HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS

Hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, etc have played an enabling role for much of humanity. Taking in a guest into your home/business establishment has not only enabled mankind to traverse unknown regions without getting a frostbite or a heat stroke. But it has also helped enterprising businessmen make money by providing a necessary service.

Throughout history, the idea of hospitality is has developed independently. From the story of “The Good Samaritan” referenced in the Bible, who heled his wounded neighbor to the nearest inn to the ancient Indian tradition of “Atithi Devo Bhava“.

Although modern hospitality is far more varied, it also provides a lot more choices to the guests and one such choice is the interior design and overall aesthetics of the hotel, which can play a decisive role in the success of the hotel & can have a make or break effect on the success of the hotel as well.

In this post, we will break down the various interior designs that one can consider as a hospitality business and the factors that can affect achieving that particular design style.

CLASSIC VICTORIAN STYLE

A great style that has been popular since the turn of the 19th century. Although, since the last century, several contemporary elements have been layered over this interior design theme which offers a lot of flexibility to hoteliers so that they can choose a fusion style of their choice.

Victorian design is characterized by exaggerated curves and curls, ornamentation, broadly light colors on most simple elements contrasted by dark, extravagant materials that adds a tasteful contrast to the interior design. See some popular victorian themed hotels below.

checkered flooring and bright victorian lights at a hotel lobby

LOG CABIN, WOODEN CLAD HOTEL

This is a classic style that can presumably be dated back to the birth of the hospitality industry in itself. Wood has always been widely available and has been used for making not just furniture but also chalets, log cabins & cottages. It is only natural & an aspect attributable to evolution itself that we feel a sense of comfort and security when we’re surrounded by wood and wooden elements.

Resorts are adopting this literally, many are building a series of chalets that are custom made by hand. Hotel owners that are located city side blend a wooden theme by adding furniture pieces, architectural elements like roofing, and flooring made of wood to mimuc a “rustic” & “bucolic” theme.

GLARING & CONTEMPORARY THEMED HOTEL

These interior styles are probably the most common these days. A classic and staple of the hotel in the 21st century. A glaring bunch of lights torch the lobbyway and hotel room from a distance and the polished & crystal clear marble reflects all the lighting around.

Natural lighting is sometimes used in moderation to amplify the “glaring” appeal. Fancy chandeliers, recessed lighting and refracting mediums are used as well.

All furniture, fixtures, and other elements are mostly made in modern metals like stainless steel and some of them are wrapped in bespoke leather to achieve the desired interior styling.

shiny chandeliers at a hotel dining area

MODERN INDUSTRIAL HOTEL STYLE

While industrial restaurant designs are quite popular, hotels adopt a much more subtle approach & rarely opt for a full-blown industrial-themed interior. Most modern variations go for a contemporary style peppered with industrial elements like exposed metal, dim/gloomy lighting to mimic the lighting conditions of the factories from the industrial revolution, but the overall interiors & furniture are largely contemporary.

ART DECO & ART NOVEAU

This style represents a design philosophy that is akin to provincial french styling. The era succeeding the industrial revolution saw the birth of art deco & art nouveau styles that are characteristic of cozy distressed style furniture, light colors, rustic flooring, and a drizzle of luxurious elements without appearing too flashy.

Art Noveau styles also feature a lot of modern materials like stainless glass, brushed aluminum, tufted leather and so on but the overall aesthetics remain cozy, comfortable, and traditional.

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN THEME

The earliest ancestors of mankind can be traced back to modern-day Africa. As such, Africa itself boasts a very strong heritage that’s also a very appealing design style for resorts and coastal hotels.

African themes are exotic, earthy, and reminiscent of the endless plains that span the entire continent, decor pieces made out of bone, wildlife sculptures, African-inspired caved paintings, and beige furniture with African style hand-stitching are some of the ways in which one can theme a hotel room and a hotel lobby.

tribal African interior for hotel entranceways

SCANDINAVIAN/MINIMALIST DESIGN

The recipe for contemporary Scandinavian design is fairly simple and straightforward, use a copious amount of natural light, plenty of spacing without any clutter, and sleek furniture, handicraft, showpieces, and sculptures.

Adding contrast is also a great idea but a bulk of the interiors are required to be light in color. Only a handful of selected furniture pieces are typically made in darker textures and colors.

modern minimalist Japanese hotel loft room

PALATIAL INDIAN DESIGNS

The Indians are known for their hospitality and this becomes quite evident with a simple visit to any popular tourist destination like Jaipur or Udaipur.

The hotels here are made to mimic royal King’s palaces and the emphasis on human skill, craftsmanship, and handiwork for achieving mesmerizing patterns and beautiful intricate designs coupled with vibrant colors and exquisite materials like fine muslin fabric that adorn the hallways, corridors & hotel rooms.

An absolute Indian interior design may very well seem out of place outside India but spin-offs like contemporary Indian designs are great interior themes to opt for any hospitality business. The Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic city is a shining example of this.

dim and vibrant coloured Indian hotel reception

outdoor area of an Iindian hotel with bright interiors

DISTRESSED, COASTAL, & BEACH, DESIGNS

Shabby chic designs are a popular design style for hotels around the world, especially for themed and boutique hotels.

Distressing is a way of artificially imbibing an aged, matured, and vintage look and feel to the furniture, walls, and flooring. This guide details a few ways in which the walls & floors can exude a shabby look.

It is a warm design style that is almost always used in combination with farmhouse, provincial, and euro styles.

outdoor restaurants and patio floor plans