Hotel lobbies - how to use hotel entrance mats to enhance your interior design
Done well, hotel entrance mats can become a genuine part of your interior design strategy, supporting branding, improving safety and enhancing guest comfort from the very first step inside. Here, we show you how.
First impressions matter. For hotels, the lobby sets the tone for the entire guest experience – and yet one of the most hardworking elements of that space can often be treated as an afterthought. Today, entrance matting systems are no longer just about keeping dirt and moisture at bay.
Entrance mats as a design feature, not a compromise
Modern entrance mats have moved far beyond basic black rubber. Recycled aluminium entrance matting systems, in particular, give hotel operations directors the chance to balance aesthetics, sustainability and performance. At EMS Ltd., these entrance matting systems can be bespoke designed to fit your lobby layout exactly – whether that’s a dramatic revolving door, a wide glass façade or a more intimate boutique entrance. Read what we did for The Nobu Hotel.
Aluminium grid entrance mats can be anodised in a wide range of colours, allowing you to align the matting with your corporate branding or interior palette. With shades of gold, bronze, black, and gunmetal grey, anodising opens up design possibilities without sacrificing durability. For hotels that want a seamless, high-end look, this can make the difference between an entrance mat that blends in and one that elevates the space.
The benefits of anodised entrance matting for busy hotel environments
Anodising isn’t just about colour. It’s a surface treatment that enhances the natural properties of aluminium, making it ideal for high-traffic hotel entrance matting. Anodising has the following benefits:
- Durability - one of the biggest benefits is durability. Anodised aluminium is highly resistant to wear, corrosion and UV exposure – essential for entrances dealing with constant footfall, wheeled luggage and exposure to the weather.
- Colour stability – colour stability is another key advantage. Unlike painted finishes, anodised colours won’t peel or flake, helping your entrance mats look smart for years rather than months.
- Ease of maintenance - from an operational perspective, ease of maintenance is a major win. Anodised entrance matting systems are simple to clean and don’t require specialist products. This keeps maintenance teams happy and reduces long-term upkeep costs, all while maintaining a premium appearance that matches the rest of your lobby design.
- Aesthetics – for building specifiers, anodised grid systems offer a greater design potential, allowing a continuity between the entrance and interior design palettes.
Bespoke entrance mats - including curves and custom shapes
Hotel lobbies are rarely simple rectangles, so your entrance mats shouldn’t be either. Bespoke entrance matting systems can be manufactured in curved shapes or complex layouts to follow architectural lines, sweeping entrances or revolving doors (see our entrance matting for Harvey Nichols in Kuwait).
Where branding is a consideration, custom logo entrance mats can be created. With a discreet logo or a bolder brand statement, logo entrance mats reinforce identity which is particularly valuable for hotel groups with multiple sites.
Hotel entrance mats enhance guest comfort and safety
High-quality entrance mats provide a stable, comfortable surface underfoot, helping guests transition smoothly from outside to inside. This is especially important for guests with accessibility needs, pushchairs or heavy luggage.
Effective entrance matting systems also play a critical role in slip resistance by removing dirt and moisture at the door. This improves safety in the hotel lobby and reduces the risk of accidents, while cleaner floors beyond the entrance also mean less wear on interior finishes, from carpets to stone flooring. Read more on this in Reducing cleaning costs in hospitality venues with high-performance entrance mats.
Hotel entrance mats from EMS Ltd.
At Entrance Matting Systems Ltd., we offer bespoke design options, anodised finishes and the ability to incorporate custom logo mats and curved matting into your design.
EMS Tretford Design Range – the EMS Tretford Design Range is an aluminium entrance matting system that can be recessed or surface-mounted. The range features a premium cashmere infill available in over 40 colours and an aluminium frame that can be anodised in a choice of 8 contemporary shades to suit every aesthetic.
Fully customisable to match your brand, the Tretford Design Range is perfect for branding, logos, and bespoke commercial designs, in environments that demand exclusivity and luxury, alongside durability and sustainability.
Contact us
If you are a hotel operations director who wants to balance brand, performance and long-term value, send us an email to info@entrance-matting.com or call the team on 01205 761757.
