Design from the Ground Up: Unique and Custom Commercial Flooring Ideas

Function Meets Design

Durability, safety and cleanability are top priorities when selecting a commercial floor. But functionality doesn’t have to come at the expense of design. Sherwin-Williams offers a wide range of customizable resinous flooring systems that can be tailored to suit both the performance requirements and aesthetic preferences of your space. With bold colorways, textures, unique patterns or visual motifs, your flooring can do more than hold up—it can stand out.

Our resinous flooring solutions are designed for seamless application, making them ideal for environments where hygiene is critical. These systems are resistant to chemicals, abrasions and impacts, offering long-lasting performance in even the harshest conditions.

From sparkling metallic epoxy floors in a trendy restaurant to a moisture-tolerant system in an animal care facility, our products provide both beauty and resilience.

Color-Coding for Safety and Efficiency

Color-coded flooring can be a practical tool. In facilities such as fire stations, hospitals and manufacturing plants, color-coded zones help with spatial orientation, workflow management and safety compliance. For instance, using distinct colors to designate safe walking paths, vehicle bays and hazard zones can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. In healthcare settings, color-coded areas in operating rooms and patient care zones can help staff stay within their designated roles and maintain sterile environments.

Educational institutions can benefit as well. In schools, custom-colored zones can help direct student movement, designate classroom and play areas or even support learning objectives with embedded graphics or inspirational words.

Branding and Thematic Customization 

Flooring can also be a canvas for your brand. Businesses looking to reinforce their identity can incorporate logos, mascots, team colors or themed graphics directly into their flooring system. Like a school gym flooring painted in school spirit, a pet daycare floor that integrates playful animal motifs or the floor of a sports memorabilia shop featuring unique stitching patterns evocative of baseballs, custom floors can help tell your story from the ground up.

Retail environments can also benefit from brand-forward flooring. A custom floor can guide customers through a curated journey, with visual cues or textured elements enhancing the shopping experience. By aligning flooring design with brand strategy, businesses can turn foot traffic into a fully immersive brand interaction.

Creative Visual Impact 

Think beyond solid colors. Metallic epoxy systems can create an eye-catching, high-gloss finish with a modern feel—ideal for restaurants, boutiques and showrooms aiming to make a bold statement. Seamless terrazzo-style blends offer elegance and subtle visual interest, while embedded graphics or stenciled patterns allow for high-level customization in virtually any environment. These visual enhancements don’t just look good; they can help direct foot traffic, create zones or add warmth and texture to an otherwise industrial space.

Thematic designs are especially impactful in hospitality, entertainment and educational spaces. A circular motif in an elementary school, for instance, can make a classroom feel more inviting without compromising durability. Similarly, floors adorned with animals, nature scenes or other playful graphics can bring vibrancy to children’s spaces or waiting areas.

Seamless Integration with Architecture 

Flooring should complement your overall design. Custom color-matching enables a harmonious transition between walls, ceilings and floors, allowing architects and designers to maintain their creative vision without compromise. If you want a cohesive look or are creating a striking contrast, Sherwin-Williams offers the expertise and product range to bring your ideas to life.

This integration is particularly valuable in facilities where continuity and clean lines are essential. In healthcare or laboratory environments, for example, seamless transitions and consistent color palettes enhance both functionality and visual clarity, supporting both operational and aesthetic goals.

How to Design a Custom Commercial Floor: 6 Steps to Follow 

Designing a custom commercial floor involves more than picking a color or texture. Follow these steps to create the unique, custom floor of your dreams.

1. Understand Your Needs 

Start by identifying the functional demands of your space. Will it experience heavy foot traffic, exposure to chemicals or temperature fluctuations? Knowing your performance requirements helps narrow down suitable flooring systems.

2. Define Your Brand or Design Vision

Consider how your floor fits into the overall atmosphere of your space. Are you looking for a sleek, modern look? A playful, family-friendly vibe? Or a professional, clinical aesthetic? Align the flooring design with your brand values and interior theme.

3. Consider Safety and Navigation 

Think about how color coding or textural differences can enhance wayfinding, designate zones and improve safety. Especially in high-traffic or industrial spaces, visual cues on the floor can be helpful.

4. Consult a Specialist 

Partner with a Sherwin-Williams representative to review flooring systems that meet both your functional and creative goals. They can provide expert guidance on everything from surface preparation to long-term maintenance.

5. Request a Custom Sample

Before committing, request a custom sample or mockup of your design. This step ensures the final floor will match your expectations in both color and finish.

6. Plan for the Future 

Choose a system that will continue to perform and look good over time. Consider lifecycle cost, durability and the ease of maintenance when making your final selection.

Sherwin-Williams Commercial Flooring Systems Are Built to Last in Any Environment 

Sherwin-Williams commercial flooring systems are engineered for performance in even the most demanding settings. From chemical resistant coatings for labs and manufacturing to moisture-tolerant systems for animal care or medical facilities, we understand the diverse challenges your floors face. With the right system, you get more than durability—you gain peace of mind.

Our solutions also support sustainability. We offer low-VOC options and systems designed to meet rigorous environmental standards, which makes it easier to meet green building goals without compromising on performance or aesthetics.

Bring Your Commercial Flooring Vision to Life with Sherwin-Williams 

At Sherwin-Williams, we understand that your commercial floor is more than a surface—it’s a foundation for your space, your brand and your success. Our custom flooring systems allow you to create a solution that’s visually striking, functionally superior and uniquely yours.

Whether you’re designing a new facility or upgrading an existing space, the Sherwin-Williams team is ready to collaborate with you every step of the way. We offer personalized guidance, innovative technologies and a commitment to quality that ensures your vision becomes reality.

Let us help you make a good impression from the ground up. Contact a Sherwin-Williams representative today to start planning your custom commercial flooring project.