Wilmac Flooring

Flooring trends and innovations for 2024

Flooring is one of the areas of home improvement that reflects current trends and innovations as they progress. There was a time when the flooring in most homes featured wall to wall carpet, even in the bathroom and kitchen, but luckily these days there is a lot more choice when it comes to deciding on the flooring style for our homes. But what are the flooring trends that will take hold in 2024? We haven’t got a crystal ball – but in this blog we take a look at which innovations we think will rise to the surface this year.

Smart Flooring

One of the trends we have seen emerging is the integration of technology into flooring, such as heating systems, embedded LED lights, or even interactive features like pressure-sensitive surfaces. This is particularly popular in commercial settings but is beginning to creep into home environments too.

Biophillic Design

This refers to the concept of incorporating natural elements into flooring designs to create a connection with nature. This could involve using materials that mimic natural textures, colours, or patterns such as stone, water or vegetation. Again this has been popular in commercial settings for a number of years now but is also starting to gain traction for home flooring.

Recycled and Sustainable Materials

The spotlight on sustainability shows no sign of abating and there is a continued emphasis on eco-friendly flooring options, with a focus on using recycled materials or sustainably sourced materials including bamboo, cork and reclaimed wood. We see an increasing number of options becoming available in 2024 for those looking for environmentally friendly options for the home.

3D Printing Technology

Advancements in 3D printing over the last few years continue to have an impact on the flooring industry and may lead to more customisable and intricate flooring designs. The flexibility that 3D printing allows for many more unique patterns and textures to be explored and developed at a fraction of the cost.

Augmented Reality (AR) in Flooring Selection

It has never been more difficult to choose the flooring for your home as there are an overwhelming number of options available. This is where AR applications come in as they allow consumers to visualise how different flooring options would look in their homes before making a purchase.

Innovative Tile Designs

We reported on this trend last year and it looks set to continue in popularity in 2024. Tiles with unique shapes, sizes, and textures are now available, including three-dimensional tiles and those designed to create optical illusions. In addition, patterned tiles, especially in bold and vibrant designs, are likely to continue to be popular for adding character to spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.

Antimicrobial & Energy Efficient Flooring

First used in clinical and commercial settings, flooring materials treated with antimicrobial properties to enhance hygiene could begin to filter into the home environment, especially in spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. In addition, we expect to see an increase in the integration of energy-efficient technologies, such as flooring materials that absorb and store heat for improved insulation.

Flexible and Modular Flooring Solutions

Modular flooring systems offer flexibility in design and can be easily replaced or reconfigured, providing a sustainable and adaptable solution, which is why we feel they will continue to see a growth in popularity in 2024. They are a great option for commercial and home setting alike and can sometimes even be taken with you when you move. 

Mixed Flooring

We also expect to see a continued growth in the use of mixed flooring across open plan living spaces. Mixed flooring refers to the use of a combination of different flooring materials within the same space, for instance using wood for a dining area and tile in a kitchen area in order to create different zones.

Concrete Innovations

Advances in concrete flooring, including new finishes, colours, and applications, as concrete continues to be a popular choice for its industrial and modern aesthetic. It can look spectacular in a commercial or office space but can work equally as well in a home kitchen or open plan living area.

These are just some of the innovations and trends we think will continue to gain momentum in 2024, but no doubt other new initiatives come into play over the course of the year. If you are interested in staying ahead of the curve, you can look out for home and flooring industry magazines that feature new launches and visit home improvement shows or expos to get a first hand look at the products on offer. And if you need a helping hand on making your final decision, be sure to contact our expert team to get some honest advice on what will work best for you.