6 Flooring Choices That Make Public Spaces Truly Accessible

Accessibility in public environments isn’t just about entrances and ramps. It’s also about what’s underfoot. The right flooring can dramatically improve navigation, comfort, and safety for users of all abilities.

Here are six key ways flooring enhances accessibility in public-facing buildings - and how flooring companies like Olivers Contracts apply them across projects.

1. Slip Resistance Saves Lives

Wet or polished surfaces may look sleek but pose major safety risks. Especially in entrances, bathrooms, or kitchens, choosing flooring with strong slip resistance helps prevent accidents and meets key health and safety criteria. For example, rubber and textured vinyl surfaces can provide much-needed grip, even in moisture-prone areas.

2. Tactile Surfaces Aid Navigation

Tactile indicators, such as studded tiles or textured strips, give clear cues about hazards like stairs or platform edges. They’re particularly vital for individuals with limited or no sight and can be seamlessly integrated into wider floor layouts. Strategically placed tactile paths help guide people to key destinations and warn of upcoming obstacles.

3. Colour Contrast Guides the Eye

Visually separating floors from walls or thresholds makes spaces more intuitive. Think light floors against dark skirting, or contrasting colours to indicate changes in function. It’s a subtle but crucial part of BS 8300-2:2018 guidance and can significantly support partially sighted individuals in navigating complex public interiors.

4. Seamless Transitions Remove Barriers

Trip hazards can occur when flooring suddenly shifts in height or texture. Smooth, level transitions between rooms and surfaces mean less interruption and greater freedom of movement for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues. Bevelled edges and flexible floor trims can aid in creating those seamless connections.

5. Acoustic Comfort Supports the Hard of Hearing

Hard floors often amplify noise, making communication difficult for those with hearing impairments. Flooring that absorbs sound, like rubber or acoustic vinyl, helps create calmer, clearer environments. In busy communal areas, acoustic flooring can reduce echo and help with sound localisation, especially for hearing aid users.

6. Material Matters in Every Sector

Hospitals may need hygiene-friendly vinyl; libraries might benefit from quiet carpet tiles. Museums often require hard wearing yet comfortable surfaces to support long footfall hours. It’s important to match flooring type to both the functional and accessibility needs of each building.

A Closer Look at the Regulations

Accessible flooring isn’t just about best practice; it’s often a legal and design requirement. BS 8300-2:2018 outlines the principles behind accessible environments, including flooring recommendations. The guidelines stress that all floor finishes should:

• Be firm, even, and slip-resistant

• Offer a distinguishable tonal contrast between adjacent surfaces

• Provide tactile indicators where needed (e.g. at steps, crossings, and directional changes)

These criteria are particularly important in high-use public areas such as transport hubs, council buildings, and healthcare facilities.

Why Compliance Is Not Enough

Meeting compliance is a starting point, but genuine accessibility means thinking holistically. This includes:

• How the flooring feels to walk on

• Whether it creates a sense of ease for people with sensory sensitivities

• How maintenance impacts surface safety over time

We work closely with architects, planners, and building managers to ensure our installations go beyond tick-box solutions and are tailored to real-world needs.

Partner with Experts in Inclusive Design

Partner with flooring contractors who are advocates for inclusive design. Companies that ensure that their teams continually update their knowledge to reflect the latest guidance, materials, and inclusive technology, ensuring every project supports universal access.

Whether you're refurbishing a school, redeveloping a town hall, or fitting out a new community space, make smart, future-ready decisions.

Make Accessibility a Priority

From slip testing to floor plan optimisation, ensure your next project delivers flooring that’s safe, compliant, and welcoming for all.