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After the long, cold winter, people begin to feel more lively and are more physically active overall. What better way to raise the spirits of your guests than with a spring makeover for your hotel lobby?

While renovating your entire lobby might be costly and unrealistic, simple changes can make a big difference.

Here are seven different ways to spruce up your lobby.

1. Clean The Windows & Open Them Up

Clean windows just make you and your guests feel better. And if the weather is nice enough, you could also open them to let fresh air in.

This is something most if not all hotels can do, even if they don’t have a large budget set aside for a spring makeover.

Best of all, the more natural light, the better the photo ops. The better your lobby looks, the more people will want to take pictures. Never underestimate the power of your guest’s social media presence!

2. Replace The Furniture

The furniture in your lobby likely gets a fair bit of use. Wear and tear may not be significant at first, but can add up over time.

If it’s been a while since you last brought in new furniture, then this is worth considering. Keep in mind that you could also have old furniture reupholstered and get the materials and colors updated just in time for the spring season.

Regardless of your choice, make sure that your furniture reflects the mood you want your guests to have, and your brand as a whole.

3. Open Up The Lobby

Open concept lobbies are growing in popularity. But even if you have no plans of renovating right now, there are some simple things you can do to open more space.

Plants could be relocated to other parts of your property. Furniture could be moved around or redistributed. Mirrors could be added to create the illusion of more room.

Have a look at nonessentials and clutter in your lobby and remove it. Less is more.

4. Exchange The Flooring

Swapping out the flooring can freshen up the environment and create an entirely new feel for your property. It also means you’re making a big renovation commitment. If it suits your brand and style, perhaps change up area rugs. Make sure the new flooring matches up with other elements in the lobby, and that it continues to create the kind of experience you want your guests to have.

5. Go Tech-Friendly

In some hotels, the lobbies become wasted space, because they don’t get used much. But if you furnish your lobbies with tables, cell phone chargers, power outlets, laptop ports, and the like, you can create an area for businesspeople and students.

Think about who your target audience is and make the appropriate adjustments. If you serve more families compared to businesspeople, you could create a play area for kids instead.

Regardless, people’s expectations with technology are changing fast, and it’s never been more crucial to keep up with the times.

6. Digitize

Businesses everywhere are beginning to use digital signage, screens, and tablets in place of traditional signs, menus, calendars, brochures, and the like.

You have the opportunity to “wow” your guests and add to their overall experience by improving the utility and convenience of your lobby with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and so on. You can also eliminate excess clutter by digitizing vital guest information.

7. Add More Plants

This might run contrary to what was said earlier about opening more space in your lobby. But nothing is quite as relaxing and inviting as strategically placed plants that highlight the inviting atmosphere. In addition to being an affordable makeover solution, nothing says “spring” like plant life.

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide what’s right for your hotel, but this is one simple way to spruce up your lobby. Bonus, there are many varieties of plants that freshen the air, so you’ll be doing your guests a favor! These kinds of environmental considerations matter.

Conclusion

Don’t forget to maintain your eco-friendly status. According to a 2013 survey, 62% of travelers think about the environment when choosing a hotel to stay at. Sustainability in the hotel industry remains a relevant topic here in 2017, and it’s not something you can ignore, even as you look to create a better lobby experience for your guests this spring.