But while a permanent five-star vacation can’t be ours, we’re delighted to say taking interior design lessons from the creators of top-tier hotels is possible. Get cues from them and you can enjoy luxe and fabulous looks within your own four walls. Read on to profit from the expertise of the designers of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels. See: Interior design tips – decorating secrets for the world’s top experts
1. Satisfy every sense in an interior
Kit Kemp, the co-owner and Creative Director for Firmdale Hotels (opens in new tab), explains that a room should satisfy every sense, and with her ‘first love’ – textiles – she combines textures, colors and patterns to achieve this goal. How each is used is key, she explains on her blog (opens in new tab). ‘For example, heavy weaves on chairs and sofas, lighter linens on cushions and curtains. We often mix and match the old and new. For example, using contrast trims and found fabrics to upholster furniture. A room should have many layers and textures.’
2. Choose statement lighting
Bold lighting is part of the signature style at Soho House, and two of the lead designers, Ben Neville and Harriet Liley, have shared the secret of choosing a shade for a bedroom interior that’s key to getting the look. ‘We like using gathered linen or silk shades, and we’re currently enjoying natural materials such as raffia or rattan, too,’ they say on Soho Home (opens in new tab). ‘Our rule of thumb when pairing shades and bases is that the height of the shade should be about three-quarters the height of the base. And the width of the shade is roughly equal to the height of the lamp, from base to fitting. Finally, opting for a shade half an inch wider than the base on both sides will help keep the whole piece looking balanced.'
3. Showcase a star piece
British designer Kelly Hoppen has created interiors for hotels around the world including London’s Claridge’s, the Lux Hotel Resort in Mauritius, and Cuixmala in Mexico. In each interior, Kelly has taught us, a star choice is crucial to the design. ‘Every room needs an impacting piece that screams our style and delivers a surprise,’ she says on her blog (opens in new tab). ‘Impact offers a very public display in a private space, for the enjoyment or amusement of all that enter it. ‘Your star piece can be anything you desire – a brave piece of art or furniture; a dazzling chandelier that drops three floors down a spiral stairwell; an injection of colour; a sumptuous fabric; or a tactile texture. Whatever you choose, you must love the statement you’re making and be delighted to live with it.’
4. Boost natural light
One of the world’s most recognizable interior designers, Nate Berkus is the talent behind a 1,000 square foot signature suite in Manhattan’s Loews Regency hotel. And right now he’s bringing his interior design skills to Celebrity Cruises’ newest ship, which has also enlisted Gwyneth Paltrow as its wellbeing advisor. Nate’s shown us that a mirror is an essential starting point to take advantage of daylight in interiors. ‘I have always recommended investing in a beautiful old mirror,’ Nate says on his website (opens in new tab). ‘And the main reason is that no matter your interior design style, you’re always going to find a space for a crusty, gilded mirror. ‘If you position it across from a window, or over a console with even a single candle burning, it’s really going to help make the most out of the light in that room.’
5. Use art to express the story
California-based and internationally recognized interior designer Kelly Wearstler has designed properties for the likes of Cameron Diaz and Gwen Stefani, while her hotel designs including for Viceroy, and the Avalon Beverley Hills have proved highly influential. The celebrated designer, who designed the dining room above, has shared the lesson of how important art can be in expressing the sensibility of an interior. ‘Every element, every touchpoint in a design should connect to the narrative inherent to the overall experience of a space,’ she says on Insta (opens in new tab). ‘Art has a unique ability to express the story.’
6. Give guest bedrooms hotel style
Internationally renowned London-based design studio Todhunter Earle (opens in new tab) is known for its designs for boutique hotels – like luxury English country hotel Dormy House – as well as homes worldwide. Founder Emily Todhunter shared with us a valuable lesson on designing guest bedrooms: ‘When staying with someone, it’s a bonus if there is a comfortable armchair or sofa. It creates a lovely place to read or nap, or take in a beautiful view.’ Follow her lead to make guests welcome, but it’s a strategy you’ll want to use for your own bedroom, too, to treat yourself to hotel luxe.
7. Style a bed perfectly
How to style a bed as it would be in a five-star hotel? Renowned interior designer and Director of Design for Rocco Forte Hotels Olga Polizzi has the answer. ‘There should be four pillows on the bed – possibly a combination of down, feathers and non-allergenic pillows,’ she shared on Rocco Forte Hotels (opens in new tab). ‘The bedspread should be placed in such a way as to cover the gap between the mattress and the bed base and the top third of the bedspread should be folded back on itself. The duvet should be pulled up to approximately 25cm (10 inches) from the head of the mattress. Scatter cushions should be centered in front of the pillows, slightly on a slope.’
What does a hotel interior designer do?
A hotel interior designer has the challenging task of creating spaces that are both beautiful, comfortable and welcoming, but also practical, safe and functional. They will do this by using floorplan designs to work out the space needed, and by choosing color and lighting schemes, and decorations that reflect the hotel’s ethos.
