Industry news

EPLF : Natural to the eye and to the planet: the ‘Japandi’ way of living

Brussels, 21 December 2021 - As we reach the end of 2021, the trend towards authenticity and naturalness continues to go unabated, with increasing demand towards a more authentic and sustainable way of living. Our members have continued to invest in new solutions to provide laminate floors that can withstand challenging uses while also protecting the environment.

Warm, natural, oaky colours for an exceptional realism Authentic designs continue to be the most attractive amongst customers, with new designs borrowing the best from nature while preserving resources. Warm colours reminiscent of honey and fine wood with natural characteristics will trend in 2022. Natural beige and sand shades are also trending, as are light grey shades. Overall, customers demand tend towards more ‘Scandinavian’ and ‘Japandi’ designs that combine functionality with rustic minimalism to create a comfortable, natural, and protective home against the external challenges of everyday life. Manufacturers have therefore created laminate flooring with different nuances to provide a particularly natural feel. New designs offer bright and accentuating warm colours, coupled with historically charming patterns. A combination of traditional mineral building materials and tiles in various formats. In terms of feel, mat nicely structured surfaces are still the favoured trend in most European countries, with Herringbone and Chevron being the most in demand when it comes to patterns. Regarding format, while European countries prefer standard plank sizes, Nordic countries tend to prefer longer and wider planks. And while design is a key aspect of flooring, customers are now more than ever looking at the quality, functionality, and safety of their flooring.

Sustainability will fuel innovation As we spend more and more time in our homes, using our living space for more varied activities, customers are looking for a flooring that is both practical and durable. Laminate flooring is no longer simply for the bedroom or living room. It is also increasingly found in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms thanks to its sturdy features. On top of moisture-proof flooring with impermeable top and bottom surfaces, new technology allows for a new and uniquely tight-fitting click system that facilitates the installation process, while also preventing water ingress. Providing customers with a floor ready to withstand the challenges of time. Aside from new functional properties, our members are committed to a flooring that is both durable and sustainable. CO2 emissions can be considerably reduced thanks to regionally sourced products containing a lot of wood -a renewable raw material- and therefore guarantee both a high indoor air quality and an unbeatable lifecycle advantage. With growing demand for flooring that is both natural to the eye and to the planet, this will be our members’ main focus for 2022: to enhance their contribution to climate protection through eco-conscious production, sustainable processes and certified materials, all the while providing high-quality floorings that promote natural designs in line with nature. MMFA : Purity, simplicity and sustainability for a longlasting interior

Brussels, 21 December 2021 - While the pandemic continues to create uncertainty across markets, there is one thing the flooring sector knows for sure: consumers want natural, sustainable, and hard-wearing interiors, in the hope to reset and create a more circular economy.

Ultra-realistic design and surface texture combined with tough and robust materials Design trends have increasingly shifted towards natural organic style in the past year, with earthy colours and materials being at the forefront. The pandemic completely turned our lives upside down. People have found themselves doing more activities at home. This created a growing need to create a cocoon of calmness amidst the external chaos. Additionally, growing concerns around hygiene and healthy living translated into customers choosing floorings that are both natural and easy to clean. In response to this, our members have worked to improve the realism of their products’ imitation, to provide customers with ultra-realistic design reminiscing of nature. Consumers want purity and simplicity to create a calm and harmonious home. They tend to look for warmth and a palette of earthly tonalities, from sand to beige, green moss and calming nude nuances. When it comes to materials, natural materials like terrazzo, concrete, cement, oaks and some pine tend to be top of the list. Cork has also made a comeback. On one hand, iconic Herringbone with nostalgic elegant touch is making a comeback; on the other hand, larger format natural wood planks and calm stone tiles are highly popular for minimalistic yet luxurious modern interior. Additionally, from the design of their flooring, consumers also look for durability, practicality, and safety. Therefore, our members constantly invest in developing new technologies for tough, sturdy, waterproof materials that offer perfectly water-repellent properties, making it the ideal choice of flooring for bathrooms and kitchens. Floorings have also become easier to install and longer lasting, thanks to a new floating floor system with click that allows for a smoother installation process.

The key word for 2022: resource conservation The global pandemic led us to reflect our relationship to nature. Building a more circular economy, keeping the valuable material & resources within the economy and out of the environment should be our common task across the industry. Our members have listened to consumers’ desires and invested in innovative solutions that ensure sustainable processes and recycled materials. Thanks to a new special design layer made of Tinyl, there is no need for plasticisers or PVC anymore. Cork, which promises to become a growing trend, is a 100% natural and recyclable material that can be sustainably sourced. Read more on www.floor-forum.com/en/news