Rental homes
Workspace Materials and Finishes for Rental homes
Select materials by where they will be installed, how they are cleaned and what can be repaired when one part wears.
Explore the ideas
Compare the options
- Set the brief
- Mark high-touch, wet and impact-prone surfaces separately before picking finishes.
- Compare
- Ask suppliers for care instructions, repair options and a full sample with exposed edges and joints.
- Before buying
- Price installation, replaceable pieces and long-term maintenance alongside the initial material cost.
Worked example
Imagine a desk used for drawing, video calls and hot drinks, with the front edge already showing wear from daily contact. A replacement finish must be easy to maintain.
Compare samples for glare, cleanability and repair at the exposed edge, not just the top surface. Consider a replaceable worktop or protective mat while keeping the edge comfortable for forearms.
How to test it
Put the sample beside its adjoining materials and test the agreed cleaning method on a spare piece.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Set a compact desk near an outlet and orient it to avoid window glare and household traffic.
- Detail
- Use a task lamp, portable monitor stand and cable clips that leave no marks.
- Trade-off
- A shared dining table saves space but makes work setup and shutdown repetitive.
- Check outlet reach and cable trip risk
- Test chair comfort and daylight
The Elixir portfolio
Details worth a closer look
