So, you’ve just taken on a project that involves designing really small hotel rooms. How do you do it? 

First of all, breathe, there’s no reason to be intimidated! With a little imagination, the smallest of rooms can hold the biggest of ideas. Trust us. Small spaces offer plenty of room for creativity - you just have to think outside the box. 

Designing small hotel rooms certainly comes with challenges different from those of bigger rooms. Because of their limited space, every single design decision must be intentional. To create an environment that feels cozy and comfortable yet practical and functional, you’ll need to plan carefully and think creatively. 

These are some of our best design tips to give a small hotel room a big impact.

6 Interior Design Tips For Small Hotel Rooms 

When it comes to small hotel rooms, it’s all about the little details.

Multi-functional furniture and carefully chosen decor joined by the right lighting and color palette can help create a more open layout without having to compromise on comfort or convenience.

Lighting 

When a small space is lit properly, it can feel larger and more spacious. Rather than using just one kind of lighting, use a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to illuminate every corner and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Consider options like downlights, under-cabinet lighting, and wall sconces.

Windows can also enhance a sense of spaciousness by inviting natural sunlight or city lights inside. Make the most of that light by installing both sheer and blackout curtains. Sheer curtains will allow light to filter through during the day, while blackout curtains will provide complete darkness when it's time to sleep.

Walls

The best color palettes for small spaces are neutral, light, or cool ones, as they can help create the illusion of a larger space. You’d want to use these colors on the walls and then use bolder ones as accents to give a room more character.

When it comes to wallcoverings, metallic or mirrored fabrics beautifully reflect light, making a space appear larger and brighter. Using horizontally striped wallcoverings can also help to visually expand a room.

With a combination of soft colors, crisp lines, and sophisticated textures, you can transform a simple small hotel room into a cozy haven.

Minimalist Decor and Furniture 

Similar to your walls, opt for softer colors when choosing larger furniture pieces, adding pops of color with bold-colored, decorative pieces.

For small rooms, thin-legged furniture is best. As opposed to larger, bulkier pieces, furniture with legs tends to be slimmer, lightweight, and more minimalist in design. A raised piece of furniture also allows light to pass beneath it, brightening up a space.

Be mindful when it comes to selecting decor, and make every piece count. Rather than many small items, choose a few statement pieces to prevent the room from looking cluttered and cramped.

Multi-Functional Furniture 

Multi-purpose furniture maximizes usable space and opens up a room’s layout. Some ideas are Murphy beds, foldable desks that can be converted into dining tables, or ottomans that can be used both as a seat and a storage space. This type of furniture ensures guests have all the essentials they need for a comfortable hotel stay as well as enough space.

Can’t find the perfect piece? We’ll custom-make it. Our team expertly designs and manufactures compact, versatile pieces that are durable, visually pleasing, and have excellent functionality. Besides saving space, these pieces would also be perfectly tailored to your hotel’s unique architecture and character.

Design Vertically 

Creating a sense of depth and height, vertical pieces draw attention upward. This design tactic can be used throughout a room to add a little flare and texture while enhancing a room’s dimension.

Embrace verticality by installing floating shelves, wall-mounted nightstands, and high-rise cabinets to free up floor space. Opt for slim furniture pieces, and use floor-to-ceiling curtains to make the ceiling appear higher.

Incorporate built-in tech solutions like wall-mounted smart TVs and integrated charging stations, as well as remote-controlled lighting and climate systems. Not only do these design elements save space, they also help build a sleek, modern aesthetic.

Sliding Doors

Eliminating the swing space required by traditional doors, sliding doors are an excellent space-saving solution.

You can use them to divide a room, creating separate areas for work and relaxation, and give the room a more private feel at night. They’re also especially great for rooms with limited space for a closet.

Barn doors, pocket doors, or sliding glass doors are all options that maximize usable space and can help streamline a small room.

Find Out How We Can Help You With Small Hotel Room Design 

At Lang & Schwander, we’ve been furnishing hotel interiors in the US, Caribbean, and Latin America for over 17 years. For both branded hotels and independent hotels, we offer a full-service Interior Design studio, custom FF&E production and shipping services, and in-house installation services. 

Contact us to schedule a call and discuss your project!