One design trend that will have a significant impact on the future of hospitality is multifaceted hospitality - spaces that blur the lines between marketplace, restaurant, bar, event venue, and even private office. These hybrid, all-day destinations are designed to support a wide range of uses, moods, and moments from morning to night, and they reflect exactly what today's guests are craving: flexibility, functionality, and experiences that feel personalized. At House of Form, we've been saying it for a while: multifaceted hospitality isn't just a trend - it's the future. The most successful hospitality spaces will be the ones that serve a diverse demographic and evolve with their guests' changing needs throughout the day. Think: grabbing a quick coffee and checking email in the morning, meeting friends for a midday lunch, shopping local products on the way out, then returning in the evening for cocktails or a community event. Designing with this level of fluidity in mind requires a deeper understanding of flow, functionality, and versatility. Every zone must feel intentional, yet the space as a whole must feel cohesive. As the industry continues to shift toward lifestyle-driven, experience-rich concepts, we see this multifaceted approach redefining how spaces are programmed - and ultimately, how people gather.
One design trend that's already starting to make a big impact in hospitality is the integration of technology into the guest experience, and wristband keys are a prime example. My parents' timeshare now offers these wristband keys, and we experienced them firsthand in Orlando two years ago. It's a game-changer for simplifying the guest experience--no fumbling for keycards, just a simple tap to enter your room. As technology continues to advance, I see this trend expanding beyond just room access to control other aspects of the stay, like lighting, temperature, or even making requests for services. This type of innovation is shaping the future of hospitality design by merging functionality with a seamless, high-tech experience that guests appreciate. It's an exciting shift that will not only improve convenience but also enhance overall guest satisfaction.
As tariffs and import costs continue to rise for furniture imported from abroad, one design trend I believe will significantly shape the future of hospitality design within the US is a renewed focus on American antiques and domestically sourced vintage pieces. This pivot toward local and antique sourcing may have a large aesthetic impact. In an industry where creating memorable, immersive environments is so important, I anticipate we will see more interiors which reflect the regionally specific style of locally made pieces. Hopefully, this will help guests feel more deeply connected to the history of the place they are visiting.
Biophilic design is becoming more and more popular and I know it's here to stay. While it has been a concept people flirted with for the last 50 years - especially in hospitality design, it's beginning to be more visible in the past decade and even more so in the past couple of years. Offering people the possibility to experience a unique environment through hospitality spaces, something that they don't necessarily get in contact with in their daly routine (at home or at work) and offering such a big part of nature while designing a space, this right here, is what makes the concept desirable enough that we will see people coming back to it for the next 50 years (at least)! And personally, I can't wait to see more and more people embrace it! (I'm happy to elaborate more if you would like) - thank you for considering me!
I think the trend for smaller restaurants will continue shine. The costs of running a restaurant is increasing from all angles. Staffing, supplies, equipment, and food product will all continue to increase. But rent, insurance, software, and services will also increase. I would expect this to drive growth in restaurants with smaller menus and less dining room. Fine dining restaurants will reduce their foot print and seat counts to help control costs, except maybe in densely populated or heavy foot traffic areas. New concepts will increasing look for second generation restaurant spaces to reduce upfront investment. The financial squeeze will make many properties available as more existing restaurants close down.
Sustainability is a design trend that I believe will have a huge impact on the future of hospitality design. We're increasingly seeing hotels and restaurants use fabrics made of recycled materials and incorporate secondhand furniture and decor that has withstood the test of time in their spaces. Sustainable choices like these are not only better for our environment, but they also create unique spaces that people want to return to time and again.
One hospitality design trend with significant long-term impact is the integration of personal security as a design standard, not an afterthought. As solo travel, short-stay rentals, and digital nomadism continue to rise, travellers are increasingly valuing autonomy, discretion, and psychological safety when choosing accommodation. Modern hospitality is shifting away from traditional front-desk security and moving towards user-empowered solutions--tools and features that allow guests to feel safe on their own terms. This means design will favour things like in-room privacy tech, improved lock systems, and portable security solutions that complement, rather than clash with, the aesthetic and comfort of the space. This is exactly where Terminus fits in. Terminus is a compact, battery-operated doorstop alarm designed for travel. It wedges under any standard door and instantly emits a loud 125dB alarm if the door is opened, alerting the user and deterring intruders. It's lightweight, discreet, and requires no installation--making it ideal for hotels, hostels, Airbnbs, and even co-living spaces. Many travellers bring it as part of their standard travel kit, especially solo women, students abroad, and safety-conscious digital nomads. As more guests become aware of risks like unauthorised access in short-stay rentals or unfamiliar accommodation settings, products like Terminus offer a solution that's simple yet powerful. It aligns with the trend toward "bring-your-own-security"--and forward-thinking accommodation providers are beginning to offer items like Terminus to guests or list security-enhancing amenities in their bookings. In the future, hospitality design won't just be about smart TVs and rainfall showers--it'll be about building trust and peace of mind. Small tools like Terminus can play a big role in that evolution.