Tips for Picking Out the Best Wallpaper for Your Hotel
Choosing the right wallpaper for your hotel is much more than a design decision. It’s an opportunity to create a lasting impression on your guests while showcasing the distinct personality of your brand.
From grand lobbies to intimate guest rooms, the wallpaper you select will play a major role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your spaces. It can evoke luxury, warmth, excitement, or calm, depending on what you want your hotel to convey.
With so many options available, picking out the best wallpaper for your hotel may seem overwhelming. But don’t worry—we have you covered with essential tips to guide your decision-making.
Think of Your Brand First and Foremost
Your hotel’s wallpaper should always align closely with your brand identity. Think about the kind of experience you want guests to have from the moment they step into your property.
Are you running a boutique hotel with playful, vibrant energy, or do you manage a high-end establishment where sophistication and minimalism reign? Every design choice you make—including wallpaper—is an extension of your brand story. For example, a modern upscale hotel might look incredible with geometric patterns in neutral tones, while a family-friendly hotel in a rural area might benefit from bright, cheerful designs inspired by nature.
Consistency across your spaces matters, too. While different areas of the hotel will naturally have their own purpose and atmosphere, you don’t want them to feel like separate worlds. Find a way to balance variety and cohesion by choosing patterns, colors, or textures that match your overarching brand identity and tie everything together across the property.
Consider Maintenance and Long-Term Investment
Hotels see a lot of traffic, which means maintenance and longevity play a huge role when picking wallpaper. You’ll want to focus on options that look stunning but can also hold up to wear and tear. Think about the lifespan of your design decisions. A trendy wallpaper that fades quickly or doesn’t clean well can become a problem within a year or two, leaving you with the headache of frequent replacements and added costs.
When thinking about durability, placement is also an important consideration. For example, wallpaper near restaurant areas should resist not only wear but also potential food or drink splashes. Workspaces or back hallways might not need the same luxurious touch as public spaces but still require materials that can endure the daily grind.
Vinyl wallpapers are popular in commercial settings because they’re both durable and easy to maintain. They’re resistant to moisture and stains, making them a smart option for areas like lobbies, hallways, and guest rooms.
Similarly, wallpapers with textured patterns and designs, such as faux wood or stone, can help hide minor scuffs and scratches that inevitably come with heavy use. Be prepared to weigh upfront costs against long-term savings—high-quality wallpaper often pays off by staying vibrant and intact for years.
Create a Welcoming Environment
Creating the right mood is essential when designing a hotel, and wallpaper is one of your greatest tools to do so. Guests tend to decide very quickly how they feel about a space, and their surroundings play a huge role in that reaction. Choosing wallpapers that feel warm, inviting, and reflective of your specific aesthetic will make patrons feel comfortable, whether they’re on a business trip or a vacation.
Think carefully about color psychology and the emotions it can evoke. For instance, soft tones like blush, beige, or muted greens can promote calmness, making them perfect for areas of rest and relaxation. Meanwhile, bold reds or deep navy blues can create drama and sophistication, which is ideal for luxury hotels or boutique designs.
Patterns also matter. While large-scale patterns can feel opulent and dynamic, smaller, subtler patterns balance visual interest without becoming overwhelming.
Design for Different Areas
Every corner of your hotel serves a different purpose, so your wallpaper should reflect that while still working together as a cohesive whole. Thoughtful design elevates the experience of guests moving through your property, giving each area its own charm while maintaining flow across spaces. Check out these tips for picking out the best wallpaper for each part of your hotel.
The Lobby
The lobby is the first impression guests have of your hotel, so every inch of this space counts. Your wallpaper here should immediately communicate who you are as a brand while setting a welcoming tone. Larger-scale patterns or statement designs can work wonders in making the space feel grand and memorable. Reflective wallpapers, such as those with metallic finishes, can add an extra layer of sophistication while playing with light to make the space appear larger and brighter.
Bars and Dining Areas
Bars and dining areas are fantastic places to get creative with your wallpaper choice. Guests naturally spend more time in these sections, so a bold or eye-catching design can spark conversation and add personality to the experience. Rich hues, elegant textures, or even murals can bring vibrancy and warmth to these spaces.
It’s also worth considering how your wallpaper complements the overall dining setup, including the furniture, lighting, and dishware. Think about the themes and atmosphere of the space. Are you working with an open room full of greenery and natural light? If so, floral or botanical designs are your best choice. If you’re designing for a space with leather furniture and romantic lighting, designs with dark, rich colors fit the mood and add depth to the area.
Hotel Rooms
Guest rooms are personal spaces that should feel luxurious yet soothing. Striking the right balance here is essential. You don’t want anything too overpowering, as the purpose of these rooms is relaxation and rest. Neutral palettes, soft patterns, and subtle textures work exceptionally well to create a grounded, calming atmosphere. If you want a splash of color to make the space stand out, try watercolor wallpaper to create a feature wall behind the bed. This helps draw the eye while keeping the rest of the room understated.
Event Areas
Event areas, such as ballrooms or conference spaces, are designed to impress. Generally, these spaces offer the highest level of flexibility when it comes to wallpaper choice. Depending on the intended usage, you can go for elegant, timeless designs that cater to weddings and formal gatherings, or more modern and minimalist designs that work for corporate events.
Transform Your Hotel With the Right Wallpaper
Wallpaper is more than a finishing touch in hotel design. It’s a powerful tool for creating spaces that resonate with guests and leave lasting impressions. By aligning your choice with your brand, choosing durable and practical materials, and tailoring designs for different areas of the property, you can craft a hotel environment that feels cohesive, engaging, and unforgettable.
Olivia + Poppy offers a luxurious variety of wall coverings to enhance your space and create the perfect design for your hotel. Explore our elegant collections today and bring your vision to life.