Many business owners are unaware that the design elements they choose for their interiors affect how people form the first impression of their company and office space. Everything – lighting, floor, wall color and even ceilings – matters and helps shape that opinion.

In this article, we’ll take a look at several types of flooring you can choose for your office to balance the technical and aesthetic aspects.

Carpet (carpet roll or tile)– great for businesses looking for something warm in style and functionality. In addition to the built-in thermal insulation, the carpet can provide sound insulation of the room (stomping, moving furniture, falling objects). While carpet may not be suitable for all types of spaces in your office, it is relatively versatile and easy to maintain.

Vinyl coated (PVC)Is by far the best option for commercial real estate, which comes in two flavors: vinyl tiles or vinyl laminate. This type of flooring is designed to withstand heavy traffic and is free of wear, making it an ideal choice for crowded areas. They can tolerate spills and are much more difficult to stain. Plus, they can be cleaned quickly and easily compared to other types of flooring.

Natural linoleum –While it sounds like the flooring of years gone by, it is popular today as a durable and sustainable floor. It is made from natural materials including flaxseed, wood flour, forestry waste and jute, which is the membrane for the calendered layer. Natural linoleum floors retain their beautiful appearance because colored pigments are found throughout the entire thickness of the material, and not just on the surface. This helps to mask scratches and dents. When properly sealed, the porous natural linoleum material cannot be damaged by water or other liquids, making it ideal for commercial kitchens.

Flotex flocked carpet (roll, plank, tile) –it is not only comfortable but also durable. The surface is particularly resistant to wear and is ideal for areas where wheelchairs are used. Flotex fibers provide a non-slip surface in both wet and dry conditions. They also absorb sound, which means Flotex is a quiet floor. It is waterproof and very easy to clean with minimal maintenance for 15+ years.

According to the generally accepted classification system for floor coverings, there are ten classes of wear resistance – from 21 to 43. The first numbers in the index indicate the type of room, the second – the passage of the room. So the first number 2 means that the coating is intended for residential premises, 3 – office, 4 – commercial spaces with heavy traffic. The second digit of the index means:

• 1 – low permeability,
• 2 – moderate
• 3 – high permeability in the room,
• 4 – no restrictions on the intensity of the load.

1. Waiting area and reception
   The key factors when choosing flooring for your waiting area and reception area in your office are design and durability. Such a covering must withstand a large number of visitors, and at the same time not lose its appearance. Here are some materials that are durable and aesthetic enough to be used in the waiting area:

• PVC.
• Carpet.

Wear resistance class: 32

2. Open space
   The open plan workspace is the main area that is used on a daily basis. Therefore, the floors in this area must match the design of your room, absorb excess background noise and withstand high levels of transit. Here are a couple of materials that work great for these areas:

• PVC.
• Carpet.

Wear resistance class: 33-43

3. Conference rooms and meeting rooms
Conference rooms and meeting rooms serve as the backdrop for important meetings with potential clients or future employees. Because of this, the design cannot be ignored in them – your choice of flooring should make a good impression and match the overall concept of the room. Reliability should always be considered when choosing flooring, but for conference rooms and huddle rooms, it is less important, as they usually have fewer people than public areas in your office. Design should be your key concern. Here are a couple of materials that work for these areas:

• Carpet.
• PVC.

Wear resistance class: 33-43

4. Dining areas

The kitchen in the office is much more than just a place to eat, it can also serve as a place for casual communication and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the office. However, since food and drink inevitably spills, carpet is not a smart option. When choosing a floor covering for a kitchen, you should pay attention to the following characteristics: slip resistance, pollution and, of course, environmental friendliness.

Kitchen floors should also be easy to clean, maintain and repair, as dirt is common. Here are a couple of materials that will work for your kitchen:

• PVC.
• Natural linoleum.

Wear resistance class: 33-34

Naturally, the above recommendations are just some of the most suitable options for each room. There are many more options for commercial flooring. The final choice is only on the desired appearance and your budget.