There are few things in life more decadent and relaxing than even just one night away in a luxe hotel.  From laying your head on sumptuous bed linen, stepping out onto velvety, plush carpet underfoot, or soaking in an oversized roll-top tub – a hotel stay truly is an indulgence for all the senses. But that luxury need not only be courtesy of five star hoteliers – with striking furniture choices, rich textiles, opulent colour palettes and mood lighting, you too can create inviting guest rooms that would do Cesar Ritz and Conrad Hilton proud.

The Bed

The bed is always the focal point in hotel bedrooms, taking centre stage in creating all the theatre, and is a key a place to start in replicating this styling. The bed should look fit for a king! Using proportion can be a clever way to achieve this. Luxury is all about being a little over the top so oversized pieces can be really impactful – tall, ornate, even winged, headboards, quilted or studded in velvets, brocades or opulent patterned fabrics are perfect choices, as are sleek, dark wood, or even black, four poster beds.

But hotel beds aren’t just all about the look – being the complete sensory experience, a plush, supportive mattress and piles of plump pillows are essential.  If a brand new bed breaks the budget, give your guests a dreamy night’s sleep by investing in a good new mattress for your spare bed – memory foam or pocket spring make luxurious and comfortable options.

The Sheets

Complete the bed by investing in sumptuous new sheets. Egyptian cotton sheets – and the higher the thread count the better – look and feel fantastic, and your guests really will notice the quality. Everything in a hotel room is meticulously planned out though, so do remember to sync the bedding with other textiles. From walking through the door, your guests should have an immediate sense of scheme and coherence, and the key way to achieve that is through co-ordinating bedding, pillows, throws and curtains.

Colours & Textures

If you are changing your colour scheme, opt for rich, moody tones such as charcoal greys, plum, or dark teal – or for something quite on trend, pops of cumin yellow or paprika orange as daring complements to a more neutral base, work really well. Opt for walls and carpet in a deeper shade for an ultra-chic backdrop, and dress the bed with high-thread count white satin stripe bedlinen and plush pillows. Then pile the bed high with a variety of cushions in more bold colours and patterns. Texture is crucial. Silks, satins, velvets, furs – in some schemes even tartans or plaid – all add to the indulgence of the ambience.  It really is a case of ornately does it.

The Furniture

With the bed dealt with, move out from it to consider other pieces of furniture.  A hotel bed is nearly always flanked either side by two bedside tables and side lamps, whilst in other parts of the room you will likely find a sleek wardrobe, a desk and, space permitting, a seating area with a couple of accent chairs and a quaint side table. A residential guest room may not necessarily have this amount of room, but a simple wardrobe for your guests to hang their clothes, and a luxe comfy chair – or even ottoman – would be good additions to start with.  Whatever you do, don’t clutter the room with too much furniture. Hotel rooms are known for clear lines and unimposing furniture. Choose chic, sleek pieces. High gloss and straight line styles are excellent options and allow each piece to stand on its own.  Even in the smallest of rooms, your guests should still have a sense of space.

The Lighting

To finish the look, complete with atmospheric lighting. Modern chandeliers hung over the bed can create real opulence, as can over-sized table lamps in highly polished chrome, cut-glass or painted porcelain. If space doesn’t allow you to have bedside tables, glass wall lights or clustered low hanging glass pendants make great alternatives. Keep the main lighting dimmed low for a real moodiness, and let the side lights do the talking.

Your home really will then be a hotel away from home for all your guests. Just don’t forget to leave a chocolate on their pillow for that five star review…!