Clerkenwell Design Week 2026: What does it mean for flooring?
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 once again brought together architects, designers, manufacturers and workplace specialists to discuss the trends shaping commercial interiors across the UK.
The SASGO marketing team spent time across showroom visits, talks and exhibitions throughout the week, looking at what these conversations could mean for the flooring industry and, more importantly, for flooring contractors working on projects day in, day out.
While sustainability remained a major topic throughout the event, the overall conversation felt more practical and grounded than in previous years. Instead of focusing purely on environmental messaging, many manufacturers and designers were discussing how products can improve wellbeing, increase longevity and help create better-performing spaces for the end user.
Here are some of the key themes we took away from CDW 2026.
Flooring and Wellbeing Continue to Become More Connected
One of the biggest talking points across the week was wellbeing-focused design.
At both the Shaw Contract and Altro showrooms, there was significant focus on creating spaces that support wellbeing, connection and comfort for the end user. Soft colour palettes, calming finishes and inclusive environments were all being positioned as important parts of modern workplace and commercial design.
For flooring contractors, this highlights how flooring is increasingly being viewed as part of the overall user experience, not just a surface finish.
Areas such as:
- Acoustic performance
- Comfort underfoot
- Slip resistance
- Colour and visual impact
- Ease of maintenance
are all becoming bigger considerations during specification discussions.
As offices, healthcare environments and education spaces continue evolving, contractors are likely to see more focus placed on how flooring contributes to the feel and functionality of a space overall.
Sustainability Conversations Are Becoming More Practical
Sustainability remained a major theme throughout Clerkenwell, but the conversation appears to be shifting towards practical implementation rather than broad claims.
At Interface’s “Making Circular Make Sense” session, there was strong discussion around the circular economy and how businesses can help increase product lifespan through recycling, reuse and longer-lasting specification choices.
This was less about theory and more about how sustainability can realistically work across projects and supply chains.
Our visit to Forbo Flooring Systems reinforced this further, with growing emphasis being placed on low-carbon products and environmentally conscious flooring specification. The team highlighted increasing demand from architects and clients looking for sustainable flooring solutions with measurable credentials.
For flooring contractors, this trend is likely to mean:
- More questions around environmental product information
- Greater focus on durability and lifecycle performance
- Increased use of low-carbon and recyclable materials
- Higher expectations around reducing waste on site
Interestingly, not every manufacturer was leading with sustainability messaging as heavily as previous years. Some brands appeared to place greater emphasis on design, innovation and product performance instead, suggesting the industry may be moving towards a more balanced approach overall.
Workplace Design is Being Influenced by Technology
Technology and hybrid working were another major focus throughout the week.
At the Vecos x Your Workplace seminar, “Where Smart Meets Sustainability”, discussions centred around how data and technology are helping businesses create more efficient and adaptable workplaces.
Hybrid working is clearly here to stay, meaning many office environments are continuing to evolve. Businesses are increasingly looking at how spaces are used, how often they are occupied and how layouts can adapt over time.
For flooring contractors, this could continue driving:
- Workplace refurbishment projects
- Flexible office fit-outs
- Modular flooring solutions
- Faster refurbishment cycles
- More phased installation projects in occupied environments
As workplaces continue changing, flooring systems that offer durability, flexibility and ease of
Final Takeaways
Clerkenwell Design Week 2026 highlighted an industry continuing to evolve, but with a far more practical and balanced mindset than in previous years.
Throughout the week, there was clear focus on wellbeing-led design, practical sustainability, technology-driven workplaces and long-term product performance. Many of these conversations are already beginning to influence project requirements and client expectations across the flooring industry.
Whether through sustainability targets, workplace wellbeing or changing office design, flooring continues to play an increasingly important role in how commercial spaces perform for the people using them every day.
