What Hospitality Design Taught Me

Working in hospitality design - from cafes to bakeries - has taught me lessons that I now bring to every residential project I take on. Designing for cafes is about more than just beautiful furniture or striking interiors; it’s about creating spaces that work effortlessly, feel inviting, and deliver a sense of calm and enjoyment for everyone who uses them.

Over the years, I’ve realised that these same principles make a huge difference in residential interior design. Here are some key lessons that hospitality design has taught me - and how they translate into residential interiors.

1. Flow Is Everything

In cafés and bakeries, customers and staff need to move naturally - from the entrance to the counter, seating areas, and back-of-house - without bottlenecks or confusion. In a home, thoughtful circulation ensures each room connects smoothly to the next, creating a sense of harmony and ease throughout the property.

2. Function Meets Beauty

A café can’t just look good; it needs to work in practice. Seating, surfaces, and lighting must suit both staff and customers. In residential design, the same principle applies: furniture scale, ergonomics, and practical layouts are crucial for daily life, especially in busy family homes or heritage properties.

3. Atmosphere Through Lighting and Materials

Lighting and material choices in cafés set mood, highlight features, and make spaces inviting. In homes, layering light and carefully selecting textures - from natural wood to brass, marble, or soft fabrics - helps every room feel welcoming, comfortable, and connected.

4. Details Make a Difference

Small touches - signage, artwork, shelves, or display styling - elevate a café experience. Similarly, in a home, thoughtful details like hardware, curated accessories, and bespoke furniture help create personality, cohesion, and a sense of considered luxury.

5. Spaces Should Reflect People

The best cafés have a sense of identity that resonates with their customers. Likewise, a home should reflect the people who live in it. Personalised touches, curated objects, and thoughtful styling make a house feel truly like home.

Bringing Café Principles to Period Homes

Whether it’s a Victorian terrace in Bristol, a Georgian townhouse in Bath, or a Somerset countryside property, these hospitality-inspired lessons allow me to create homes that are both functional and beautiful. Each space flows, feels welcoming, and is tailored to the way my clients live.

✨ If you’d like to explore how these principles could transform your home, I’d be delighted to chat. You can book a relaxed discovery call via my website, and we’ll discuss how to bring the warmth, functionality, and personality of café design into your property.