Those of a certain vintage may just about remember the chronically old-fashioned floor covering linoleum best recalled for its curled up edges, slightly sticky feel and its many indentations caused by stiletto heels. And you wouldn’t be alone in thinking that as an internal design element, it’s about as likely to make a comeback as the 3 bar electric fire.

But you’d be wrong as updated versions of the material are making a strong resurgence with sales in the commercial sector growing at the rate of 4% per annum. The product is becoming increasingly popular in health and education projects as well as in retail and office environments.

Why the renewed interest in linoleum? A major reason is sustainability. Linoleum is made from natural materials products – linseed oil, rosin (which is tapped from pine trees) and wood flower, pressed onto a jute backing material – and it is also biodegradable. It is naturally anti-septic (which partly explains the increasing use in the health and education sectors) and latest versions of the product are highly flexible and hard-wearing – typically with a design life of 20 years. Plus newer products also have increased slip and scuff resistance and acoustic performance, and come with a rapidly expanding range of design options.

It makes you think doesn’t it? And some of these images of recent applications look really great…

In the past few years there has been a real shift in purchasing and specifying habits with growing resistance to the use of plastics and vinyls in the working environment. The growth of the sustainability movement, green specification and environmental awareness Is not just a consumer thing and I feel it is important for office environment designers like ourselves to be alive and responsive to such thinking. There’s a difference between a fashion trend and a fundamental shift in attitude and I’m determined to ensure that Blue Fig Interiors, as the name implies, continues to build upon our sustainable and green design credentials, as part of our core values.

In thinking about your project it’s maybe time to ask ‘why no lino?’