With some people having worked from home for more than 18 months, it has naturally become the ‘norm’. However, as we start to transition back to the office it’s important that employers consider how a commercial environment will affect the productivity and well-being of its employees. In response to these concerns, one office trend that is growing in popularity is resimercial design: the blending of residential elements into the commercial environment.
The aim of this design approach is to reduce stress and improve productivity by making employees feel more comfortable and allowing them to work in a way that best suits them. Ultimately, the aim is to create a warm and relaxed environment, which can help improve employee retention and reduce absence through improved wellbeing.
The way resimercial design is achieved differs from office to office based on the needs of the business and its employees, as well as the culture of the organisation. However, there are some common features, with the main one being the use of materials and finishes that evoke a sense of home, such as tactile textures.
Products such as Forbo Flooring Systems’ new Tessera Perspective carpet tile range is an ideal option for creating a comfortable, homely, blended space. The cut and loop 670 gsm pile creates a luxuriously opulent texture and seamless broadloom appearance with real underfoot comfort, lending itself to zoning and break out area definition without interrupting the overall visual of the floor. Available in eight neutral tones, which are complemented by six rich, decadent accent colours, each colour tone combines two yarn shades, creating a modern, softly striated design. Perspective can also be easily combined with Forbo’s Allura Flex LVT using the same tackifier and Allura Ease adhesive free flooring without the need for transition strips or inconvenient subfloor build up.
Furthermore, sound is an important consideration in the design of spaces and choice of materials. Finding peace and quiet, as well as comfort, is often what makes a space feel more like home. Elements commonly found in residential settings such as soft furnishings and carpet can also help reduce echo, reverberation and the transmission of sound to make a space feel more welcoming. Tessera Perspective carpet tiles offer 25 dB impact sound reduction to aid with this.
For more information about Forbo’s solutions for the office environment, please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/offices or for further information about its Tessera Perspective collection, visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/tesseraperspective