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Collection by Zach Edelson

A Look at Cork Floors in Modern Homes

While it's been used since the 19th century in flooring, cork has recently been gaining broader recognition: cork is eco-friendly (careful harvesting of cork bark keeps the tree alive, potentially for centuries), comfortable (it stays at room temperature, so no more cold floors), durable (potentially lasting decades), noise-attenuating, and it comes in multiple colors. However, cork is soft, so heavy furniture, sharp objects, and animal claws can damage it. Prices can vary compared to other flooring options but humble cork is always worth a look.

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Built-in benches function both as seating and as spare beds in the living room. Holm says the striped, hand-woven fabric she found in Greece is indestructible, and the cork flooring throughout the house has gone 40 years without needing replacing.
Built-in benches function both as seating and as spare beds in the living room. Holm says the striped, hand-woven fabric she found in Greece is indestructible, and the cork flooring throughout the house has gone 40 years without needing replacing.
Hale's material preferences helped keep costs low: Inexpensive plywood lines the ceiling and cork covers the floors. He covered the kitchen island with yellow plastic laminate.
Hale's material preferences helped keep costs low: Inexpensive plywood lines the ceiling and cork covers the floors. He covered the kitchen island with yellow plastic laminate.
An architect and an interior designer converted this dilapidated toolshed into a modern guesthouse. In their living room, a print by the abstract expressionist Al Held hangs above a storage unit by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The table lamp is by Isamu Noguchi, and the cork floor tiles are from Globus Cork. A Saarinen Executive Arm Chair is at the end of the hall.
An architect and an interior designer converted this dilapidated toolshed into a modern guesthouse. In their living room, a print by the abstract expressionist Al Held hangs above a storage unit by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The table lamp is by Isamu Noguchi, and the cork floor tiles are from Globus Cork. A Saarinen Executive Arm Chair is at the end of the hall.
For one of two sleeping areas flanking the main living space, Wooten placed tatami from Miya Shoji on the cork floor. “With the radiant heating system, it’s fantastic to be in this glass box looking out at a blizzard, walking barefoot on the warm floor,” he says. “Tatami are not for everyone, but they are really comfy to me. Before we built the house, I stayed at a traditional bed-and-breakfast in Kyoto, Japan, and had one of the best nights of sleep ever, so I decided I wanted to do that style of bed. On top is a 150-year-old Japanese denim patchwork quilt I bought from a friend who took me to Japan. I’ve always admired Japanese design—Noguchi is one of my favorites—so I was inspired to have that spirit in the house.” miyashoji.com
For one of two sleeping areas flanking the main living space, Wooten placed tatami from Miya Shoji on the cork floor. “With the radiant heating system, it’s fantastic to be in this glass box looking out at a blizzard, walking barefoot on the warm floor,” he says. “Tatami are not for everyone, but they are really comfy to me. Before we built the house, I stayed at a traditional bed-and-breakfast in Kyoto, Japan, and had one of the best nights of sleep ever, so I decided I wanted to do that style of bed. On top is a 150-year-old Japanese denim patchwork quilt I bought from a friend who took me to Japan. I’ve always admired Japanese design—Noguchi is one of my favorites—so I was inspired to have that spirit in the house.” miyashoji.com