A unique hotel interior will distinguish your property from competitors and attract discerning hotel guests willing to pay more for a novel place to stay. Having thoughtfully-designed spaces can also improve a hospitality property’s functionality, enhancing the visitor experience and lowering operating costs.
This guide explains how to achieve a custom hotel look and experience — including procuring custom-made hotel furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) — while working with a limited hotel development or renovation budget.
Preventing Common Hotel Budget Issues: Practical Considerations
Here are some sensible, everyday things you can do to afford a custom hotel design while sticking to a tight budget.
Develop solid project schedules
Hotel projects requiring custom-designed and built furnishings will take longer than those requiring standard FF&E. Even when using a modified prototype, which is when a designer starts with a pre-existing scheme, takes additional time and effort.
When developing a timeline, consider all aspects of the custom design process, including selecting materials and finishes, designing custom furnishings, seeking approvals, manufacturing, and delivering and setting up items.
A well-thought-out project schedule provides the information you need to optimize your time, stay within budget, and prevent surprises along the way.
Strive to stay on schedule
Once you develop your timeline, make it a top priority to stay on track. The larger the general contractor’s (GC) scope of work, including demolition, construction, and installation, the greater the risk that you can stay on schedule. What’s critical is that you integrate the project plan for custom FF&E design, development, and manufacturing into the broader project plans so you can clearly understand how hiccups in other aspects of the development effort could impact your work. This will allow you to address issues in real-time to deliver assets on time and within budget.
Facilitate team communications
It’s typical for a hotel development or renovation project team, including the architects, designers, FF&E procurement experts, GCs, and others, to fall into silos and not work together.
Facilitating sound communications among all parties involved is critical to delivering a custom hotel project on time and within budget. This will help keep everything on schedule and encourage group problem-solving when issues arise.
Design Tips for Developing Custom Hotel FF&E on a Budget
Here are proven ways to deliver a custom lodging experience at a reasonable price.
Take inspiration from the local area
Hotel guests today seeking a unique experience often like to feel like they’re part of the local community. Regional touches like décor or art pieces help bring that experience to life. Pieces created by local craftspeople can be relatively cost-effective. An experienced hospitality procurement company like Stroud Group can help you find artisans who can bring a local touch to your property at an affordable price.
Unexpectedly mix fabrics and finishes
Incorporating a range of textures, including wood, metal, stone, textiles, and patterns, can help create design depth and a layered luxurious appearance. Applying this concept, hotel spaces can deliver a massive visual impact without requiring a significant investment.
Carve out intimate spaces
Plan cozy seating and meeting areas in your public spaces so guests have options to relax or work comfortably. Custom FF&E choices here don’t have to be expensive, but a small investment in them will go a long way toward making your guests feel welcome and special.
Add in Natural Elements
A biophilic design approach using plenty of light and natural elements creates a calming and relaxing atmosphere, typically at an affordable cost. Skilled hospitality FF&E procurement professionals, like those at Stroud Group, can help you inject natural elements effectively without spending too much.
Procuring Custom Hotel FF&E On Time and Budget: The Final Word
In today’s highly competitive hospitality industry, creative, customized guest experiences are critical to standing out. However, custom doesn’t necessarily need to be costly. Contact the experts at Stroud Group to find out how they can help you develop the custom FF&E you need at a price well within your budget.