Top 5 Commercial Design Trends of 2022

 
 

DOORS ARE OPEN,

schedules are full, and a new sense of awaking shines among us.  

The past two years have thrown much of the world into reinvention: changes to our personal and professional routines have likely made a lasting impact and altered the way we live our daily lives. Where and how do we want to spend our time? Our money?

One of the most incredible aspects of interior design and architecture is how our personal lives and feelings impact spaces - how will we see the effects of the past two, three years be portrayed in the buildings of the future? 

Read on to see five of the most popular trends to come this year!

 
 

#1 Wayfinding

Wayfinding is the process or activity of ascertaining one's position and planning and following a route, and something we see being a widespread design trend for 2022 and beyond. 

Not only does wayfinding aid in the aesthetic appeal of a space, but it creates a sense of safety and comfortability in an unfamiliar place - something we all crave as we awake from our post-pandemic hibernation.

Shapes, textures and color transitions all can play a role in wayfinding as they ignite our natural instincts to follow continuous patterns, lines or paths.  One of the easiest ways to incorporate wayfinding? You guessed it - flooring. 

 
 
 

#2 Color Contrasts

Color contrasting is a design trend that has been around for years and recently, neutral colors have been dominating the design industry. In 2021, we started to notice neutral tones being paired with vibrant colors to combine practicality with optimism and positivity. 

In 2022, we anticipate this trend to expand and look forward to seeing the addition of playful colors alongside soft neutrals. 

 
 

#3 Home-Like Atmosphere

Home has never been more important.  Home renovations, real estate and home decor has seen exponential growth in the past two years.  Why? We have never spent so much time at home and have learned that our residence is where we heal, re-energize and rest. 

Our homes bring us a sense of well-being and peace, concepts which designers, architects and end-users are immulating in healthcare and hospitality spaces alike. 

 
 
 

#4 Biophilic Design

Biophilic design is a trend that is here to stay. The concept comes from the term biophilia, which refers to the human tendency to connect with the outdoors.

After the pandemic, designers use biophilic design to create soothing spaces that improve our health and well being. In addition to bringing in greenery and plants, you can add in natural elements with textures, colors and shapes that you might find in nature.

Inspired by biophilic design, Nature’s Tile and Plank is a great flooring product that was designed to mimic the outdoors.

 

#5 Texture

A popular trend we’re seeing today, particularly in corporate design, is variation in texture. Designers are choosing to combine different textures such as wood, stone or iron. This year and years to come, you will notice that no two planks look the same. Like many other design trends, designers are looking for floors that offer a rustic look, as if the floor has been installed for years. Herringbone and chevron patterned floors are also growing in popularity because of the way these patterns bring texture to a floor. Combining different textures creates a unique space while also providing an array of design options.

 

Are you looking to incorporate some of these trends?

Our team is here to help! Find a Teknoflor representative in your area here!

What’s in a Name?

Sustainable, organic, healthy - everywhere we turn, we hear and see these words, but have you stopped and asked yourself what they really mean? 

There are multiple definitions for the term “Sustainable,” many of which revolve around the idea that if something is sustainable, it is healthy, clean and organic. 

When it comes to sustainable (healthy, clean, organic etc.) flooring, we’re pioneers, movers and shakers and disruptors.  Teknoflor offers numerous products that are made without red-list materials and hold an abundance of certifications and transparency documents. Cradle to Cradle, Declare, Healthcare Without Harm, EPDs, HCPDs, etc. - they’re all on our shelves.

But vinyl products still serve a place - we know with 100% virgin, clean vinyl, we are transparent - but can it be considered sustainable? What’s in that name?

One less common way to view and define Sustainable Flooring? Longevity. 

 SUSTAINABLE

sus·​tain·​able |  \ sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl   \

: able to last or continue for a long time

This definition of sustainable stands out to us because it offers a very basic and thoughtful idea - a conscientious effort to make and use products that will stand the test of time and minimize excess waste.

By providing 100% virgin vinyl, high performance flooring Teknoflor is providing products that work, and will continue to work, for decades.  Choosing products that won’t wear quickly and can stand the beatings of high foot traffic will minimize product used and waste generated.  

“If you’re choosing vinyl, Teknoflor is the cleanest.” Says Alex LaPree, Vice President of Sales. “We have floors that have been down for 20 years - we have longevity in the market.” 

When a floor has a lifespan of 20 years compared to that of 5 or 10 - you’re saving enormous amounts of product waste.  So can vinyl still be considered Sustainable? In this perspective - absolutely. 

Learn more about Teknoflor’s High-Performance Design products and how our clients are using them:




Visit our sustainability and technical page for more information!




Flooring for Healthcare Environments - How Do I Decide?

The Best Flooring for Healthcare Environments

Whether you’ve been working with healthcare design for years or you’re just getting started with your research, you are probably aware that flooring in a healthcare setting serves a greater purpose than just visual appeal (although important too.) As one of the most predominant surfaces in healthcare facilities, flooring directly impacts all day-to-day functions of the healthcare environment. 

With so many flooring options out there, how does one choose the best flooring product? 

For decades, Teknoflor has been dedicated to providing healthcare systems with high-performance flooring solutions that foster healing spaces to nurture health and wellness through function and durability. Throughout the years, our sales teams have accumulated an abundance of knowledge regarding what types of flooring work best in each setting.  Here are a few things they consider when choosing the best flooring for your healthcare space: 

Ideal Characteristics for Flooring in a Healthcare Setting

CLEANABLE

In a healthcare setting, it goes without saying that cleanliness is a priority, and that is especially true for flooring. In patient care areas, avoid choosing a product that has hard-to-clean features. For example, carpet and soft surfaces should be avoided as they are not easy to clean and are susceptible to stubborn spills and stains. The material of the product must also be able to withstand repeated, thorough cleaning as most areas are cleaned numerous times a day. 

Andrew Heeter, Vice President of Strategic Sales and Sustainability Manager, says his clients are first looking for ease of maintenance and cleaning/disinfecting.

“It was always an important consideration, but the recent pandemic has really brought it to the top of the list,” Heeter said.

EASY TO MAINTAIN

In addition to cleanability, the product must also be easy to maintain. Avoid products that are made with materials that easily crack, scratch or chip. It is best to choose a flooring made with materials that are durable, so it can withstand heavy foot traffic, rolling loads and consistent cleaning. In addition, products that require buffing or waxing to maintain their appearance can add a significant cost.  Look for products that simply need a mop or scrub without any complicated machinery or skills.  Teknoflor has stood by its No Wax, No Buff promise for decades and still has products that look brand-new 20 years later, resulting in unmatched maintenance savings. 

Nicolette Grieco, Vice President Regional Sales Manager says “our engineering and design set us apart from the competition.  We create the most durable, low-maintenance products in the industry while managing to keep the design element high”

SEAMLESS

Today, most hospitals and healthcare facilities use Resilient Sheet flooring, especially in patient care areas. Resilient sheet products are seamless, which means no tiny crevices for bacteria, and are best to maintain a sterile environment. These types of floors include either a poured-in-place product or a sheet product with welded seams. With this type of installation, there are no cracks or crevices in which bacteria could grow. The best part about new resilient sheet flooring, is that it doesn’t have to be boring. From wood-grain visuals to unique abstract designs, your design does not have to suffer at the expense of cleanability and maintenance.

Transparent Healthcare Flooring 

Not only is it important to find a flooring product that encompasses all of the characteristics listed above, but it’s also important to choose a transparent product. When searching for the best flooring option, it's important to consider how a product is made and what exactly the product is made with. 

At Teknoflor, we are proud to be an industry leader in manufacturing and selling products that promote human health, protect the environment and conserve resources. We’re dedicated to playing a responsible role in sustainability and transparency, which is why we provide  numerous eco-labels, including open disclosure of materials, ingredients and environmental impacts on almost all of our products. 

Teknoflor - Industry Leader in Healthcare Flooring 

Teknoflor offers several resilient flooring products that feature all the ideal characteristics for flooring in a healthcare setting. 

Our sales team has worked with healthcare design professionals for years and is up to date with the latest trends in healthcare design. Regional Vice President of Sales, Tony Barzycki, worked in the healthcare industry for several years prior to joining our team.  With a background in healthcare, Tony understands the needs and priorities for healthcare design.

“Teknoflor checks off a lot of the boxes that are critical in medical hygienic surfaces. Our products appeal to trends while offering longevity, durability and low-maintenance. We have projects like George Washington Hospital that have been around for decades which says a lot about the quality of our products,” said Tony.

For decades, Teknoflor has provided flooring solutions to many healthcare facilities, including Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, George Washington University Hospital in Washington D.C., and The Neurodiagnostic Institute in Indianapolis. Check out our other healthcare projects and testimonials here.  To learn more about which flooring products work best for your healthcare project, contact our team!

The NeuroDiagnostic Institute

The NeuroDiagnostic Institute