Top 10+ hotel decor items guests can’t stop asking about, according to their designers

Designers reveal the decor pieces guests are thinking about long after checkout.

One of the joys of staying in a well-designed hotel is stumbling upon decor pieces you’d love to make your own. Maybe it’s a striking headboard in your room, an eye-catching piece of artwork, or a plush chair in the lobby.

“Checking into a beautifully designed hotel is like stepping into another world—one that invites you to see color, pattern, art, and furniture in a fresh light,” says Mimi McMakin, the principal interior designer for Kemble Interiors, the creative firm behind The Colony Hotel. “On vacation, every detail stands out, making it easy to fall in love with objects you might otherwise overlook at home because, in that moment, they’re part of the joy you’re experiencing. These pieces carry the memory of the destination and serve as a tangible reminder of how it felt to be there.”

Inspired by hotel design details that linger long after checkout, we talked to hotel designers to learn which pieces guests ask about the most, and get their fresh and stylish ideas you can re-create at home.

1. Lighting As a Design Moment

Hotel guests often notice lighting first—it sets the mood and frequently references the destination itself. Sculptural fixtures that feel decorative rather than purely functional are especially memorable, and many can be translated at home through material, shape, or scale.

“When guests arrive at the hotel, they immediately notice the glass knotty bubbles sculptural light fixture that hangs in the lobby gift shop,” says Elizabeth Lowrey of Elkus Manfredi Architects, the firm behind The White Elephant Nantucket. Made of rope and hand-blown glass, it recalls Nantucket’s seafaring traditions. Organic table lamps and bedside lighting have a similar impact when they echo nature.

“Our hotel’s nightstand lamp reflects our vision through its organic form, reminiscent of flowing water and sea life,” says Lisa-Maria Priester, director of interior design for the Moana Surfrider. Even smaller table and wall lights can help bring a destination-inspired look into a home without breaking a budget. 

2. Natural Textures That Add Warmth

Decor crafted from natural fibers feels approachable and tactile—qualities guests increasingly crave. From woven baskets and rope wall art to rattan furniture and jute rugs, these materials feel handcrafted and inviting, giving any room a layered, curated look. They can be used on walls, floors, or furniture to add visual interest and warmth.

“Rope is durable, versatile, and surprisingly affordable,” says Krista Stokes of Atlantic Hospitality, describing how it’s used as graphic art on the walls at Salt Cottages. “Our colorful woven baskets add movement and texture, and guests appreciate their simple beauty,” adds Omar Duenas, vice president of operations at Royalton Hotels and Resorts.

3. Furniture with Built-In Personality

Bold furniture pieces in hotels—especially those with unexpected shapes, colors, or materials—often become conversation starters. These include side tables, accent chairs, and coffee tables, pieces that combine functionality with sculptural form to help a room feel curated.

At The Ben West Palm, sculptural tables serve as functional design and command attention in a similar way. “Guests are drawn to these pieces because they blur the line between furniture and art,” says Malcolm Berg of EoA Group.

The effect can be highly personal, too. “Guests are drawn to our statement coffee table in the communal living area. We hand-selected a single cypress stump from a yard of raw trunks, had it cured, finished, and varnished to highlight its natural character, and then worked with a local glassmaker to custom-cut a circular top that balances over it,” says Debbie Gruelle, founder and designer of Lamangata Luxury Surf Resort. “The piece feels alive, with grain, edges, and movement that reveal both the wood’s personality and the craftsman’s hand.”  

4. Headboards as a Design Focal Point

Headboards often act as the visual anchor of a guest room, making them one of the most noticed design features. A bold or textured headboard instantly gives a room personality and can serve as the foundation for the color and style of the room. Simple materials on a headboard like leather or reclaimed wood can create a tactile, inviting focal point that makes a bedroom feel curated and memorable.

“Guests often ask about our beautiful headboards, which serve as the jewel of the room, noting their leather upholstery and Moorish-inspired detailing,” says Martyn Lawrence Bullard, the interior designer at Hotel Californian.

Texture plays a role in other properties as well, and a similar emphasis on material and textures appears at the Hotel Lilien. "The wood-and-cane beds add a clean, timeless feel, and guests love them so much they often ask where they can buy them for their own homes," says Leah Harmatz, the founder of Field Theory Design.

5. Wallcoverings That Make a Statement

“A great wallpaper can do a lot of heavy lifting, transforming walls into instant works of art with rich colors and intricate patterns,” says Adam Behm, senior interior designer of the Fidelity Hotel. It can instantly define a space, and hotel guests are often drawn to designs that feel immersive, playful, or richly detailed.

Even small areas like a powder room can serve as a canvas for playful or dramatic wall treatments, adding a wow factor without overwhelming the budget, while wallpapering only an accent wall makes this look accessible and affordable.

Other hotels create equally memorable effects by layering texture, metallics, and natural motifs for a tactile feel. “At The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, handcrafted wood-grain wallcovering layers metallic leaf, botanicals, butterflies, and birds into a shimmering garden scene,” says Dina VanderVeen, project designer at BAMO, Inc. “The finish catches the light throughout the day, creating a subtle shimmer that feels enchanting.”

6. Stone and Tile That Make a Lasting Impression

Incorporating tile and stone with texture and pattern is an easy way to elevate a room. Using them as an accent on a shower wall or bathroom floor creates a striking focal point, while mixing and matching tiles or using smaller stone pieces can add a sense of luxury and craftsmanship.

“Our hotel’s Bisazza mosaic tile gives the wall a rhythm that feels both contemporary and timeless,” says Pascal Allaman, the interior architect for Hôtel de Sers. Natural stone can leave a lasting impression as well. “What truly captivates guests at our hotel are the fossilized corals embedded within,” says Greg Blee, co-founder at Blee Halligan Architects, the firm behind The South Bank Hotel. Even a small section of tile can make a room feel elevated without remodeling an entire space.

7. Whimsical Touches That Add Charm

Sometimes it’s a charming design element that hotel visitors remember most. “Guests are consistently drawn to our vintage pulley ceiling fans, whose sculptural details add character to the lobby,” says Michelle Mauricio, director of interior design, Sunset Key Cottages.

Likewise, small sculptural moments leave an impression. “The brass sculpture of lovebirds in our lobby sets a welcoming tone,” says Toby Bishop, founder of Bishop Design Studio. Even a single whimsical accent, such as a playful vase or unusual bowl, can serve as a conversation starter and give a room a signature touch that feels curated yet approachable.

8. Rugs That Pull Everything Together

A well-chosen area rug provides an easy way to define an area, introduce color or pattern, and create a sense of warmth and comfort. It grounds a space visually while adding softness underfoot—two reasons hotel rugs catch guests’ attention.

“The sapphire-toned blue rugs anchor our suite’s nautical-inspired aesthetic,” says Alessia Genova, principal at Tihany Design, referring to the rugs at The Breakers Palm Beach. “Guests love the texture underfoot and the richness of the palette.” Woven, flatweave, or washable options can deliver a designer-inspired look on a budget.

9. Custom Details That Make a Room Memorable

Small-scale custom details are often what guests remember most. Decorative accents like pottery, tabletop objects, and sculptural decor add personality and a sense of craftsmanship without overwhelming a space, helping rooms feel personal and thoughtfully assembled. “Our hotel’s handcrafted Cycladic-inspired pottery was chosen as a homage to Santorini’s artisanal tradition,” says Vivi Diamantidou, the interior designer at Andronis Luxury Suites. “Guests love it because it’s both beautiful and grounded in place.”

Jonathan Adler has seen a similar response to the custom pieces he designed for the Parker Palm Springs. “I created the custom pottery for the hotel’s lobby in my SoHo studio, and after so many people asked about it, I decided to produce the pieces,” says Adler. “They’re crafty yet couture, graphic yet organic, and they perfectly capture the spirit of Palm Springs.”

10. Seating Designed for Style and Comfort

Comfortable, well-chosen seating can transform a space, making it feel layered, approachable, and stylish. Plush textures such as sheepskin, velvet, or textured upholstery, combined with enveloping shapes and natural materials, make chairs feel like an experience rather than an afterthought, inviting hotel guests to sit, relax, and linger. At home, this same approach can be applied by prioritizing comfort-forward silhouettes and touchable materials. “The sheepskin chair at the Pinch Hotel was chosen not only for its striking silhouette but also for its sumptuous feel,” says Christine Fitzpatrick, senior interior designer at Method Co. “The honest materiality of the chair offers a sense of quiet luxury—serenity guests love to see, touch, and feel.”