• Always let cushions dry fully in the air before stacking or storing them.

Removing specific stains

• Suncream and oils: the most common outdoor culprit. Blot (don't rub) off the excess, then wash with warm soapy water. For stubborn oily marks on Sunbrella, a small amount of diluted bleach solution is safe because the colour is solution-dyed and won't be harmed.
• Food and drink spills: lift solids first, then sponge with mild soapy water and rinse. Deal with it while fresh and it lifts easily.
• Bird mess: let it dry, flake off the bulk, then wash the area with soapy water and rinse well.
• Mould and mildew: because it lives on surface grime rather than the fibre, mildew responds very well to a diluted bleach-and-water solution on Sunbrella (the acrylic and its pigment can take it). Apply, leave for a few minutes, scrub gently, rinse thoroughly and air-dry. For Nardi's technical weaves, use a gentler oxygen-based fabric cleaner rather than strong bleach.

Machine-washing removable covers

Many Nardi cushions — including the Komodo cushions and much of the Sunbrella cushion range — have removable covers with zips, and where they do, the covers are generally machine-washable on a cool, gentle cycle. Always check the care label on your specific cushion first. Wash on cold or lukewarm, use a mild detergent, skip the fabric softener (it clogs the water-repellent finish), and never tumble-dry on heat — air-dry instead so the covers keep their shape and finish. Reproofing sprays can refresh water-repellency after many washes if ever needed.

Pro tip: Removable, washable covers are a big part of why Nardi cushions age so well. When in doubt, unzip, cool-wash, air-dry, and re-dress the cushion — it takes ten minutes and brings them back to life.

Winter storage and do's and don'ts

• Do store cushions somewhere dry over winter — a garage, shed, utility room or a breathable storage bag. They can handle the cold; it is prolonged damp and darkness that eventually causes trouble.
• Do use a proper Nardi furniture cover if you leave sets out, and make sure air can still circulate so condensation does not build up underneath.
• Do make sure cushions are completely dry before storing them away.
• Don't use harsh solvents, strong degreasers or a stiff wire brush.
• Don't pressure-wash on a hard, close setting — it can drive water into the foam and damage the fabric's finish. A gentle hose rinse is fine.
• Don't leave cushions sitting in a permanent puddle or trapped under a non-breathable sheet of plastic all winter.

Durability and lifespan — what to realistically expect

So how long will they actually last? With sensible care, Nardi Sunbrella cushions will comfortably give you many seasons of everyday outdoor use while holding their colour and structure — Sunbrella fabric itself is famously backed by long multi-year warranties in its awning and marine applications, and the same cloth is what covers your cushions. It is entirely realistic to expect a decade of good life from well-cared-for Sunbrella cushions, and often more.

Nardi's technical weaves and TECH Panama are also built for years of outdoor service; they are simply pitched a notch below the marine-grade Sunbrella for the most extreme, unshaded, coastal situations. The Nardi resin frames underneath, meanwhile, are effectively weatherproof for the long haul, which is why investing in good fabric makes so much sense — the frame will easily outlive a cheap cushion, so you want cushions that keep pace with it.

This is the real argument for quality fabric. A budget outdoor cushion might cost less on day one, but if it fades, goes patchy and grows tired within two summers, you buy it again and again. A Sunbrella cushion that still looks handsome after eight or ten years is cheaper per season and immeasurably nicer to live with. Quality fabric is not an indulgence — it is the economical choice over the life of the furniture.

Which fabric for which use — clear recommendations

Let us make this simple. Here is exactly what we would specify for each common Irish and UK garden situation.

Full-sun terrace or south-facing patio

Go Sunbrella, no hesitation. All-day, unshaded sun is the toughest test for any fabric, and solution-dyed acrylic is the only choice that will still look rich in five years. Choose Grigio Sunbrella, Canvas or Adriatic for colours that wear their years gracefully. Pieces like the Nardi Maximo modular armchair with Sunbrella covers are made for exactly this.

Shaded or covered balcony

Here you have freedom. Out of the harshest sun, Nardi's TECH Panama and standard weaves perform beautifully and let you save a little, or spend the difference on more cushions. Paler, prettier tones like Ghiaccio and Rosa Quarzo are perfectly at home in a sheltered spot. A compact Folio Comfort cushion is a lovely balcony companion.

Poolside

Poolside means splashes, wet swimwear, suncream and reflected UV bouncing off the water — a demanding combination. Sunbrella again, both for its fade resistance and because it takes a diluted-bleach clean for suncream marks without complaint. The quick-dry structure of a Nardi Plano sun lounger and its cushion is ideal for dripping-wet lounging.

Coastal and seafront gardens

This is Sunbrella's home turf. Salt, wind and strong coastal light are exactly what marine-grade acrylic was designed to beat. Lean into the setting with Adriatic blue or a crisp Canvas, and you will have furniture that looks the part and lasts. The Nardi Net Relax cushion in Grigio Sunbrella is a coastal favourite.

Family gardens with kids and dogs

You want forgiving colour and easy cleaning. Choose a mid-tone that hides everyday life — Grigio or Canvas — and prioritise cushions with removable, washable covers so muddy paws, ice-lolly drips and grass stains are no drama. The washable Doga Relax cushions and the rectangular outdoor cushions are brilliantly practical for busy households.

Frame and fabric pairing basics

Cushions never sit in isolation — they rest on a Nardi resin frame, and the frame colour changes how the fabric reads. Nardi's four core frame colours are Bianco (white), Antracite (anthracite/charcoal), Tortora (a warm dove-taupe) and Agave (a soft grey-green). Here is how to pair them.

• Bianco (white) is fresh, coastal and Mediterranean. It makes colours pop — brilliant with Adriatic blue, Rosa Quarzo or Giungla — and keeps the whole piece feeling light. Best in shaded or covered spots where a white frame stays pristine.
• Antracite (charcoal) is the modern, architectural choice. It grounds pale cushions like Ghiaccio and Canvas for high contrast, and turns bold tones moody and sophisticated. The most forgiving frame for a busy, urban setting.
• Tortora (taupe) is the great neutral diplomat — warm, soft and endlessly easy. It melts into tonal schemes with Canvas, Ghiaccio and Grigio for a calm, high-end, barely-there palette.
• Agave (grey-green) is the nature-led option, and it is magic with the green cushion tones. Pair Agave with Avocado or Giungla for a fully biophilic, garden-room look that dissolves into the planting.

You can see this frame-and-fabric interplay most clearly on the modular Komodo range, where the same cushion colour is offered on all four frames — for example the Komodo corner module and the Komodo terminal module.

The Komodo modular sofa — the fabric range in one hero piece

If you want to see the entire Nardi fabric story in a single product, look at the Komodo modular sofa system. It is the piece we point people to when they are trying to understand the palette, because every module is offered in the full spread of cushion fabrics — Tech Panama, Rosa Quarzo, Grigio, Giungla, Ghiaccio, Canvas, Avocado and Adriatic — across all four frame colours. It is, in effect, the fabric range made touchable.

Build your own layout from the Komodo central sofa module, add corner modules and terminal modules to shape it around your space, drop in a matching Komodo pouf for extra lounging, and finish with the plump Komodo back cushions that carry the fabric colour. Because it is modular, you choose one fabric and one frame and repeat it across every piece for a perfectly coordinated outdoor lounge.

Prefer a warmer, curated palette? The Maximo modular range leans into Sunbrella colourways like Timo, Perla, Lava and Cannella — see the Maximo 60x40 Sunbrella cushion for a close look at that cloth. And for finishing touches, the Nardi outdoor scatter cushions let you layer accent colours across any set.

Frequently asked questions

Are Nardi fabrics waterproof?

They are highly water-repellent and made to live outdoors, rather than being sealed like a raincoat. The fabric sheds rain and, thanks to a quick-dry, breathable structure, drains and dries fast instead of soaking through. Water is not the enemy — trapped damp plus dirt is. Let cushions dry after a downpour and they are completely happy outside.

Can I leave Nardi cushions outside?

Yes, through the season they are designed to stay outdoors, which is the whole point of marine-grade Sunbrella and Nardi's technical weaves. For the best lifespan we still recommend storing them somewhere dry over the depths of winter, or using a breathable Nardi cover, simply because months of unbroken damp and darkness are hard on any textile. During spring, summer and autumn, leave them out and enjoy them.

Do Nardi cushions fade?

Nardi's Sunbrella cushions resist fading exceptionally well because the fabric is solution-dyed — the colour runs through each fibre, so there is no surface layer to bleach away. In practical terms they hold their colour for many years of full outdoor use. Nardi's technical weaves are also strongly colourfast; for the most relentless, all-day sun, the Sunbrella options are the surest choice.

How do I clean Nardi Sunbrella cushions?

For routine care, brush off debris and sponge with mild soapy water, then rinse well and air-dry. For tougher marks — suncream, oil or mildew — Sunbrella can handle a diluted bleach-and-water solution without harming the colour, because the pigment is locked into the fibre. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. Avoid harsh solvents and never skip the rinse, as leftover soap attracts fresh dirt.

Are Nardi cushion covers removable and washable?

Many are — a large part of the Nardi cushion range, including the Komodo cushions, has zipped, removable covers that are machine-washable on a cool, gentle cycle. Always check your specific cushion's care label. Wash cold or lukewarm with mild detergent, skip fabric softener, and air-dry rather than tumble-drying on heat so the covers keep their shape and water-repellent finish.

What is the difference between Sunbrella and Nardi's TECH Panama fabric?

Sunbrella is a solution-dyed, marine-grade acrylic — the top choice for full-sun, poolside and coastal settings and for maximum fade resistance and cleanability. TECH Panama is Nardi's own textured technical weave with a natural, linen-like look; it is an excellent outdoor fabric at a slightly friendlier price, ideal for covered terraces, balconies and understated modern schemes. Both are genuinely weather-resistant; the right one depends on how much harsh sun and salt your setting throws at it.

Which Nardi cushion colour is best for a coastal garden?

For seafront and coastal gardens we recommend Sunbrella colourways — Adriatic for a nautical blue, or Canvas and Grigio Sunbrella for timeless neutrals that cope beautifully with salt air and strong coastal light. Pair them with a Bianco frame for a crisp coastal look or Antracite for something more contemporary.

The bottom line

Nardi's fabric offer comes down to a simple, reassuring choice. For the harshest positions — full sun, poolside, seafront — specify solution-dyed Sunbrella and enjoy a decade of colour-fast, easy-clean, marine-grade performance. For sheltered, covered and everyday spots, Nardi's TECH Panama and standard weaves deliver superb outdoor durability with a lovely natural finish and a friendlier price. Pick a colour that flatters your garden's style and your frame, keep it lightly clean, store it dry over deep winter, and your Nardi cushions will still look like the day they arrived years from now.

Ready to choose? Explore the full range in our Nardi outdoor furniture collection, or start with the endlessly configurable Komodo modular sofa to see every fabric and frame combination in one place. And if you would like a hand matching fabric to your particular spot, just ask — helping people get this exactly right is our favourite part of the job.