In recent years, the hospitality sector has become a benchmark for other industries seeking to differentiate themselves through design and experience. Luxury hotel interior design has marked a turning point in the way spaces are conceived, directly influencing fields such as retail and offices, where user experience has taken center stage.
This transformation responds to a clear shift in mindset. As Jesús Vecilla highlighted in our podcast, “there are other industries, such as retail or the office world, that are somewhat copying the hospitality sector.” The reason is evident: these sectors have understood that design is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a strategic tool capable of improving business results. “They focus much more on design, much more on the customer experience,” following the path that hospitality has been shaping for years.
Contract interior design, traditionally associated with hotels, has extended its influence to other environments where users also seek to feel cared for, inspired, and comfortable. In this context, the hospitality market positions itself as a reference point, as Jesús explained: “I believe the hospitality market is acting as the driving force here, and other markets are copying it and achieving very good business results.” The common denominator is clear: caring for the experience beyond the basic product or service.
This experiential approach is no longer limited to accommodation. Today, design is conceived by thinking “not only about the guest experience in accommodation, but also about the customer experience at work, the customer experience in retail, and in other sectors.” Offices that prioritize well-being, stores that appeal to emotions, or hybrid spaces that combine work and leisure are direct examples of this influence.
At the same time, as Laura Huerta noted, “the design sector has experienced exponential growth over the last 10 years.” This evolution is not confined solely to hotel interior design projects, but has permeated everyday life. Design has ceased to be something aspirational or linked exclusively to travel and has become part of daily living.
The pandemic acted as an accelerator of this change. “Everyone began to notice that interior aspect, and what you used to experience more while traveling, you started to incorporate into your own habitat.” Homes began to integrate hospitality-inspired concepts, seeking to replicate sensations associated with comfort, calm, and well-being.
This new sensitivity responds to an emotional need. Design provides “that aesthetic beauty, that comfort, those sensations,” establishing itself as a key element in quality of life. Experience is no longer occasional; it extends across all areas.
Today, design accompanies both travel and everyday routines. “Not only the travel aspect, but also experiences—both professional and even within your home.” An evolution that confirms that interior design is no longer just about space, but about experience.
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