If you’ve ever been inspired by the interiors of a hotel you've stayed in and wanted to recreate that luxurious look in your home... or you’re thinking about making some changes to your current bedroom design and want it to become a more stylish space or a sophisticated sanctuary to retreat then follow a few of these Top Ten tips below to create a hotel-like-haven in your very own home.

1. The Headboard

Firstly, to create a feature in the room with the “wow factor” make the bed the focal point against the back wall as you enter and add an upholstered headboard or an upholstered wall for maximum impact. If your budget is tight consider making your own headboard. Pinterest has plenty for DIY versions for you to try at home and personalise with your own choice of fabrics. Add some upholstery tacks for some extra style and kudos for your masterpiece.

The Ampersand Hotel, London    {Source: Pinterest} — The Ampersand Hotel, London {Source: Pinterest}

2. The Walls

To create even more drama, also add a backdrop to the wall behind the bed. This can be in the form of either a large scale mural or wallpaper, or a change in texture to the rest of the walls such as a paneled effect wall. If the budget won’t spread to paneling all your walls you could also consider some of the contemporary faux paneled wallpapers that are available on the market which will equally create some interesting features and pattern. Be brave in your choices and wallpaper the room in a stylish dark metallic wallpaper for a sophisticated and decadent space you will look forward to heading up to each night.

Designer Abigail Ahern's Bedroom   {Source: Pinterest} — Designer Abigail Ahern's Bedroom {Source: Pinterest}

3. The Bedding

To truly recreate the boutique look, the bedding has got to be white. Look at the most uber stylish boutique hotels around and the linen will be white. Research in the industry has found the big white bed with its cloud-like appearance, big fluffy pillows and extra soft linen is still untouchable. If your budget allows, buy the best quality mattress you can afford and 300 thread bedsheets for a convincing hotel like slumber - the higher the count the better, so shop around while the sales are on an invest while at half price. Choose your pillows carefully - have a large thicker pillow to the back of the bed for propping up while reading or watching TV and then two thinner ones to be used for sleeping.

The Dean Hotel, Dublin    {Source: The Irish Independent} — The Dean Hotel, Dublin {Source: The Irish Independent}

4. The Colour Palate

For a sophisticated contemporary hotel look keep the colour palate on the walls and floors muted in natural tones. Its “fifty shades of grey” at the moment and you can chose from the very subtle lighter paler shades of the spectrum down to the very dark and dramatic shades of grey which ooze sophistication and will mark a very grown-up stamp to your space, particularly if you’re looking for an adult-only-area to retreat to of an evening. You can keep the colour palate of the walls and floors as muted as you like along with your accessories but if you’re daring and want to recreate a really contemporary hotel scheme, add some wallpaper and bring in some bright splashes of colour with your art, soft furnishings and accessories.

5. Scatter Cushions

Style your bed with cushions and throws to match your chosen colour scheme. To really get that design hotel look get superstlyin’ your bed with a selection of scatter cushions. There is no set rule, it could be anything from one statement piece up to five different cushions in descending size, complimentary colours and contrasting patterns or textures pending on your preferences (and likelihood to undress and dress the bed each day).

6. Lighting

Getting your lighting mix right is key to pulling off the boutique hotel look. Source a dramatic pendant light fixture for the centre of the room and also consider hanging rope lighting, wall scones or feature dramatic bedside lighting on either side of the bed. Be sure to get dimmers on the switches and plan in advance where you would like the switches or any electrical sockets with your electrician to ensure you don’t have any messy cables or extension leads on show which would ruin the look. Place a floor lamp in the corner room for another source of lighting into the space and to bring another dimension of atmosphere into the room.

7. Seating Area

If you’ve got the space add a little seating area to the room, such an ottoman or a single chair and a pouffé with a small side table which could be used for reading in the evening or for getting dressed in the morning. This will set the tone in the room and will make it feel more hotel-break-like as you kick back and kick off your shoes while catching a few moments of relaxation in your newly designed space.

8. Furniture

If you’re tight on space hang floating shelves by your bedside in place of bedside tables. Plan your furniture layout in advance, taking measurements and consider the natural lighting coming into the room if you want to put in a dressing table and mirror for an authentic hotel set-up. Alternatively, hang a large feature mirror in the room that will also reflect light and can be used for getting ready and makeup application. Get crafty and up-cycle some of your existing furniture with a couple of coats of paint and decoupage with some wallpaper to create an original and personalised piece that would be fitting in any kitsch boutique hotel. Pinterest, again, is "your only man" here for some great ideas and tutorials.

9. Window Dressing

Blackout curtains are a must on your shopping list if you want a good night’s sleep in your new hotel styled digs. Think sweeping plush fabric cascading to the floor. Let as much natural light into the space as possible during the day but for privacy consider adding some light curtains, (such as voile rather than the nasty heavy “net curtain” type) and you could also add an upholstered pelmet on top to tie the all the window treatments together.

10. Accessories

Personalise the room with a few of your own items but keep the colour palate and quantity restricted to your colour scheme and avoid unnecessary clutter. By your bedside add some fresh flowers or orchids, some scented candles and a stylish alarm clock. Place accessories around the room in groups of threes or fives and at different height levels. Use trays for displaying groups of accessories and books on the bed or for when used as a treat when having breakfast in bed. Hang artwork and picture frame at gallery level (eye level) and group picture frames in similar design style or colour.

If you have an en suite follow the theme into your bathroom. You go can go even more dramatic in here with your choice of paint colour or wallpaper in darker shades to your bedroom. Pick up some luxurious toiletries, add some plush new towels and some scented candles and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped in your own spa retreat.

Shop the Look

Hope you've enjoyed my first blog and picked up a couple of ideas or some inspiration to help you decorate your bedroom and create a boutique hotel like bedroom of your own.

Below is a selection of some items currently available which can be picked up on the high street or online and would look fitting in any boutique hotel bedroom .

Arnotts and Debenhams also have a sale on quality bed linen at the moment so now would be a brilliant time to buy.

The Design Bug Boutique Hotel Shop the Look.png

1 Pendant Light / 2 Headboard / 3 Lamp / 4 Orchid / 5 Throw / 6 Armchair / 7 Geo Cushion / 8 Digital Print Cushion / 9 Grey Velvet Cushion / 10 Wall Mural / 11 Bedside Locker

Have you've stayed in any hotels where you’ve really loved the interior design and felt inspired to recreate the look at home? If so, drop me a line as I’d love to hear!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sinéad x