Colour, paint & finishes, for experience and identity

By Michael Kirwan, Cortasia: A concept lead design & decoration firm. 

For years, the idea of ‘experience’ has been reserved for the high-end hotel market—a conceptual notion, accessible only to properties with the budget to chase the wild ideas seen in glossy design magazines.

But experience shouldn’t be treated as a marketing strategy, nor should it be exclusive to the luxury tier. Thoughtful detailing that draws attention to architecture, highlights the significance of place, and invites creative participation can help any accommodation provider craft a meaningful guest experience. When done well, it becomes a marketing strategy in its own right.

Transforming a venue doesn’t need to be expensive or complex. Small to medium accommodation providers can refresh and elevate their spaces in ways that are both cost-effective and return real value.

With thoughtful colour choices, layered textures, and modern finishes, it’s possible to create mood, atmosphere, and a lasting impression—without breaking the bank. Recognising architectural potential and embracing the uniqueness of location can further enhance the guest experience in meaningful, memorable ways.

First published in the Autumn edition of AccomNews HERE

Make tones count

Modern tone is less about chasing fleeting trends and more about crafting thoughtful, enduring palettes. A well-considered tonal scheme blends neutrals, hues, pastels, and shades—designed not just to please the eye, but to spark joy and awaken the senses

Tints and half-tones allow a colour story to stretch across the full spectrum, offering cohesion without monotony. Schemes that wrap around the colour wheel with consistent or near-consistent saturation can evoke a sense of expansive calm—perfect for restful, retreat-style bedrooms.

A particularly effective approach is to pair similar saturation levels with intentional colour variation. Bolder palettes can energise public and communal spaces—think a smile-inducing entrance or a vibrant welcome area—while softer tones in guestrooms help slow the mood and quiet the mind. Brighter, active zones should naturally lead into the muted, peaceful domains of sleep and stillness.

A little more vibes

There’s no doubt the repetitious beiges of uninspired interiors can leave a space feeling tired and overlooked. But when used with intention, shades of beige become an opportunity for a room to shine.

Soft-tinted hues can act as the backbone, while lighter-toned walls offer a blank canvas on which vivid details take form. Doors, architraves, architectural features, balustrades, and furniture all become brushstrokes—each one adding colour and character to what was once a bare and forgettable room.

The contrast between neutral, light-filled walls and deeper, more defined features creates a sense of nouveau sophistication and elegance. Textured wall finishes—like Venetian plaster or a subtle French wash—can introduce depth and tactility.

Metallic accents bring their own language: softness, richness, or a supple warmth that expands the perception of space. Shimmering satin patinas can pull in natural light, allowing it to flicker and breathe through the room, endlessly shifting with the day.

Deep sleep

Elevating a space isn’t about overwhelming the senses—it’s about drawing guests into comfort and ease. A well-designed bedroom encourages relaxation, making deep sleep feel effortless. Warm, enveloping tones and thoughtfully layered textures can turn a large room into something more intimate and inviting.

Working with a deep palette invites a visceral, bodily experience—bringing immediate depth, luxury, and quiet sophistication. Deep, muted, flat finishes can help define scale, especially in heritage spaces. Bold, voluminous colour contrasts beautifully with ornate cornices, ceiling roses, and decorative mouldings. Likewise, traditional bagged render, fireplaces, or timeworn exposed brick can be reframed as textural elements—casting soft shadows and adding subtle dimensionality.

Colour, experience and identity

Colour forecasting isn’t about which shade of blue, green, or auburn is trending—it’s about ideas, place, and a touch of fearlessness. Colour shouldn’t merely sit behind the architecture; it should be the emotion that breathes life into the space—connecting location, design, and the people who inhabit it.

As the most versatile material in architecture and construction, colour deserves more credit than it gets. Too often, it’s overlooked, and with that, countless creative opportunities are lost.

When designing with colour, it’s the colour that elevates and accentuates the experience being created for guests. Trends shift, blend, and evolve—but building a colour concept is ultimately about unlocking creative opportunity.

Blending hues, tones, textures, and aspiration can craft a sensory experience guests connect with. A moment in time, marked by colour and life, becomes a subtle signature—one that lingers in memory, fondly recalled.

In the end, experience isn’t reserved for five-star hotels or lavish budgets—it’s found in the details, the textures, the colours that stir emotion, and the spaces that feel personal and purposeful. With thoughtful colour choices and considered design, any space can tell a story, evoke feeling, and leave a lasting impression.

 

Michael Kirwan is a conceptually trained interior designer with a background across hotel design and interior architecture. Prior to this, he qualified as a trade decorator, ran his own decoration business, worked in colour, paint, and as was a trade teacher.

His current hotel and motel startup aims to streamline the divide between academic design and applied decoration by combining his professional knowledge and trade expertise, into the hotel-motel renovation and restoration.