Over the course of my career, I have seen the principles of hospitality make significant inroads into various other typologies of interior design. I’ve witnessed firsthand how the concepts of hosting and community representation, which are central to hospitality, have revolutionized spaces beyond traditional hotels and resorts. My professional journey saw this trend begin with multifamily and workplace developments and has since expanded into retail and grocery environments. The resulting transformation in how these spaces engage with their users and communities has been a delightful subtext to the wide envelop of development I’ve had the privilege of serving.

The Multifamily Shift

My first notable crossover of hospitality design into other sectors occurred within the multifamily housing industry. Developers began to recognize that the benefits of hospitality—such as enhanced guest experiences, cohesive brand representation, and community-building—could be leveraged to differentiate their properties. By incorporating hospitality design elements, multifamily developers aimed to create environments that were not just places to live but also spaces that offered a sense of belonging and luxury.

We’ve partnered with numerous multifamily developers to bring these hospitality-driven principles to life. Through thoughtful design, we’ve helped transform residential buildings into vibrant communities where residents feel valued and connected. Amenities such as welcoming lobbies, communal lounges, and wellness-focused facilities have become standard, mirroring the high-end feel of boutique hotels.

Hospitality in Retail

Following the success in multifamily developments, we began to apply hospitality design strategies to retail project to enhance the shopping experience and strengthen brand identity. Retailers recognized that creating a welcoming, immersive environment could drive customer loyalty and engagement.

Incorporating hospitality design into retail spaces means more than just aesthetics; it’s about crafting an experience.

From luxurious fitting rooms that mimic the comfort of hotel suites to customer service areas that offer personalized assistance in a relaxed setting, hospitality design elements have reshaped retail environments. This shift has allowed brands to better represent their identity and connect with customers on a deeper level.

The Grocery Store Revolution

The latest frontier for hospitality design influence is the grocery store industry. Traditionally functional and straightforward, grocery stores are now looking to differentiate themselves through hosting and community engagement. Grocers realized huge financial success during the pandemic and now have more resources to invest in these new hospitality-based initiatives.

Access to high-quality and once rare items has become more ubiquitous, eroding a key differentiator for elevated grocery brands. To stand out in this competitive landscape, grocers must find new ways to connect with their customers. Hosting and identity alignment have emerged as powerful tools in this effort, helping grocery stores build strong, loyal customer bases through shared values and enhanced experiences.

By adopting hospitality principles, grocery stores aim to create environments that are more than just places to shop—they become community hubs. This approach taps into the fundamentally human connection that hospitality provides, meeting basic needs while making spaces more relatable and comfortable.

Grocery stores are increasingly incorporating features such as in-store cafes, cooking demonstration areas, and comfortable seating. These elements encourage customers to linger, interact, and feel part of a community. Furthermore, the design of these spaces often reflects local culture and preferences, creating a personalized shopping experience that fosters customer loyalty.

The Cross-Pollination of Ideas

Interestingly, the experience of applying hospitality design principles to multifamily developments, retail, and grocery stores has enriched our toolkit, adding new ideas and innovative solutions that we can bring back to our core hospitality projects. This cross-pollination of ideas has enabled us to push the boundaries of hotel design even further, creating more dynamic, engaging, and community-focused spaces that continue to set new standards in the industry.

The Future of Hospitality Design

The ongoing integration of hospitality design into multifamily developments, retail, and grocery stores highlights a broader trend of creating spaces that prioritize user experience, community, and brand identity. As designers, we have a unique opportunity to influence how these environments evolve and continue to innovate.

Our studio is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in interior design. By leveraging our expertise in hospitality, we strive to create spaces across various typologies that are welcoming, engaging, and reflective of the communities they serve.

The influence of hospitality design on other interior design typologies is a testament to the power of thoughtful, user-centered design. Whether in multifamily developments, retail stores, or grocery environments, the principles of hosting and community representation continue to elevate and differentiate spaces. As this trend progresses, we look forward to seeing how hospitality design will further transform the places we live, shop, and connect.