Five Affordable Ways Hotels Are Adding Space to Their Rooms

One way you can charge more for your rooms is by adding space to them. Offer your guests a more comfortable and enjoyable stay by giving them more room — here are five ways you can do that without going through any time-consuming or costly renovations.

1. Let in the Light

Okay, so natural light doesn't really "add" space, but it does make a ro.om feel much larger than it is — the same goes for large windows. If your hotel has smaller windows, you may want to consider a small remodel that involves expanding them.

If you don't want to make that significant of a change, at least avoid using drapes or curtains, which only add more clutter to the room. Opt for lightweight blinds or even shutters for a cleaner look. If you absolutely have to have curtains, at least make sure the rod extends completely past the frame, so guests can open them the entire way and let in as much light as possible.

You can also add mirrors throughout the room, so the light can bounce off them. Mirrors in themselves make rooms seem bigger, as well.

2. Add Plenty of Storage

By having plenty of places for guests to store their suitcases, formal wear, shoes and other belongings, you encourage them to clean up their space, so the room can feel bigger while they're staying in it. You can also eliminate any closet space you have in exchange for storage solutions like drawers under the beds or a skinny but tall wardrobe. Consider raising furniture like nightstands, desks and the mini-fridge so guests can store additional items underneath. Lastly, don't forget about the bathroom — adding drawers or a cabinet is an excellent way to eliminate clutter and offer more storage.

3. Install Wall Beds

In most hotels, the bed or beds take up almost the entire room. For some people, it's not a big deal because they're mainly using the place to sleep, anyway. But for others, they want space to walk around and breathe.

Wall beds are a perfect way to give your guests the big, luxurious bed they expect from a hotel, as well as a huge amount of extra room when they're not sleeping. Wall beds fold up into the wall, exposing the glorious empty space or another functional piece of furniture, like a desk, seating area, table or storage cubbies.

Countless high-end luxury hotels have started using wall beds to generate additional revenue, optimize room capacity and offer a variety of functionality options. Whether you're booking a room to families or business executives, they'll appreciate being able to get their beds out of the way and start their days in what seems like a whole new space.

4. Avoid Unnecessary Furniture

Every hotel room doesn't need a complete living room crammed into it, too. If you've got a couch, desk, armchair and ottoman in your rooms but nowhere for guests to put any of their belongings, they'll end up with no way to even walk. Let's face it — most people aren't going to hotel rooms and inviting over their friends to watch a movie. Unless you're furnishing a suite, it may be smart to avoid the unneeded extra furniture.

You can find ways to eliminate other pieces of furniture, too — for example, avoid a bulky dresser by mounting the TV on the wall, putting drawers under the beds and installing other storage solutions.

5. Eliminate Clutter

There's a difference between decor and clutter. Include decorative lamps and art on the walls but avoid scattering trinkets and other unneeded items around the hotel room. Your guests are bringing in their own things, so adding more "stuff" to the situation will make them feel disorganized and crammed.

Avoid leaving clutter like your hotel policies, the TV channel guide or information about local restaurants strewn about on top of dressers and nightstands, too. If you can't supply this information in a digital format, it's best to keep it in a desk or nightstand drawer. This way, it's tucked away neatly but easy to find for guests who are looking for it.

Give Guests the Tools to Maximize Their Space

If you're not willing to create more space by expanding your rooms, you'll have to get creative to maximize the amount of space your guests have. These tips offer five ways for you to get started and start thinking outside the box.