Five Flooring Trends to Watch Out for in 2022
By Clare Tattersall
With 2021 soon coming to a close, many consumers will want to know what’s on-trend for next year. As a business owner, it is your job to stay informed to identify and then take advantage of new opportunities for sales. Here are five trends that are expected to be ‘big’ in the flooring industry in 2022, and perhaps even beyond.
Black and White
Black and white transcends time and styles, so it is no wonder it consistently comes back in fashion. This time around the nostalgic colour duo will play prominently on floors in a range of designs, from maximalist to modern Mediterranean to minimalist, each of which makes a bold yet classy statement. This trend is also not limited to hard surface flooring, as seen in Flor’s Casa Blanca collection.
Antibacterial
When the pandemic hit, people became fanatical about wiping down every surface in their home. Residential flooring manufacturers picked up on this and they’re taking already wellness-friendly materials and adding antibacterial properties to make them even more appealing.
For instance, Mannington Mills has pioneered a solution that offers a more effective systemic approach to cleaning. Metal-based antimicrobial technologies are built into the wear layer of its luxury vinyl tiles and planks to provide enhanced surface protection against the growth of troublesome microbes, mould and mildew. This helps to proactively maintain cleanliness and combat damage, odours and staining caused by the growth of microorganisms on the surface. The Microban technology is always active, working 24-7 for the expected lifetime of the flooring, and doesn’t wash off or wear away, functioning alongside regular disinfection and cleaning practices.
Patterns and Pizzazz
The past 18 months have allowed homeowners to really assess what they want their home to reflect. As a result, the overarching trend in home design is creative expression, individuality and design freedom.
“It makes sense as people have gone from having to be home to wanting to be at home in an environment that expresses their personalities and individual tastes,” says Laurel Vernazza, a home design expert at the Plan Collection, which sells pre-drawn house plans to homeowners and professional builders. “Since no one could travel, homeowners had to bring those experiences into their homes.”
The company is seeing great interest in Old World craftsmanship with two-tone inlays, patterns — herringbone and chevron designs in kitchens, bathrooms and other spaces are particularly popular — and even different tones. Also, with supply chain interruptions and lumber prices soaring, upcycling of flea market finds of reclaimed wood is on the rise.
Japandi
A fusion of Scandinavian design and Japanese interiors, Japandi is an east-meets-west trend that combines relaxing, minimalist decor with a neutral palette and natural materials.
“One of the aspects of Japandi interiors is to reconnect with nature to boost our overall well-being,” says Rebecca Snowden, an interior stylist advisor at Furniture and Choice.
When it comes to floors, nothing speaks Japandi more than hardwood. Interiors generally contain a contrasting mix of light and mid-to-dark woods, so both a pale white oak on the lighter side of the spectrum or dark walnut stain oak on the opposite end can achieve this aesthetic.
Weathered Effect
While the worn flooring trend has been around for a while, the number of consumers opting for the aged look continues to rise as it creates that homey feel. This antique appearance, created by artificially aging and styling the flooring, is not limited to wood but includes concrete, too. This material is dimensionally stable, which means it won’t size due to heat and humidity, unlike wood.