Home Office Flooring That’ll Knock Your Socks Off
Having a home office, study, or library used to be a luxury. They were spaces for people who wanted rich mahogany flooring, with antique furniture next to an elaborate stone fireplace. There’s nothing wrong with that setup, but the idea of a home office has come a long way. With the steady rise of self-employment and telecommuting—not to mention students living at home longer—there’s a growing need for a productive space right at home.
If you’re thinking of setting up your own home office, or want to remodel the office you have, you should start from the ground up—literally! Your floors play a huge role in creating a productive and professional atmosphere, from noise control to how much they show wear and tear. Here are three ideas you should consider when you bring your work home with you.
- Put a Cork in It
Cork flooring may seem like a surprising choice for a home office, but hear us out. Usually used in bedrooms, cork is a great insulator. It’s a warm material with a soft, cushioned texture, so it does an excellent job of reducing sound. If you’re someone who needs peace and quiet to get work done, this stylish material may be a dream come true. Some other great benefits of cork floors are:
- It’s eco-friendly. Did you know cork is a sustainable resource? Cork comes from cork oak trees, which are replanted after harvesting. We get our product from wine cork manufacturers, recycling what they can’t use. This makes cork an excellent product that’s renewable and fashionable, coming in a variety of colors and designs.
- It’s sturdy. Because of its spongy texture, cork holds up very well against traffic. Not only is it softer to walk on, but it retains its shape underfoot, making it more resilient to scuffs.
- It’s allergy-resistant. Cork is a natural material, one that holds its own against dust, mold, and mildew. If you have allergies, cork may be just the material for you.
Cork can be a beautiful base for your home office, but you’ll want to make sure it’s the best option for your space before diving in. We’ll make sure to discuss all your options with you to see if cork is the best fit.
- Elegance is Just a Stone’s Throw Away
Just like cork is usually used in bedrooms, stone is usually kept in the kitchen. Because it’s hard, long-lasting, and non-porous, stone is easy to care for and easy to clean. More than that, stone looks stunning. It adds a sleek and elegant feel to your home, and it can be adapted for any room you’d like.
Stone flooring can be an especially surprising and beautiful addition to your home office. If you’re a professional who meets with clients or vendors in your home, stone brings with it the elegant feel of hardwood, with the bright personality of cork. Stone can also be a great choice because:
- It lasts forever. Stone is a long-lasting, sturdy, and natural material. It doesn’t need very much maintenance, unlike hardwood and carpeting, which need to be cleaned or re-treated. If you’ve found or built your dream home and want floors that will stand the test of time, stone flooring may be a great option for you.
- It isn’t too hot or too cold. Stone is naturally cool, which is great when you live in warmer climates. Whether you’re bringing a client in from the heat or walking around barefoot on your days off, stone will remain soothing and cool to the touch.
Unless you don’t want it to stay cool. If the weather turns a bit too chilly for your liking, you aren’t stuck with cold floors underfoot. Stone is a wonderful heat conductor, and works especially well with radiant heat systems. With stone, you can have it all.
- It’s clean. Much like cork, stone is naturally resistant to allergens and dust. Since it’s non-porous, there’s nowhere for dust or mold to linger, making stone extremely easy to clean and take care of.
Stone is such a timeless and beautiful material to work with, it’s a shame it’s only thought of for kitchens. Stone may be just the unexpected touch you’re looking for when it comes to your home office.
- The Best of Both Worlds with Laminate Floors
Having a tighter budget shouldn’t stop you from creating the warm and personal home office space you want. If you want to keep the trendy personality of cork or the classic beauty of stone, but are worried about the cost, laminate floors might be a great compromise:
- It’s easy to install. Laminate flooring is extremely user-friendly. Made from several layers of material that are pressed together, the end product is cut into easily manageable planks designed for easy installation.
- It won’t quit on you. The laminating process makes laminate flooring strong. It holds up extremely well to traffic, spills, scuffs, you name it. Whether your main concern is marks from a client’s shoes, or wear and tear from your pets and kids, laminate floors will hold up phenomenally well in the long-term.
- It’ll still look wonderful. Maybe the best part of laminate floors is that you don’t have to give up your dream look. Whether you want the look of stone, cork, or hardwood, your laminate flooring can be both beautiful and affordable.
If you want the individuality of a specialty material without the cost, laminate floors may be just the product for you. Your home office will thank you!
Your home office is a reflection of you, and you can keep it professional without sacrificing your personality. Whether you’re looking for flooring that will keep the room quiet, or something that will really make a statement, we can help you find the perfect fit for your space and your budget. Give us a call today—we’re ready to help make your home office a dream space, from the ground up.