color design, interior design, sustainability Judith van Vliet color design, interior design, sustainability Judith van Vliet

Have Trends become outdated? 

Have trends become outdated?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Have trends become outdated or are they still an indispensable guide in the flooring sector?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.

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color trends, color design Judith van Vliet color trends, color design Judith van Vliet

The Color of the Year 2025

The announcement of the Color of the Year (COTY) by expert color houses is a moment eagerly anticipated across the creative industry, and this year is no different. With Pantone recently unveiling its selection, the conversation around color has reached its annual peak. Delving into the chosen hues reveals distinct directions that reflect the complexities of human emotion and society’s current pulse. Yet, as always, achieving consensus on a single "correct" color direction remains elusive—how could it be otherwise? Color is profoundly emotional and deeply personal, resisting any attempt at universal uniformity.

On one hand, we observe a trend toward warm, earthy tones that evoke comfort, stability, and reassurance. These hues seem to respond to the collective desire for grounding in an uncertain world. On the other hand, brighter, more vibrant colors are emerging, symbolizing the widespread yearning for energy, optimism, and a hopeful outlook for change. This duality captures the essence of our time: a tension between the need for comfort and the drive to explore new possibilities. Every year, the COTY sparks lively online debates, with everyone having their take on what the chosen shade represents. Personally, I find the indigo shades most compelling. These hues encapsulate exploration and curiosity, while their red undertones offer warmth and depth. Blue, with its associations of faith and trust, feels particularly fitting as we navigate the challenges of the coming year—qualities that are essential for collective resilience.

In contrast, the gravitation toward neutral, comforting tones—while understandable—feels reminiscent of trends shaped by the pandemic. Many paint brands selected brownish tones during that period to address similar emotional needs. This raises the question: Do we still crave comfort and reassurance, or are we ready for something more invigorating? Perhaps what we need is a color that inspires us to emerge from our cocoon, embrace exploration, and propel us into a forward-thinking future. Such a color would speak not to the anxieties of the present or the echoes of the past but to the boundless possibilities of tomorrow, offering a vision beyond today’s geopolitical struggles.

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interior design, color trends, color psychology Judith van Vliet interior design, color trends, color psychology Judith van Vliet

The Home Front: Make a statement with colour choices

Winter may have overstayed its welcome by a little bit. But spring is just around the corner. That’s the promise, anyway! Postmedia sat down with two design leaders to hear what colours we can look forward to seeing in our home interiors and decor in the next few months. Mary Burgers is creative director for Vancouver-based Burgers Architecture — the family firm behind some of the West Coast’s most feted builds — and Dutch-born, Milan-based Judith van Vliet, speaker, podcaster, consultant and creative force behind The Color Authority.

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