The Growing Influence of Residential Design on Hospitality Spaces

In these evolving times, leaders in the hospitality industry have transformed their venues into multifunctional sanctuaries. Hospitality venues now combine comfort, work, leisure, food, and drink. As many venue owners look to give new experiences, the hospitality industry is increasingly incorporating more parts of residential design principles into their spaces to create venues that feel both familiar and inviting. 

How is Residential Design Influencing Modern Hospitality Environments?

The use of residential design isn’t a new concept. It’s a tried and tested method that has been used in recent years in the set-up of modern hospitality venues to help guests feel more comfortable at home at a venue. 

While there is no one size fits all method to residential design, it usually incorporates homely elements such as warmth and familiarity, rather than the sterile feel of some commercial spaces. 

By adding in residential-type elements to hospitality venues such as cosy nooks, open-plan kitchens, and personalised décor, interior designers are reimagining what hospitality venues can be used for. In doing so, they’re helping to forge emotional connections with visitors, making them feel more at ease and welcomed than ever before.

What Elements of Home are Being Integrated into Hotels and Restaurants?

Interior design plays an important role in the hospitality sector. It’s all about creating warm and inviting spaces that can make visitors feel at home. By incorporating home-inspired elements such as cosy nooks, open plan layouts and personalised décor, interior designers can curate a practical and visually appealing venue that reflects the brand’s identity and makes guests feel welcome. 

Some elements have become more prominent than others recently including:

Living Room Areas

The design of the lobby area can really set the tone for your venue. Everything from the style, material, and finish of furniture and fixtures should align with the venue’s concept and make guests feel welcome. For example, cosy leather couches and ambient lighting would be fitting for a modern hotel in London’s Shoreditch area, whereas more regal furnishings and fixtures may be better suited for central London. 


Open-Plan Layouts

Many modern homes now feature open-plan layout designs, and we are seeing this more and more in the hospitality sector with the likes of open kitchens in restaurants that show meals being prepared.

Personalised Décor

Customised furniture, branded tableware and unique décor in modern hospitality venues really help to set apart the venue from the competition, giving the space its own character. 

Natural Materials

Guests love nothing more than having comfort and luxury at a hospitality venue and it’s all in the materials. Natural, tactile materials like rattan, jute and bamboo evoke a sense of calm and can be incredibly welcoming. 

Why is Creating a 'Home Away from Home' Atmosphere Crucial for Hospitality Venues?

When you think about home, you think about things that comfort you. This is important for hospitality venues as it can help to improve customer satisfaction and foster a sense of loyalty. While dining out or travelling can be fun and exciting, the comforts of home are sometimes missed. 

By creating a home-like environment, you can help your guests to relax and feel comfortable, which is important for travellers on the road. Travellers that feel a sense of comfort, belonging and familiarity can turn into repeat visitors, which is important for the success of your hospitality business. 

But that’s not all. A home away from home atmosphere can also leave a lasting impression, making your venue stand out from the crowd. 

How Do Residential Aesthetics Enhance the Guest Experience in Restaurants?

Restaurants now are now utilising residential aesthetics to improve the guest experience in their space. Spaces can be used for a variety of purposes, and the choice of furniture, fixtures, and equipment can make diners feel more relaxed and at ease, similar to an experience they’d have at home.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

What are the Benefits of Incorporating Residential Features into Hospitality Spaces?

  • Enhanced comfort – guests feel most comfortable when they’re in familiar environments. By adding in homely elements to your venue, you can make your guests feel at ease no matter what.

  • Fosters an emotional connection – any atmosphere that reminds a customer of home will form a much stronger bond, fostering a strong emotional connection and enhancing brand loyalty.

  • Improved functionality – residential design is all about comfort and this can translate really well into hospitality spaces as it can help to make them more functional and user friendly.

  • Unique identity – the combination of residential and hospitality design elements are great for making your venue stand out from the crowd.  


What Challenges Do Designers Face When Merging Residential and Hospitality Styles?

  • Safety and Compliance – any hospitality venue should take their health and safety seriously and this may limit the design choices that are available to them.

  • Durability of products – hospitality spaces get a much higher foot traffic than the home so designers need to take this into consideration before selecting materials as they will want them to strike the right balance of durability and comfort.

  • Budget constraints – furnishings that are high quality usually come with a high price tag and this can make it difficult to achieve the desired look.

Conclusion

As the hospitality landscape evolves, so must its design principles. By adding in homely elements and embracing customer satisfaction, hospitality venues can create warm and welcoming experiences that speak with customers. As we look into the future, the boundaries of residential design in hospitality will continue to be pushed, resulting in spaces that can inspire, delight and captivate guests from every walk of life. 

SP3 London excels in delivering high-end interior design projects, encompassing FF&E, OS&E, design management, and more. To learn how we can assist with your project, contact us today.


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Shona Patel