Can’t travel? How hotel design should be influencing your interiors at home
Some of the world’s best design can be found in hotels. Here’s how to bring it home.
If COVID-19 has taught us anything it’s that our homes are more sacred than ever — and that long-haul travel is likely off the cards for the near future. But if holidaying to far-flung destinations is your modus operandi, there are still ways to bring that out-of-office mode to your everyday, without leaving the country.
Hotel design has always been a hallmark of great architecture and covetable interiors. Often showcasing locally made furniture and art, hotels have become design icons in their own right, and for some, prove a veritable destination in themselves.
The Kelly Wearstler-designed Proper hotels in California, the famed and ornate Ritz-Carlton in Paris and Florence’s Villa San Michele, whose design is credited to Michelangelo himself, are just a few hotels which have gained something of a cult status for their covetable design and unique interiors. In Australia, textile wizard Anna Spiro‘s prints at Cabarita Beach’s Halcyon House, Tamsin Johnson’s modern take on beachy design at Raes and the midnight tones of Jackalope in Victoria have inspired countless copycats. So, how can you bring a taste of your holiday home?
When emulating hotel style, there are a few key elements to remember. Namely, quality over quantity. Hotels are designed for transit, which means less fuss and clutter. Translating this to a house is difficult (especially with children!) but proves something of a must in order to achieve the laid back, clean cut nature of a hotel space. Even with maximalist furniture or ornate decor, keep the details simple and let the design shine.
Second, it’s all about the location. While it might not be possible to actually move house, there are ways to bring the outside in or improve your exterior spaces to align them more with a holiday feeling. Use indoor plants to your advantage; placing large-leaf varieties like elephant ears or rubber plants around the house, especially in bathrooms, will provide a touch of the outdoor and give the space a relaxed and tropical vibe. Likewise, covering unsightly fencing in backyards and ensuring there’s plenty of greenery in courtyards or gardens will give your exterior a touch of wilderness.
Next, go beyond just the design. Hotels are fully immersive, with everything from the scents to the textures well considered for guest comfort. High-end candles give off a distinct scent, and placed correctly around the house will fill each room with a signature aroma. Similarly, freshly cut flowers add instant life, and good quality bed linens and fluffy towels (with a matching robe, of course) are integral parts to the hotel experience.
Bathrooms are key in hotels. With such limited space, bathroom design often takes centre stage, and in luxury hotels it’s all about marble. Embrace marble in your own bathroom and invest in quality, statement pieces that’ll add serious luxury appeal.
Lastly, to emulate the feeling of an opulent lobby, ensure your entrance space is up to scratch. As the first place you and your guests see upon entering your home, it’s an important first impression — no matter whether you’re coming home after a long day or welcoming friends. Make the entryway as spacious as possible by removing any clutter, using cupboards or sideboards to clear away mess. A simple console table styled with some favourite art pieces is more than enough to greet and grab attention.
Even though a mini fridge in the bedroom might be a tad unrealistic, taking a holiday in your home isn’t too far off reality with just a few tweaks.