Wall surfaces within high-end hospitality projects are an essential component in creating an iconic hotel experience. Iconic hotels incorporate various sophisticated textures in their interior design to provide guests with a sense of ‘sophistication’, ‘durability’ and ‘timelessness’. Utilizing wall decorative surfaces made from stainless steel can create the most effective combination of visual effect and tactile experience to differentiate and enhance all hospitality spaces from grand public areas to the more intimate individual hotel suites. In this article we will outline and explore a range of available stainless steel finish textures that can be utilized across various zones of a hotel, highlighting their visual, functional benefits along with examples of real hospitality projects.
Understanding Stainless Steel Textures in Hotel Design
Stainless steel is the most versatile material used in interior architecture. Due to its high strength, its resistance to corrosion, and the many surface finishes available, stainless steel is the ideal material for the harsh environment of a hotel used by many people. For modern interior design projects stainless steel is used in the form of custom made panels, partitions and cladding.
The surface finish of a product can have a dramatic effect on the ambience it creates. Mirror polished stainless steel has the ability to reflect light and create a feeling of more space, whilst a brushed or satin finish is more subtle and of a softer nature. Various advanced surface treatments such as PVD, etching and hammering can be added to the surface to create depth, color and individuality. The finish of a product not only affects the look but also the hygiene, the ease of maintenance and the life of the product.
Lobby Impressions: Grand First Textures
Hotel lobbies set the tone for the entire guest journey. Bold stainless steel textures in entrance walls, feature columns, and reception backdrops create memorable first impressions. Large-format stainless steel panels with hairline brushed finishes provide a contemporary metallic sheen that complements natural stone or warm wood elements.
Corridor and Common Area Textures
In corridors and transitional areas less visible stainless steel is more appropriate. A Satin or Vibration finished stainless steel wall cladding treatment offers a subtle and very refined low reflective surface that does not generate glare and effectively directs guests through the property. These surfaces do not show marks and are easy to clean.
Metal profiles and trim in stainless steel finish beautifully between surfaces. Custom Stainless Steel Elevator door surrounds and matching handrails add to the style of the space, while also offering safety and durability. In high-traffic environments, #304 or #316 Stainless Steel offers resistance to moisture, cleaning products and constant touch.
Restaurant and Bar: Sophisticated Dining Textures
The guest in hotel dining needs to feel a variety of textures to take in the experience of being in a nice dining room. The brush finished stainless steel accent wall gives the area a luxurious feel, while the space can be divided up with perforated or laser cut stainless steel screens to create intimate seating areas. These can be designed to allow light to travel through the screen, while also allowing for air to circulate between the spaces.
A rich and luxurious look is given by PVD-coated stainless steel finishes in deep bronze or black, ideal for the finer dining settings. Strategically incorporated mirror finish feature walls take full advantage of lighting to create dramatic tablescape reflections and stunning chandelier display. PVD-coated stainless steel is highly resistant to spills and easy to clean and maintain to provide a high-end appearance for as long as required.
Spa and Wellness Areas: Calm Metallic Finishes
In Wellness environments there are often required certain textures to create a calm and peaceful ambience. Matte / anti-fingerprint finishes to stainless steel provide a smooth surface which feels good to touch and in conjunction with the superior hygiene properties makes it ideal for a Wellness environment. Water-resistant makes it perfect for a pool feature wall or treatment room wall decoration.
Unique details are introduced through Etched stainless steel panels finished with natural texture such as flowing water or organic foliage, illuminated by soft light and enhancing the healing properties of the environment. Custom fabricated stainless steel is also utilized as functional elements, i.e. towel racks, shelving systems and decorative screens that retain the look of the overall design strategy.
Guest Room and Luxury Suite Textures
The ultimate in luxury – private suites. Instead of harsh stainless steel, the finishing is refined. The headboard accent wall is finished with textured stainless steel panels to provide depth to the space without overwhelming it. Mirror finished borders around the mirrors and vanities add to the perception of space.
Bedside panels with custom etched designs or PVD finishes create a warm and intimate focal point. Seamless stainless steel cladding in bathroom areas such as showers and vanities provides a stylish and easy to clean solution. By combining metallic finishes with soft textiles and natural materials, designers can create warm spaces rather than cold.
Outdoor and Terrace Applications
Most famous hotels also implement the design of their hotel rooms on the outdoor terraces and pool areas. For this so-called outdoor design marine-grade stainless steel is used, which – depending on surface treatment – is highly resistant to weather influence and still looks good. In combination with powder-coated or PVD-coated elements the total design is also resistant to salt air and UV-radiation in coastal areas.
Using decorative stainless steel for screens and railings provides privacy and protection from the wind, while enhancing the design. It can be used in exterior as well as interior spaces, thus showing a wide application of stainless steel.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Textures in Hospitality
Stainless steel is an ideal solution for decorative elements in hotels. Their long-lasting nature and the low rate of replacement provide cost savings in the long run. Their non-porous surface is also hygienic and allows for hotels to be more cleanable. Most importantly for hotels, stainless steel provides designers with the greatest amount of flexibility for bespoke designs that allow hotels to reflect their brand and individuality.
For the modern hotel operator who is concerned about sustainability, it has all the required aspects. For example stainless steel is 100% recyclable and also contains a high percentage of recycled material. As a building material stainless steel is also very durable and in the total lifecycle of a building it will consume the least of resources. In addition to this there are also a number of surface finishes available which have improved performance without compromising on sustainability.
Implementation Considerations for Hotel Projects
Incorporating stainless steel textures into your projects is easier when you plan well in advance. Specifying the proper material will help you to ensure that the material will withstand the local environment. In coastal or humid climates a #316 stainless steel is typically the better choice. Additionally the specifications for the surface finish of the material must take into account the potential need for maintenance and how the finish will look over time.
We work with the manufacturers to ensure precise fabrication and excellent quality of the large quantities of materials required for large projects. By being involved from the early stages of design, we are able to design the best solution that takes into account the structural aspects of a project as well as other interior elements. We also pay close attention to the correct installation methods to protect the finishes of the decorative surfaces and to extend their life.
Maintenance and Longevity of Metallic Textures
Stainless steel surfaces specified correctly need very little maintenance to keep them looking good. Simple cleaning with correct non-abrasive products will keep the finish looking new. There are also a range of protective coatings available on the market that can reduce the amount of cleaning required in guest facing areas such as anti fingerprint treatments.
High quality hotel operators require the performance of stainless steel to be predictable. Contrary to many natural products stainless steel does not fade, stain or deteriorate and as such guarantees the same high quality of service to guests for years to come.
FAQ
What are the most common stainless steel finishes used for hotel lobbies?
Three of the finishes are very popular and provide a great first impression and are durable enough for high traffic. The three are: Brushed, mirror and PVD-coated.
How do you determine the cost of custom stainless steel hotel installations?
The cost of custom stainless steel hotel installations can vary depending on several factors including the material grade, the surface treatment required, the size of the panels, and the level of customization required. Large projects can benefit from using standardized but distinctive elements to gain economies of scale.
Inoxfurt Metal is a leading global manufacturer that designs, develops and produces a wide selection of stainless steel decorative items and custom metal products for interior and exterior architectural use. A very experienced player in the hospitality sector with projects all over the world, Inoxfurt Metal is also a cutting edge manufacturer that combines high quality production with exquisite craftsmanship. Hotel developers, interior designers and project managers are guaranteed to find the perfect stainless steel finish for their iconic hotel by working with Inoxfurt Metal. This innovative manufacturer will transform designers’ ideas into a reality of utmost quality and functionality to offer top notch service to guests and optimize hotel operations.
