Achieving Longevity in Hospitality Interior Design

Achieving Longevity in Hospitality Interior Design

Sarah Woodard, IIDA, NCIDQ
Senior Interior Design Manager

In the ever-evolving world of hospitality design, the word “trend” often conjures up fleeting memories, think avocado green appliances or distressed farmhouse decor.

But trends are very much alive and relevant in hospitality interior design. From furnishings and finishes to color palettes and lighting, every element is subject to change. As design professionals, it is our responsibility to not only interpret trends but to design with intention, ensuring timelessness and adaptability within the spaces we create.

Longevity of Design
When designing for hospitality services, the longevity of design is paramount. Interior designers need to know trend forecasts and which elements have fallen out of favor. Questions to ask include: will an item need to be refreshed, and if so, how costly will it be for the owner, meaning how much of a disruption to the property’s services will be involved? How can the property be updated with minimal impact in 10 years?

Looking at the longevity of a design and recognizing that trends come and go, designers can increase the lifespan of a concept in several ways. For example, if the concept and materials speak to the locality of the project, then unique design elements may not seem trendy. Flooring materials such as stone, tile and wood will be in place long after styles change, so the use of current colors and patterns in spaces that are refreshed more frequently, such as restaurants and retail spaces, is a way to stay relevant but save on costly renovations. Hard surfaces such as walls, tiled floors, doorframes, and plumbing fixtures will not be replaced; items that can be refreshed easily, such as soft goods, artwork and lighting allow flexibility while staying current.

The bar at Vivian’s Table located inside The Bristol Hotel highlights the original brickwork and industrial textures, celebrating the building’s historic character while remaining relevant today.

Designing with flexibility in mind extends the life of a space and broadens its usability. Hospitality spaces today must accommodate a wide range of guests—from business travelers and families to long-term visitors. Integrating adaptable elements such as co-working zones, communal lounges, or infrastructure to support pop-up retail and food concepts enables a property to evolve alongside guest expectations.

The lobby in the Lodge at Fall Creek Falls with flexible lounge areas.

What Story Are You Telling?
At the heart of every hospitality experience is storytelling. Rather than theming, which can feel superficial, we aim to create layered narratives that engage visitors emotionally and intellectually. This story can unfold through lighting, art, textures and curated artifacts that reference a location’s history or cultural identity.

Projects like Tempo by Hilton tell a fictional musician’s journey rooted in Nashville’s rich music scene. For the interiors, the intent was to infuse the narrative with elements reminiscent of Nashville in the 1970’s and more specifically 1973 when the Grammys were hosted in the Tennessee Theater. The project design concept personified a fictional musical character by the name of Mary Louise, whose story unfolds within the project’s design, while The Lodge at Fall Creek Falls in Spencer, Tenn., evokes nostalgia through lighting reminiscent of vintage camping gear. The Bristol Hotel in Bristol, Va., infused bespoke design elements to pay homage to its industrial and rail-centered past.

These storytelling moments create a meaningful connection between guest and place—something today’s travelers deeply value. Further, hospitality staff are often trained to share the design narrative, enhancing the guest experience through storytelling.

Bedside lamp in the Lodge at Fall Creek Falls reminiscent of a camp light.

Hallway of Tempo by Hilton with artwork showcasing a musician’s life.

Guests and travelers are searching for experiential design that engages all the senses and has meaningful engagement with the surrounding neighborhood. Every choice supports the design narrative. In addition, hospitality staff are trained to share information about the physical design elements that support the narrative story created by the design team.

Artwork in the lobby of the Bristol Hotel harkens to the city’s railway history.

Bringing the Outside In
Biophilic principles are becoming increasingly prominent in hospitality interiors. More organic forms and less rectilinear, are being utilized; Earth tones and greens are more popular referencing the authenticity of natural materials, and the warm greys are transitioning to soft creams. More “authentic” materials are being utilized, such as natural stone and wood. Stained light oak tones are transitioning to warm walnut tones. By bringing nature and natural light into the built environment, designers can create seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces.

As humans, we rely on our senses to convey a feeling of happiness and contentment. Touch, sight, and sound all play a role in assessing design choices. People like to touch physical elements, and designers are drawn to how materials feel, both emotionally and physically. We want everything a guest touches to feel authentic and luxurious.

LUMAC Rooftop Bar at The Bristol Hotel lounge blends outdoors and indoors through the use of expansive glass panels.

Evolving Design Tools and Elements
Other areas of design that are being redefined include architectural lighting to subtly guide the eye through spaces, highlighting design elements without being obviously lit.

Art installations, whether inside or outside, are playing more prominent roles with consultants sourcing artists from a project’s surrounding community to be included in the design narrative. This includes more three-dimensional art installations and murals which can embrace graphic design elements in lieu of realistic representation of the surroundings.

Sound transmission is an ever-growing field with the rise of acoustic products, building materials and soft surface textiles. Designers are exploring unique ways to address acoustic control in large and small spaces.

Interior design trends are constantly evolving but what remains the same is the attention to our client’s vision while meeting the construction budget, the interplay between storytelling and community, and the comfort and satisfaction of the guests and those who use the space.

Trends will continue to shape the world of interior design, but at the core of our work is a commitment to timeless principles: honoring our client’s vision, crafting immersive experiences, and designing spaces that stand the test of time. Through thoughtful design, we not only respond to the moment, we shape the future.