Creating a luxury hotel-style in your home creates the ultimate stay-cation.

Image Source: Michael Abrams

After a long day of playing tourist, your body is met by those sumptuous Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows that leave you wondering if the hotel staff would notice if you slipped one in your luggage. In the morning, you awake from a decadent sleep and pad your feet along the lush, thick-pile carpet into the spa bathroom. Oh! The full body jets in the glass shower awaken your senses, and the hand-milled lavender soap from France certainly smells delicious!

This is just a taste of what it’s like to stay in a luxury hotel, and most of us are willing to sink our hard-earned dollars into such an exquisite experience — after all, you are on vacation and you deserve it!
So why is it that when the trip is over and you enter the reality of your own home, you are greeted by an unmade bed, a cluttered living room, and a dirty bathroom? There is certainly no decadent morsel of chocolate awaiting you on the pillow.

Isn’t it worth it to experience even a small version of this luxury in our daily existence? No matter the budget, a lavish lifestyle can be achieved at home — it just takes a few small steps. First, we must remember that high-class hotels do not come cheap. A team of experienced designers are usually employed to deck the halls of expensive hotels, with that in mind, let’s see what we can accomplish on our own.
Here are10 ways to add a little bit of five-star luxury to your every day life + you might also want to read – 10 Must-Have Items That Luxury Home Buyers Want Most :

The bedroom and bathroom cannot be ignored if you desire a luxury hotel-style. Image Source: Design Discoveries

1) A Lavish Bedroom is a Hotel Must-Have
The bed should take center stage when you are going for a luxe hotel style. Think of all the hotels that you have visited — the bedroom is always well-designed with matching bedding, pillows and curtains.
Start with a supportive mattress and then layer it in the luxury of plump down pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets (buy the highest thread count that you can afford), and a down comforter.

The bed should be fit for a King/Queen and outfitted with a plush headboard that you can lay your head against. Everything in a hotel is carefully planned out and the design is meticulous. The bedroom always has two side tables and side lamps, a desk, a couple cozy chairs with quaint side tables, a gorgeous armoire for clothing, and usually a television that is well-hidden inside a beautiful armoire or cabinet.

Essentially, the bedroom is the one room that you should not skimp on. Sadly, it is the room that most homeowners ignore since guests don’t see it. Give yourself the gift of luxury with a bedroom that you deserve to wake up in each morning, and don’t forget that little chocolate on the pillow.

The bedroom takes center stage in a luxury hotel suite. Image Source: Trilogy Construction

2) Replicate a Spa Bathroom in Your Home
Moving from the bedroom into the bathroom, you should enter an equally serene and posh decor. Think of the best hotel that you have ever stayed — what amenities did the bathroom have?

You probably found a glass-enclosed walk-in shower with full-body jets and an equally strong shower head. There was of course a jacuzzi tub, and a double set of deep sinks with large mirrors that were lit by glitzy wall sconces, and there was a lavish offering of soaps and scents galore. Let’s not forget the towels that were plush as puffy clouds, and the bathrobe made of supreme-quality cotton.

The best hotels will also have heated towel racks and heated marble or tile flooring. Some of these items may be above your price point, but attaining a lavish hotel-like bathroom can be as simple as a pretty shower curtain, a few plush towels and some scented candles.

Dim the lights, run a bath filled with bubbles and pretend that you are in paradise. Don’t forget to hang the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door.
Try to mimic a spa in your bathroom. Image Source: DKor Interiors

3) The Entry Way of a Hotel is Always Luxe
Think of the last hotel that you walked into. What did you first see? Of course, you were surrounded by an amazing lobby that was filled with orchids (or some other exotic flower arrangement), glitzy mirrors, well-arranged seating areas, dim lighting, and fabulous artwork.
How can you create all this in the small entryway of your own home? It’s actually pretty simple. You just need to guide your visitors eyes to a certain niche or centerpiece that will welcome them into your home and speak to the rest of the homes style.
It’s best to start with a small entryway table. Whether it be marble, wood or shiny lacquer, the entryway table can be your starting point. If you have room, a large round table makes a dramatic statement when floated in the middle of an entry.
Then add to this table: a pretty lamp, a bowl to contain a few collected knick knacks, some books or other things that appeal to your tastes, and of course, a pretty flower arrangement (no fake flowers aloud). If the table is against the wall, then place a statement mirror or piece of art above the table (a starburst mirror works well here). You are almost done! Now, if there is room, add a plump chair that guests can sit in when taking on and off their shoes.
The entryway is the first and last thing that guests see. Make it one that leaves a lavish impact. Architectural elements can add to the luxurious factor of your home.

Create an entryway that welcomes guests, just like a good hotel does. Image Source: Archer Buchanan

4) Curtains Are Always Well-Designed in a Luxury Hotel
Curtains, draperies and blinds are something a lot of us homeowners overlook. We slap on some wooden blinds for privacy and wipe our hands of the nasty job of window coverings (or we resort to buying some cheap pre-made curtains at a local chain store).
There is a good reason for this trend— custom draperies are expensive and hard to find. Unless you are a seamstress, then making gorgeous pinch-pleated drapery panels is not easy. Along with the bedroom, window coverings are another place where you should put your money where your mouth is. It is obvious when draperies are done on a budget, and it can ruin the look of your luxury home.
If you don’t know how to sew, then consider hiring someone who is willing to work within your budget. It’s always best to buy the fabric on your own and then have a seamstress work with that, as they tend to charge an overhead on their fabrics.
Pick fabrics that suit your tastes and the rest of your decor. To maintain the luxury look, think silks, damasks, and linen for your fabric choices. Don’t forget to add black-out curtains in all the bedrooms, as every hotel offers them.
Enjoy your luxe curtains, they will open the window to the home of your dreams.

Custom curtains in this room make a big style statement. Image Source: Erika Bonnell

5) Climate Control is Imperative in Your Hotel-Style Home
A hotel is never too hot or too cold, rather, the temperature is always just right. Climate control systems are a must-have for the comfort of your home.
Achieving this state of perfect temperature can be as simple as installing a programmable thermostat into your home. There are thermostats that can read your temperature habits and automatically mimic them, thereby giving you a home that is always at the optimal temperature to suit your tastes.
There are also many wireless climate control systems that be adjusted from anywhere with a simple tap of a button on your phone. If budget is a problem, then consider adding a ceiling fan to the master bedroom— at least you will get a cooler, more comfortable sleep.
If budget is not a concern, then consider installing motorized remote control blinds or shades to the sunniest windows. Overall, no matter the budget, a climate controlled room is key to achieving a hotel state of mind in your home.

This living room has high-end shades that block harsh UV light and curtain panels for style and functionality. Image Source: Jamesthomas, LLC

6) Lavish Lighting Adds a Hotel Look
A hotel is never dark or dreary. Rather, it is always well-lit with chandeliers, side lamps, wall sconces, art lights, and mood lighting in every nook.
Begin with the big overhead lights in your home. Do you love them? Are they modern? Is the light too harsh? Consider changing out-dated overhead lights with modern, sculptural light fixtures that speak to your decor. It is also best to have a dimmer installed on these overhead lights. Dimmers are the key to mood lighting.
Then add lamps to your side tables. Remember, a collected-over-time-look is never ‘matchy-matchy’, but hotels usually have some semblance of matching side lamps on either side of a sofa or bed. You can also use lamp shades lined in gold—they add a nice hint of glamour.
If budget allows, then hire an electrician to add wall sconces and lights over your artwork. These two fixture styles add the final luxe look that every 5-star hotel offers. To add even more lighting control in your home consider floor to ceiling windows. Check out these 30 Floor to Ceiling Windows that Let in Natural Light.

This dining room light fixture has a sleek hotel style feel. Image Source:Gabriele Pizzale

7) Space is Always Well-Organized in Hotels
Spaces— no matter how big or small— are always well-organized in a hotel. There are book cases, tables and shelves that look as though an interior designer outfitted them with the perfect knick knacks, and that’s because there was a designer who organized them.
You may not have a designer to arrange the space in your home, but you can certainly take a cue from them. Skim through design magazines and look at all the wonderful nooks and crannies that they portray. You will notice that when a room is well-designed, everything has a home and a purpose. There is no clutter in a hotel or well-organized room.
Use baskets and decorative bowls to hide the clutter. Shelves are used as methods to display collections. Side tables hold pretty vases and lamps. Chairs are set up in groupings to allow for conversation. Try adding some of these 15 Fresh Furniture Trends to your room for added luxury!
Overall, each and every room is organized into areas with a purpose and use. There are gaming tables for cards, and quaint chairs set beside each other for private tete-a-tete’s. If you need help organizing your space then try one of the numerous 3D floor planning apps or websites— they will help you visualize the completed room before moving a single piece of furniture.

A well-organized space is key to hotel style success. Image Source: Rene Dekker

8) Add Flowers and Greenery in Every Room of Your Home
As touched upon above, flowers and greenery are a key element to add to all of your hotel-like rooms. Elegant, aromatic arrangements can be found in every room of a high-end hotel.
Scent is one of our most powerful senses, so when entering a hotel lobby, we smell the lush flowers before we even see them. However, it can be daunting and expensive to try and always maintain a home full of fresh-cut floral bouquets.
On a budget, you can still easily attain this green aesthetic by simply adding some house plants. Orchids are elegant, gorgeous and they continue to bloom in cycles. A large palm plant can make a huge impact when placed in an entryway inside a chinoiserie-syle urn.
If your thumb is far from green and the thought of house plants sends you running, then consider adding other natural elements to your home. A vase filled with spindly twigs, or a bowl filled with acorns, river stones or glass, are all wonderful ways to bring a touch of life to your home.
Adding elements of nature into every room of your home is a sure-fire way to luxe-up your lifestyle.

Organize floral arrangements or display twigs in tall urns for a hotel-inspired home. Image Source: Green Couch

9) Create a Layered Look With Flooring, Trims and Pillows
Luxury hotels are always clean. The marble floors shine, the wood is polished and not a fleck can be found on the area rugs and carpets.
Aside from its pristine appearance, the room is usually designed in a layered manner. The main flooring is usually one that is hard, resilient and lavish such as marble, travertine, or hardwood. Then layered upon that are plush area rugs that are placed center-stage within seating areas and entryways.
You will also notice that decorative pillows and trims are placed expertly within the space. Posh pillows with elegant trims will accent sofas and chairs. Curtains will be edged in trim, and club chairs will be edged with brass nailhead borders.
These are all easy and inexpensive ways to layer luxury into your decor. You could even take an existing chair and trim it with nail heads that can be bought at most fabric stores, or add trim to pillows and curtains that you already own.
This layered look creates a space that offers a sense of comfort and luxury — especially when the highest-end materials are used.

This room has a perfect layered-look that is luxurious and comfortable all at the same time. Image Source: Muse Interiors

10) Recreation is Key in a Luxury Hotel
It may not be affordable to add a luxury indoor swimming pool and sauna room, but we can still try to mimic the recreational style of a luxury hotel.
All hotels obviously have a pool, sauna, games room and gym. If budget is not a concern, then consider adding an in-home sauna, gaming room or lap pool. This would be the ultimate way to unwind at the end of a hard day!
If this is not possible, then consider simply creating a home gym. It can be as simple as a treadmill that is well-positioned in front of a TV. Add a small bar fridge with water and a rack for towels — voila, you have your own hotel-style work out room.
You could also create a spa space where you can unwind or do yoga stretches. Choose a dark corner of your home where it is quiet. Add candles, a cozy floor pillow, and a soft mat or rug for stretching or meditating.
Play some zen music and escape life’s hectic pace — you will surely feel like you have escaped into a spa hotel.

This game room and in-home theatre would be a great way to create a vacation without leaving home. Image Source:Axiom Luxury

Mimicking a luxury hotel inside your own four walls can be done. Whether budget is a concern or not, it is worth the small expense to add a hint of glamour to your home — especially the bedroom and bathroom.
A great hotel acts as a relaxing retreat —one that you have spent your hard-earned money on. Why not spend your money creating an escape in your very own home, an escape that you can use every day — not just one week out of the year. It’s not about the amount of money you spend, rather the way you pull all your rooms together.

By Shelley Little July 8, 2014 in Best Of