The demand for products that allow for versatility in the workplace continues to grow, as employees utilize everything from multifunctional desk and seating combos to modular structures that can be changed as often as needed. Yet flooring and wall tiles are just as important as companies update their hybrid-model offices. “ A resilient workspace prioritizes flexibility. It’s critical for designers to consider the long term and to provide the most adaptable solutions,” said Anna Webb, vice president of global marketing at Interface.
Mixes of hard and soft surfaces create interesting textures that have broad appeal. “We want the juxtaposition, and to see how the furniture and the carpet support one another in a room,” noted Victoria deVuono, vice president of product and marketing, Bentley. “We are not being forced to choose just one style.” Bentley’s latest launch, Classic Rock LVT, is inspired by the look of terrazzo. It is scaled to present the right amount of embossed texture, with hints of color cast in neutrals.
LVT continues to be used in a range of office and commercial settings, paired with plush rugs or carpet to add performance and aesthetic value. “We continue to see LVT with carpet insets, or smaller throw rugs on top. Integrating flooring contributes to its functionality, and users can form spaces within a space to differentiate zones or neighborhoods,” Webb noted.
She also said that biophilia is no longer a trend, but a necessary element at work or home. Literal interpretations of nature are no longer key, but more evocative, subtle nods to the outdoors create a grounding effect. Interface recently expanded the Open Air collection, adding seven new colors to the line. Select Open Air products feature the i2 smart design innovation, which mimics the random beauty of a forest floor, offering substantial pattern variation.
Suzanne Zurfluh, director of design and trend for Emser Tile, said that the draw to all things organic is a result of digital fatigue, as we spend significant amounts of time connecting via Zoom during the workday. “We’re looking for natural, handmade materials or even those that have slight imperfections. We want to bring comfort to all our spaces with rich texture.”
Curves and rounded edges are not only on sofas or tables, but also on wall tiles, a trend for 2023 that Emser Tile calls Textural Movement, which includes distressed and layered looks. The company’s Tubage, made of glazed porcelain, is a fluted tile with a sculptural silhouette for more dimension, rather than a polished, flat surface.
Color runs the gamut, from classic tones like navy and steel to amber, oat, and wheat on the other end of the spectrum. “Warm tones are still here, but with a depth that rounds them out and creates that visual softness we are drawn to,” deVuono said.
Webb noted that during the height of the pandemic, flooring was used to enforce social distancing, a visual cue to keep people apart. Now, however, the materials underfoot or on walls are design tools that help to create offices that are more hospitality focused—where welcome and work are synonymous. “We step on the floor and it sets the tone, we each experience it. It is one of the most important product selections a designer can make to signal that you are coming into an inviting atmosphere,” she added.
For deVuono, complementary surfaces in a range of colors and styles enhance overall well-being, especially in areas designated for work. “It is like putting on a filter that softens the hard edges around us. And in that way, I think it brings in warmth. It becomes more accessible to everyone. People feel more comfortable around these kinds of patterns and textures, because they are familiar.”
