Finishing Touches: 5 Design Tips To Make A Serviced Apartment Feel Like Home

Whether we’re coming back home after an exhausting day of work or a trek around the globe, it’s natural to seek out familiar comforts. Small things like drinking tea from your special mug, rereading your favourite novel, or enjoying the novelty lampshade you bought at a flea market all help us feel grounded and secure.

Spending time away from home and your familiar comforts, whether it’s for months or years, can be lonely. When leasing a serviced apartment out for medium to long-term stays, avoid the showroom vibe by including comfy touches that allow guests to feel at home away from home.

In this post, we’ll go through 5 design tips to transform any serviced apartment into a comfortable retreat, making it feel like a home away from home.

1. Functional window coverings

Hanging stylish curtains gives an apartment a personal touch and demonstrates your desire to make your guests feel welcome. When it comes to function, curtains should be able to filter light, create privacy, and provide insulation.

You can opt for long drop curtains as they make a room feel larger while simultaneously creating a sense of cosy intimacy. Enhance the look with sleek curtain rods and finials to show your guests that you go the extra mile to create a well-thought-out space.

Heavy or blackout curtains help residents sleep soundly by blocking out unwanted light, especially if your apartment receives direct light in the morning. They’re also effective insulators, helping to maintain a comfortable temperature by reducing the cold that comes in through the windows and the heat that leaves your apartment. They’re also great at providing privacy in rooms like home offices. Corporate Keys’ fully furnished apartments are equipped with home office setups, making them ideal for remote work, and the addition of blackout curtains ensures an uninterrupted, focused workspace.

Light, airy fabrics let in natural light, making the space feel brighter and more inviting while still maintaining privacy. They’re perfect for inner-city apartments. Hang a double rail with heavy and light curtain options to suit the needs of your guests and give them creative freedom in their new abode.

2. Options for soft furnishings

Providing an array of blankets, throws, cushions, and pillows transforms a serviced apartment into a comforting sanctuary that also allows guests to personalise their accommodation. These items contribute to both the physical comfort and aesthetic appeal of a living space, playing a crucial role in making it feel lived-in and inviting.

Blankets and throws made from a variety of materials, such as thick cotton, knitted wool, mohair and faux fur, cater to various needs. From lightweight options for warmer nights to plush, heavy blankets for extra warmth during colder seasons, you want to provide choices for the whole year. This also allows guests to mix and match based on personal preference. 

Cushions and pillows, with their diverse textures, colours, and patterns, add visual interest and physical comfort, creating a sense of relaxation and well-being. They are easy to move around and customise, and enable guests to sleep restfully.

3. Welcoming decor

Enhance your serviced apartment by selecting distinctive artwork, handcrafted vases, bespoke furniture, and artisanal textiles. By doing so, you’ll add an atmosphere to the space you won’t get with uninspiring mass-produced prints.

Opt for bold abstracts, serene landscapes, or quirky illustrations to add character. Incorporate textural differences, such as smooth watercolours and deep, rough palette knife oil paintings to create an engaging environment and give your guests a more interesting place to live.

Carefully chosen art can significantly elevate your apartment's aesthetic, making it more inviting and attractive to discerning visitors looking for a space with character and personality.

4. Versatile furniture

Space is often at a premium in serviced apartments, making multifunctional furniture a necessity. Being able to arrange furniture in a variety of ways gives residents the agency to design their living space in ways that make them feel the most comfortable. Multifunctional furniture also lets you create brand-new looks for your apartment in an affordable manner. 

Modular sofas with detachable components are a great asset as there are a vast number of ways the individual pieces can be used. For example, include a two-seater couch with additional seats and an ottoman that can be attached, kept separate, or arranged to create a double bed. Such a setup gives your guest the option to accommodate visitors.

Dropdown tables, desks, and even some beds can be stylishly stowed against the wall to maximise space. Framed photos or art can be fixed to the underside of dropdown furniture so that there isn’t just a blank space on the wall when these furniture are stowed.

5. Warm lighting

Soft, warm lighting influences the ambience of a home, making it feel inviting and comfortable. Use warm-toned bulbs to mimic natural sunlight during sunrise or sunset, creating a relaxing and cosy atmosphere.

Installing dimmable lights enables residents to adjust the light intensity to suit their mood and the time of day, letting them switch from bright and energetic during the day to soft and relaxing in the evening.

Incorporate multiple types of lights, such as ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, and wall sconces. Layering light sources helps distribute light evenly throughout the room while creating a sense of depth and warmth.

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By incorporating these five thoughtful design elements, you can create a welcoming and personalised environment for guests. Attention to detail in decor, furniture, and lighting can transform a temporary stay into a comfortable and memorable experience. 

Ultimately, a well-designed service apartment not only enhances guest satisfaction but also encourages repeat business and positive recommendations. And if you need more proof of this, then check out our Corporate Keys guest book to read our glowing guest feedback for yourself!