Hotel Decoration (II)

The Interior Design of Hotels (II)

Furnishing and Decoration of Hotels

In hotels, the quality of the furniture should be proven, able to withstand a heavy use.

The Hotel Lobby

The main entrance is essential for the first impression to the guests, which should be enjoyable. A complete lobby should always have armchairs, sofas and coffee tables. It can also include desks with seats.

The Furniture in the Reception

The reception desk should be located in a place where it can be quickly and easily identified by an entering client, on his way to the elevators and stairs. A storage tray below the counter top is always desirable. Normally, the counter of the reception ought to contain, at least, the following sections:

• porter's desk
• caretaker's desk (it can also have a separated counter)
• key-box, normally associated with the distribution of correspondence, behind the counter.

It is also possible to include a cash desk, a switchboard, a safe, monitors, vending of stamps, post boxes, a clock, etc.

The Furniture in the Rooms

In the lounges, the furniture usually consists of armchairs and low coffee tables. The multipurpose halls can be used for dance, banquets, conferences or exhibitions, simply by replacing some furniture and covering the pavement with the right materials for every use. These halls can also incorporate sliding screens that allow the partition of the space.

The Furniture in Bars and Restaurants

The bars require a counter with a sink hidden to the guests, seats and a cash-box. A safety locking device can also be convenient. The restaurants require chairs, tables and some space for a cash-box. They can also require some marker boards and a table for the maître.

The Furniture in the Rooms

Besides the beds, the bedside tables and the wardrobes, hotel rooms may require other furniture such as:

• a dressing table, which can also be used as a desk
• chairs and armchairs, and maybe a stool for the dressing table
• floor lamps and table lamps
• mirrors, preferably with independent lighting, one of them full-length.

There can also be a TV, a cocktail cabinet, a safe, a refrigerator, etc.

Hotel Decoration (I)

The Interior Design of Hotels (I)

Basics in Hotel Decoration

A proper design of the interior of a hotel can significantly reduce maintenance costs and contribute to a more profitable business operation.

Hotel Furniture

When drafting the Project Brief for the interior design of a hotel, the owner or developer will have to make certain choices that will affect the design development, as choosing between fixed and movable furniture or between commercial and tailor-made furniture.

Opting for fixed furniture implies that all elements must be designed for ease of cleaning, which leads to hang them on the walls, respecting some slack with the pavement. It's important to pay attention to the fasteners, because they can act as 'sound bridges' between the rooms.

Opting for movable furniture implies some advantages in terms of price, flexibility of use and ease of maintenance.

The tailor-made furniture, specially designed for the hotel, will provide exclusivity, but also will increase the price. Commercial furniture will normally be cheaper.

In any case, the beds should be comfortable, resistant to decay, silent, and have a good presence. The head of the beds will be especially important in aesthetical terms. An easy making of the beds will require that all of them are movable and that the mattress is at about 60 centimetres height from the pavement. If the dismantling is easy, it will facilitate the transfer and storage tasks.

Hotel Finishings

The material of every horizontal surface should be heat resistant and non-combustible. It may be practical if the carpets are not continuous, but composed of modular square pieces that can be replaced without problems. It will be convenient if the finishing materials on the walls and false ceilings allow easy and fast repairs.

Door Knobs, Handles and Bumpers

Door knobs and handles should be strong, simple and silent. Fixing bumpers on the floor may avoid the impact of knobs and handles on the walls when opening the doors.

The Interior Design of the Bedrooms

Design for the Sleep Spaces

Decor for the Bedrooms

Ergonomics can be decisive for the design of the furnishing of the bedrooms, as each unit of furniture will require its own areas of activity, required minimum clearances in order to ensure user comfort.

Beds, Chests of Drawers, Dressers and Desks

In the bedrooms, the position of the beds can generate a sense of security that comes to improve the resting. A good resting is also influenced by the dimensions of the bed: each bed should be about 25 centimetres longer than the height of the user. Each bed will need to have enough space around for making them in comfort, usually at least 50 centimetres at the foot and at least 65 centimetres at the sides. Besides the beds, bedrooms may require chests of drawers, dressers and desks. Each of these elements will require a certain minimum clearance with the walls, beds and other obstacles.

The Storage of the Clothes

It's commonly accepted that every person in the house should have, at least, 60 centimetres of hanging bar for storing clothes. However, it's more advisable that the father has, at least, 1.10 metres wide in wardrobe, that the mother has, at least, 1.50 metres wide, and that every child has, at least, 0.90 metres wide. Built in wardrobes allow for better use of space, especially if they have sliding doors. The front of the built in wardrobes forms a new wall. It's desirable that it reaches the ceiling in order to avoid wasting space and accumulation of dust. It's also convenient that every bedroom has a full-length mirror, and it can be mounted on the wardrobe doors. The storage of the clothes can also be located in a dressing room, in which case it's imperative that it has an adequate ventilation, to prevent dampness.