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Summer doesn’t always mean jetting off on a beach vacay. For some, summer is just another season to stay cozy at home—myself included. I don’t have any major getaways on the calendar, and as a self-proclaimed professional homebody, I don’t mind. I do love the idea of bringing vacation energy into my life though, which can be as simple as shifting things around the house to make home feel like a hotel.
There are a few signature moves hotels make in order to make people feel as comfortable and taken care of as possible. You don’t have to book an expensive vacation to experience this kind of luxury though, you can create it at home for yourself. Ahead, I chatted with TC Chou, interior designer and founder of NYC-based design firm, Design Determination. Chou has created many award-winning hotel spaces, including Ritz Carlton Condo Los Angeles, Shanghai Five Star Hotel, Rittenhouse Boutique Hotel, and Mark Hopkins Hotel—so he knows a thing or two about hotel living. Here are his tips for how to make any home feel like a hotel.
Feature image by Michelle Nash.
Give Your Home a Signature Scent
A lasting memory I have of staying at the Pendry Hotel in San Diego is what it smelled like. The toiletries included in each room have a striking unisex fragrance, and every time I stepped into the elevator, it smelled like that scent. It seemed like everyone staying at the hotel was using it, down to the lobby also having the same fragrance. That made me realize how brilliant a signature scent is—and it’s not just for hotels.
“Introduce a signature scented candle throughout the entire space,” Chou says. “Especially in the entryway—the first space you enter in your home.” I love having a candle in the entryway, and diffusers in each bathroom. Summer can be an especially fun time to play with scents. Do you want your home to emulate a tropical paradise? Or perhaps you have specific summer memories you want to recreate with fragrance. Hotels are known for their signature scents, and many hotels and resorts now offer their own candles and diffusers so you can bring the fragrance home with you. How chic is a Ritz Carlton candle in your entryway?
Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa
Hotel bathrooms tend to be spacious and lux, so why not give your own bathroom a little glow-up this summer? Sure, you could go wild and make big renovations, like adding a jacuzzi tub, or better yet—keep things simple.
“Add spa features and accessories to your bathroom, like a towel warmer, an over tub caddy and a scented candle,” Chou suggests. All of these would transform your normal shower routine into something a little more special.
You can also consider investing in new towels (there’s nothing like fluffy, plush hotel towels!) or you could create a hotel-style amenity bar on your sink. Include a matching set of hand lotion and soap, alongside a pretty candle. To really make home feel like a hotel, play soft spa music from a nearby speaker and enjoy your shower or bath to the max.
Create a Mini Bar or Coffee Station In Your Bedroom
I once heard a story about someone putting a built-in espresso machine in their walk-in closet. They were inspired by hotel living and the cozy coffee stations that were included in the room. What a dream! To add a little bit of whimsy and fun to your bedroom (even if it’s just for the summer), Chou suggests you do something similar.
“Provide a mini bar or a tea and coffee station for the bedroom quarter, separate from your kitchen!” he exclaims.
If you happen to have a mini fridge in your garage you’re not using, or maybe an extra coffee maker lying around, why not bring it to your bedroom just for fun? There’s novelty in switching up your morning routine, and if you love having a mini bar or coffee area in your hotel room on a vacation, bring that same vibe into your home. There are lots of small coffee makers that take up minimal space, and certain mini fridges aren’t that expensive. Life is short! Why not indulge?
Clear Your Surfaces
Hotel rooms feel spacious because of what’s not there. Surfaces are clear, there’s no clutter, and everything is minimally styled. If you notice that your own home has cluttered surfaces, take some time to store things out of sight. Even if it’s just temporary, notice if clearing your surfaces brings you a little more calm. I know for me, clearing away bathroom and nightstand clutter scratches an itch in my brain I didn’t even know I had. If you want to make home feel like a hotel, decluttering in general is a great place to start.
Add Accent Light to Your Bedroom
Have you ever noticed that most hotel rooms have a variety of different light sources? There’s normally an overhead light, a standing lamp, a lamp on a desk, and lamps on each side of the bed. Chou recommends focusing on the light around your bed, specifically on the headboard.
“Most hotel bedroom experiences have a headboard design with a lighting feature—like a reading light or accent light,” he shares. To create the same vibe at home, give your bedroom a lighting makeover.
A bedside reading light does more than just help you with your summer reading list. Lighting can set the mood and cue your nervous system that it’s time to relax, especially before bed, and smaller sources of light tend to create a cozy and relaxed vibe. If your bedroom doesn’t have many lamps, try adding one to the top of your dresser.
Upgrade Your Bedding
Hotels are known for their lux bedding, so why not invest in some new sheets? Imagine sinking into a plush hotel bed and think of how you can upgrade your own bed at home. Is it time for higher quality sheets? Maybe an extra large duvet or new pillows. I know personally, bamboo sheets have changed the game for my husband and I—we will never go back to cotton sheets! Also, the simple act of making your bed can’t be ignored. Even just tucking in the sheets and fluffing up your pillows can make home feel more put-together and intentionally designed.
Making your home feel like a hotel isn’t about spending a fortune—it’s about curating your environment with care. Whether it’s a scent that reminds you of vacation or a freshly-made bed that invites you in at night, these small shifts can bring a deep sense of ease and luxury to your every day. This summer, you just might prefer staying in.
