The hotel industry is always working to update and evolve to enable a fine experience for their guests. With societal, environmental changes that alter consumer demands, the hotels too have to accommodate the changes. This translates constantly updating their infrastructure and designs to keep up with the needs of their guests and the latest trends. 

Especially since the pandemic hit, hotels have had to make significant changes in their design and functionality to ensure a safe environment for the consumers, encouraging business. Be it covid 19, or the technological wave, social factors have a lot of influence on hotels and even their interior design. 

From biophilic influences to multipurpose spaces, certain interior design trends are ruling the hotel industry at the moment. Here is a roundup of some of the fastest growing trends in hotel interior design to watch out for: 

RETHINKING THE LOBBIES 

The simple coffee tables and sofas no longer suffice in hotel lobbies. The lobby is the first place that the guest walks into, influencing the first impressions of the hotel, making it rather important. Therefore, hotels are focusing on creating lobby areas that are not just plain simple spaces but an experience or a spectacle to say the least. To transform lobbies into focal points of the hotel, designers have been coming up with creative solutions. From hi tech lobbies giving a unique experience, to nature themed ones, setting it apart in comfort, there are a lot of different ideas to go by.  Hotels are also adding bars, or coffee stations to the lobbies to create a more welcoming and friendly environment, as well as serve as an additional socializing point. 

BIOPHILIA ON THE RISE 

Biophilic design is trending as is. The drive for a more eco friendly approach as well as the need for proximity to nature, have both been motivators in the pursuit of hotels to create biophilia friendly designs. The advent of the covid virus, has echoed the need for such design as people are looking to be closer to nature after being restricted to their homes most of the time. Naturally changes have been made to accommodate the new demand. 

This has meant incorporating greenery within guest rooms, in the lobbies, and even on the exterior. Vertical gardens, in particular, have been a popular pick. There is also an increased focus on wellness areas centered on nature like design to create a relaxing and comforting experience for the guests. To know more on biophilic design in hospitality, read our blog here. 

TECH BOOSTED EXPERIENCE

Another trend that has been especially uproaring in the past few years, and is only expected to grow in the integration of technology. This has given rise to the pursuit for “smart hotels” or “smart guest rooms''. As the technological wave and the IoT technology is taking over the world, it’s  bound to make its way to hotels as well enabling futuristic designs. In particular, smart technology has been in demand by consumers and designers alike. This is to utilize technology to create centrally controlled features for a space.

From fixtures to electronics, everything is tied into a single network, usually controlled by a tablet or mobile phone to make it simpler. This has allowed for a more comfortable user experience, appealing especially to the digital loving millennial crowd, ultimately beneficial for business. 

WFH = WORK FROM HOTEL 

Since the covid pandemic hit, people across the globe have had to be restricted to their homes. Even when there were no lockdowns, the work from home culture has had to continue as a precaution. In such a situation, people are experimenting with their remote work locations. A lot of people are temporarily moving to different environments, or just take trips as they work. Considering this new situation, hotels are accommodating to the needs of their guests.

For some this has simply meant creating a work station within the rooms, while some have taken to developing comfortable work spaces in the lobbies, and even coworking spaces/business centers within the premises, for guests to use. This allows them to work remotely, while enjoying a break away from their home. 

RESTAURANTS RE IMAGINED 

Restaurants in hotels can longer be simply for utility purposes rather than an extraordinary place in itself. Studies have noted that guests are more likely to remember and return to places where they have had an immersive and unique environment as opposed to a regular one. Hotel restaurants are thus reinventing the restaurants with new concepts and designs. This creates a positive and unique dining experience for the guests that they would remember and like to return to in the future as well.

Outdoor dining especially is becoming a popular pick in the reinvention as people fear indoor dining due to covid. Be it bubble dining, or themed restaurants, reimagining restaurants is bound to bring in a crowd, even if not to stay, helping boost business and give the guests a good experience. 

THEMED GUEST ROOMS 

Themed guest rooms are yet another interior design trend that has been improvising hotels all over. The idea is to create designs that are different from the typical white beige hotel rooms that we are familiar with. Instead designs are created with different aesthetics and themes in mind. Be it a fun tropical or a somber country life, each theme presents a different surrounding giving the guests a different experience. One theme can be used to transform a certain number of rooms or different themes can be mixed up for different rooms to give guests an array of options to choose from. Having themes creates an exquisite experience for the guests, breaking the monotony. 

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

The clientele looking to take  a longer break as they work remotely is increasing. People are looking for a change of scenery by moving to homestays and hotels for relatively longer breaks. In such a scenario, the hotel room has had to serve as a home away from home. Therefore rooms have had to be refurbished to be more comprehensive. This has meant inclusion of extra seating spaces such as couches or sofas, a necessary work desk and in some places even small kitchenettes fit into the rooms to give guests all they need right in their room. Some hotels have even come up with comprehensive suite-like rooms for guests sto inhabit in, as they take a break from their everyday lives. 

SUSTAINABILITY AT HEART 

The most important amongst the changes in hotel interior design is the more sustainable outlook. Designers and hotels alike are looking to utilize building materials that are more sustainable and eco friendly. The consumers too are more environmentally conscious than ever, which makes them favor hotels with sustainable choices and practices over conventional ones. Hotels have embraced this drive for sustainability by reinventing their methods.

While some have utilized renewable sources of energy like solar power to control energy consumption, many have swapped the traditional building materials. Eco friendly and recycled materials being used to create stunning designs that help the environment too. Repurposed iron, steel, wood, glass amongst many others are being utilized for construction. Practices such as proper waste management and recycling programmes are equally proving effective and pleasing to consumers as well. 

BRING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE 

A running trend in hotel interior design is to combine the outdoors with the indoors. This is amplified by guests giving preference to nature embracing designs and even locations that are more enveloped in nature as opposed to in cities. Therefore,interior designers are accommodating this need. This has translated to creation of balconies, and patios alongside rooms to give  a pocket to the outdoors for guests. More open designs and layouts are being embraced to make one feel comfortable and arid. Ceiling to floor glass doors, are yet another great addition to give a peek to the outdoors even when there isn't the possibility to create a separate outdoor space. This has also meant the use of more natural materials, such as wood, bamboo, cork, and metal in the interiors for a natural effect. 

Concluding, here is a round up of 10 of the fastest growing trends in hotel interior design. From biophilic designs to more sustainable approaches, the hotel industry interior design is walking into a new era altogether, opening its doors to futuristic possibilities and more responsible designs.