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.
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.
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.
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 – see 10 Hottest Architecture Trends for 2014 here.
