There are a few things as distinctive and familiar as home. It is where our hearts live and beat. It’s our shelter. It is where we rest, recharge and get inspired. Yet, how do we create and instill this feeling in a home away from home? Whether the function is hosting, hustling or hibernating, it can be challenging to marry high-end with high-turn. How do you create a style that is suitable for short term-living while offering a rich ambiance that says ‘you have been here before’? It’s the little things that matter. The details. Our process covers the Four S’s: Sight, Sound, Smell and Sensation. Each feature within these provides a unique impact on our ability to feel a sense of relaxation and belonging, as well as fostering the ability to focus and be productive. The smallest of changes can create a ripple of positive effects.

Sight

Sight takes into account the psychology of color, artwork, objects, lighting, forms and shapes. How they work together and invite us stay a while. Often, properties that are designed for short-term rental feel two-dimensional and tend to be imbalanced. Use artwork as an anchor to draw interest and give the eye a place to rest. From typography to location-specific photography and landscapes, there are plenty of options that can add to the experience of place. Include a few ‘table top’ culture, art, or architecture books as well.

Sound

What is it that you hear in the space: street noise, music, the hum of electronics, or the refreshing sound of a fountain? You can influence the feeling of home by leveraging the power of sound. Particular sounds evoke pre-conditioned emotions, which can be positive or negative. High levels of unwanted or background noise have a negative impact on both concentration and relaxation, while low level of ambient sound has been shown to increase creativity. From Sonos stereo systems to tabletop fountains, birds and chimes, you can create a soundscape that matches the intention of your space. It’s important to cancel out unwanted street noise, so add materials that absorb and diffuse the sound. Use sound to your advantage and incorporate it intentionally into your design.

Scent

75% of all our daily emotions generated are due to smell, and because of this, we are 100X more likely to remember something we smell over something we see, hear or touch. Scent is a great indicator of the quality of the air and ventilation in a space. Does it smell fresh? Poor ventilation can lead to a loss of vitality and satisfaction, whereas, clean air and complementary scents can do wonders for concentration and mood. Can you open a window or add an air purifier? Aromatherapy has a range of options with different benefits, from bacteria-busting to stress relief. Thanks to technology flowers are staying “fresh” for longer—there is nothing like coming home to fresh flowers. A reed diffuser in the common space and coffee beans in the restrooms can also do the trick.

Sensation

That intangible feeling you get when a house just feels right…or wrong. A house is like a recipe and the contents are the ingredients. Yes, there are individual parts, but the sum of everything and their proportions is what you “taste.” It’s the same with homes – we experience them holistically. How do you feel in the house? Refreshed, peaceful, dull or tired? Do your spirits rise or fall when you enter the room? The right balance of elements and arrangement harmonizes the flow of energy, thus allowing people to be in balance with the nature of their surroundings. Sensible and subtle alterations can enhance an already beautiful space by aligning the energies within it. The right energy. The right environment.

Maximize your true product offering with Feng Shui design principles.