The floor of your yoga studio quite literally grounds every session your students attend. That’s why it’s so important to understand the pros and cons of the various available options and flooring materials. Beyond offering outstanding instructors and creating a solid branding strategy, choosing the right flooring for your yoga studio can make or break your business.
Establishing a strong foundation for your yoga studio business includes an amazing yoga experience that keeps your students returning again and again. If you’re overwhelmed by all the possibilities when it comes to flooring and don’t know where to start, you’re not alone.
The coaches at the Yogapreneur Collective are experienced in helping yoga studio owners bring in real profit. This all starts with creating the best studio for your students, so our coaches can help you identify the best flooring for your yoga studio. Reach out for a free consultation for cutting-edge mentorship to jumpstart your business today.
What Makes Good Flooring for Yoga Studio?
Good flooring contributes to the overall ambiance and functionality of your yoga studio. But what does that look and feel like? Ultimately, you want to select flooring that’s aesthetically pleasing and has the following qualities:
- Non-slip
- Easy to clean
- Low maintenance
- Sound-absorbing
- Durable
Types of Yoga Studio Flooring
Let’s explore the pros and cons of some of the more popular flooring options for yoga studios.
Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is a timeless choice, creating an atmosphere that’s warm and inviting while also providing top-quality functionality. It’s durable, easy to clean, and a fantastic foundation for non-slip yoga mats. That said, hardwood often requires a professional to install it and can be a pain to maintain long-term since it can warp if the temperature fluctuates too much.
Reclaimed Wood
Using reclaimed wood for your yoga studio’s floors is a sustainable option that can create a unique rustic-chic vibe. Like hardwood, it gets top marks for durability and being cleaning-friendly. You’ll need a professional to source the materials and properly lay the flooring to install reclaimed wood floors.
Cork
Cork flooring is one of the most popular options for yoga studios that offer hot yoga classes. Cork flooring highlights include sound absorption and humidity resistance, and it’s easy on the joints. It’s also biodegradable, making it one of the most sustainable flooring materials available.
Bamboo
Bamboo flooring is a great choice if you’re looking to do the installation yourself. It comes in easily installed click-and-lock planks and is humidity-resistant and durable for hot yoga studios. When purchasing bamboo flooring, it’s important to ensure the material has a low VOC (volatile organic compounds) so that your studio air remains toxin-free.
Marley
Marley flooring is often seen in dance studios or theaters, but it’s also been used in yoga studios for years. Because it’s made out of PVC plastic or durable vinyl, it’s not the most sustainable option. That said, Marley flooring is easy to install, affordable, and available in multiple thickness levels, so it can be a solid option for your yoga studio.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is a mix of hardwood and laminate materials that can be an excellent choice for your yoga studio. It’s a good investment because it’s aesthetically pleasing, shock-absorbing, and moisture-resistant. Beyond those attributes, engineered wood will also last you years and has a fantastic resale value.
Linoleum
Linoleum flooring is made of several different materials, including linseed oil, cork dust, and pine resin, and is a great option if you’re working with a tight budget. Additionally, linoleum is a breeze to install and comes in various colors, so you can customize it to fit your studio’s vibe. The only drawback to linoleum is that it can peel and lead to maintenance issues over time.
Rubber
While it’s not the most attractive option, rubber flooring is far and away one of the most hygienic materials you can use for your yoga studio. Cleanliness has been especially important since the onset of the pandemic, and easy-to-clean rubber flooring will act as an extra layer of protection. Additionally, it’s moisture-resistant and has built-in cushioning that makes it firm yet comfortable.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus flooring is a great option to consider if you’re looking for an extremely durable material that will last you a long time. These floors are made by compressing strips of eucalyptus using heat to form a single plank. Eucalyptus flooring is stronger than hardwood and needs minimal maintenance, which makes it an excellent choice for your yoga studio.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is some of the most affordable materials on the market when you’re just starting out, and it’s easy to install. That said, it may not be as durable and doesn’t provide much cushion, so it can be uncomfortable when practicing yoga unless you provide additional materials to make students feel more at ease.
Vinyl
Vinyl consists of anti-slip foam tiles that provide safe, firm flooring. These tiles are popular in yoga studios because they last a long time and can be easily installed without the help of a professional. Because they’re climate stable, they won’t warp or expand if you use them for hot yoga or varying temperatures.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Yoga Studio Flooring
Now that you know some of the available flooring options, consider the following factors before you make your final selection.
Determine Your Budget
Identifying your budget before looking at floor samples is key to establishing a successful studio. You don’t want to fall in love with the flooring you can’t afford, but you still want to ensure you’re getting a quality product. Once your budget is nailed down, focus on how the flooring will be installed before purchasing the necessary materials.
Assess the Existing Floor and Subfloor
Whether you’ve just bought a new studio or you want to upgrade your current flooring, you must assess if there’s any unevenness or damage. Uneven flooring means that you have to account for the cost of new subflooring along with the price of labor and additional materials. If there’s extensive damage to your floors, you’ll also have to make repairs before laying new flooring.
Decide Who Will Install the Flooring
Will this be a DIY project, or will you need to hire a professional to install your new flooring? Both options have pros and cons. DIYing your floors can be more cost-effective, but a professional can save time and ensure quality. Remember to do your research before taking on a project independently.
How Long Do You Plan to Operate in This Specific Space?
Understanding your short and long-term business goals will help you make the best decision regarding the right flooring materials for your yoga studio. If your current space is a starter studio, you can consider less durable and more affordable materials. If you plan to be in your studio for decades, you’ll want to invest in flooring that will stand the test of time.
Determine Maintenance Requirements For Each Flooring Type
When you know how much you can spend, projected labor costs, and how long you plan to stay in your current space, you’ll want to get a sense of how much maintenance each type of flooring will require. Higher maintenance flooring can be okay if you’re not planning on staying for a long time in your current studio, whereas lower maintenance options could be better long term.
What Yoga Will You Be Teaching?
The kind of yoga classes you’ll be offering will help you narrow down your flooring options. If, for example, you’re primarily a hot yoga studio, you’ll want to choose durable and water-resistant flooring. If you provide multiple kinds of classes, shoot for more versatile material.
Schedule a Free Strategy Session With Yoga Business Coach Josh Biro
There are so many aspects to running a successful yoga business that can leave your head spinning. But you don’t have to go it alone, and investing in an experienced mentor like Josh Biro can kickstart your yoga studio to the next level.
Schedule a free strategy session with a coach at the Yogapreneur Collective today and let our expertise guide you as you make the best choices for your business, from flooring to sales and staffing.
