From the continuing allure of béton brut and luxury vinyl planks to the rise of bold,

artisanal tiles and rugs to the responsible design revolution, here are 4 promising

flooring trends for 2024.

By Rashmi Sharda

13 Dec 2023

The Caleido tile collection by Ceramica Bardelli presented at Cersaie 2023, Italy | Image Courtesy Ceramica

Bardelli

We’ve seen some hits as well as misses but 2023 has been a good year all around for

interior and product design with the global economy hitting cruise speed again after the COVID-19 pandemic-induced slowdown. As the year draws to a close, creativity and innovation is brewing across the industry and consumer spending is growing. Here’s our curation of all that you need to know about the flooring industry as you head into 2024.

Luxury Vinyl Tiles & Planks

From the American tile and stone mainstay Coverings to Europe’s preeminent design fair Salone del Mobile Milano, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) and planks (LVP) have been in the news across the globe all through the year. And there’s a reason for that. In its tile or plank avatars, luxury vinyl can mimic a wide diversity of natural options such as wood and stone — but at a fraction of the cost.

White Ash from the Spacia collection by Amtico Flooring in a herringbone pattern | Image Courtesy Amtico

Flooring

It’s also low-maintenance, highly durable, and antimicrobial, which is fueling demand as more and more people are looking for hygienic options following the pandemic. In fact, global markets advisor Technavio’s research suggests that this sector has been growing and will continue to grow at almost 10% every year between 2021 and 2026, an increase that amounts to a whopping USD 13.64 billion.

Raw Concrete (& Lookalikes)

Pioneered by modernist architects such as Auguste Perret and Le Corbusier more than 7 decades ago, béton brut (French for raw concrete) continues to be the material — or finish — of choice for minimalists in a world of excess. That list includes a host of celebrities such as English actor Tom Hardy and Russian-born tennis great Maria Sharapova, both of whose homes showcase concrete impressively.

Balenciaga’s new store in Hamburg, Germany – the latest in its “Raw Architecture” series | Image Courtesy

Balenciaga

What adds to concrete’s allure is that it can be used in different ways to different effects. It can look aged and grounded, especially when used in an undone aesthetic in tandem with natural materials such as stone or wood, or industrial and sophisticated when used in its polished or finished form — but sometimes, dramatically, both at once. Case in point: Spanish luxury fashion house Balenciaga’s series of “Raw Architecture” stores — the latest opened in Hamburg, Germany, this summer — which the brand describes as “stripped- down spaces made to challenge codes of luxury.”

Bold Colors & Patterns

As a counterpoint to the neutrality, and arguably dullness, of gray concrete and its many alternatives in laminate, vinyl, or porcelain forms taking over our cities and buildings, there’s an equally strong growing movement of designers and tastemakers promoting the idea of spaces with an identifiable character and meaning.

At Cersaie in Bologna, Italy, one of the world’s foremost annual gatherings of ceramic tile makers, this seemed to be the standout trend this year. Many major brands such as

Ceramica Bardelli, Antiche Fornaci D’Agostino and Cersarda presented hand-painted tiles in vibrant hues and bold patterns, highlighting the beauty of creative expression.

The Primavera rug from the Impasto collection by OBEETEE Carpets and Tissage | Image Courtesy OBEETEE

Carpets

The soft flooring sector, more naturally suited to this style, could take it a step further, as demonstrated by the launch of a new collaborative art collection by two Indian rug ateliers OBEETEE Carpets and Tissage. Called Impasto, after the finish that was popularized by artists like Vincent Van Gogh in the 20th century, the pieces layer multiple sketches of motifs on top of one another, creating a vibrant, three-dimensional effect.

Responsible Design

With our world undoubtedly at a tipping point today, all stakeholders in the design supply chain — from makers and brands to designers and architects to developers, owners, and end users — are working towards and demanding a certain level of responsibility to the planet at large. The result is that we’re seeing increasing investment into product and material innovation to optimize use of resources and reduce carbon emissions and waste.

London’s Surface Design Show took the lead here in February with an awards program that looked at sustainability as a critical evaluation criterion when recognising the best surface designs of the year. Welsh manufacturers Smile Plastics, who were crowned Supreme Winners for their work with London design studio Nina+Co on an eyewear store in London, use plastic waste to produce 100% recycled and 100% recyclable panels that have varied applications in interior design.

The Desso and Patricia Urquiola collection of carpet tiles by Tarkett | Image Courtesy Tarkett

More recently, carpet maker Desso, which is owned by French flooring giant Tarkett,

collaborated with Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola to launch a collection of knitwear-inspired carpet tiles that are 100% recyclable, and that the brand claims have “the lowest possible environmental impact.”