It can often be a daunting experience trying to decide the best flooring system for a retail space, as there are so many things to consider. Cleanliness, durability and practicality are all really important aspects of a flooring system, and that’s before you even begin to consider aesthetic appeal. Flooring is a huge consideration for any
retailer, as it can set the mood for the entire store. Julie Dempster, Marketing Manager at Forbo Flooring Systems, believes that flooring has a subtle but important role to play in the setting of any retail space; “Interior design communicates a great deal about the character and positioning of retail brands, and flooring is a key element of this subtle mix.” In order to make the most of a flooring solution, Dempster argues that versatility is one of the most important aspects of any decision. “Modular floorcoverings offer retailers
the most versatile solution, as different flooring types can be installed throughout the store depending on the performance needs demanded by that particular location,” she explains. The Tessera Wave carpet tile from Forbo
Flooring Systems is ideal for a system that needs to be durable but attractive, as the tile has been designed to deliver a sleek appearance without compromising on performance. “The design features a subtle linear
grain that is enhanced by the use of contrasting twists of yarn – creating a richly woven appearance but in a low pile weight. This tactile quality is achieved through the use of modern spinning techniques that twist the yarn multi directionally, as well as careful mixing of tonal highlights to add even greater
depth”, explains Dempster. “The result is an attractive textured finish without the excess pile normally associated with this look – making it ideal for use in high traffic applications, as well as fulfilling Forbo’s environmental commitment to green design principles.” Flooring needs to suit brand image, so a
luxury brand will look to use more decadent materials, whilst cutting edge brands may want their flooring to be bold and exciting to reflect their product offering. For stationary brand Blott, a fun and contemporary company aimed at all ages, it was important that the flooring chosen for their prototype store reflected the company’s unique branding through clean, bold interior design. Raylian Ltd, who specialise in store design and fit outs, were called on to create an ideal interior for the brand.
It was decided that the flooring needed to be based around three key requirements – visual effect, colour and quality. As such, the ‘Carbo’ design from Karndean Designflooring’s commercially focused ‘Opus’ range was an ideal solution for the brand. Nick Short, Creative Director for Raylian comments: “Blott Stationery wanted a store that would stand out in a busy high street, and Karndean’s Opus range of design flooring suited the brief perfectly”. The Carbo plank was ideal because of its visual effect, as Short explains; “The colour meant that the finished flooring acted as a complimentary statement to the other aspects of the interior scheme.” By choosing Karndean’s Carbo flooring system, Blott have a solution that is durable, easy to maintain and reflects the brand perfectly. Chris Manson, owner of Blott Stationary, is delighted with the
Left: The Tessera Weave Carpet Tile from Forbo Flooring Systems. Below: Carbo, from Karndean Designflooring’s Opus range was used to compliment the interior design of new Blott stationary store.
solution; “The flooring works for us on every level. It suits the design of our store and meets all of the criteria of a busy retail environment. We will definitely look to Karndean for the design of our future stores.” Highpressure laminates are an
excellent material for the retail sector because of their impressive performance and versatility. The vast choice of materials on offer means that there is a suitable laminate to cover any surface. From floors to countertops, laminate is used on almost every surface in retail, and the designled approach taken by many laminate manufacturers ensures that choice is ever expanding. Abet Ltd offers over 1000 laminates,
and manufactures an impressive 220,000 square metres every day from its factories in Bra, Italy. New collections are designed every couple of years inhouse, and are often influenced by designers and trends of the time. For example, the latest collections include designs from Karim Rashid. Abet has been pioneering the use of
Digital Printing for some time, enabling almost any image to be reproduced in laminate with an impressive level of definition. This opens up a whole new opportunity for retailers to create innovative and eye catching floors and surfaces. The team at Abet believe that using
increasingly flexible materials will help retailers to create the perfect backdrop and ambience to sell products, and that creative technology, design and physical performance need to be irrevocably linked in order to create retail spaces that are both practical and attractive.
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