By Kacey Bradley
A picture's worth 1,000 words — especially when it comes to selling a product to potential customers online. That's because many of your future hotel guests will log onto your website to scope out the properties and its amenities. And what they find in your photos will sway them to book or not.
This is important enough to your business that you're considering a revamp of your hotel rooms so that they look better online and in person. Fortunately, you can perform one of many simple projects to do just that — and they won't break the bank, either. Here are five of them:
1. Keep Linens Simple
The first thing guests will look at in your pictures will probably be the bed, as it's the most important part of the room. Do yours appear plush, clean and inviting? If not, it might be time to update your linens.
For the most part, boldly patterned bedding will give your hotel room a slightly dated appearance. So, keep it simple by swapping these blankets, shams, sheets, etc., for monochromatic, modern versions. Pay close attention to the feel of the bedsheets you select. Guests love luxurious — or luxurious-feeling — sheets, so find the right brand and price point to make your beds as cozy as possible.
2. Restore Walls to Neutral
Another place to mute bold colors — your guest rooms' walls. Along with bright accent facades, you should consider removing any outdated wallpaper and painting over any yellowy neutral walls. All of these will make your property look vintage, and not in a good way.
Fortunately, repainting is an easy and relatively inexpensive project to take on. Be sure that your makeover revolves around a neutral hue, as the muted tones will make your rooms feel soothing to their temporary residents. Plus, neutrals like white can make spaces feel bigger, which is excellent if your property lacks in the square footage department.
3. Ditch the Kitsch
Don't feel like you have to decorate every inch of space in your hotel rooms. This may have been the norm in the past, but it's no longer expected of you anymore.
If you have the same piece of art in every one of your rooms, then you should start your redecorating quest by removing them. Chances are, this piece of art was neutral enough that you could buy multiple copies and hang it in every space. But a piece of art like that has little to say — and it probably contributes little to the design and feel of the room.
So, seek out local artists for prints or originals that are unique to your hotel's location. You could fill your old picture frames with maps or photos of the area, too. That way, your rooms have all of the comforts that guests need with the one-of-a-kind style they want. Wait it out until you find the perfect piece that will make an impression without breaking the bank.
4. Light It Up
Your guests want their rooms enshrouded from street lights while they sleep, of course, but they also need the right combination of lamps and overhead lighting so that they can illuminate all of their indoor activities, too. Remove any dangling blinds first and foremost — no matter how practical they are, these plastic panels do nothing but date the hotel room.
To keep unwanted light out at night, layer curtains so that guests get the blackout they want in a way that's more aesthetically pleasing. On top of that, offer an array of different lights so they can layer how much glow they have throughout the day. For a budget-friendly makeover, focus on the task lighting throughout the space. For example, an adjustable reading light next to each side of the bed will allow guests to hop into bed with a bulb on — and not have to get out of bed to turn it off afterward.
5. Reorganize (and Edit) the Furniture
This tip could completely transform the look of your rooms with just a bit of elbow grease — no cash required. If it has been years or decades since you reorganized the layout of the furniture in your guest rooms, then try this first. You might find that a simpler setup makes the place feel fresher.
Start by moving seating away from their logical position, which is usually against the wall. Suite-style rooms tend to have chairs and couches by the windows or across from the bed, for instance. You can offer your guests the same without the price of a top-of-the-line hotel suite. You might also consider throwing away unnecessary pieces furniture to make the floor plan flow better if it's feeling a little crowded.
Spruce It Up
Whether your rooms need a single, small tweak or all five adjustments, one thing is for sure — your business will only benefit from a modernizing facelift. So, get started today to spruce it up for tomorrow's guest.
