Before the pandemic, it is likely that you, in common with most people, would get up, leave for work, do your job and then commute back home, especially if it was an office job. But times have changed dramatically.
The necessity of working from home during the pandemic opened so many eyes to the virtues of such work patterns and their lifestyle benefits, from avoiding the cost and hassle of long commutes on cold, wet days to the avoidance of office politics.
For that reason, it came as no surprise that the siren calls for people to go “back to the office” proved highly unpopular, despite the likes of the then chancellor and future prime minister Rishi Sunak arguing that this had huge benefits, especially for ambitious youngsters who could benefit from networking and ‘water cooler’ moments.
Some companies have put their foot down on this issue and insisted on a return, but the majority appreciate the benefits of a good work-life balance and the fact that it appeals a lot to people who are looking for a new job – especially one that offers home working when their present employment does not.
Equipping A Room As A Home Office
Since most companies have realised the way the wind is blowing, the chances are you will be spending at least some of your working week at home. But that does mean you should assess how well geared up you are for this; if an area of your home is to be set aside for work, should your flooring there be a little different from the floor coverings in other rooms?
Ideally, in a home office, the flooring should be comfortable enough, but not be so cosy that you relax too much or get distracted. After all, such a situation could reduce productivity, which is a reason some bosses still invoke as a reason to get people back in the office.
Laminate flooring can be ideal for this purpose, whether in a room set aside indoors or, perhaps even more usefully, in a garden room or converted shed that you have set up for this purpose.
Like any flooring option, laminate has pros and cons, but the positives are undoubtedly suitable for those working from home.
It is affordable, which means you aren’t spending too much to support your own job (although by working from home you save on commuting costs), is quick and simple to install, easy to maintain, can be used in any room and offers a wide range of styles. This kind of flexibility means it is useful for all sorts of workrooms.
The Benefits Of Quick-Step
Quick-Step laminate products can be especially useful for this. These typically come in a Uniclic system, are 8mm or 12 mm thick and have at least a 20-year warranty (in some cases a lifetime one), which tells you they are tough and can deal with a lot of footfall.
Plank sizes vary greatly in the Quick-Step range. You can have 1,380 by 190 mm, 1,200 by 396 mm, 1,380 by 212 mm, 1,380 by 156 mm, 2,050 by 240 mm or 2,050 by 205 mm.
The wood designs come in a range of shades. You can go for a black charcoal hue, shades of grey, a richer dark brown or paler, pastel shades. Similarly, there are stone-effect tiles that imitate a wide range of natural colours.
Therefore, as well as being hard-wearing and practical, they are still attractive, with a series of wood-effect patterns that mean they do not stray too far from the general décor style of the rest of the home.
That practicality is great if your office contains heavier furniture like desks bearing the weight of books and manuals, electronic equipment, filing cabinets and office chairs. Just make sure you choose the right castor wheels for the job so as to extend the life of your laminate.
You Can Chill Even If You Spill
Also, as this is a place where no doubt countless cups of tea and coffee will be drunk, the ease of keeping the floor clean compared with a carpet will be a big bonus, enabling you to clean up any spillages quickly and easily and get back to work, an important consideration if your boss does still harbour concerns about productivity while working at home.
Laminate can also be very practical if you do have a garden room, as it is a bit more practical for somewhere that may be open to the elements when it is warm and sunny.
By putting down laminate in one particular room where you might have carpet in others, you are certainly making one sort of statement. But while it may be one to say: “This place in the house is dedicated to work”, it certainly isn’t about compromising on quality or style.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with the CVT Direct team via our Contact Us page or give us a ring on 0345 121 1234.
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