Louisa Eyles, Commercial Marketing Manager at Amtico advises on how to achieve unique flooring designs with luxury vinyl tile (LVT).
While the word ‘unique’ is often overused, it isn’t uncommon for it to appear in a client’s brief. However, instantly reflecting a brand and its desired aesthetic is often challenging. So, it’s important to work with a product and company that can help create one-off designs that give commercial premises the aesthetics they need.
With this in mind, the expertise of a manufacturer’s in-house creative and CAD teams is invaluable, especially when it comes to luxury vinyl tiles (LVT). Advanced knowledge of the product range and cutting capabilities is essential, as these can be utilised if a client’s brief includes an intricate bespoke design. Whether it’s an eye-catching logo or a bespoke laying pattern, a manufacturer can also advise on product choice and suitable finishes to fulfil a project’s requirements.
There has been an increase in the use of highly decorative flooring to create zoned areas using LVT. This has opened the door for architects and designers to create endless design possibilities, with companies now experimenting with colours and products to create the perfect pattern. An easy way to achieve a one-off look is to combine two or more laying patterns, which can also be used for wayfinding in addition to zoning areas of a room.
Amtico recently expanded its premium design flooring collection, Amtico Signature, with the addition of 54 new products. The LVT collection, which now features 92 woods, 74 stones and 51 abstracts, can be specified in three ways, helping designers and architects to create the perfect look for their projects.
Specifiers can also let the products inspire their scheme; they could collaborate with Amtico to create a bespoke design; or they can begin by choosing one of 23 unique Signature laying patterns, before personalising it with one of Amtico’s predefined combinations – or choosing their own mix of products.
There are plentiful options available to produce a custom look, which can be achieved by simply contrasting traditional wood grains with pops of colour. With a vast variety of woods to choose from, the overall effect of the flooring can be easily customised using different laying patterns, from herringbone and pleat, to parquet or basket weave. Alternatively, complementary palettes including pale woods and pastel stones, or rich timbers and concrete textures, can be utilised to deliver an impactful and memorable space.
Interior design trends are slowly moving away from minimalistic schemes to more characterful looks, and as such, we expect to see more rustic-style grains within flooring designs, embracing cross-sawn timber details and warm oak tones. The next 12 months will also see even more experimentation, with distinctive patterns and bold colours set to deliver stunning designs.
The ever-popular LVT provides complete resilience and design freedom while withstanding heavy traffic and resisting scuffs, scratches and stains. LVT also offers the same aesthetic years after installation, all while maintaining its integrity, so it is no surprise that it is rising above ceramics and timber to become the flooring material of choice.
In commercial projects, flooring has a multitude of tasks to fulfil with colour, texture, and durability all essential components for a floor that performs to the highest possible standard. LVT is the perfect flooring material to achieve all of these requirements, while also delivering ‘unique’ elements that take a flooring design from adequate to exemplary.
