There’s a big difference between a house and a home. A house (or, for many of us, it’s a condo or apartment) is simply a roof over your head, a place to sleep, somewhere to cook, and a location to store your stuff. On the other hand, a home embraces you, helps you relax and rejuvenate from your hectic life. It’s a haven that provides a comfortable environment to enjoy with family and friends. Over the years, clients have returned from a vacation and told me they felt more relaxed and comfortable in their hotel room or vacation rental than at home. They crave the experience of “hotel chic” design elements in their home.
A room at Sydney Inn & Suites, Charlottetown, PEI. Photo credit: Jane Veldhoven.There are several design and décor factors that you should consider to make your house feel more like home. “Hotel chic” design elements include a well-curated interior design and a comfortable main bedroom. Of course, since people don’t live in a hotel permanently, there is minimal clutter which inspires that relaxing feeling.
Well-Curated Interior Design
Hotels and vacation rentals usually hire design and décor experts. Talented interior decorators can make a house feel like a home. They carefully choose design elements and combine them using a pleasing colour palette to unify a space. They incorporate comfortable yet stylish furniture and perfectly coordinated decorative accessories to provide a relaxing environment. You can achieve this in your home with time, careful thought, and planning or by hiring a pro.
Comfort in the Main Bedroom
If you stay in a high-end hotel, you will notice how comfortable the mattress and pillows are. And like me, I’m sure you’ll admire the high-quality bedding. My favourite hotel pillows are Down Etc. (Hyatt Hotel). Unfortunately, at this time, they do not ship to Canada. However, I found lovely rayon bamboo sheets at a local furniture store by Brunelli. They are worth every cent. And to achieve that serene hotel chic look, consider solid white sheets, pillows, and duvet cover. Then add accent cushions and a throw blanket to add a pop of colour. Of course, a comfortable mattress is essential, so spend some time at the bedding store trying mattresses to see what works best for you (and your sleeping partner). Consider adding a thick memory foam topper to your mattress to increase comfort.
Zero Clutter
A hotel room contains only things essential to your comfort – and everything has a specific place. Items are returned to their home after guests leave so the room is ready for the next guest. If you can assign a place for every single thing in your home so it is ready the next time you need it, you will have zero (or almost zero) clutter. Remember, the location you assign needs to be logical and give you easy access to what you need.
Minimal Possessions
You must admit that life is pretty simple when you’re living in a small space, and all your possessions are in one suitcase. You don’t have to search for stuff, and because your choices are limited, it’s easy to get dressed, grab what you need, and be on your way. Wouldn’t it be nice if you had that experience at home? Well, I assure you, you can. The easiest way to achieve this lifestyle is to downsize what you own to the absolute essentials. Eliminate “I might need that someday,” “Just in case,” “It’s still in good condition,” and “It was a gift,” and so on. I could keep going, but I think you get the message.
I have embraced “hotel chic” in my house, and I can help you do it too. Reach out for a consultation, and let’s see how we can turn your house into a home.