Micro hotels, also known as capsule hotels, have become quite popular in Singapore. The name itself sheds some light on exactly what this small space has to offer. Still, we’ll take a deeper look at what staying at a micro hotel entails and how this trend has impacted Singaporean interior design.
Just like a tiny house, a micro hotel offers its guests accommodation in the smallest possible premise.
Capsule hotels originated in Japan several decades ago. Accommodation rooms or capsules typically feature a single bed and the bare necessities like a small storage space, a mirror, a nightstand and a shared bathroom.
Micro hotels are intended for a single-night stay. They deliver a range of very important benefits. For a start, a micro hotel is very budget-friendly in comparison to traditional accommodation options. In addition, a micro hotel room still features everything that you need for a comfortable stay, there’s some community space for interactions with other travellers and all of the tech perks that standard hotels provide.
Singapore’s capsule hotel sector has been around for some time already. There are several well-established brands that local and international travellers are familiar with. Transit backpackers and millennials are the ones who appreciate these hotels the most. They are looking for budget-friendliness and for a fun, innovative experience at the same time.
Singapore interior designers can learn a lot from the capsule hotel décor. The minimalism is equally applicable to residential and retail projects because it strips everything down to the bare minimum.
While designing large spaces comes with its own set of challenges, small premises force interior designers to think hard before executing anything.
The space is so limited that only the biggest essentials can be put into place.
What’s required to ensure an optimal experience in a tiny home? A tiny office? A very small shop? Strategic work will be needed to make the most of the space, to give the client everything that they ask for and to prevent the venue from getting cluttered.
Micro hotel capsules typically feature a bed, a lamp, a mirror, some storage space and a bedside table. Multi-purpose and foldable furniture will often have to be incorporated in the design to give travellers all essentials in light of the tiny space.
Generic furnishings and appliances often don’t fit in capsule rooms.
The Singapore interior design company working on such a project will have to look for a custom solution that uses the available space in the best possible way.
This approach is a great choice for all kinds of properties, not just accommodation facilities. Custom fittings for homes and offices are chosen to address specific needs and occupy the least amount of space. They give the occupants functionality and they bring together characteristics that may otherwise be typical for multiple pieces.
Custom-ordered solutions tend to be more expensive but they add value to the property.
Some of the earliest capsule hotels that appeared in Japan in the 1970s were completely devoid of style. In fact, they looked like tiny cells you’d go to if you didn’t have any other options available.
Since then, micro hotels have undergone an extensive evolution. Designers today are showing the world that tiny doesn’t have to be entirely style-deprived.
A capsule room can still feature beautiful colours or a small work of art above the bed. Just like in the case of furniture selection, prioritisation is important.
When working with tiny spaces, designers usually choose one impactful piece instead of several small and scattered artworks or accessories. This way, the effect is much more pronounced and the occupant can really appreciate the one highlight in the room.
When thinking of the micro or the tiny house trend, most people equate it immediately to design minimalism.
This equation isn’t always valid.
If you go to a travel portal and you do a micro hotel search, you’ll soon see that many of the small rooms are cosy and even ornate without being overstuffed with things.
A small space can still be comfortable, even a bit rustic. While it may be impossible to feature every single thing you have in mind, a skilled interior designer will still know how to create a certain ambiance and how to increase the cosiness of the space.
A fluffy blanket, a throw rug or a bean bag chair can immediately transform a small space. Contemporary furniture and a beautiful view will complete the interior.
Because they’re intended for one-night stay and often used by business travellers, micro hotels often lack a pop of colour or something fun to brighten up the interior.
Designers have found an easy solution to fix that problem.
A green plant on the nightstand is all it takes to make the interior a bit more vivid and natural.
Plants have transformative powers and they’re used in residential, office and even retail projects. There are many plant species that necessitate minimum care, that improve air quality and that add something organic to an otherwise cold and neutral interior design.
Everyone can learn from micro hotel decors, whether working on a brand new office for a startup or the interior of a small HDB flat. Urban spaces are becoming increasingly smaller in both the commercial and the residential domain. Hence, many of the capsule hotel rules could begin applying to the modern and effective interior design of the future.
We embrace such trends that put emphasis on functionality and comfort. If you go through our portfolio, you’ll find out that Home Guide has worked on numerous projects aimed at optimising the available space.
Contact Home Guide today if you’re looking for ways to make the interior design of your small space practical and inspiring.
