For designers, making decisions on which materials to choose is becoming a much trickier endeavor. Creating the desired aesthetic used to be the singular goal. Today, there are many additional considerations. What happens to the material at the end of its lifecycle? How can we ensure we’re not shutting out certain people from experiencing our spaces the way they’re meant to be experienced? And how can we navigate these factors without negatively impacting our ability to produce beautiful, original design?

It can be challenging for designers to get it right. Doing so requires open conversations with clients, a commitment to understanding the range of products on the market, and a thoughtful approach to considering options.

That’s even more true in the world of flooring, where the choices cover ground from very cheap to quite expensive, from sustainable to a heavy carbon impact. Across commercial and residential spaces, designers consider everything from various forms of carpet to tile (ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone), hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl tile (LVT).

There are many elements to weigh as designers make their choices. To help sort through the impact of the options, we analyzed three key areas and collected all the information in a white paper. This document dives deeper into:

• Design considerations: As designers know, flooring choices can make a space look bigger or smaller, create a serene ambiance, brighten—or darken—a room, and contribute greatly to the functionality of the space. Hardwood could create a more traditional or refined look, for instance, while the variable textures and patterns of carpet can help designers drive just about any aesthetic they wish. The white paper sorts through design considerations across the spectrum of materials.
  
• Environmental impact: Globally, the design industry has become increasingly interested in sustainable flooring solutions. Designers should have a good sense of the carbon emissions and scarcity of the materials they choose. Products like LVT, for example, can release massive amounts of carbon dioxide, mercury, asbestos, and other chemicals—substances that make the flooring unsafe to bury or burn after use. When it comes to carpet, ongoing innovations are helping close the loop and create a truly circular product. The white paper analyzes the environmental considerations of each flooring choice.
• Inclusivity: Beyond visual appeal, designers should be considering how functional their spaces are for everyone who comes into contact with them. That means understanding inclusivity in flooring. Included in this white paper is a deep analysis on how various kinds of flooring impact functionality and account for human neurodiversity. Among the considerations discussed are noise transmission, material feel, wayfinding, and more.

Today, designers need to make choices that are as beautiful as they are functional, as functional as they are responsible. That means taking a thoughtful and informed approach to flooring.
This white paper provides a detailed, material-by-material assessment of the flooring options on the market today. Read it now.