Let’s look at choosing the best flooring for your office remodel. If you own a space that’s used for commercial purposes — whether you rent a traditional office or a space with a business storefront — curating the place so it can function the best for your tenants and their customers is likely one of your top priorities.
If you’re considering a remodel, there’s a good chance this isn’t the first time you’ve thought about this. Remodeling any space can take a lot of time and energy. But it can pay off in the long run when your existing tenants are happier and you attract new tenants.
However, deciding on the best flooring for your office space can be tricky. You want to be friendly to your budget, your tenants, and your future plans for the space, and that can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. But with a wealth of options comes an array of possibilities.
Download Printable Article (PDF) >>>
Whether your space is a newer commercial hub of local offices and businesses, or you’re looking to revamp a corporate classic that’s been in your care for years, there are so many ways you can choose the best flooring for your commercial office space.
Here’s how to choose the best flooring for your office space
1. Get Inspired
While this is a tip often given to those who are remodeling residential spaces, it certainly has its place in commercial offices, too. And that’s getting inspiration from wherever you can so you can build an office that suits your style and your needs.
While you may not have a Pinterest board filled with your favorite stylistic musings, you can take a look at other commercial office spaces and see what you like. Plus, if you want to go for a specific aesthetic, that can often make things easier throughout the design process.
2. Consider Your Space’s Purpose
For the most part, your space’s purpose has already been decided — as an office, of course. However, you may want to go beyond that when thinking about your exact flooring choice.
Consider not just the standard purpose of your space, but also what kinds of clients usually come there, how casual the office tends to be, and what kind of culture you or your tenants want to encourage.
Of course, these considerations might seem a bit far out there, but they can sometimes make the difference between choosing a comfortable carpet and a classy tile.
3. Consider the Maintenance
No matter who’s doing the cleaning, it’s a part of the process that matters. And finding a floor that’s easy to take care of can help you in the long run, as well as give your tenants an easier time caring for the space.
While hardwood floors are beautiful, they often need a lot of care and maintenance. However, floors like concrete are easy to clean and keep shiny — a simple dust mop and wet mop can go a long way.
4. Stick to Your Budget
Of course, the budget will always come into play when discussing renovations — as well it should. Especially with a feature like floors, which can wear and tear over time with repeated traction, you’ll want to make sure you don’t break the bank. Once you set your budget, stick to it — you’ll thank yourself later.
5. Remember Your Climate
While this isn’t a point of consideration for everyone, it might be for you if you live in certain locations. Specifically, those who live in particularly wet, humid, or salty environments. Many floors don’t age well around moisture or humidity, and it can even cause damage or additional wear if you aren’t careful.
It’s always best to discuss this with a professional who can recommend the best flooring for your office climate, check the moisture levels before installing flooring, and help acclimate wood flooring to the environment if necessary.
6. Go Durable
In commercial office spaces, people are constantly coming and going, which means you need a floor that can stand up to wear and tear over time. While there are some floors that are undeniably beautiful, they might not stand the test of years gone by.
Consider durable flooring options that aren’t quite as sensitive, and you’ll be more likely to get your money’s worth.
7. Call in a Professional
This is likely a part of your plan either way, but it can also be a great starting point if you aren’t sure about your floor choice just yet. If you have a contractor or flooring specialist you trust, consult with them and ask their opinion on the best flooring options for your space. They’ll likely give you a straightforward opinion and discuss the specifics with you.
8. Look at Trends — But Not too Much
Just like anything else, there are trends when it comes to flooring and design. While trends can often inspire and alert you to brand-new ideas you may love, don’t feel pressured to change something just because the trends tell you to. Go with what you like and what will ultimately serve your business.
9. Work With the Existing Aesthetic
One of the best ways to choose any element of a remodel is to work with the existing look of a space. If you’re engaging in an entire overhaul, this might not be the best option for you.
But if you’re just replacing the floors, consider the other colors, accessories, and styles you already have going on around the office. You might be surprised by the options they bring forward.
10. Think Outside the Box
If nothing has managed to satisfy you quite yet, you might want to consider some flooring options that dip a bit into the unconventional. Not only can alternative flooring materials help the environment, but they can also be friendly on the budget.
Options like concrete, cork, and even bamboo flooring can be great options in place of other, more expensive flooring options.
Choosing the Best Flooring for Your Office
When it comes to making your corporate office space work for you, your tenants, and their clients, you never know what to expect. Everyone has a different style, and that includes brands and businesses.
There are so many options out there to choose from! Really, it’s all about finding what works best for you right now. Whether you go concrete, cork, or hardwood, you can make the best choice for your circumstances.
Rose Morrison is a residential and commercial real estate writer and the managing editor of Renovated. To see more of her work visit: https://renovated.com/
