7 Design Tips to Steal From Hotels

Checking into the right hotel can feel like more than just a home away from home. At the right place, it can feel absolutely luxurious… enough that you might not want to leave when check-out time arrives. But who says only a hotel can provide that comfy, cozy, “please don’t let this trip end” feeling? Turns out, you don’t have to go far to get the same level of relaxation — those ritzy hotel elements that help you feel so relaxed can be recreated right at home. These are the design tips you should be stealing from hotels (along with all those tiny soaps).

Mix and Match Furniture

Designers for high-end hotel chains shake up the look of guest rooms by mixing and matching, and for good reason: it’s all about intrigue and saving money. Skipping over matching sets and curating a unique look helps rooms feel lavishly styled and keeps the furniture from feeling dated as trends come and go. You can get the look by picking sofas, tables, chairs, and other furniture that share a color palette, shape, or feature.

Opt-Out of Overhead Lighting

Harsh overhead lighting can feel sterile — more like a hospital than a resort. That’s why hotels often skip overhead lights in favor of wall sconces or corner lamps, which provide a softer glow. Adding layers of lighting to your home with different lamps or features — and using warm LED bulbs — gives off the light you need with the same cozy feel.

Invest in New Art

In the past, hotel chains often bought generic art in bulk to give rooms some visual interest, though that’s no longer the case. Many resorts spruce up their walls with curated, unique pieces that vary from room to room, and you can do the same. Investing in art you love can make your home feel more inviting, give it another layer of personality, and even help you incorporate new colors without investing in an entire room refresh.

Upgrade Your Bedding

You don’t have to just dream of crisp sheets and fluffy down comforters. You can have them at home, too. Simple changes like selecting sheets with a higher thread count or upgrading your lumpy pillows can help you feel more relaxed as you drift off to sleep. And if you always sleep better in a hotel than your own bed, it’s time to look at replacing your mattress, too. Maybe even consider a king bed.

Give Your Bathroom the Spa Treatment

Bathrooms may be the most enjoyed part of a hotel stay. Who can resist the plush towels, bathrobes, or tiny lotion bottles? Upgrading your own linens and bath attire can make every day feel a little more lavish, and adding a scent diffuser or bath salts to your bathroom can replicate the aromatherapy experience. As for the individually wrapped soaps — you don’t have to snag them every time. Instead, invest in a few indulgent soaps or lotions to create a sensory experience five stars above your normal daily shower.

Find Your Home’s Perfect Scent

Hotels often smell remarkably fresh — almost impossibly good. Spoiler: that’s because chains use customized scents to make guests comfortable repeat customers. Knowing that our brains tie smells to memories, many hotels waft custom scents, hoping to create a pleasant association between your trip memories and their guestbooks. Candles, diffusers, or even a lightly scented wall plug-in can have the same effect at home, so long as it feels relaxing and luxurious to you.

Add in Flowers and Foliage

The lobby is a hotel’s first stop at making a lasting impression on guests — typically going for something like “we keep everything fresh and clean!” That’s why fresh floral arrangements are commonly found near the check-in desk. You don’t need a green thumb to add the same element to your home; displaying fresh flowers can be as easy as filling a vase and popping them inside. And, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Placing a cheap grocery store bouquet in a focal-point location (like a kitchen island, dining table, or coffee table), can add brightness to your living space for far less than one night at a luxury resort.