In the hospitality business, the décor of a structure is for sure one of the most important features of a facility. Of course, decorating well the indoor is essential for the comfort and enjoyment of guests... but what about the outdoor areas?

The outdoors of a hotel are without a doubt one of the most important areas of the structure. The entrance, patio, and the surrounding nature in fact, are the first things guests will see and come in contact with upon arrival. Gardens, balconies and any facility, amenity and furniture placed in those spaces will be immediately visible and will be the ones welcoming guests as they enter the hotel.

Furnishing any space is an investment – not only with regards to money spent, but also in terms of time and effort while designing the space and picking each item of furniture and any complements to go with.

The design, layout, feel and mood of the space are especially important when the space to be furnished is a hotel – and even more so the outdoor area of the hotel. The patio, the entrance and the outdoors in general in fact, are the first thing guests will see upon arrival, the space they will – even unknowingly so – base their first impressions and thoughts on the hotel itself.

A common misconception is that one should worry about decorating the interior spaces of a building (house, hotel, restaurant, resort...) and invest most of their budget there instead of keeping the right budget aside to invest in outdoor décor, too. This idea may come from the fact that some are scared to leave expensive furniture out in the harsh weather all year long, so they prefer to have their outdoor furniture be almost “disposable”, in a way.

When decorating the outdoors of a property, it is a good idea to have a focal point to the design that can function as the centre of the composition and serve as the gathering point for the homeowners and their guests. By creating this focal point you will define the character of the area, so it is very important that you talk to your client to understand what kind of focal point they want or need for their home, then start from there to create a space that is beautiful, useful and of course, special and unique.

The best manufacture, the most sought-after materials, beautiful colour patterns that cleverly mix trends and timeless allure – all of this in a variety of styles that will certainly fit whatever kind of design you are working on. Decorating a luxury environment might still be a job – but it sure is a very exciting and fun one, when all the options you can choose from are this wonderful to look at and work with!

Cooking is about the food of course – but it is also about the company with whom to share a good meal, a snack, or finger-food and drinks. Because it is an experience more so than an action in itself, cooking is historically something that can be done indoor or outdoor – anywhere that can make the activity more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Flooring is not just for the indoors. Selecting the best flooring for patios, gardens, and other outdoor areas you might come across in your work is crucial to finish off your design so it looks coherent. Also, you can make or break the overall feel of your design by choosing one material, colour and / or pattern over the other – so make sure to carefully address every detail in order to create an environment that looks well thought, luxurious and that is attractive and inviting to the guests.

Patios can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors in good company without straying too far from where we are staying – hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc. Therefore, patios can turn into a very special spot for any guests that want to relax and take some stress-free time, and it will become even more important if the facility you are going to decorate is visited by many children and / or elderly people who have the need to keep close to where they are lodging.

Nature and all of its colours, scents and textures is one of the biggest trends of this year with regards to interior and landscape design. So, it goes without saying that bringing the outdoors inside can only be a bonus when thinking of the décor of your hotel.