The best hotels in the world offer an environment in which visitors can relax. Whether that’s courtesy of an insanely big bed, stacked high with goose down cushions, or having a roll top bath in one’s room, there is often a clever interior designer and team behind the creation of these ultra luxurious homes away from home.
“With busy lives, people want to be transported somewhere really special and feel cocooned away from it all—that’s what a good hotel environment offers,” says interior designer Nicola Harding, who has worked on London’s Beaverbrook Townhouse and The Rose in Deal. “For example, I love rich tones without too much contrast to create a welcoming atmosphere and a sense of indulgence.”
While booking into a boutique hotel isn’t an everyday luxury, there are ways in which we can enjoy the look and feel of some of the best ones by imbuing our own homes with some savvy design choices, straight from the experts.
Don’t be afraid to get things made
While working on The Zetter Townhouse, his most recent hotel project, interior designer James Thurstan Waterworth came across some unique antique fabrics that weren’t enough to make into curtains, but were too special not to incorporate somewhere in the design. “I was in Istanbul and found the most amazing 19th century Turkish dressing gown, which was ripped to shreds but the colours were amazing,” he explains. “The only thing I could really do with it was make it into a lamp shade, which now looks incredible.”
Likewise, he found old “dilapidated” dresser bases and enlisted his joiner to adapt them into mini bar doors for a characterful way to access that evening gin and tonic. So keep an eye out for interesting buys at flea markets and online (eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Vinterior, are great places to shop) and if they’re not quite right, work with a professional to give them a new lease of life—you can do it with pretty much anything, and the best part is no one else will have them too.
Your bed needs to be comfortable (and chic too)
“When we worked on all the Soho Houses [Waterworth was formerly European design director at the group], Nick Jones always said that you’ll spend about 10 hours in your hotel bedroom, eight of which are in bed, so the bed itself has to be the thing you spend your money on,” says Waterworth. “You spend more time on your mattress than you will any other space in your house.”
As well as investing in a good mattress, consider the bedding you’re sleeping in too. A duvet that has the right TOG rating for the season you’re in (look for between 1-4.5 in summer and 10-13.5 in winter) is key, and so are breathable sheets that are suitably beckoning. When it comes to pillows, you’ll find that goose down offers a medium to firm feel and comfort levels to match those found in a hotel.
Electrics are key!
“I travel a lot for work, so I’m actually an expert in what makes a bad hotel room,” laughs Bryan O’Sullivan, the mastermind behind The Maybourne Riviera and Claridges restaurant. “The one that drives me more berserk than anything else is not having a light switch system that makes sense. There should always be a switch beside the bed that turns everything off.” If you’ve ever found yourself going slightly insane as you try and work out how to nail the simple task of turning the light off while staying in a hotel, you aren’t alone. When considering your own house, he recommends making sure you’ve got plenty of plug sockets and well-placed light switches to hand—really, they’re the height of luxury.
Lamps and other electrics can make all the difference to a room, too. O’Sullivan notes that a good quality reading light near the bed is an essential, while layering your lighting—instead of relying on the dreaded main light—can ensure a calm, peaceful space to reside in. And a good hack for those in the planning stages of creating their bathroom? “When we renovated our apartment, we also put a sensor in the bathroom, which picks up when you walk in,” says O’Sullivan. “A really faint light comes on that doesn’t disturb anyone sleeping in a nearby room when you go to the toilet in the night.”
Have fun with fabric
“Combining checks and stripes is a brilliant way of adding depth and pattern in a really easy way,” says Harding. “They are a magic ingredient that we use in so many of our projects.” Layer them on top of each other or juxtapose them with more detailed or complicated patterns to create a sense of contrast and fun in your room.
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Bathroom storage is crucial
Storage is super important—most of us need adequate space for our skincare products, whether we’re at a hotel or home. “You can never have enough bathroom storage—it’s nice to have everything hidden away but easily accessible, because you need to get those products out twice a day.” O’Sullivan is a big fan of a medicine cabinet, often incorporating a large, full-length cabinet—complete with drawer organisers—in the spaces he designs.
How to work with art
When Emma Lang, art consultant and founder of Sota, is working on hotels like the soon-to-open The Newman, one of the key things she considers is what she her fellow interior designer want to communicate through the artwork. At home, ask yourself what your intentions are for the room. “I would suggest focusing on finding a statement piece, like a linen-on-canvas painting, as these can make the space feel aspirational but homely,” she says. “They tend to be really high quality.”
If you don’t have much wall space, mini art can work really well, especially if it’s full of texture. Experiment with where you place it: “Every space is ripe for art—obviously take into consideration fireplaces and radiators that can be potentially hazardous for some works—but I like to include some in every nook and cranny.”
Sota is a great place to look for affordable art by thousands of different artists (there’s an incredible selection), but you can also find great artwork at auction, markets and online, plus—budget allowing—Lang also recommends considering commissioning pieces by artists you love. “For anyone just getting started in the world of art, I always suggest following interesting designers, curators and influencers in the space, whether that’s Katy Hessel, Sophie Ashby or Lind + Almond.”
Create a comfy seating area
If you have space, small seating areas—or even just a comfortable armchair and footstool—can be a great addition to your bedroom. “It’s nice to have the option if you or a guest just wants to relax in their room,” says O’Sullivan. “When we’re doing clients’ houses, a lot of them want a coffee station in their bedroom so they can get up and make a drink each morning before even leaving their bedroom.”
Dress your windows
When designing a hotel room, O’Sullivan tends to opt for window dressings that are slightly simpler, in neutral tones. “It’s my personal preference, but I feel like when you’re spending a lot of time in a room like that, it’s nice for it to feel fresh, calming and serene,” he explains. “Your bedroom should be your own oasis, a place where you can start to wind down—which is hard enough as it is!” Neutral colour palettes and earthy tones in textural fabrics get the thumbs up from him.
This story was first published by British Vogue.
