Every time someone steps into one of your hotel rooms, they will instantly begin forming an impression of the establishment. You want your hotel room design to elicit feelings of relaxation, calm, or excitement. You don’t want guests to feel cramped or overstimulated.

To achieve the right balance, you must carefully plan the layout and decor of every room. Here’s everything you need to know. 

What Is Hotel Room Psychology?

Hotel room psychology applies scientific principles to hotel room design. It involves choosing colors and other elements that are correlated with positive feelings and emotions. For example, blue can make guests feel at peace, and green can be soothing. 

You don’t need a degree in psychology to learn these and other concepts. You simply need an understanding of how guests think and what elements make them feel positive emotions. 

What’s the Best Hotel Room Layout?

There are two things you should prioritize in every hotel room design process: spaciousness and functionality. Every item in the room needs to have a purpose. Prioritize items that have a small footprint so you don’t make the room feel cramped or cluttered. 

Choose decor and furniture wisely to ensure guests have ample room to walk around, unpack, relax, and enjoy their stay. The bed should be the centerpiece of most rooms. 

Ensure that your layout is logical as well. Position complementary items and decor in areas that make sense and promote ease of use. Position a desk near a lamp and the window to provide both natural and artificial lighting sources. 

What Hotel Room Colors Should You Use?

Don’t go overboard with your room colors. Choose a palette that matches your hotel theme and brand image. Try to incorporate colors from your logo into the rooms and common areas. 

If your brand colors are too loud or vibrant, it’s okay to deviate from that palette when painting hotel rooms. You want your guests to feel at ease when they return to their room to go to sleep or unwind after a long day of business or fun. 

Tips for Improving Hotel Decor

Here are a few ways to make the decor in your hotel better: 

Be Consistent

You should have a recurring theme throughout your hotel. Include similar colors and palettes in common areas and guest rooms. 

Choose decor and furniture that match your hotel’s style. If you are managing a luxury resort, use high-quality furniture throughout the establishment. If you oversee a popular beach resort, consider marine-centric and beach-related decor like shells, ships, and anchors. 

The entire guest experience needs to be cohesive. Guests should feel like the hotel draws them from one area or activity to the next. 

Prioritize Functionality

Most decor and furniture need a purpose. The exception is wall decor. However, everything else in the room should be functional and aesthetically pleasing. 

Avoid large or bulky furniture that makes the room feel cluttered. Choose items that are sized similarly to provide a consistent experience. 

Use Textures to Add Depth

Layer different textures to enhance the tactile and visual appeal of a room. Consider using a mix of materials like plush rugs, soft throws, velvet cushions, and smooth wood or metal accents. This variety in textures adds depth to the decor and creates a more inviting and luxurious environment.

Textures can also be used to highlight specific areas, such as a cozy reading nook. However, you must be careful not to overuse clashing textures. Doing so can make the room feel too busy and overwhelm the senses. 

Incorporate Adjustable Lights

Use a combination of lights to create a versatile environment that can adapt to different needs and moods. Provide dimmable options so guests can adjust the lighting intensity according to their preferences.

Design rooms with large windows that allow natural light to flood in. Use sheer curtains to diffuse the light softly while offering blackout curtains for those who prefer a darker environment for sleeping. Versatile lighting and curtain arrangements cater to a wider range of guests. 

Hotel Room Design Do’s and Don’ts

Here are a few tips about hotel room design that will help you ensure a great guest experience. 

Do’s of Hotel Room Design

You should always:

• Prioritize Comfort and Functionality: Ensure that every choice contributes to the guest’s comfort 
• Optimize Space and Layout: Maximize the use of space by carefully planning the layout. Use multifunctional furniture and ensure there is ample space for guests
• Use High-Quality Materials and Finishes: Invest in durable, high-quality materials that enhance the room’s aesthetics

Remember, the guest experience is holistic. Just as their impression of every staff member can influence their opinion, every element of room design impacts a patron’s perception of your establishment. One out-of-place element can detract from their experience and tarnish an otherwise exceptional stay. 

Don’ts of Hotel Room Design

Here are a few things that you should avoid during your design process:

• Don’t Overlook Lighting Design: Opt for a layered lighting approach to create a warm and inviting atmosphere 
• Don’t Neglect Soundproofing: Ensure walls, floors, and doors minimize noise from neighboring rooms 
• Don’t Skimp on Maintenance and Cleanliness: Choose finishes and furnishings that are resistant to wear and tear 

The little things matter. Smudges and small amounts of room damage can detract from the guest experience. Invest in high-quality furniture and decor to reduce the risk of damage. You’ll enjoy a long-term reduction in maintenance and cleaning costs. Your rooms will exude quality, elevating the guest experience and helping you leave a great impression on your patrons. 

Master the Art of Hotel Room Design

Hotel room design is equal parts art and science. If you’ve got a knack for cultivating spaces people love, take a deep dive into the layout of your establishment’s rooms and make targeted changes to enhance the guest experience. If you’re not sure what to do, consider bringing in design talent for your hotel. Sometimes, you just need a fresh perspective. 

With a little planning, you can cultivate a better guest experience and leave patrons eager to book their next stay at your establishment.