Kinnarps Colour Studio helps you choose the right material and colour for the right place

When and why was KCS created?

We always intended to have a standardised range, but it was not until around 2005 that KCS took its current form. Originally, there were only a few fabrics and colours to choose from, but as we grew, we needed to start using the range more as a tool. That is when we developed the visual layout we have today – a wall where we clearly display fabrics, wood, metal and plastic in selected colours.

The KCS range has a timeless, harmonised colour palette that is easy to match with other interiors. This makes it easy to create flexible indoor environments that can easily be customised if your needs change. All the materials we bring into KCS have been carefully selected, tested and quality assured to meet the requirements for public spaces. For a material to become standard in KCS, it must go through a long process. Our fabric suppliers sometimes say that if a fabric makes it into Kinnarps Colour Studio, it is invincible.

We have higher requirements than many others. This is partly because we want our furniture to last a very long time, and partly because we want our customers to feel safe when they choose a material from KCS. Whatever they choose, they can rest assured that it is high quality. For example, all our fabrics are durable enough to withstand at least 50,000 Martindale, which can be compared to the most common requirement of 35,000 Martindale for public environments.

We also set requirements when it comes to fire resistance. Wool is naturally flame-retardant because it has a higher humidity than the air, but to ensure that our polyester fabrics are, we only use FR or Trevira CS polyester. These fabrics are woven in a way that makes them naturally flameproof and easier to wash. As such, they do not need to be treated afterwards, which means we avoid unnecessary use of chemicals.

Given these high demands, is it difficult to offer a wide range?

No, not really. We have more than 300 quality-assured materials in carefully selected colours in our range. We also sell special materials that are not part of the KCS range, but the demand for those products is declining. More and more people are discovering the benefits of choosing materials whose durability and quality are ensured.

What ecolabels and certifications do you have?

We have ensured that all our materials are produced under environmentally and socially responsible conditions, and we also work with a number of labels. All new products we develop must comply with Möbelfakta, a Swedish label that sets strict requirements on environmental impact and supply chains.

For our fabrics, we work with the EU Ecolabel and OEKO-TEX®. For us to accept a fabric, it must comply with Möbelfakta and one of the other two. OEKO-TEX® guarantees that no harmful chemicals have been used in the production. The EU Ecolabel makes high demands on sustainability throughout the product’s entire life cycle.

When it comes to wood, 98% of the wood we use is FSC®-labelled, guaranteeing responsible forestry. We aim to achieve 100% FSC-labelled wood, but until we can, we check the tree species and origin of the remaining 2%.

How do you relate to trends in KCS?

In the past, trends were more about colours than they are today. Today we see trends in a broader sense, for example that more and more people want sustainable interior design. To choose sustainable interior design, you have to think long-term. That means not basing interiors on what colour happens to be popular right now. More and more people are aware of how much the physical environment, including colours, affects us humans and want to decorate accordingly.

If you want your indoor environment to be sustainable, it is also important that you can add to your interior design should your needs change in the future. Choosing a timeless colour palette that easily harmonises with other interiors will make that possible.

What makes KCS suitable for offices, schools and healthcare environments?

The fact that every material and colour has a lot of thought behind it. KCS offers everything from homely natural materials such as veneer to practical and washable fabrics. But what all the materials have in common is that their properties make them suitable for one (or more) of these spaces.

When choosing materials, it is important to consider whether they are suitable for their purpose. For example, when selecting desks for school environments, tabletops made of marmoleum can be a good choice, since it's a sound-absorbing natural material.

For educational and healthcare environments, avoid wool fabrics in favour of synthetic fabrics and artificial leather. These are allergy-friendly, fade-resistant and generally very hardwearing. For offices though, wool fabrics and natural leather are well suited. Wool is excellent in areas with computers because it is naturally antistatic.

The materials you choose affect your entire indoor environment, and for the best possible result, it is important that you don't skip the prepatory work. This is something we are happy to help our customers with. By doing proper prep work, we can customise a solution adapted to the customer’s business operations.

How would you summarise KCS in three words?

Sustainability, quality and harmony.

Sustainability because we work hard to make our materials environmentally sustainable and to ensure fair working conditions throughout our supply chain. Quality because we certify and set high standards for our materials and furniture. Harmony because we use carefully selected materials and colours to create harmonious and attractive indoor environments.