Flooring options for your home office
Most organizations plan to let employees work from home at least some of the time. One study found that over 30 percent of Canadians were working remotely in 2021. That is a huge leap from just four percent in 2016. As of Feb. 2021, there were 3.1 million Canadians working from home.\
Over 60 percent of employees have indicated they don’t want to go back to the office. Major companies have already made the transition to remote workplaces, including Adobe, Salesforce and Twitter.
Now more than ever, the home office has become the essential room in your home. Whether you are working remotely permanently or on a part-time basis, you’ll need to have a space set apart from the distractions of your home. And it will need to be comfortable and reflect your working style.
As you build your home office, your flooring is a vital part of the room, and you’ll want to pick the right material for your home office. Let’s look at the flooring options for your home office.
Flooring options for your home office
There are several factors that you’ll need to take into consideration as you decide on the best flooring for your home office. These include:
- Will the room be used only for a home office, or does it need to have other purposes too?
- What type of desk and chair will you be using?
- Is noise a problem, and do you need to minimize it?
After you reflect on these questions, you’ll be in a better position to decide on the best flooring for your home office.
Hardwood
A classic hardwood floor can give your home office character and warmth. It can also provide long-term value for your home if you decide to sell it. Hardwood has often been the top choice among home buyers. It holds other advantages too, including low maintenance, which means you won’t have to spend a lot of time caring for your office floor. Hardwood floors also offer flexibility in design. However, not all hardwood is the same. Some wood is better suited to an office space than others. You’ll also have to be mindful of damage like scratches, which can ruin the look of your hardwood floor.
Hardwood flooring is not well suited for humid environments like basements as the moisture can cause damage. You can opt for engineered hardwood if you have your heart set on a hardwood floor for your home office. This material can be installed on any level of your home, including the basement, without any trouble.
Vinyl flooring
Vinyl flooring has come a long way over the past couple of decades. You can now opt for luxury vinyl flooring, which gives you variety to create the look you really want in your home office at an affordable price. You can even get vinyl flooring that looks like hardwood or marble but at a lower cost. Moreover, vinyl is a durable and versatile flooring material. That means it will hold up well against stains, scratches, and spills. It’s also the ideal flooring option if your home office will see a lot of foot traffic. Vinyl flooring can also be one of the quieter options for your home office.
Laminate flooring
Another material that has come a long way and offers versatility and durability, laminate is another option for your home office. Laminate flooring is a good option if you’re looking for an attractive flooring material that will last a long time. It’s also one of the most affordable materials for your home office. Laminate comes in a variety of styles, allowing you to get creative with your home office design. It is also a good fit for basements or more humid spaces as it withstands moisture better than other flooring materials. It’s also resistant to stains and won’t fade as quickly as other materials.
However, laminate flooring can give off a hollow sound, so if your home office sees a lot of traffic, it could become noise. To avoid this issue, you can opt to have a good underlayment, which can reduce the noise.
Carpet
If noise is a concern at your home, you may want to consider carpet, which can muffle noises. However, it won’t work with all desks and chairs. Rolling furniture isn’t the best for home offices that have carpets. Carpet can also be an ideal fit for homes in colder climates as it absorbs heat well. It also holds up against damage like objects falling on it. Additionally, it just feels good under your feet.
One of the drawbacks to carpet is that pollen and other allergens can build up in it unless you clean it regularly. Carpet is also more susceptible to damage from spills and stains. However, you can request a stain resistant material.
Tile
Tile flooring is an affordable flooring option that can give your home office a unique look. It’s also durable and can resist water damage. Tile flooring is available in some creative designs and colours, which means you can create whatever look you want for your home office. The drawbacks are that tile should only be installed by a professional. It can also be noisier than other flooring options, mainly if someone walks on it or furniture rolls along it. But you can fix this by throwing down some rugs.
When you’re working from home, you have more freedom to design a home office space that you enjoy working and spending time in. Part of creating the ideal home office is to consider your flooring options and decide which one matches your needs. For example, if you want a quieter space, you’ll want to use carpet or vinyl flooring to minimize the noise.
Whether you’re in need of some advice or you already know what type of flooring you want in your home office, contact Ottawa Diamond Flooring for all your home office flooring needs.
