From the clip-clap of shoes on a floor to the texture one feels on a bare arm as one leans against a wall – flooring and surfaces in interiors can be as dramatic as you can have them be or even as subtle. These elements add an extra layer of storytelling and experience to an ambience. To derive a particular aesthetic, flooring can be that one game-changing feature. As for surfaces, through colour, grains and texture – they can make for those details that revered architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe found godly.
If you think about it, ceilings, surfaces, and flooring form the envelope of a space and account for formulating a shell for other layers like furniture, carpets, lighting, and so much more. Hence, it’s important not to start with an empty slate. To assist you in being on trends, Love That Design presents flooring styles and surface aesthetics that have been making rounds in 2023…..
Earthy Tones and Neutral Hues
Anything and everything biophilia has been a hit for quite some time. Plus, even lovers of vibrance will agree that there’s a soothing effect to neutrals. Earthy textures, too, have a charming impact on interiors. As this theme seems inescapable, even brands keep improving their product offerings pertaining to this style.
Take VD Werkstatten’s 2596 – RINDE wall cladding, for instance. A beautiful derivative of oakwood that is already lacquered and available as sheets, RINDE can instantly imbue the ‘woodland’ sensuality in bedrooms or reception areas. In case a less direct inference is warranted, the Upon Common Ground Collection from Interface usurps inspirations from the pitter, patter and patterns in nature.
For those looking to depart from the rugged and reach for the opulent, The New Classtone Collection from Neolith would be a better fit. Coming in various finishes such as Décor Polished, Ultrasoft and Silk, The New Classtone Collection balances the dynamism of stone with luxury finishes.
Geometric Patterns and Vintage Designs
The era of Art Deco is slowly seeping back, or maybe ardent fans of the movement have managed to keep it relevant even today. However, recently, clients and designers alike seem to want to get the good ol’ days back and stir just a little bit of nostalgia in interiors. It may not extend for the entire theme, but a distressed rug here, a corniced corner there, and the sweet, sweet balance of simple geometric shapes all indicate a ‘blast from the past.’
You could use a combination from Hakwood’s Color Collection and invite those throwback vibes by fusing shapes with dependable oak finish flooring. Anything on those floors would scream retro. For a more artsy reference, Baena from Porcelanosa is a matte glazed flooring that will grab eyes for its clean lines and geometric design. A lesson in sophistication, Baena can quickly become a piece de resistance in a restaurant or kitchen garden.
Object Carpet’s Louis – Wall-to-Wall Carpet or Area Rugs – are an eclectic blend of video-game-like shapes and brilliant hues. Embrace a bit of Bauhaus, and watch areas such as corridors and study areas transform into their most swanky selves. To bring back the vibrance associated with yesteryears in offices, the colour and styles in Shaw Contract’s Kindred Collection would be ideal. Use different types for transitions, or simply pick one to go with other elements in your design; either way, a little eccentricity hurts no one.
The sleekest yet ‘brutal’ style on this list, the industrial look is governed by angular lines and an ‘exposed’ theme – almost like a chic garage. Metals and brooding shades are some of the hallmarks of this style. Often, the industrial theme is opted for when the design narrative demands an edgy nonchalance.
For a minimal, industrial look in the kitchen Lunar and Soke from Cosentino’s Dekton Industrial Collection are elegant countertops with the correct dosage of insouciance. The complexity of oxidation paired with the maturity of stone will bring out an ethereal quality in kitchens.
For an avant-garde industrial confluence, we have the Industrial Landscape Collection by Tom Dixon for Ege Carpets. The flooring products take elements of London city, such as coal and iron, as muses and convert them into a symphony of metallic hues and organic compositions. In workplaces, the Modulyss’ Delight Collection could bring a casual flair with its fusion of shapes and distressed and faded patterns. Specify any carpet tile design with wood or concrete; the results shall create a juxtaposition between textures and shades.
Who’s to say that flooring and surfaces can have only one pattern or thematic direction? Carpets, rugs and walls can also be statement pieces in interiors. With thin lines between modern and contemporary designs or between the features of minimalism and Scandinavian outlooks – why do flooring and surfaces have to be devoid of blends?
The Down to Earth Collection from Milliken is one such offering of carpet tiles that transfuses natural prints of leaves with subdued, commercial tones. The flooring balances environmental influences with the enigma of subtle fades and forms. Bolon’s Truly Collection is another that mixes and matches. With weaves and graphic designs, Truly delivers an almost hypnotic experience – the detailing and finish of the rugs create an intriguing narrative.
Amidst the technological boom, the Signature Laminates from Polyrey are a great way to get those amalgamations in spaces. From backsplashes to furniture and walls and from floral to linear geometries, the possibilities with this Polyrey product are endless. Coordinate with plain colours or employ an array of different designs – the leash is left to your creative interpretations.
