Do’s and donts for hospitality sector design

As you design for the hospitality sector, you may have to bear in mind multiple factors to  ensure that the building offers a safe, pleasant and comfortable stay to the visitors while enhancing the brand value of your client. Be it a hotel or a resort, it is important to create a good first impression with the visual appeal of the space while ensuring that the customer enjoys and recommends the space to his or her friends and family based on their experience of the amenities, safety and comfort that you can offer. Thus, it is a mindful balance of both visual and spatial planning that will help you create a good design and we list some do’s and don’ts that will make this task easier:

1. Avoid too many colours or patterns 

While a hotel or a resort might be a place where a person would want to have a fun and relaxing time with their friends or family, it is never a good idea to have too many colours or patterns in the decor. It is ideal to go for a pleasant colour palette- something that would either align with the branding of the hotel or something that would depict a theme or a concept that you have in mind for the building. Using jarring colours, too many or too few patterns can make the experience unpleasant for the users. This challenge can be addressed by creating a vision board with the theme, colour combinations, layering of patterns and textures as it will help you achieve the perfect balance between playfulness and elegance without compromising the aesthetic of the space or the comfort of the users.

2. Choose the right upholstery 

The upholstery plays a key role in determining the appearance, cleanliness and hygiene of the place. If you have a colourful theme for your walls, try to opt for minimalistic upholstery and vice-versa. It is ideal to go for mute colours like white, beige, off white etc as they are easy to clean and maintain. You can add colourful cushions, runners etc to add a splash of colour and quirk to the space. It is also advised to always have layering in the curtains for the rooms with a mix of sheer and blackout curtains for the comfort and safety of the guests. 

3. Make the reception welcoming 

The reception area is the face of your design, hence, it must depict the theme, opulence and ethos of the brand immediately. Depending on factors like the kind of hotel, scale of operation, theme etc., you can choose the best material and finishes to make the space look grand and welcoming. It should also be easy to navigate and visitors should have clear and easy access to the reception. Washrooms,  a small cafe or dining area and a waiting area must be easily accessible from the reception.  It is also the space where the guests would wait, lounge or relax at, so ample and comfortable seating must be accommodated. 

4. Ensure controlled access and circulation 

The circulation should be planned so as to have control, while making it easy for guests to navigate. They should be able to reach the different amenities with the help of appropriately placed signages and little personal assistance. Many times, there can be kids and older people who may find it hard to navigate on their own, hence the circulation must be simple and centred around the reception so that one can get any assistance that they may need instantly. 

Safety and security is one more thing that you must prioritise as you design a hospitality space. There should be controlled access to the rooms and anyone going to the private area of the hotel must pass through the reception in order to prevent entry of intruders. There should be controlled access to the kitchen, laundry area, private dining areas for guests, amenities like swimming pool, spa etc. 

5. Opt for the right finishes 

A space like a hotel or a resort is exposed to a lot of floating visitors and guests, due to which, it is very important to maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of the place. It is also important to maintain the space in a good condition to retain the quality of service offered to the guests. Hence, it is important to choose finishes that are elegant, long lasting and easy to maintain. GlossMeister is a range of highly reflective glossy laminates from Merino Laminates and comes in a wide range of colours and patterns. This is a great choice for wall finishes, wardrobes, bar counters etc., as it is scratch resistant,  easy to clean and gives a very sophisticated finish. 

Apart from this, you can choose simple, easy to use and replace accessories and the latest sanitary and electrical fittings to enhance the user experience. Adding layered lighting with beautiful fittings further enhances the overall appeal of the space.  

We hope that these simple pointers help you create a welcoming and relaxing stay that ultimately makes the brand stand out. A great hospitality design doesn’t just make one feel at ease, but it leaves them with a positive feeling to come back time and again, and this can be possible with a mindful design and impeccable service.