Harriet Forde Design to build ‘The Perfect Hotel Bedroom’ at the Independent Hotel Show

Posted in Events, News on 7 September, 2017

Established interior designer Harriet Forde, the founder of London-based practice Harriet Forde Design, has been commissioned to put together ‘The Perfect Hotel Bedroom’ for the Independent Hotel Show.

Harriet, a director of the British Institute of Interior Design, will use her vision to build a real-life version of a hotel bedroom on the show floor. Guided by consumer preferences in areas such as lighting, soft furnishings, technology preferences and storage requirements, she will also use furnishings and equipment from the show’s exhibitors to help create it.

The Perfect Hotel Bedroom, in partnership with Chic Retreats, is a brand-new feature for the Independent Hotel Show and has been determined by the results of a survey completed by over 1,800 consumers. Additional research and industry comment will also be included in a final report to be available for hoteliers to take away from the show.

Harriet, who works on both hotel and residential projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, says the line between residential and hotel interior design has become ‘increasingly blurred’ in recent years as hotel guests seek a more ‘at home’ environment with aspirational elements.

“Hotel bedrooms have become less formal and as people become more design literate, guests enjoy bedrooms that are furnished with design classics that they might recognise,” she says. “Mid-20th century design is making a comeback in the residential sector, which can also be seen in the more unique hotels in East London.”

Harriet says lighting has become an integral part of hotel bedroom design as it influences the ambience of the room. Natural materials such as wood, marble and coloured glass are also increasingly being used in hotel design she has found.

However, some of the traditional service aspects we associate with a hotel stay, such as room service and the mini-bar are waning in popularity she feels.

“Today’s hotel guest is becoming more health conscious and requires healthy meals not normally available on room service menus, and are less likely to pay for a chocolate bar from the mini bar,” adds Forde.