As we reach the end of another fantastic year of inspiring interiors, we’ve been looking back at our favourite design trends and product innovations of 2019.
This year has seen a new flexible approach to commercial designs, particularly in the hospitality and housebuild industries, with interiors adapting to the changing needs of customers, maximising the usability of compact rooms and developing multi-use social spaces.
With increasing pressure for space in desirable urban areas, co-living developments offer an alternative for renters looking for convenient city-based accommodation together with a sense of community and belonging. A key aspect to these interiors is durability and ease of maintenance, with successful flooring offering both a practical hard-wearing surface and inspiring designs that combine a welcoming home from home feel with the sophistication of boutique hotels.
Small urban hotels are maximising their customer appeal with a flexible approach to space. Appealing to digital nomads and local entrepreneurs alike, hotel entrance lobbies are offering social areas for guests and local customers, with digitally connected co-working space and meeting rooms during the day alongside extended bar and café services from early morning coffee to late night cocktails. Bespoke flooring designs and pattern combinations not only make a style statement but also help define different zones and create a sense of direction.
In commercial spaces designers are combining an authentic minimalist industrial look in concrete and steel with softer resimercial features for a more intimate and relaxed feel. For spaces where poured and polished concrete flooring is not feasible, such as where acoustic qualities are key or where raised floor access is required, new concrete design tiles are now available in a practical loose lay format. These can be used in a combination of concrete shades or with contrasting wood design to create visual walkways and delineate activity zones.
A resurgence in the appeal of historic designs has led to an increase in the use of pattern in flooring, including wood flooring in parquet and herringbone layouts and the recreation of grand Victorian geometric tile flooring. Designers are making use of the flexibility of LVT to create bespoke designs that make an impact and wow customers.
This year we have enjoyed sharing geometric design stories from the hospitality industry, such as Tool and Gauge and The Muddy Oar who have created highly personalised and distinctive styles with designs in monochrome geometrics and warm classic oak flooring.
5. Bespoke design
As clients embrace pattern in flooring and look for individual designs that will stand out for all the right reasons, the flexibility of Karndean flooring has enabled designers to create bespoke designs. Earlier this year, we shared the stories of Charlton Hall who created a truly unique wedding venue with a striking monochrome floor design, and retail store Arlo & Jacob who used a contrasting selection of planks in a stunning herringbone pattern. At Clerkenwell Design Week our own designers set out to show how our flooring can be personalised to create a ‘wow factor’ with cut out lettering and even a wall-to-floor geometric pattern.
Throughout the year we have been sharing these stories and more on our Instagram channel. Why not follow us and share your favourite designs of 2019.