5 Secrets to styling a spectacular Hotel lobby !

Every time I travel, my sojourn in Hotel spaces kindle my interest as an Interior designer, common spaces like a Lobby, in particular. What does it take for a Hotel lobby to create an impression?

A Lobby is the window to a hotel, the first contact for a guest, the primary space that visually showcases the Hotel.

Let us feast our eyes on a few Lobbies before we look at a few pointers that help make an impact.

Anantara kalutara resort, Srilanka

                                  Photo by IVAN C. DESIGN LIMITED - More home design photos

Hilton Cape Rey Carlsbad 

·      Theme - A theme helps create the essence of a Hotel. This is the prime factor that binds all elements to create a cohesive whole. For example a Heritage Hotel features elements that embodies the history of the place, it is located in. A contemporary Hotel reflects the culture of a business place like New York.

Specific elements like patterns, colour, texture, style of furniture and corresponding artefacts help define the theme of the hotel.

Oberoi Amar Vilas, Agra

·       Scale – To create an awe inspiring space visually.

A towering atrium Lobby connects different levels of the hotel both functionally and visually. An expansive double height Lobby, an imposing art work, a huge light fixture all invoke a similar feel of opulence, luxury and elegance.

                                           Photo by Rethink Interiors Ltd - Search entryway design ideas

·       Proportion – While a voluminous space creates a feeling of awe, elements closer to a human scale is required to feel welcoming and comfortable. Creating smaller functional clusters and treating them individually, as complementing auxiliary elements to the main focus of the Lobby.

For example, grouping core areas like the reception, stairways and lifts or planning clusters of waiting lounges in an expansive lobby and detailing them as smaller parts of the whole.

                                         Photo by Brandon Architects, Inc. - Search living room pictures



Balance – Using all the requisite elements appropriately is very essential for a balanced harmonious space. Art work when used, should be of the right size, in proportion to the wall or space or in the right number to create a harmonious balance. It can also be achieved through use of patterns and colours, solid and void spaces etc.

Photo by Neslihan Pekcan/Pebbledesign - Search entryway pictures

Repetition –Visual elements of the decided Theme like a pattern, colour or texture when used repeatedly in a space creates Rhythm, resulting in a unified look. A monochromatic colour scheme repeated in different patterns or different shades of one colour used in soft furnishing, wall paints, artefacts etc creates harmony in the design.

Photo by New Age Global Builders - More home design photos

More in a fortnight. Good day!