Sumptuous bedding, exquisitely decorated rooms with mesmerising views, gourmet meals, first-class hospitality – the list of wonderful things you will find at a five-star hotel goes on. Heading off to a luxury hotel for a special stay is what many of us want to be doing right now, but while we remain at home, we can but dream. Or can we?
When you’re staying in a hotel, time often flies so fast, the allure of all of those draws too great to leave, and home feels like such a stepdown from that five-star experience. Often, the elements that draw us to these opulent establishments cannot be replicated – the aspect of travel, being waited on hand and foot and dreamy food you could never prepare yourself, but some elements certainly can. And you don’t need a huge house renovation to achieve this – often it’s within the finishing touches where the luxury comes to the fore.
Think about the small things that make your favourite hotels great and find ways to incorporate these into your home. If you need a starting point then take a look at our five ways to bring that five-star hotel experience to your home.
Nail your bedding and shower
One thing hotels always strive to get just right is the bed and the bedding, hence the appearance of a pillow menu in many top-class establishments. Nothing feels as luxurious as getting into a comfy bed and burrowing in high quality and soft linen, and this is one thing you can recreate at home. Get yourself some high thread-count bedsheets, warm doonas with good quality filling and several bulky, fluffy pillows with a throw and scatter cushions to complete the look.
And don’t forget the shower. Hotel bathrooms are inspiring with their décor and amenities, spelling luxury with their seemingly endless supply of crisp white towels and gorgeous toiletries. Get good quality fluffy towels in different sizes in your favourite colours and have them on an open wood or glass display shelf. A few shower gels, soaps, and a luxurious fluffy robe will complete the bathroom experience.
Focus on the lighting
It can be difficult to imagine how much difference lighting can make in your bedroom, but a simple thing such as an overhead light fixture can transform the look and feel of your room. Get yourself a chandelier to make a statement or opt for flush mount ceiling fixtures, pendant lights and comfort-inducing table lamps, or a mixture of the above for a cosy space.
Carpet and rugs
Add a little interest to your flooring by adding a nice rug to complement the rest of your décor. Perfect for hiding any flaws, adding elegance and providing some extra comfort underfoot, the right rug is out there among the many options available to you.
With a little creativity, you could make use of multiple rugs to add depth and texture to a living space. A good quality rug might also become the focal point, removing focus on other less desirable aspects in a room. Carpets are another great addition to bedrooms and hallways, and provide an added layer of comfort and style to your interiors.
Flowers
Nothing beats the look and smell of freshly cut flowers to greet you when you walk through the door. Paired with a nice vase, flowers can transform a room and bring a smile to your face, so get on board with a local florist who can ensure that you are topped up regularly with your favourite blooms.
If you fancy something a little more permanent, you can of course grab yourself a beautiful selection of realistic looking faux flowers that you don’t have to worry about swapping out so often. Place these strategically where they can easily be seen and arrange them in a stunning bouquet and you’ll likely forget that they aren’t even real.
A coat of paint
A beautiful coat of neutral colour in your bedroom can make you feel calm when waking up and also going to bed. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a colour to suit, so make sure you grab plenty of tester pots so you can make the right decision. Colours such as ivory, grey, or taupe induce a relaxing feeling and will age well. Dress walls with calming artwork to add a bit of interest and for that luxury hotel feel.
