Designer floors
Published: 14 December, 2006
A revolution is taking place underfoot in shopping centres across the UK. Floors are getting the designer treatment - with vibrant colours and different textures on the specifiers' shopping lists.
Feedback from the retail industry reflects the fact that designers and architects are increasingly looking for stylish floors that make a real statement underfoot. Smooth resins are no longer judged on performance and durability. These are still important factors, but in the retail environment there needs to be something more to make these products appeal - the 'wow!' effect.
Colour, sparkle, texture and special effects are all being brought into the mix to make floors so much more than something to just walk over. For years paint manufacturers have invested heavily in marketing colour concepts, and sell by factors such as mood, concept and feelings. Now, the flooring industry is starting to move in the same direction.
The psychology of colour is something I feel passionate about. Flowcrete has been researching it for some time now and has a 'Fruity' range of smooth floor finishes - in vivid shades that would never have been dreamed of just a few years ago.
Colour is great, but a lot of professionals in the industry, particularly commercial interior designers, are asking for grey floors, from the very lightest tones through to charcoal and nearly black. In fact, for a while now, the use of grey has been one of the major conversational points regarding contemporary flooring installations.
It's all part of the industrial look, a style that leaves an almost unfinished feel to an environment and makes significant use of metal. The look can also include the use of micas and glitter to add atmosphere to the floor.
Over the next few years, I suspect grey will continue to stand at the forefront in the specification process - with a warmer and clearer palette of blues, along with hot, rich browns reaching the floorzone as well.
Naturally, some designers will want to move away from grey. Ultimately, I don't think one type of colour or style will dominate the market and choice will be the keyword.
One trend that continues to emerge is the inspiration behind the South American style, which seems to be getting big across the Americas. Taken from the brightly-painted beach huts and houses, the Hispanic community in America is bringing this style to life in the USA and it's really going from strength to strength.
Along with colour, texture and feel are other important factors. In line with this, another developing trend is the capture of the spirit of the great outdoors. To tap into this, floors are being installed which are neutral in design and create a natural, calming effect. Products that create a stone carpet finish help to create this outdoor feel. We've seen this type of floor installed at numerous retail outlets to great effect.
Finally, another emerging use is that of even more specialised effects, with metallics becoming increasingly popular. Products like this have evolved and it's fair to say that the flooring industry is taking note of design now more than ever. We know the floors have the necessary performance and durability characteristics for a wide-range of environments - we just need to think of ways of continuously generating new designs, textures, colours and styles.
Flooring in the retail environment is becoming more dynamic, more individualistic and more experimental. We're seeing a definite change in the way flooring is viewed by the industry, including architects, interior designers and specifiers. They still want a functional floor underfoot, but they're also starting to see floor finishes as a medium for creativity. Increasingly, floors are being seen as an exciting medium for stunning visual effects.
These are exciting times for the flooring industry. It's hard to imagine what designs and styles of floor finishes will be on show in shopping centres across the UK in 10 years' or even 5 years' time. However, one thing is for certain: floors will never be just for walking on again.
