What Is Furniture Linoleum? The Natural Material on Our Desk Mat

Hi friends, Maisy here.

When I mention that our desk mat has a linoleum side, I know it can bring an old kitchen floor to mind. I get it! Furniture linoleum has a different finish from what you might be picturing, and I wanted to explain why we chose it for something you use at your desk.

What the material is

Linoleum isn't the same material as vinyl. Vinyl is plastic, while linoleum is made mostly from natural ingredients. The furniture linoleum we use includes linseed oil, rosin, wood flour and jute.

What I like most is its matte surface. It doesn't have a glossy shine, and it feels smooth under your hands. That's the side I think of for writing, sketching or working at the desk.

It also has anti-static properties, which help with dust. That doesn't mean it never needs cleaning, of course. A soft, slightly damp cloth is usually enough for everyday care, and our desk mat care guide has the more detailed instructions.

Why there are two sides

When we were making our first desk mat, I wanted something that felt warm in the setup, rather than just covering the desk. Pairing linoleum with merino wool gave us two different surfaces in one piece. You can turn it over depending on which texture you prefer that day.

I like having that choice. The linoleum gives me a smooth surface for work, and the wool has a softer feel. They don't have to belong to particular times of day; you can use whichever side suits what you're doing.

We cut the mats here in the studio, file the linoleum edges and assemble, shape and finish each one ourselves. The edge is one of those details you might not think about when you're looking at a photo, but you feel it when you use the mat.

If you've been wondering what the linoleum side is like, I hope this makes it a little easier to picture. You can see the Cozyleigh Desk Mat here, or read the care guide if you already have one and want to know how to look after it.

Maisy

From our family, to yours.