By Lisa A. Haude, ASID, RID, NCIDQ, NEWH | August 10, 2026
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this guest column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Hotel Interactive. The author may have an interest in the products, services or business entities referenced in this article. Hotel Interactive is not responsible for the opinions or factual assertions made by the authors.
Anyone who has traveled recently has likely felt a shift, even without a name for it: Hotels feel different than they did a decade ago. The visually loud, maximal lobby that once announced luxury through sheer spectacle is giving way to something quieter. As guests arrive, they expect spaces that support their well-being, not just impress them.
One of the biggest shifts we at Studio RYS have seen is the move toward spaces that actively support guests’ well-being. Visual impact still matters, and dramatic elements still have their place, but they are no longer the priority. Instead, design elements such as softer textures, curved lines and natural materials are incorporated to help create more subtle, meaningful arrivals and thoughtful transitions between public and private spaces. Together, these choices create a stronger emotional response, one that allows guests to linger longer and feel welcomed, not overwhelmed.
This shift to quiet design shows up directly in how clients brief projects. They are asking design teams to maximize their space and to create community hubs that serve the locals as well as overnight guests. That often means a more modular, multitasking lobby and lobby-bar spaces that can flex between coworking, relaxing and socially interacting throughout the day. Quieter design is also no longer confined to the top of the market. Luxury properties were the first to embrace this idea, but it is now showing up in lifestyle, boutique and even some midscale hospitality. Across price points, guests value spaces that feel authentic, comfortable and easy to navigate. What they are looking for is a space that feels calm.
Why ‘Quiet’ Is Harder to Design Than ‘Loud’
There is a common misconception that designing for calm, or for visual quiet, simply means doing less. In practice, it is more demanding than creating a visually expressive space. When no single element in a room competes for attention, guests become far more aware of how the space feels. For the space to feel calm means that every design decision has to work harder.
The hardest part isn’t any one element in isolation. The challenge is creating a cohesive balance among several items at once. Acoustical control has to soften the constant background noise that contributes to sensory fatigue. Lighting needs to be layered and able to be adjusted to support different times of day. Materials need to carry warmth and texture without tipping into visual busyness.
Designing for calm requires editing. As designers, we have to ask whether each element we introduce improves the guest experience or simply adds another layer of stimulation. It requires the discipline of creating richness without visual clutter, where depth emerges through layers of material, texture and detail.
One of the most common mistakes we see at Studio RYS — whether from other designers or from operators chasing the trend — is confusing visual minimalism with visual calm. A space can look incredibly restrained on a mood board with a neutral palette, clean lines and sparse furnishings; however, it can still feel stressful once guests occupy it. Designing for calm doesn’t just mean removing things; it’s created by removing friction. A lobby that’s full of hard surfaces, stone floors, exposed ceilings, glass partitions and minimalist furniture will read as sophisticated in a photograph. But in person, as sound bounces endlessly off all of that hard, reflective material, the result is a space that feels loud and exhausting to be in. The look and the feel of the room must be balanced so the guest feels comfortable and relaxed; achieving that balance takes more coordination than most people realize.
Restraint in Practice: A Use Case
Studio RYS is currently working on a project that illustrates just how much more design work restraint can require than a louder alternative. The space is a ballroom expansion in what was originally an enclosed glass atrium that housed a pool. The ceiling and two walls are entirely glass, and the remaining walls are brick or a mix of brick and glass. It is a beautiful volume, but one filled with hard, sound-reflective surfaces.
The easier approach would have been to add obvious acoustical treatments and oversized statement lighting, and simply lean into the drama of the architecture. Instead, the goal was to make the room feel softer, calmer and more comfortable without losing what makes the space special. That meant a lot more thought and coordination behind the scenes.
Acoustics became a major focus, because a ballroom needs to function well for events of all types from conferences to weddings. Instead of introducing elements that looked overtly acoustic, we incorporated sculptural wall panels that read as large architectural wood features. They do the hard work of improving sound quality, but visually they feel like part of the design without feeling like a technical necessity.
The lighting followed a similar path. The architecture already provides plenty of drama, so instead of competing with it, we looked for a way to soften it. We designed a sculptural crystal light fixture inspired by the organic flow of a bayou. The fixture adds movement and warmth to the space, creating a contrast to the strong lines of the glass and brick while still feeling elegant and understated.
The best part about this project is that most guests will never think about the acoustics or analyze the lighting. They’ll simply feel comfortable in the space. That’s often where restraint becomes more challenging than a louder design approach. The goal is not to add more; it’s to integrate the right elements so the experience feels effortless and thoughtful.
What Owners, Operators and Developers Should Understand
The business case for investing in the shift to calm is straightforward. Guests have more choices than ever, and many hotels offer all similar amenities, technology and levels of service, but what sets a property apart is how it makes people feel. A guest may not remember every design detail, but they will remember whether a space felt comfortable, restorative and easy to navigate. That’s what drives repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth.
This is also becoming a genuine differentiator in competitive markets. The hospitality industry spent years chasing bigger, louder and more visually dramatic experiences. Today, a property that offers a restorative sense of calm can stand out precisely because it’s not competing for attention. It offers something guests value, but don’t always know how to articulate.
From an operational standpoint, designing for longevity and comfort tends to lead to smarter investment as well. We favor materials that age gracefully, perform well over time and aren’t tied to a short-lived trend. That approach can reduce the need for frequent refreshes while helping spaces maintain their appeal for longer.
There are also benefits that are less obvious but just as important. Thoughtful acoustics, intuitive layouts, comfortable furnishings and well-calibrated lighting improve the experience for both the guest and staff. When spaces function better, day-to-day operations tend to run more smoothly. Guests are more comfortable, staff interactions become easier and there are often fewer complaints tied to noise, confusion or environmental discomfort.
The strongest argument for calm design is that guests seek experiences that leave them feeling better than when they arrived. Hotels that prioritize that sense of restoration are creating a position in the market that isn’t likely to disappear because it reflects a deeper shift in how people want to travel, work, gather and recharge. For owners and operators, that makes calm design a worthwhile investment.
What’s Next for Quiet Design?
Over the next few years, this conversation will move beyond aesthetics and become much more focused on experience. Right now, there is a lot of attention on the visual language of calm, but the basic design elements alone aren’t enough.
There is also a real risk that “quiet” becomes its own kind of performance. Just as “luxury” once became equated with scale and drama, there is a possibility that hospitality will start equating wellness and calm with a particular aesthetic, when a certain look isn’t always what delivers a restorative experience.
The properties that ultimately stand out will be those that support how people feel in a space designed around acoustics, lighting, comfort, flow and privacy, and how guests transition between spaces throughout their stay. There will be a greater emphasis on emotional sustainability alongside environmental sustainability, as the industry asks whether a beautiful space also reduces friction, helps guests recharge and makes them want to come back.
Quieter spaces aren’t the end goal. The real goal is creating spaces where guests feel more comfortable and supported. If the past decade was about capturing attention, the next few years will be about earning trust. That’s a very different design challenge.
