Catering to the changing consumer psyche of spending over experiences, hotels now focus on enhancing their aesthetics and opt for theme-based decor. Sonia Sood shares a few looks
The hospitality business is one of the thriving businesses in India. Despite experiencing a sluggish period with the occurrence of the pandemic, the industry is focusing on revival now. They are coming with state-of-the-art solutions to boost their business and increase the footfall.
In an attempt to adopt innovative way outs, they increasingly focus on hotel art and decor. The industry and decor have an inseparable connection. Hotels across categories are recognised for their ambience and decor. They are preferred for their visually appealing interiors. Catering to the changing consumer psyche who now prefer spending their finances over experiences; hotels now focus on enhancing the aesthetics of their property and opt for theme-based decor.
They not only enhance the beauty of the rooms but also adorn the walls, the public spaces, in-house eateries, and other guest visiting zones with traditional interiors, modern decor and artsy masterpieces.
Here are10 hotel decor themes to look forward to this year.
Vocal for local
The vocal for local strategy has been adopted in the hotel business as well. There has been a shift from modern art decoration to local artistic designs. The properties will now stress on highlighting the local art and architecture and will exhibit the same in their interiors.
This will not only enhance the brand image but hotels will also be able to adorn their interiors with the expertise of the local artisans. From the customer’s perspective, they will be in for a treat as for them stay in such hotels will be value for money. Additionally, the local flavor in the hotel’s interiors will also boost the industries of the region.
Glamping
It is a refined term for glamorous camping. This refers to the plush tent or yurt stays that offer high-end furnishing, superior restroom facilities and plush interiors. The hotels will be focusing to offer glamping experiences to their guests as these will offer stylish decor at its prime.
Simplicity is the key
Gone are the days when hotels used to stress on eye-popping and attention-seeking interiors. The hoteliers now focus on adorning their property with simplistic designs. Minimalism is the new fad. Hence, they prefer less patterned designs and vibrant colours and opt for soft hues and pastel shades along with textures.
They have realised that creating a cosy environment with minimal designs radiate elegance and hence the customers are able to gather a memorable experience.
The homey touch
With the work from home and workcation trends picking up pace, the hotels are focussing on creating a homey environment, especially in their rooms. Guests prefer staying for long and have to work during their stay. Having a homey environment is their criteria while they book any property.
Hence, the hotels are extending a plush yet home away from experience. Wood furnishing, carpets, curtains, fireplace, TV unit set up, music playing technology are imbibed to ensure that the customers get a homely environment.
Go green and natural
In order to support the go green initiatives, hotels are now giving a natural look and feel to their interiors with nature-themed decor. Opting for green walls and roofs along with the planting of green grass, stone-based decorations, indoor waterfalls, and wood-themed decor is something that they are inclined towards now.
Sustainable art and interiors
Sustainability is a prime area for hotels and they wish to minimise their short-term expenditure. There is indeed a cut throat competition and hence they aim to have unique interiors that will demarcate them from the other competitive properties.
Over-sized windows to allow natural light and sun rays to enter, construction with natural building materials, setting up recycling processes of the natural resources for guests, coming with smart and tech-savvy electronic faucets, providing organic locally grown food are a few of the tactics that they are adopting.
Personalised spaces
Customers have been long awaiting their stay in the hotels. Now with unlocking and working with the new normal, they are opting to stay for a long stretch at the hotel properties. Hence, hoteliers are now leaning towards personalising the spaces as per the guests’ requirements.
They are coming up with strategies like theme-based guestrooms, customisation and personalisation features with the help of the relevant decor.
Technology-driven decor
Being technologically advanced is the need of the hour in the present modern times. There are certain categories of guests that desire to be connected with technology despite being on a vacation. They desire to have tech-savvy rooms and hence the hotels also design and decorate certain rooms the techie way.
Adjustable lighting, air conditioning, window blinds, electronic door lock and key system, smartphone or tablet-driven features in the rooms along with tablet check-in and check-out processes extend the requisite tech experience.
Recycling art
Keeping into consideration to minimalise the wastage of natural resources, the hotels are now focusing on inculcation of recyclable art in their decor. This trend has recently picked up and will continue to grow in the coming months.
Reusing and recycling the materials and transforming them into decor is indeed unique. Glass bottles used for lighting, vintage windows, and doors used as decor, transforming paper tubes into tables, chairs, wall decorations, mosaic marble art, are some of the ways how hotels are reusing and recycling materials.
Story-based themes
Hoteliers have incorporated the storytelling format in the art and decor of their properties as well. Understanding that stories attract customers and also touch their emotional and sensitive side, they lean towards incorporating story theme-based decor. Not only does it exhibit their creativity and innovation but also provides the guests a vibrant and intriguing environment.
Realising the value of hospitality art, the hoteliers are collaborating with museums, boutique art firms, designers, and painters, and are also roping in art and decor experts to extend a luxurious stay with grand interiors and aesthetic decor. While there are various themes in 2021, it is anticipated that local art, tech-based decor and minimalism will rule. This makes the future of hospitality art and decor promising.
(The writer is founder and director, Karabi Art Community.)
