Picking the right flooring for your living room can be tricky, but if you want something that looks good and lasts a long time, wood flooring is always a solid choice.  It combines a classic look with real durability, making it perfect for spaces that see a lot of foot traffic. Why Wood Flooring? Wood flooring isn’t just pretty – it’s an investment.  It is durable enough to hold up for years and ages beautifully over time.  It also creates a warm, inviting vibe that helps your living room feel cosy and welcoming.  Plus, wood’s naturally hypoallergenic, which is a huge plus it you are sensitive to dust or allergens. Type of Wood Flooring for Living Rooms Since the living room is where you’ll spend a lot of your time, you want flooring that can handle it.  Both solid wood and engineered wood are great options, each with its own rewards. Solid Wood Flooring: If you love that classic look, solid wood is a great choice. It’s durable and you can refinish it multiple times to keep it looking fresh.  It’s perfect for a living room that sees a lot of activity. Engineered Hardwood Flooring: Made with layers of real wood, engineered hardwood offers the same beautiful look but with extra stability and a better resistance to temperature changes. It can also be used with underfloor heating.  It’s built to stand up to the wear and tear of a busy home, while still looking great. Find out more about Engineered Vs Solid wood here Picking the Right Wood for your Living Room When it comes to choosing the right wood flooring, think about how you use the space and the mood you want to set.  There are a lot of great options to choose from, whether you want a sleek, uniform look or a rustic charm with character-rich knots and splits, we’ve got you covered.  Here are a few ideas to match different styles:- Classic & Timeless: Parquet patterns, such as Hampstead Oak create a refined backdrop that adds sophistication to traditional decor. These intricate designs provide a sense of individuality, elevating your space with their unique charm. Bold: Deep, rich wood floors like Eltham Walnut make a bold statement. Their dark hues bring depth and character to create a dramatic atmosphere, adding warmth and intimacy to the living toom to make a striking first impression. Light & Airy: Light wood floors, like Mojave Limed Oak, create a contemporary feel, ideal for achieving a light, spacious look. The pale, sandy tones work well in interior spaces with less natural light, to create a space that feels lighter and more open. Rustic Charm: For flooring that exudes rustic charm, our Lewis Oak, with its honey-toned finish and natural knots, creates an authentic, timeless elegance that’s perfect for cottage-style spaces and embraces authenticity. Explore our full collection here or download our brochure

In 2025, interior design trends are embracing bold colours and playful accents. Whether you are adding vibrant prints, patterned throws or eclectic rugs, introducing colour can instantly energise a space and make it feel more inviting. The right flooring plays a crucial role in enhancing these bold choices, creating balance while allowing colours to pop. Choosing the Right Flooring to Complement Colourful Interiors The right wood flooring sets the perfect foundation for colourful interiors. Durable and easy to install, it’s a practical yet playful option for modern homes. Muted, light wood choices like our Manoa Oak create a neutral base that allows bold colours to take centre stage without overwhelming the space. For rooms with a bit more personality, parquet flooring -  like our Sonoran Oak adds movement and texture while maintaining a stylish, balanced look. Balancing Colour with Texture and Pattern Beyond colour, texture and pattern are essential in adding depth to a space. Whether it’s a bold rug or textured wallpaper, the right flooring can help tie a design together. The soft, light tones of our Tanami Oak soften bold elements, while the intricate parquet design of  Hampstead Oak adds visual interest without competing with statement decor. Creating a Cohesive and Colourful Space A well-designed space isn’t just about choosing the right colours - it’s about how each element works together. Light wood tones can brighten a space, making bold colours stand out, while dark wood flooring creates contrast for a more refined look. Thoughtful lighting choices can elevate both your flooring and decor, bringing out the natural beauty of the wood and adding depth to the overall design. Discover our full range of wood flooring here.

When choosing flooring for your home, the material you select can affect both the look and feel of your space, as well as your health and wellbeing. Wood flooring offers much more than just a stylish finish - it creates a healthier environment in ways you might not expect. Mental Wellbeing Natural materials like wood have been shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Wood flooring helps create a calm, restorative atmosphere, perfect for spaces where you want to unwind or focus, such as living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices. Floors like our Isla Oak, with its warm, honey tones, add to this soothing effect, making any room feel inviting and comfortable.    Air Quality and Hypoallergenic Benefits Wood flooring provides numerous benefits that go beyond aesthetics, particularly in improving the air quality of your indoor spaces. It naturally resists dust and allergens, unlike carpets, helping to maintain a cleaner, fresher atmosphere in your home. This hypoallergenic quality makes wood the ideal choice for individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. By choosing a wood floor such as our Burghley Oak, especially in high-traffic areas where outdoor particles are more likely to be brought inside, you can feel confident that your floors are contributing to a healthier, more comfortable environment. Connection To Nature Bringing wood into your home can help you feel more connected to the natural world. In today’s busy, urban environments, incorporating natural elements like wood helps create a peaceful retreat. Light woods such as our Shrewsbury Oak, paired with plants and natural textures, can bring the calmness of nature indoors, helping you feel grounded and relaxed after a long day. Wood flooring does more than just enhance your space - it brings a sense of nature indoors, boosts air quality, and supports your well-being. With hypoallergenic qualities and timeless appeal, whether you're updating your current home or building a new one, it's a smart choice for creating a healthier, more inviting atmosphere. To view our full collection, click here.

As environmental awareness grows, biophilic design is reshaping how we approach our living spaces. Rooted in a deep connection to nature, this design trend promotes sustainability and wellness by integrating natural elements into interiors. Sustainability at the Core At its core, biophilic design emphasises sustainability. As we become more environmentally conscious, choosing sustainable materials has never been more important. Biophilic design celebrates sustainably sourced materials, and flooring is no exception. Here at Atkinson and Kirby, all our wood flooring is sustainably sourced, ensuring both beauty and environmental responsibility. Our engineered hardwood flooring, such as the Easdale Oak uses smaller amounts of the eco-precious hardwoods while maintaining the traditional wood look that enhances any room. A Calming Palette and Connection to Nature Biophilic design is more than a trend—it's a lifestyle that reconnects us to nature, utilising a soothing palette of browns, beige, ivory, and earthy greens to create peaceful, grounded spaces. When paired with natural materials like wood, stone, and plants, this palette transforms any room into a calming retreat. Natural flooring plays a pivotal role, offering both aesthetic and emotional benefits. Our American Walnut, for instance, creates a distinctive warmth and natural beauty that adds character to any room. Alternatively, Rasselas Oak offers a light wood option that combines rustic charm with a coastal feel, creating a sense of calm that complements the soothing qualities of biophilic design. Therapeutic Qualities of Natural Flooring Natural flooring does more than enhance a room’s look; it plays a key role in reducing stress and promoting wellbeing. Whether it’s the raw imperfections of our Dark Finger Jointed Oak, mimicking the earthy calmness of the forest, or the Scandinavian-inspired lightwood of our  Noma Smoked Oak, capturing the peacefulness of a coastal getaway, the natural beauty of these materials creates a sense of grounding in any room. As biophilic design continues to gain momentum, now is the perfect time to embrace the benefits of natural flooring in your home. Whether you’re seeking rustic charm, coastal vibes, or a deeper connection to nature, there’s a natural flooring option that will enhance your interior and create a space that nurtures both mind and body. To explore our full range, please click here

Here at Archwood Group, sustainability is a core part of who we are and how we operate. We understand the importance of transparency, which is why we’re proud to share our most recent sustainability milestones with you. Since joining the UN’s Race to Zero campaign in November 2021, we have been taking action to reduce our carbon footprint and increase transparency. In 2024, we’ve reached several key targets in our journey to Net Zero, including a 66% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions. Here are just some of our most recent achievements: Achieved Planet Mark Certification for the fourth consecutive year, with an impressive 18.3% carbon reduction per employee. We’ve Installed 2,600 solar panels which now provide 40-50% of our annual energy needs - the equivalent to planting over 800 trees. We’ve fully transitioned to 100% renewable energy – a significant step in our efforts to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We’re proud that 98% of the timber we use is FSC/PEFC-certified, and we are on track to reach 100% certification by 2027. We’ve replaced 95% of our forklift fleet with zero-emissions electric trucks and are working toward fully electrifying our HGV fleet by 2030. We recycle 100% of our wood waste for use in animal bedding, cat litter, and site heating and we’ve made great strides in waste reduction, achieving a 40% decrease in waste over the past three years. In 2024, we were honoured to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, the UK’s highest recognition for sustainable business practice. As our brands Richard Burbidge and Atkinson and Kirby, were the only Welsh business to receive this prestigious award, we’re incredibly proud of our team’s hard work and dedication to making a meaningful and lasting impact on our environment. Reflecting on the past year, our Managing Director, Josh Burbidge, describes how we have made significant strides toward achieving our Net Zero goal: “We’ve made great progress on our Net Zero journey, reducing our Scope 1 & 2 carbon footprint by 66% versus our baseline year. This is a fantastic achievement, but there is still much more work to be done. We want to do our part in having a positive impact on the environment and our community. Each one of us plays an important role in our sustainability commitments.”. As we continue our journey towards Net Zero, we remain focused on our long-term goals: 2028: We aim to self-generate 100% of our renewable energy needs. 2029: Will see the decarbonization of our entire HGV fleet. 2030: We are on track to achieve a 50% reduction in total emissions. 2050: Will mark our target year for achieving Net Zero. Download our full 2024 Sustainability Report here. Discover more about our Sustainability Journey here

Interior design is shifting away from constantly changing trends and instead embracing a more sustainable, longer-lasting style. One of the significant shifts in design attitudes is the demand for spaces that positively impact personal wellbeing. Our homes have evolved into sanctuaries, where living spaces are crafted to be beautiful, personalised, and mood-boosting. With this in mind, we’ve predicted the décor and flooring designs we expect to be in full force throughout 2025...  Natural Therapy  As awareness grows about the environmental impact of our choices, biophilic design is shaping the way we approach our living spaces. Rooted in a deep connection to nature, this trend champions sustainability and wellness by integrating natural elements into interiors. Using a calming colour palette of brown, beige, ivory, and earthy greens alongside natural materials bring a sense of grounding to any room. Sustainability lies at the heart of biophilic design, transforming it from a trend into a lifestyle. Handcrafted or repurposed materials are becoming staples, offering authenticity and a reduced environmental footprint. Flooring that celebrates the imperfections of raw woods, such as the Grasmere Oak, are both environmentally friendly and unique in aesthetic. Likewise, Noma Smoked Oak parquet flooring is a white-washed wood that offers a rustic grade and coastal feel against soft textures.    Colour Play  In 2025, we’re expecting a big focus on bold, bright colours and fun, playful accents. It's all about creating spaces that make you smile—whether through vibrant colours, quirky patterns, or unexpected little touches. Think cushions, throws, and eclectic rugs in joyful hues, paired with lively lampshades that add personality and warmth. Pairing muted flooring with minimal knots such as Manoa Oak is the ideal way to enhance bold interiors. And if you’re looking for something that brings a bit of energy and character, Optilock parquet flooring like the Sonoran Oak is s a great choice—it’s easy to install, durable, and adds just the right amount of playfulness to any space.  ModMin  Minimalism will never go out of fashion. Even when the concept of maximalism exploded onto the scene. Scandinavian design is here to stay – and it’s evident that this trend can adapt to remain relevant. Modern minimalism takes the clean, all-white look and warms it up with soft, earthy hues and textured details. It’s all about subtle changes that make a big difference. Swap bright whites for warm tones like stone, oatmeal, beige, or brown. Choose textured and matte finishes over shiny, smooth ones. And instead of synthetic materials, go for organic options like rustic woods. Flooring like Holborn Oak, with its natural grain and matte lacquered finish, feels effortlessly modern and fresh. Or try Grizedale Oak to bring depth and character to any room while keeping the clean, minimalist vibe. It’s minimalism, but with a bit more heart.  Tactile Texture  Texture is a game changer, and it’s one of the top interior design trends 2025 has to bring. Plain walls and ceilings will play second fiddle to more intricate detailing as we seek more sensorial design elements. We’ll see a return of decorative plaster finishes on walls, textured wallpaper designs and thoughtful details like wood panelling. Our Premium Acoustic Panel’s in oiled oak are a a perfect example of how texture can elevate both form and function, adding a warm, rich feel to any room. These panels aren’t just for walls—they’re also perfect for ceilings, where they bring dimension and depth to larger spaces. When it comes to flooring, the tactile trend really shines. Rustic wood options like Wyndham Oak, with its saw marks, knots, and natural splits, bring a sense of authenticity and character underfoot. For something more refined but still rich in texture, Sandur Oak's weathered surface highlights the natural grain, adding warmth and depth to any room. Wellness Spaces As we spend more time at home, many of us are looking for ways to create spaces that help us unwind and feel balanced. There's a growing desire to bring nature inside, and with it, a more relaxed approach to our interiors. This trend is all about embracing an effortless style—one that feels welcoming and soothing without being overly fussy. It’s about finding beauty in the imperfections, and using natural textures and organic shapes to create a space that feels both calming and interesting. Think unique ceramics, asymmetrical lanterns, and wood or stone pieces that add warmth and character to the room. Smoked wood flooring is making a comeback as homeowners pine for mellower and more laidback designs. Atkinson & Kirby’s environmentally certified low maintenance wood flooring means homeowners can incorporate sleek Japandi-inspired designs that are self-sustaining. Wyvis Smoked Oak’s natural tones are timeless and will compliment any décor in years to come.  Dowload our Insights 2025 guide here