# Flooring Innovation Takes Center Stage: Top Trends from NeoCon 2017
NeoCon 2017 showcased an exciting shift in commercial flooring, with leading manufacturers embracing the evolving workplace landscape. The theme? Blending professional functionality with residential comfort to create spaces that feel both productive and welcoming.
## **Bentley: Where Luxury Meets Playfulness**
Bentley's **The Outskirts** collection demonstrates how carpet can bridge formal and casual environments. The line features rich, textural patterns available in two distinct color palettes: sophisticated neutrals with an edge for executive spaces, and vibrant, energetic hues perfect for collaborative areas and creative zones.
## **Karndean: Solving Installation Challenges**
After three years of development, Karndean introduced **Korlok**, a ridge-core locking floor designed for real-world commercial applications. The standout features include:
- Drop-and-lock technology for faster installation - Minimal subfloor preparation requirements - No adhesive needed - Effective concealment of subfloor imperfections
This solution addresses a common pain point for project managers working with tight deadlines and challenging substrates.
## **Interface: Bringing Nature Indoors**
Interface launched two complementary collections, **Global Change** and **Human Connections**, both drawing inspiration from natural environments. These designs recognize the growing research around biophilic design and its positive impact on workplace wellbeing. The collections offer designers tools to create visual connections to the outdoors, even in windowless interior spaces.
## **Shaw Contract: Adapting to Workplace Evolution**
With seven new products, Shaw Contract responded directly to the fluid nature of modern workspaces. Their latest offerings feature:
- Advanced fabrication techniques - Sensorial designs that combine contrasting materials and textures - Solutions for high-traffic, multi-function environments
The collection acknowledges that today's commercial spaces need to stimulate creativity while supporting various work styles throughout the day.
## **Mannington Commercial: Celebrating Craft and Discovery**
Mannington's six new products—**Umbra**, **Portland LVT**, **Self Assembly**, **Medina**, **Paper**, and **Origami**—explore themes of craftsmanship and creative collaboration. The collection name choices reflect the artisanal trend influencing commercial design, where handcrafted aesthetics provide warmth and authenticity in corporate environments.
## **Milliken: Technology Meets Functionality**
Milliken debuted three collections that push both aesthetic and functional boundaries:
- **Encryption**: A sophisticated exploration of light, shadow, and digital-age patterns - **Shift** (LVT): Focuses on transitional design elements - **District** (LVT): Offers urban-inspired aesthetics
These collections position flooring as both a design statement and a practical solution for complex commercial challenges.
## **Key Takeaways for Design Professionals**
The NeoCon 2017 flooring trends reveal several important directions:
1. **Installation efficiency** is becoming as important as aesthetics, with manufacturers developing solutions for faster, easier installation 2. **Biophilic elements** continue gaining momentum as research supports their impact on productivity and wellbeing 3. **Texture and sensory experience** are increasingly valued in commercial environments 4. **Flexibility** remains crucial as workplace boundaries continue to blur
These innovations reflect a maturation in commercial flooring, where manufacturers are responding to real designer needs while pushing creative boundaries. The result? More options for creating spaces that truly serve both business objectives and human needs.
