Forbo stories

Blog - A return to natural materials

Natural materials are taking centre stage in today’s design landscape. From interiors to exteriors, there’s a growing demand for spaces that feel authentic, calming, and connected to nature. Discover how wood, stone, and other natural elements are shaping the future of interior design. Natural materials are taking center stage in today’s design landscape. From interiors to exteriors, there’s a growing demand for spaces that feel authentic, calming, and connected to nature. Discover how wood, stone, and other natural elements are shaping the future of interior design.

Pantone Color of the Year 2025

For 2025, the Pantone Colour Institute has selected PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse as the Colour of the Year. This warm, rich brown hue evokes the comforting allure of chocolate and coffee, perfectly addressing our desire for coziness and warmth.

Design Trends: bringing nature indoors

Discover the latest additions to our digital print library of flooring designs: Stone, Cornfield, and Moss. These stunning designs, available in both Flotex and vinyl, are a testament to the power of nature-inspired design.

Design Trends: Pantone Color of the Year 2024

Pantone, the world's leading color authority, has announced its 2024 Color of the Year: Peach Fuzz 13-1023. The color was chosen to express a yearning for community and coziness during uncertain times. We love how this new color connects with Forbo Flooring's own trend and color research.

The Flowerbed

Go to story

Behind the collection: Marmoleum Linear

Recently, we refreshed our Marmoleum Linear collection, designed to add warmth and comfort to a room and reflect evolving trends in public buildings. We caught up with Marijke Griffioen, our Senior Designer here at Forbo Flooring Systems, to discover more about the range and what inspired the update.

The making of Marmoleum the movie

A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of our epic and breath-taking new Marmoleum video, which focuses on the fact that Marmoleum is a true CO₂ neutral resilient floor covering, measured from cradle to gate, without offsetting and without buying carbon credits.

Factory facts: Forbo recycling in practice

At Forbo Flooring Systems, we are committed to transforming all our linear processes and products so they support the circular economy. Read more on how recycling at Forbo Flooring Systems is done in practice.

Therapeutic - Design principles

Cultivating a healing environment becomes more and more important. By taking a more holistic and patient-centred approach to design, architecture and interior design can help to create better environments.

Biophilic design - A healthy dose of nature

Research into new circular materials, responsible materials sourcing and zero-emissions manufacturing processes: these are just some of the ways in which an increased respect for the environment is evident within the building sector. On an interior design level, this elevated environmental consciousness is expressed in a trend for sustainability. With this has come a blurring of the boundary between outside and inside. Most notably, through the trend for biophilic design.

The story behind our Marmoleum Stories

In our Marmoleum Stories, we make space for designers, architects and others to explore their own personal connections with our flagship linoleum product, Marmoleum. In a series of mini film documentaries, a handful of passionate people speak in the first person to the camera, describing their affinity and relationship to the flooring, and offering their own unique and interesting perspectives.

The CooLoo Circular Canopy

We are always looking for other ways to reduce, reuse and recycle our production, installation and post-installation waste. That is why in 2019, we started a collaboration with CooLoo, resulting in the CooLoo Circular Canopy with a coating made from Marmoleum waste material.

CO2 Neutral - A Conscious Choice

With slow progress being made on the Paris climate agreement, Mark Bauer, Environmental Specialist at Forbo Flooring Systems, explains why we should all be striving to make a conscious choice when it comes to choosing building and interior products – as well as taking a closer look at the difference between carbon offsetting and carbon neutral manufacturing.

Marmoleum - Designing with linoleum

Linoleum is a 160-year-old innovation.
What makes this material special is its scope for endless new possibilities. One of the challenges our Design studio faces, is identifying these possibilities and translating them into a new visual that is in-keeping with the modern zeitgeist.

Design Series - The Dynamics of A Building

Over time, there has been a strong shift in segment design. Before, there was clear uniformity; a hospital would look like a hospital and an office would be designed to be exactly what you would expect from an office, simply a place to work. Our designer takes a look at how the boundaries between different segments have blurred, and buildings are adopting a variety of identities.

Connected Spaces - Collaborative Working

When it comes to workspace design, many researchers seem to agree on the positive impact of face-to-face and informal interactions – providing distinct connections and opportunities for information exchange, collaboration, networking and problem-solving.

Linoleum - How sustainability is done

Linoleum from Forbo is naturally good. It captures more climate-harming CO2 than it releases, if you produce it the right way, like Forbo does. The Netherlands is home to the most modern linoleum plant in the world, a factory that shows how industry and ecology really can be compatible.

Linoleum - Rise of Off the Floor Applications

The naturally smooth and durable nature of linoleum lends itself perfectly to finishing all kinds of surfaces, with the versatile material being used for much more than just creating beautiful floors. Our Senior Designer, Marijke, takes a look.

Faust - Passion for Linoleum

What inspires us most about linoleum is its incredibly velvety and pleasant feel, the variety of its deep-matt colours, and the fact that it is also a sustainable product made with linseed oil. Material properties such as these are held in high regard, particularly as a table surface in the office area.

Finding Magic - Blending Materials

With an increasing focus on creating interiors that have a more ‘lived in’ look, many designers are breaking down pre-conceived conventions by juxtaposing seemingly disparate materials, finishes and styles to create more fluid spaces.

Sensory Experiences - Bespoke Flooring

In today’s competitive economic environment, businesses are constantly looking for ways to stand out. Whether it’s unique branding or clever marketing campaigns, Dorothé Kessels, Head of Vinyl Design, looks at how companies continually seek out opportunities to set themselves apart from the competition.

BIM - The Rise of BIM in Healthcare

It is clear that Building Information Modelling (BIM) is steadily taking its place at the forefront of the construction sector. Here, we look at how the many benefits of BIM are becoming most apparent within the healthcare sector, assisting in the efficient construction of our country’s new, modern and technologically advanced medical facilities.

Office - Towards a new work landscape

Whereas a number of years back, flexible working meant being able to work at any workstation in the office, the term has now evolved to encompass pop-up work places. After all, you can work any time, any place these days.

Behind the collection: Marmoleum Linear

Recently, we refreshed our Marmoleum Linear collection, designed to add warmth and comfort to a room and reflect evolving trends in public buildings. We caught up with Marijke Griffioen, our Senior Designer here at Forbo Flooring Systems, to discover more about the range and what inspired the update.

Linoleum - Rise of Off the Floor Applications

The naturally smooth and durable nature of linoleum lends itself perfectly to finishing all kinds of surfaces, with the versatile material being used for much more than just creating beautiful floors. Our Senior Designer, Marijke, takes a look.

Marmoleum - Designing with linoleum

Linoleum is a 160-year-old innovation.
What makes this material special is its scope for endless new possibilities. One of the challenges our Design studio faces, is identifying these possibilities and translating them into a new visual that is in-keeping with the modern zeitgeist.

The slim chair - There may be no heat involved

“There may be no heat involved, but it’s hot stuff nonetheless” says designer Elvin den Haan about his and Jan Nijland’s latest Lonc chair: the Slim. Not only is this chair cold-pressed, requiring significantly less energy to make, it is also produced using a by-product from Zaanstreek-based linoleum factory, Forbo.

Pantone Color of the Year 2024

Pantone, the world's leading color authority, has announced its 2024 Color of the Year: Peach Fuzz 13-1023. The color was chosen to express a yearning for community and coziness during uncertain times. We love how this new color connects with Forbo Flooring's own trend and color research.

Design Trends: Graphical patterns

Discover the latest additions to our digital library of flooring designs - Miami, Memphis, and Manhattan. These bold and vibrant graphical patterns will make a powerful statement in any space.

The Flowerbed

Flowers in interior design can have an effect on our mood, health, and well-being. This, in particular, has inspired the Forbo design team to create a new range of printed patterns for Flotex and vinyl.

Behind the collection: Marmoleum Linear

Recently, we refreshed our Marmoleum Linear collection, designed to add warmth and comfort to a room and reflect evolving trends in public buildings. We caught up with Marijke Griffioen, our Senior Designer here at Forbo Flooring Systems, to discover more about the range and what inspired the update.

Design Trends: Pantone Color of the Year 2022

Recently, Pantone has announced its Color of the Year 2022: PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri. According to Pantone it's a vibrant color that displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions. We asked Dorothé Kessels, our Global Director Design, about her thoughts on this new Color of the Year.

Biophilic design - A healthy dose of nature

Research into new circular materials, responsible materials sourcing and zero-emissions manufacturing processes: these are just some of the ways in which an increased respect for the environment is evident within the building sector. On an interior design level, this elevated environmental consciousness is expressed in a trend for sustainability. With this has come a blurring of the boundary between outside and inside. Most notably, through the trend for biophilic design.

The story behind our 2021 Trend Directions

At the beginning of August, our design team launched its 2021 Trend Directions report, giving insight into the current design and flooring trends and the trends we see for the coming year. Marijke Griffioen, Senior Designer Concepts, and Thomas Eurlings, Senior Designer Vinyl, explain how this report came together and what they believe are the most important trends to follow.

Therapeutic - Design principles

Cultivating a healing environment becomes more and more important. By taking a more holistic and patient-centered approach to design, architecture and interior design can help to create better environments.

Marmoleum - Designing with linoleum

Linoleum is a 160-year-old innovation.
What makes this material special is its scope for endless new possibilities. One of the challenges our Design studio faces, is identifying these possibilities and translating them into a new visual that is in-keeping with the modern zeitgeist.

Design Series - The Dynamics of A Building

Over time, there has been a strong shift in segment design. Before, there was clear uniformity; a hospital would look like a hospital and an office would be designed to be exactly what you would expect from an office, simply a place to work. Our designer takes a look at how the boundaries between different segments have blurred, and buildings are adopting a variety of identities.

Connected Spaces - Collaborative Working

When it comes to workspace design, many researchers seem to agree on the positive impact of face-to-face and informal interactions – providing distinct connections and opportunities for information exchange, collaboration, networking and problem-solving.

Faust - Passion for Linoleum

What inspires us most about linoleum is its incredibly velvety and pleasant feel, the variety of its deep-matte colors, and the fact that it is also a sustainable product made with linseed oil. Material properties such as these are held in high regard, particularly as a table surface in the office area.

Finding Magic - Blending Materials

With an increasing focus on creating interiors that have a more ‘lived in’ look, many designers are breaking down pre-conceived conventions by juxtaposing seemingly disparate materials, finishes and styles to create more fluid spaces.

Sensory Experiences - Bespoke Flooring

In today’s competitive economic environment, businesses are constantly looking for ways to stand out. Whether it’s unique branding or clever marketing campaigns, Dorothé Kessels, Head of Vinyl Design, looks at how companies continually seek out opportunities to set themselves apart from the competition.

Design Trends: bringing nature indoors

Discover the latest additions to our digital print library of flooring designs: Stone, Cornfield, and Moss. These stunning designs, available in both Flotex and vinyl, are a testament to the power of nature-inspired design.

The making of Marmoleum the movie

A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of our epic and breath-taking new Marmoleum video, which focuses on the fact that Marmoleum is a true CO₂ neutral resilient floor covering, measured from cradle to gate, without offsetting and without buying carbon credits.

The CooLoo Circular Canopy

We are always looking for other ways to reduce, reuse and recycle our production, installation and post-installation waste. That is why in 2019, we started a collaboration with CooLoo, resulting in the CooLoo Circular Canopy with a coating made from Marmoleum waste material.

Factory facts: Forbo recycling in practice

At Forbo Flooring Systems, we are committed to transforming all our linear processes and products so they support the circular economy. Read more on how recycling at Forbo Flooring Systems is done in practice.

Linoleum - How sustainability is done

Linoleum from Forbo is naturally good. It captures more climate-harming CO2 than it releases, if you produce it the right way, like Forbo does. The Netherlands is home to the most modern linoleum plant in the world, a factory that shows how industry and ecology really can be compatible.

Making an Entrance

Enhancing the shopping experience starts from the moment a customer sets foot in the building. As part of our ‘Floored It’ blog series, Louise Serjeant, Key Account Manager for Retail, discusses the importance of choosing an effective entrance flooring system for retail environments.

BIM - The Rise of BIM in Healthcare

It is clear that Building Information Modelling (BIM) is steadily taking its place at the forefront of the construction sector. Here, we look at how the many benefits of BIM are becoming most apparent within the healthcare sector, assisting in the efficient construction of our country’s new, modern and technologically advanced medical facilities.

Office - Towards a new work landscape

Whereas a number of years back, flexible working meant being able to work at any workstation in the office, the term has now evolved to encompass pop-up work places. After all, you can work any time, any place these days.