When you picture a luxury hotel stay, there are probably a few things that come to mind. Maybe it’s the tiny bottles of fancy shampoo, the duvet that’s as fluffy as a cloud, or that incredible smell that seemingly only a room at your favorite hotel has.
At Snif, we know that an integral part of making any hotel room really feel indulgent is a delightful scent. That’s why, in this guide, we’re giving you a list of nine easy ways to make your home feel like a hotel, complete with a list of some of our most beloved five-star scented candles.
What Hotels Can You Use as Inspiration?
When thinking about revamping the interior design of your home to make it feel more hotel-esque, it’s important to think about which hotels you want to use as inspiration. Do you you love the quirky, evocative vibe of a boutique hotel, or are you more a fan of a modern, minimalist hotel? Or is the timeless, luxurious feel of an iconic hotel like the Ritz in New York more your style?
That said, you can also think beyond your favorite hotels. If you’ve ever stayed at an AirBnb or hostel you particularly loved, print out pictures of those places for the mood board, too.
By the time you’re done compiling your hotel inspo list, you should have a general feel of what design elements make staying at a hotel special for you.
How To Style Your Home Like a Luxury Hotel
Once you’ve drawn inspiration from all of your favorite hotels, it’s time to consider how to dress up your home space. Let’s take a look at nine simple ways to give your home that relaxing, indulgent hotel feel.
1. Build Your Own Hotel Bed
The focal point of most hotel rooms is a glorious, unbelievably tempting bed. So, when you’re designing your home space to mimic that of your favorite hotel, you need to put a lot of thought into how to build your bed.
Investing in a high-quality duvet, pillowcases, and other bed linens can help make your room feel like a place where you can truly unwind and get some rest. Along with the quality of the linens, think about what color(s) you want, too. All white can help give your room that clean, polished hotel vibe, whereas a statement color or design might draw your eyes immediately to your bed as soon as you walk in — perfect if you want something bold or quirky.
2. Bath Towels and Hand Towels
You’ll also want to make sure your bath towels and hand towels are high-quality and soft to the touch.
Just like with your bedding, investing in nice towels will make your daily routines feel that much more enjoyable and relaxing. You can also splurge on a plush bathrobe for the full hotel experience.
3. Upgrade Your Shampoo and Conditioner
Most people can agree that there’s almost nothing better after a long day of work than a hot, steamy shower. To take this experience to the next level, upgrade your shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.
There’s no reason you can’t have the luxurious feel of a hotel shower in your home bathroom — with elegant soaps, a fresh sprig of eucalyptus, and a new shower curtain, your shower will feel like an at-home spa.
4. Fragrances
When it comes to bringing the smell of a luxury hotel room into your own home, you’ll want to focus on fragrances. You can use a reed diffuser or an oil diffuser, but, in our humble opinion, nothing beats a scented candle.
To give your space a five-star smell that matches all the new decor, we recommend:
- Private Hours: In collaboration with The Standard, High Line in New York City, this candle blends spiced rum with leather, cannabis, tobacco, and amber for a scent that says “Do not disturb.”
- Instant Karma: With a blend of cardamom with cedarwood, black plum, and black tea, setting the mood has never been easier thanks to this spicy, dreamy scent.
- Sweet Ash: Features vanilla, fir balsam, juniper, and tonka for a sweet, addictive scent.
- Off the Grid: Lily of the valley, sandalwood, moss, cypress, and cedar combine to give this candle its warm, calming scent. Light up and go to your happy place.
When it comes to choosing a scented candle for your bathroom, try to find a scent that pairs well with or matches the fragrances in your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. To really go the extra mile, throw in a body lotion with the same smell.
5. Curtains
It’s hard to find a fancy hotel room that doesn't boast an impressive set of curtains, which is why they’re a must-have for your new room decor. Curtains do double duty in the world of home decoration.
On the one hand, they serve a practical purpose by providing privacy and blocking light while you’re trying to rest (which is especially important if you live in a city).
Curtains can also tie a room together from an aesthetic point of view. Darker-colored curtains can give a cozy feel, while a white or tan curtain will give your room an airy feel — which can be nice if you don’t get a ton of natural light.
If you’re looking to add a subtle pattern or design to the space, getting printed curtains is an easy way to add a bit of classy flair to your new and improved room.
6. Don’t Skip Your Living Room
Before you enter your favorite hotel room, you have to stop in the lobby first. The lobby of a hotel is kind of like an appetizer before the main course. It should give you an idea of what to expect in your room and get you excited about your stay.
You can recreate this anticipation and decor continuity in your home by transforming your living room into the “lobby” of your very own 5-star hotel. Do so by making sure the colors and vibe are consistent across both spaces and purchasing a few scented candles for your living room as well. This will make your home feel cohesive and luxurious overall.
7. Style Your Home Decor
Once you have all your furniture and fragrances in place, it’s time to consider home decor. Think through the color palette and style you want for your room.
A more minimalist style would lean into neutral colors and simple decor items to give the space an airy, grounded vibe. You could also go more boho with your home decor and incorporate different prints and warm jewel tones to make the space as cozy as possible.
Regardless of what decor style you choose, make sure you have a clear idea of what colors, textures, and patterns you want to incorporate, and try to stick to them as much as possible as you find items for the space.
Another way to plan your home decor is to find two or three accent pieces you absolutely love, and build your color palette around those.
8. Unique DIY Additions
As you begin to bring together all of the different elements, make sure to add some distinct DIY additions to your space so that it still feels like your own home. Even though you’re going for the hotel vibe, you don’t have to sacrifice the homey feel of your space.
Hanging some of your favorite photos and artwork can help make your room feel like you. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you can even try to DIY a bedside table or some shelving to make your room feel even more personalized.
9. Remember To Declutter
After all your decor is placed, the candles are lit, and you’re ready to lounge on your throne of a bed, take a few minutes to declutter.
There’s no amount of home design that can make your space feel like a hotel if it’s cluttered, and, unlike your favorite home away from home, there’s likely not a cleaning team that will come around and tidy every morning.
Decluttering can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and help your space retain that hotel-like feel.
Give Your House a Luxe Makeover
You’re officially ready to give your house the makeover it deserves. Get ready to feel that hotel-induced serenity from the comfort of your own home.
Between that fluffy bathrobe, Snif scented candle, and some special DIY additions, your home is about to feel as polished and inviting as your favorite hotel (although we can’t promise your loved ones will be willing to bring your room service).
Sources:
Sleeping Soundly: Textiles for a Good Night’s Sleep | AATCC
Effects of Juniper Essential Oil on the Activity of Autonomic Nervous System | ResearchGate