With more and more people choosing to work from home, either on a self-employed or freelance basis or as part of an arrangement with their employer, the need for home offices has grown significantly over the past few years. In many cases, a home office needs to double up with another use, such as a spare bedroom or a playroom for kids, so, before deciding which flooring option is best, it’s a good idea to define clearly which different purposes the room will be used for. Irrespective of whether your room is going to be used only as an office, or whether it is going to be dual purpose, either engineered or solid wood flooring are great choices.
Making the right choices for your home office flooring, like any other flooring project in the home focuses on things like the location of your office; the wear and tear it’s likely to suffer and the look you’re hoping to create. No matter what your plans are, you’re likely to be able to create a stunning space that will inspire you in your work and will be practical at the same time.
When you choose between solid and engineered wood flooring, you need to give some thought to the location of the office and the subfloor you’re working with. If you’re converting a basement, for example, to create a home office, there’s likely to be a degree of humidity, even after you’ve carried out the necessary treatments. Because of the humidity in basements, it’s normally a good idea to choose engineered wood flooring because it will withstand the moisture fluctuations better than solid wood. Similarly if your office is going to be located in an attic space, engineered wood flooring is probably the best idea because of the temperature fluctuations experienced in attic spaces. Outside of these locations, either solid or engineered wood flooring will normally work equally well.
When it comes to choosing the right finish for your wood flooring in your home office, much will depend on how much traffic you anticipate. If your office is purely for you to work in, then you can safely choose the finish that best suits your personal taste, from oiled at one end of the spectrum to lacquered at the other. However, if the footfall in your office is likely to be heavy, then it’s worth considering a lacquered finish because it will better stand up to more wear and tear.
Regarding which species of wood you choose, this will depend on the look you’re hoping to create. The likes of oak flooring will never date and will never go out of fashion. If, however, you’re looking for a really cutting edge, designer look, you might want to opt for one of the fashion options, such as Coffee Chic Natural Engineered Oak, Supremo Prime Solid Black Walnut or a brushed and white oiled finish, such as Natural Engineered Oak Brushed and White Oiled. To be honest, the only limit to the design options for your home office is your imagination!
And finally, one of the other great reasons for choosing wood flooring for your home office is that it’s so easy to clean and, with the right looking after, will last a very long time. All your office floor should need is a quick hoover and a light mop every few days. Other than that, unless there is heavy footfall, it should be a relatively maintenance-free zone.
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FAQ
What factors should be considered when choosing flooring for a home office?
Factors such as the location of the office, the wear and tear it’s likely to endure, and the aesthetic you wish to create are key considerations. Other factors include whether the office will be used solely for work or also for other purposes like a spare bedroom or a playroom.
How does the location of a home office influence the choice between solid and engineered wood flooring?
If you’re converting a basement or an attic into a home office, engineered wood flooring is usually the better choice due to its ability to withstand humidity and temperature fluctuations. For other locations, either solid or engineered wood flooring can work well.
How should the expected foot traffic in the home office influence the choice of wood flooring finish?
If your home office is solely for your own use, you can choose the finish that best suits your personal taste, from oiled to lacquered. However, if the office will have heavy footfall, a lacquered finish might be more suitable as it can better withstand wear and tear.
How does the desired aesthetic of the home office influence the choice of wood species for the flooring?
The choice of wood species depends on the look you wish to create. Traditional options like oak flooring are timeless, while other options such as Coffee Chic Natural Engineered Oak, Supremo Prime Solid Black Walnut, or Natural Engineered Oak Brushed and White Oiled can offer a more contemporary, designer look.
How easy is it to maintain wood flooring in a home office?
Wood flooring in a home office is relatively easy to clean and maintain, usually requiring just a quick vacuum and a light mop every few days. With the right care, it can last a very long time and remain relatively maintenance-free, even under heavy footfall.