How Art and Music Can Transform Your Hospitality Space
When we discuss design on these pages, we focus most often on architectural styles and themes or interior design elements like color, texture, ceiling and floor treatments, and furnishings.
Whether it’s a hot NYC dance club or a chic eatery, these factors matter.
In this article, New World Design Builders explores the difference the right art, music, and lighting can make to your interior design experience.
How Important are Art, Music, and Lighting in Interior Design?
Imagine a hotel lobby where the floor plan works beautifully. Towering columns soar gracefully to the ornate ceiling high above. The color palette is tasteful and timeless — yet engaging. The furnishings are appropriately grand, yet don’t sacrifice comfort for style.
But…wait. TikTok-grade pop music is playing loudly. Cheap prints you’ve seen a thousand times before adorn the walls in plastic frames. Inexpensive-looking faux foliage abounds. This grand lobby is too brightly lit in the evening with harsh fluorescents.
Now. What just happened to your internalized experience of that hotel lobby?
8 Essential Rules for Artwork and Interior Design in Hospitality Spaces
1. Understand the Space and Theme
Before selecting artwork, consider the overall theme and style of the space. Whether it’s a modern restaurant, a vintage bar, or a luxurious hotel, the art should complement the existing design elements and enhance the atmosphere.
2. Choose High-Quality Pieces
Invest in high-quality, original artwork rather than cheap prints for upscale establishments. Look for unique pieces that display craftsmanship. This could include paintings, sculptures, or mixed-media works.
3. Consider the Color Palette
Be cognizant of the space’s color scheme. The art should complement the existing colors or provide a striking contrast that injects visual interest —- but do this strategically. Avoid clashing colors that may disrupt the overall aesthetic.
4. Scale and Proportion
Consider size. Be careful not to fall in love with a piece that is too small and will disappear in the room or something that will overpower the space. The art should be proportionate to the furniture and architectural features.
5. Reflect the Brand Identity
Where possible, artwork should reflect brand identity and values. A modern city lounge should tantalize the senses with contemporary, edgy pieces, while an opulent Old World-style hotel would favor elegant large-format paintings and attention to detail. The art should resonate with the target audience and make sense in the space.
6. Create a Focal Point
Use artwork to create a focal point in the space. You would be amazed by how often this is overlooked or done poorly. A large space without a focal point sends the eyes searching the room and can even broadcast a sense of unease or disorientation. A striking piece of art can not only draw attention—it can anchor an entire room and make a statement.
7. Mix and Match Styles
Don’t be afraid to mix different styles and mediums. Combining various types of art can add depth and character to the space. Just don’t go over the line into chaos or cacophony. A cohesive element must tie the pieces together, such as a common color or theme.
8. Invest in Local Talent
Collaborate with local artists to bring a unique and authentic touch to the space whenever possible and practical. Featuring local art can create a sense of community and support the local art scene. It also provides guests with a connection to the location.
Music Speaks to Guests—-It is a Part of Interior Design
Music is even more often overlooked as a part of interior design than artwork —- and that’s putting it mildly. Even some of the most talented commercial interior designers and business proprietors don’t consider the role music plays in creating ambiance.
Not that music is ignored. It certainly isn’t in a nightclub, and the better bars pay attention to what’s playing, too. But what about restaurants and hotels? How about day spas? How much attention are they paying to the music playing in the background? Does it mate well with the design and vibe of the space, or are they at odds?
Musical taste is a very subjective thing; we won’t tell you precisely what to play. The key here is to be thinking about it very carefully.
Some Basic Tips on Marrying Music to Interior Design
- No one in your establishment should ever hear commercials or DJ chatter, except in a nightclub with a live DJ.
- Consider the time of day. Is your evening music different from your morning music? Perhaps it should be.
- Incorporate cultural influences where you can or play music from local artists.
- Note the tempo. Make sure it is appropriate for the type of activity and the energy of the space.
- Use a diverse playlist. Most people do not want to hear the same music for more than a couple of hours, much less several days. Mix it up.
New World Design Builders: The Art of Interior Design
New World Design Builders and K2 Studios form a team of skilled artisans, builders, and interior design professionals. Our projects range from modern to biophilic designs, consistently upholding a dedication to timeless elegance.
Both architecture and interior design unite in harmony in the partnership between New World Design Builders and K2 Studios. This synergy makes us uniquely qualified to create comprehensive commercial interior design solutions.
Let’s begin a conversation about creating your ideal space.
