Green Wall Panels vs Cloths: When to Use Each in Design

Green wall panels and cloth wall coverings are two different yet equally powerful approaches in modern design. Cloth brings softness and flexibility through fabric textures, while green walls infuse natural or biophilic elements into the built environment.

Green Cloth Wall Coverings

Cloth wall coverings excel in spaces where warmth, softness, and detail are the priorities. They work particularly well in smaller rooms or areas where acoustics require only moderate improvement.

• Hospitality guest rooms: Cloth adds texture and comfort to walls, making the space feel more intimate.

• Conference rooms: A cloth backdrop can provide subtle sound absorption and reduce visual hardness.

• Theaters or auditoriums: Fabrics can be used decoratively while adding modest acoustic benefits when layered over absorbent substrates.

Advantages of Cloth

• Broad variety of colors, textures, and patterns.

• Relatively cost-effective for localized wall treatments.

• Brings tactile softness and a handcrafted design feel.

Limitations

• Maintenance can be demanding: fabrics stain, fade, or wear out.

• Acoustic absorption is limited unless combined with backing materials.

• Fire safety ratings vary depending on fabric choice.

Artificial Moss Wall Cloth with Signage, Artificial Moss, Plantscape Commercial Silk

Green Wall Panels in Commercial Spaces

Green wall panels are most effective in large-scale, high-traffic spaces where acoustics, brand identity, and wellness all matter. By combining PET felt cores with greenery layers, they offer both visual biophilia and measurable sound absorption.

• Corporate offices: Acoustic greenery panels in open work areas reduce noise and boost wellness.

• Hospitality lobbies: Lush green walls act as brand-defining focal points while improving conversational clarity.

• Healthcare waiting areas: Moss and preserved greenery calm visitors and help reduce stress.

• Educational spaces: Replica greenery panels bring vibrancy while ensuring easy maintenance.

Advantages of Green Wall Panels

• Biophilic design boosts wellness and productivity.

• NRC-rated absorption significantly improves acoustics.

• Maintenance-free replica greenery or climate-sensitive living options.

• Fire-rated materials ensure compliance with commercial codes.

Limitations

• Initial cost is higher than cloth.

• If not replica, living greenery requires irrigation and ongoing care.

Grove, Earth Collection, Green Wall Panels, CSI Creative

Can These Solutions Work Together?

Yes — cloth and green wall panels can complement each other in layered design strategies. For example, an office conference zone might use cloth wall panels for softness inside meeting rooms while the open workspace benefits from greenery-based walls that reduce background noise. This mix allows architects to match each system to its functional and aesthetic role.

The CSI Creative Offering

At CSI Creative, we specialize in systems that go beyond surface decoration. Our Earth Collection of acoustic greenery wall panels integrates PET felt, wool felt, and ThermaLeaf® replica greenery for fire-safe, NRC-rated acoustic systems. These panels are prefabricated, easy to install, and fully customizable in density, plant types, and finishes.

Backed by WELL certification, Declare and HPD transparency, and the Architizer A+Product Awards 2024 and 2025, our offerings give architects flexible solutions that merge acoustics, safety, and design identity.

For projects where cloth is the right fit, CSI Creative provides fabric-backed acoustic systems with wool felt (PoshFelt®) and PET felt (SoundCore®), offering over 224 colorways to support any brand palette.

👉 Cloth is best when the design calls for warmth, subtlety, and localized treatment.
👉 Green wall panels are ideal when acoustics, relief, texture and scale come into play.

With CSI Creative, architects don’t have to choose one or the other — they can design with both. Contact us today.