The Interior Design Podcast

What does the hotel room of the future actually look like? And more importantly, could we build it today?

In this special live episode recorded at No Vacancy London, Hayley Roy and Hannah Denny from HARP Design take to the stage to explore how hotels can create spaces that are better for guests, better for the planet, and better for business.

The conversation starts with one surprising fact: hotel bathrooms can account for up to 70% of a room's water use. That single statistic sparked the design of an entire hotel room centred around three key principles: guest wellbeing, sustainability and longevity.

Hayley and Hannah discuss why sleep should be treated as one of the most important guest experiences, featuring innovations such as temperature-regulating beds from FreshBed and premium pillows from Simon Sleep. They also explore how technology can enhance the guest experience without overwhelming it.

The discussion then turns to one of hospitality's biggest environmental challenges, water. Featuring Orbital's real-time water recycling shower technology, developed alongside Inside the Box Consulting, they explore how bathrooms can become some of the most sustainable spaces in a hotel.

Finally, they tackle an issue the industry doesn't often talk about enough: why are we still ripping out perfectly good interiors every five to seven years? The conversation looks at designing for longevity through modular furniture, repairable materials and smarter supplier collaboration, proving that sustainability can reduce costs as well as environmental impact.

The episode finishes with a lively audience Q&A covering technology, cost, implementation and whether the hospitality industry is truly ready for meaningful change.

Whether you're a hotel owner, designer, operator or supplier, this episode is packed with practical ideas that challenge the way we think about hotel design.

In this episode:

• Why water should be one of hospitality's biggest priorities
• Designing hotel rooms around guest wellbeing and better sleep
• The future of water-saving bathroom technology
• Why longevity should replace planned replacement
• How circular design can save both money and carbon
• Live audience questions on cost, technology and implementation

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe and share it with someone in the hospitality industry. We'd love to hear your thoughts. What does your hotel room of the future look like? Let us know in the comments below.

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome & Introduction 01:08 Why Water Matters 03:28 Designing a Hotel Room That Performs 04:18 Guest Wellbeing & Better Sleep 04:52 Sleep Technology & Bed Innovation 07:26 Interactive Guest Technology 07:51 Rethinking Sustainable Bathrooms 08:57 Orbital's Water Recycling Shower System 10:18 Designing for Longevity 11:39 Meet the Project Partners 13:09 The Responsibility of Designers & Buyers 16:16 Audience Q&A: Longevity 19:50 Audience Q&A: Technology & Cost 23:18 Is the Industry Ready? 25:34 Closing Thoughts

What's the BEST Office Furniture for Your Workspace?

Ever wondered why you can't focus in your office — or why certain spaces feel instantly calming? In this episode, Hayley Roy is joined by Lucinda Kernick and Charlie Kernick from Hunt’s Office Furniture as they dive into the fascinating impact office furniture can have on a workspace. Discover how the right desk, chair, or colour palette can supercharge your concentration, boost creativity, and improve team morale.

We also explore how office suppliers are becoming more sustainable, from eco-friendly materials to circular design principles — making your workspace not just productive, but planet-friendly too.

Whether you're redesigning your office, working from home, or just curious about how design affects your mood, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

👉 Tune in to learn:

00:25 Creating Productive Workspaces

03:40 Psychology behind workplace design

15:24The Impact of Environment on Creativity

17:08 Flexibility in Design for Evolving Needs

25:33 Curtains: A Love-Hate Design Element

26:57 Essentials of a Productive Workspace

28:20 The Importance of Ergonomics in Office Design

30:34 Adjustability: Key to Comfort and Productivity

44:07 Exploring Acoustics in Workspaces

56:58 Lighting Design and Its Impact

01:01:51 Designing for Teamwork and Collaboration

01:07:49 Colour Psychology in Office Design

01:16:10 Working in a White Office

01:22:23 Sustainable Furniture Practices

01:29:24 One Piece of Furniture You Cannot Live Without?

Check out their website below and dont forget to like and subscribe to catch more episodes just like this one!

Hunt's Office Furniture Website - https://www.huntsoffice.co.uk/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of the Interior Design Podcast, Hayley sits down with Evan from Walking With Reptiles - a passionate and dedicated reptile specialist - who’s opening a reptile handling centre in Haybridge (near Maldon, Essex).

Evan shares how watching Steve Irwin as a kid sparked a lifelong obsession with crocodilians, how his first snake changed everything, and why hands-on animal experiences can completely transform fear into fascination.

We also dive into the crossover between landscaping, interiors, and building “living” environments - from slate backdrops and natural stone features to bioactive vivariums that look like a rainforest in your living room. If you love jungle-style interiors, terrariums, indoor “rainforest” vibes, or you’re curious about reptile care and myths… this one’s for you.

In this episode, we cover:

· Evan’s reptile origin story (Steve Irwin, crocodiles, and that first corn snake moment)

· What bioactive vivariums are (and how to build one)

· Plants that work best: pothos, bromeliads, mosses + more

· The biggest mistakes people make building indoor rainforest setups

· The vision behind Walking with Reptiles and what visitors can expect

walkingwithreptiles.com

https://www.harpdesign.co.uk/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of the Interior Design Podcast, Hayley and Hannah are joined by Emer Gillespie, founder of Spark and Bell a Brighton-based, B Corp-certified company that designs and handmakes sustainable, customisable lighting

Wether you're a designer looking for sustainable lighting, a fellow small business owner intrested in design or simply just interested in sustainability, this episode is for you.

Spark and Bell website - https://www.sparkandbell.com/

Harp Design - https://www.harpdesign.co.uk/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

Design days out done properly.

Hayley, Hannah, and Scarlett are in London at Platform Events’ Project Event, chatting about the must-attend industry events every interior designer should have on their radar.

From supplier-led shows and networking events to the ones that actually deliver value (and not just free tote bags), they share honest insights on where designers should be spending their time - especially if you want to stay inspired, informed, and connected.

Whether you’re newly qualified, running your own studio, or somewhere in between, this episode gives a realistic look at:

• The best events for networking
• Why events matter in the interior design world
• Some of our favourite events
• Networking tips

Platform Events Website - https://www.platformevents.co.uk/

Harp Design - https://www.harpdesign.co.uk/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of the Interior Design Podcast, Hayley Roy is joined by Dr Haider Raza, a Professor of AI at the University of Essex and co-founder of Sensiwise AI. They discuss:

• Exciting Uses of AI
• Ethical Consideration of AI
• AI Within the School Curriculum
• Tools and Techniques
• Agents vs Workflow
• Where AI Falls Short
• AI in the Future

Whether you’re a designer yourself wanting to utilise AI or simply wanting to be educated about AI and its future in our modern world, this episode is for you. Check out Sensiwise AI website below for more information and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more podcasts just like this one!

Sensiwise AI - https://sensiwise.ai/

Harp Design - https://www.harpdesign.co.uk/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of The Interior Design Podcast, Hayley and Scarlett sit down to discuss hotel design; secret tricks and the hidden mind games companies use to relax the guest and bring about a sense of calm. In this episode you’ll learn about;

· The Sensory Experience of Hotel Rooms

· How Scent Plays a Huge Role

· Creating Atmosphere with Lighting

· The Importance of Bedding

· Sensory Manipulation

· How Acoustics Link to Comfort

Have you noticed these small tricks within hotel rooms? Whether you’re a seasoned pro at commercial mind games, or just interested in hotel design, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more episodes just like this one!

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this video of the Interior Design Podcast, Hayley Roy is joined by Glenn Hyzak and Valerie Buchhart from B.I.G Yarns who unveiled their new Sustainable Yarns at Clerkenwell Design Week. In this episode you’ll learn about;

· The Impact of Carbon Footprint

· The Complexity of Sustainable Choices

· Innovative Materials and Techniques

· Empowering Designers to make Sustainable Choices

Whether you’re a designer yourself or simply wanted to be educated about sustainability, this episode is for you. Check out their B.I.G Yarns below for more information about their sustainability and don’t forget to like and subscribe for more podcasts just like this one!

B.I.G Yarns Website - https://www.bigyarns.com/en/sustainability-innovation/sustainable-yarns/

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of The Interior Design Podcast, we sit down with the inspiring Phoebe Oldrey from SmartStyle Interiors to dive into the world of holistic interior design. With a deep passion for creating spaces that nurture both the body and mind, Phoebe shares her philosophy of designing beyond aesthetics — shaping environments that truly support wellbeing, purpose, and personality.

We talk about:

• What holistic design really means
• How to design with emotional and psychological needs in mind
• The Seven Pillars of Wellness
• Feeding the soul through holistic design

Whether you're a seasoned designer, a homeowner, or someone craving more connection with your space, this episode offers a fresh, soulful take on what it means to truly feel at home. Check out Phoebe's website and her fabulous TedTalk below and don't forget to like and subscribe for more episodes just like this one!

SmartStyle - https://www.smartstyleinteriors.com/Phoebe’s TedTalk - https://youtu.be/2T9kjujUMhs?si=l8HHuHOCgCsE-zaE

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0

In this episode of The Interior Design Podcast, Hayley Roy and Scarlett Mallett dive into the trends shaping interiors right now.

We talk about:

· Earth Tones

· English Country Style

· Curves and Arches

· Pattern on Pattern

· Biophilic Design

These trends are stylish, practical, and here to stay whether you're doing up a flat, rebranding a cafe, or designing a workspace that’s inviting and modern, this episode shares the hottest, trendiest interior design tips. Don't forget to like and subscribe to catch more episodes just like this one!

"At The Hotel" licensed via Music Vine: DESKRUPM3PLZEZT0