Residential Interiors Inspired by Boutique Hotels
Image: An apartment at The Whiteley | Source: Knight Frank
Over the last decade, high end residential interiors have started to look and feel more like boutique hotel suites. It’s a design shift rooted not in aesthetics alone, but in experience. At SP3 London, we’ve observed how hospitality-led design is influencing private living, especially within London developments where space, luxury and service are becoming ever more tightly entwined.
So what’s behind this move toward hotel-style living at home? And what does it mean for residential design moving forward?
Hotel Design as a Lifestyle Benchmark
As we’re all already aware, boutique hotels are designed to delight. Across every single element, from the layout of a room, to the materials used in the bathroom, we want to be impressed with comfort, elegance and the mood. And that’s exactly what many London homeowners now want from their everyday environments.
Across the London capital, we’re seeing more and more residences adopt hotel cues and ideas from thoughtful lighting, rich textures, high-end finishes and layouts that prioritise ease and indulgence. The hotel experience is now very much a requirement within residential homes. It’s no longer enough for a home to look luxurious, it needs to feel it.
Real Examples in the London Market
Take the interiors at One Kensington Gardens. The private apartments here channel a quiet opulence that feels much like stepping into a five star suite. Think stone clad bathrooms with walk-in showers and soaking tubs, soft concealed lighting throughout and layered textures that make each space feel cocooned and calm. There’s a clear focus on wellness, privacy and mood, qualities that mirror the hospitality sector more than traditional residential design.
Image: One Kensington Gardens Apartment | Source: Strutt & Parker
Meanwhile, in The Whiteley redevelopment in Bayswater, we see a deeper merge of hospitality and home. Set within a former department store, the project combines Six Senses-branded residences with hotel services, wellness facilities and a level of detail rarely found outside of luxury travel. Interiors here feature curved joinery, tactile fabrics and natural tones that give warmth and intimacy.
Image: The Whiteley Apartment | Source: Knight Frank
What Defines the Boutique Hotel Feel at Home?
It’s not about mimicry. Rather than copying hotel looks outright, designers are drawing from the feeling boutique hotels create. That often includes:
Layered lighting: Ambient lighting schemes using lamps, cove lighting, dimmable sconces and pendant lights to build mood within the space.
Tactile materials: Soft velvet, cosy boucle, warm brushed brass, ribbed timber, natural stone and glossy lacquer finishes.
Seamless storage: Wardrobes and cabinetry that are built-in and concealed, mirroring the clean lines of hotel rooms.
Spa-like bathrooms: Double vanities, rainfall showers, underfloor heating and oversized mirrors delivering the hotel experience.
Zoning: Rooms are often divided into zones for sleep, work and relaxation without harsh barriers, creating flow and purpose.
Smaller Spaces, Bigger Thinking
The boutique hotel influence is especially powerful in city apartments where square footage is at a premium. Instead of seeing constraints, designers are approaching these spaces like high-end hotel rooms, with smart storage, soft acoustics and clever zoning.
In developments like Chelsea Barracks, the sense of calm and cohesion is key. The palette is muted. Materials are top-end but never flashy. Every element is considered for both form and feel. The result? Apartments that exude quiet confidence, much like a suite at The Connaught or The NoMad.
Personalisation Meets Prestige
At SP3 London, we’re finding that clients are no longer just asking for beautiful interiors. They want thoughtful, experience-led design. Many of them travel frequently and are used to the comfort and detail of top-tier hospitality. So naturally, they want those same standards at home.
This doesn’t mean every space needs a concierge or a minibar. But it does mean considering how a space makes you feel the moment you walk in. Does the lighting invite you to relax? Are the materials soft underfoot? Is there visual order? Hotel design thinks about these things. And so do we.
The Role of FF&E in Creating Atmosphere
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) are no longer afterthoughts. They are the story. In boutique inspired homes, the furniture is tactile, sculptural and inviting. The joinery is integrated. The lighting isn’t just task focused, it’s decorative and expressive.
Even small details matter, the type of drawer pull, the warmth of the wood grain, the weight of a door handle. These choices turn everyday moments into elevated ones. Just like in a boutique hotel, the delight comes from the little things.
Services and Amenities - The Hotel Model at Home
We’re also seeing hotel-level services make their way into London residential developments. In some buildings, this means wellness spaces, 24-hour concierge, spa rooms, screening lounges and more. But in private homes, this manifests differently.
Think walk-in pantries, back kitchens for entertaining, wine rooms and dressing areas inspired by hotel suites. It’s a redefinition of luxury. Less about show, more about how a home can support and soothe daily life.
Final Thoughts from SP3 London
As hospitality and residential design continue to merge, the lines are becoming beautifully blurred. And we believe that’s a good thing.
There is something deeply comforting about living in a space that has been designed to anticipate your needs. A space that cocoons you at the end of the day. A space that feels like you, but with all the poise of your favourite hotel.
At SP3 London, we see this as the future of high-end residential design. It’s thoughtful. It’s sensory. It’s luxurious in the most understated of ways. And we’re excited to help bring it to life in homes across London and beyond.
If you’d like to learn more about how we manage residential design projects, we’d love to hear from you.
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