Quality engineered and solid wood flooring manufacturer Atkinson & Kirby reveals how wood flooring helps hotels achieve wellness-led interiors – proving that wellbeing starts from the ground up…
When guests enter a hotel room, the bed naturally draws their attention, a promise of rest and comfort. Yet the flooring beneath their feet plays a quieter but equally vital role. Beyond aesthetics, wood flooring frames interiors, anchors design and enhances the atmosphere of a space.
For boutique and independent hotels, design choices are more than decorative; they shape guest experiences, particularly when wellbeing is a priority. Unlike standardised chain properties, independent hotels thrive on character, with each material contributing to the overall sense of wellbeing in a space. Wood flooring, particularly when carefully selected, can support both aesthetic goals and wellness outcomes, creating spaces that feel restorative and welcoming.
Image credit: Atkinson & Kirby
In support of wellness
Natural materials such as wood have a profound impact on mental and physical wellbeing. Wood flooring creates a calming environment, reducing stress and encouraging relaxation – a vital consideration in guest rooms and communal spaces.
Floors with warmer tones, such as Atkinson & Kirby’s Honeystreet Oak, lend a soothing quality to interiors, helping guests feel at ease the moment they step into a room.
Wood also supports healthier indoor air quality, an increasingly important factor for guest comfort. Unlike carpets, which trap dust, pollen and allergens, wood floors naturally resist these irritants, making them hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive guests. Low-VOC finishes, as offered in Atkinson & Kirby’s Heritage Parquet collection minimise chemical exposure, helping hotels create spaces that are safe and aesthetic.
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- Image credits: Atkinson & Kirby
Bringing nature in
Wellness-led design increasingly emphasises biophilic principles incorporating natural elements to support mental and emotional wellbeing. Wood flooring is at the forefront of this trend, offering both tactile and visual connections to nature. Light-toned options such as Somersby Oak complements natural textiles, transforming rooms into calming retreats.
Even in high-traffic areas, wood maintains a sense of warmth and tranquillity that synthetic surfaces find difficult to achieve.
Smoked and heritage woods like Atkinson and Kirby’s Mayfair Oak, add depth and texture to areas, offering visual interest while maintaining a natural, understated aesthetic. This versatility allows hotels to integrate wellness-led design seamlessly into a range of interior styles from minimalist, Japandi-inspired rooms to classic heritage schemes without compromising durability or longevity.
Image credit: Atkinson & Kirby
A floor that lasts
Beyond wellness, wood flooring is a sustainable and timeless investment. The Heritage Parquet collection combines longevity with low maintenance, ensuring that hotel interiors remain stylish, functional and healthy for years to come. It ties together colour palettes, textures and furnishings, anchoring design schemes while promoting a sense of calm and balance throughout the space.
Across guest rooms and communal areas alike, one theme is clear: wood flooring does more than cover the floor. It shapes the guest experience, supports wellbeing and amplifies design choices, helping independent hotels deliver interiors that are as restorative as they are memorable.
Atkinson & Kirby is one of our Recommended Suppliers and regularly features in our Supplier News section of the website. If you are interested in becoming one of our Recommended Suppliers, please email Katy Phillips.
Main image credit: Atkinson & Kirby
