Five Healthcare Flooring Trends

As the healthcare industry continues to adapt after the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare flooring design trends also continue to evolve. Here, Dan Wetzels, Client Account Manager – Healthcare at Forbo Flooring Systems, gives you the low down on five essential healthcare flooring design trends to consider.

Sustainable Design

Healthcare facilities are major contributors to carbon emissions, waste, and resource consumption. In fact, since the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities have faced an increase in waste production due to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning supplies, and medical waste. This surge in waste production has highlighted the need for sustainable practices and materials in healthcare facilities.

Forbo’s Marmoleum collection is one of the most sustainable floor coverings available on the market and is the perfect solution for the healthcare sector. It is manufactured from 97% natural raw materials, such as flax seeds, jute and rosin; and 43% recycled content including upcycled cocoa husk waste from the chocolate manufacturing industry. What’s more, of this recycled content, 33% is made up of industry and installation waste, and now, for the first time in Forbo’s history, End of Life (EOL) recycled Marmoleum content. The collection is also climate positive, from cradle to gate, without offsetting, which will help the sector to reduce embodied carbon.

In addition to the environmental impact, sustainable practices can also benefit the health and well-being of patients and staff. For example, Marmoleum has very low TVOC emissions which contributes to the creation of healthier indoor environments. Thanks to its smooth finish, Marmoleum also does not harbour dust mites, which is why it holds the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

Wayfinding

Although social distancing measures are no longer in place, they have influenced a significant trend in healthcare flooring design. Creating designated walkways and wayfinding symbols has become an essential aspect of healthcare facilities' design, ensuring the safety and organisation of patients and staff.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to create designated walkways is by incorporating markers within the flooring design itself. In fact, visual markers can be cut out of Marmoleum, Vinyl or Flotex floor coverings on site and firmly integrated into the overall design.

Home-like Environments

The pandemic forced many healthcare facilities to limit visitors, which increased feelings of isolation and loneliness for patients. To combat this, healthcare designers are now creating more home-like environments that provide comfort and familiarity. Private rooms are also being filled with natural light and comfortable furnishings, which can help patients feel more at ease during their stay.

Healthcare facilities are also incorporating flooring solutions that can help to create more inviting, comfortable, and welcoming environments, by choosing warm colours, wooden aesthetics, and textile products.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic design incorporates natural elements in indoor spaces to promote health and well-being. This trend has gained momentum in recent years, and it has become even more important in the wake of the pandemic. Biophilic design can improve patient outcomes and well-being by providing a connection to nature, reducing stress, and improving cognitive function.

Flooring can contribute to biophilic design if natural looking materials, such as wooden designs or patterns that mimic natural elements, are chosen.

Flexible Spaces

Flexible spaces allow for a quick and efficient response to changing needs, such as converting non-patient areas into temporary patient care spaces. They can also help to maximise the use of existing square footage, improve patient flow, and create more efficient workflows for staff.

Forbo’s Fast Flooring range can contribute to creating flexible spaces with modular or adhesive free flooring systems that can be easily installed, removed, or reconfigured as needed.

Forbo Flooring Systems is a leading provider of innovative and sustainable flooring solutions for healthcare facilities, offering a wide range of products that meet the highest standards of hygiene, durability, and design. For more information about Forbo’s solutions for healthcare interiors

Visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/healthcare