Have Trends become outdated?

Judith van Vliet on trends and colors in the flooring sector

Have trends become outdated or are they still an indispensable guide in the flooring sector? During the fourth edition of the Flanders Flooring Days, color expert Judith van Vliet reveals  how flooring manufacturers can respond to trends intelligently. Instead of blindly following trends, she explains how to leverage the right ones to inspire and persuade consumers.

The fourth edition of Flanders Flooring Days is set to take place from 2 to 5 June 2025. European manufacturers, along with international retailers, wholesalers, and specifiers, convene at The Hub in Kortrijk Xpo for one of Europe’s largest networking events in the hard and soft flooring, textile floor covering, and finishing industries. Judith Van Vliet will also be present to share her insights on the latest trends in the flooring sector.

Timeless designs triumph over fleeting trends

Color expert Judith Van Vliet of The Color Authority challenges the longevity of fleeting trends. According to her, the future lies in personalized design and the psychology of colors. "How do we feel in a space? What meaning lies behind a color, and how can we use it to enhance our well-being? These are questions at the core of interior and product design," she explains. She notes that trend reports are increasingly giving prominence to classics, such as neutral tones and warm earthy tones. This highlights the lasting appeal of timeless designs.

The flooring sector remains unaffected by trends

Are trends then a thing of the past? No, not at all. With minor interior changes, such as paint, they remain relevant. However, with larger purchases like flooring, consumers are increasingly making choices based on long-term factors: is the flooring sustainably produced? Will it stand the test of time? Will I grow tired of it too soon? And how easy is it to maintain? And let's be honest, it's exhausting to constantly keep up with the latest trends. "It creates stress, so customers prefer to select their own style rather than a trendy color that will be out of fashion in a few months," Judith explains.

Sustainability as an enduring "trend"

In addition to neutral colors, Judith also embraces a trend that remains steadfast: sustainability. "Although you can't really call that a trend anymore. Sustainability is here to stay," she notes. Recycled materials have become so ingrained in design that they are here to stay as well. Still, you can't simply replace traditional ingredients with alternatives. Those working with recycled products have no control over the source material, which results in a varied color palette. Van Vliet encourages embracing this variability and making the most of it.

The power of nostalgia

In addition to sustainability, nostalgia continues to be a powerful source of inspiration in 2025, just as it has been in previous years. In times of uncertainty, we often seek stability in the past and our own heritage. Judith hopes this trend will break the uniformity of globalized fashion, where everything starts to feel the same everywhere. "This opens the door to greater cultural diversity and the opportunity to weave our personal stories and styles into design," she concludes.

Want to find out more about the latest flooring trends? Judith van Vliet shares her insights on Wednesday 4 June 2025, during the upcoming edition of Flanders Flooring Days at Kortrijk Xpo.

https://www.flandersflooringdays.com/en/extra/interview-judith-van-vliet-part-2/

What does colour mean for your products?

In addition to networking, Flanders Flooring Days is all about new information and inspiration, both from the companies participating and through seminars. Colour authority Judith Van Vliet will be returning for next year’s event. Don’t expect her to simply name a trending colour, give a couple of generic tips and leave it at that. Judith is passionate about colours, what they mean to people and how they work with different materials. Sustainability, culture, psychology and taste all combined in a single colour philosophy. Don't miss her seminar at the fourth edition of Flanders Flooring Days.

Asked exactly what she does, Judith Van Vliet explains: “I help clients with colour. Through my company, The Color Authority, I provide companies with advice about colours and what they communicate. That's all connected to culture and psychology. So it can help you to convey your message at a deeper level. I pick out trending colours, put together colour charts and research the way colour works with various materials. How a colour appears on a Pantone chart can be quite different to how it looks as part of your end product.”

An introduction to colour theory

Judith shares her vision through her podcast, The Color Authority, and as a speaker at industry events, like Milan Design Week. In 2024, she delivered her seminar ‘Do you speak colour?’ at the third edition of Flanders Flooring Days. “I’m always struck by the way people seem afraid of colour. So I want to give them a sense of how personal colour is. I often start my seminars by asking people to think about the colour red. Everyone sees a different shade in their mind’s eye, based on their past, context and culture.”

Judith takes her audience on a journey through the colour family, explaining what those different shades of various colours represent. Through an exploration of the history of colours, she demonstrates to her audience just how complex choosing the perfect colour for their brand and products can be. “The context in which a colour will be used is crucial too. Think of the warm colours you see in Spain. They appear very dull under the light in Belgium. Choosing the right colours involves so much more than just following trends and using the colour of the year in your collection. People don't understand how colour works. That's where I come in, explaining colour theory and emphasising the importance of the material you’re intending to use the colour for.”

A colourful network

Colour theory, trends and the impact of sustainability on colours are just a few of the themes that will be covered as part of Judith’s talk at the next edition of Flanders Flooring Days.