How to Keep Your Hospitality Furniture in Great Shape

Published by: Northland - July 19, 2017

Those in the travel industry know well that hospitality furniture must be kept in excellent condition. Guests staying at an establishment expect to spend the evening in a well cleaned and maintained room, and anything less would be considered a customer service issue.

There are a few things any hotelier can do to keep furniture in excellent condition and to keep guests perpetually happy.

1. Buy Durable Products

Buying high-quality goods may seem like common sense, but many are surprised to learn how many hotel chains buy cheaper hospitality furniture to save money in the short-term. Quality furnishings don’t have to cost a fortune, but it’s worth investigating which brands will stand the test of time.

Hoteliers must remember that furniture needs to withstand significantly more use in a hotel than furniture meant for the home. By selecting high-quality products in the first place, hotels are less likely to experience customer complaints or negative reviews down the line.

One way to guarantee durability is to purchase products made in the USA. This way hotels have more control over the design process, more visibility on the quality control measures being taken, and far shorter lead times. If anything does go wrong problems can be resolved quickly and replacements can be shipped promptly.

2. Keep A Written Maintenance Policy

Teams are always changing, so it’s important that there be a written policy documenting how to assemble new furniture, how to fix common issues, and how to clean various surfaces properly.

Most furniture will come with assembly instructions. Keep it on hand for new hires or rotating staff members who may have no experience with the furniture that has been purchased. If there are items that occasionally need to be fixed or refurbished, note how those should be handled as well.

Finally, make sure to document how to clean furniture properly (as per the instructions outlined for each item). If someone accidentally uses a bleach-based product on wood-grain furniture, that item may be ruined permanently and require immediate replacement. A costly and time-consuming mistake.

3. Keep Extra Parts On Hand

Keep note of those pieces and parts that may break or become unsightly over time. Plan for each surface or part that may need to be fixed or replaced at the drop of a hat.

This includes varnish for wood surfaces that may become scratched, screws and nails for metal parts that may become damaged, and any wheels or knobs that may need to be replaced. By keeping these items on hand, rooms can always look their best without having to replace an entire piece of hospitality furniture.

4. Care For Furniture Properly

Separate steps need to be taken for various surfaces. For example, wood furniture will last longer if placed away from windows, sunlight and any heating or cooling elements. Phones or lamps are placed on a wood table, rotate them periodically to keep the table from developing discoloration. Felt should be added to the bottom of anything sitting on a wood surface to prevent scratching.

Similarly, upholstery and leather do well away from the sun and will likely require specialty cleansers to remove any stains. Always keep in mind that different fabrics and treatments may require different care.

5. Make Sure To Have A Ten-Year Warranty

This will protect hoteliers against all infractions that may occur at the expense of the furniture. And since most quality hotels upgrade their furniture every five to ten years, a ten-year warranty provides plenty of coverage.

All of Northland’s furniture comes with ten-year warranty to ensure your furniture is protected against misuse and damage. For over 40 years, Northland Furniture has been manufacturing high quality commercial furniture for hotels, timeshares, senior living environments, college dormitories and other facilities. Using domestically sourced materials, including many materials from the Pacific Northwest, our experienced team of craftsmen design and build furniture that can withstand high traffic and other challenging environments. Give us a call regarding your upcoming projects and how we can help.

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How Hospitality Interior Designers Create Beautiful Hotel Guest Rooms

Published by: Northland - March 8, 2017

Interior design is both an art and science. The role of hospitality interior designers is unique because they must consider how public spaces connect with the variety of people who use them. The best interior designers create beautiful hotel guest rooms and spaces that appeal to the emotions of hotel guests while anticipating their needs.

Professionals who design commercial interiors specify everything from carpets, paint colors, and light fixtures to furnishings, casegoods, and more. Northland understands the important role of interior design and how it influences the way people live, work, play, and even heal.

We work closely with interior architects and designers to custom design hospitality furniture for a wide variety of applications. Northland’s commitment to excellence is demonstrated in the quality and beauty of its hospitality, student housing, and senior living furniture.

4 Popular Hotel Styles

The number one goal of every hospitality designer is to create functional and appealing spaces. The most popular design styles that influence and inspire interior design for hotel guest rooms are as follows:

  • Contemporary—Uses negative space to convey the feeling of basic and bare. Hospitality interior designers use contemporary furniture design when they want simple shapes with smooth edges.
  • Craftsman—Strives to harmonize with the environment by the use of natural materials such as wood and leather. Craftsman interior design is very popular in the Pacific Northwest for boutique hotels and National Parks.
  • Industrial—Aims to create vast spaces with open floor plans. The industrial interior design style incorporates materials such as brick, rough wood, and metals.
  • Mid-Century Modern—Is well suited for small spaces and is often used in boutique hotels.
  • Traditional— Reproduces furniture from early historical periods. Traditional interiors have a comfortable, homey feel with soft edges on furnishings and often include floral patterns.

Hospitality Interior Designers: Creating Durable, Well-designed Casegoods

It is important for hospitality interior designers who specify for hotels, senior living facilities, and student dormitories to choose durable, well-designed casegoods for their guest rooms and public spaces.

Northland casegoods are designed to last and are both functional and aesthetic, making them an appealing choice for hoteliers and designers.

Hospitality interior designers can turn to Northland, a hospitality furniture manufacturer, to help them create spaces that are inviting, aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, and enduring. Northland artisans have been designing and building high-quality furniture for more than 40 years.

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The Importance of Durable Hotel Contract Furniture

Published by: Northland - March 1, 2017

Durable hotel contract furniture is a must have to impress travelers from near and far. When a guest first enter enters a guest room, the importance of making a great first impression cannot be overstated. Hotel contract furniture must be able to withstand frequent use and the test of time while remaining beautiful.

Casegoods designed for the contract market are meant to be extra durable, which makes the use of quality woods and craftsmanship of utmost importance. Hoteliers and interior designers who want durable hotel contract furniture made in the USA can look to Northland Furniture when specifying furnishings for renovations and new construction.

Durable hotel contract furniture can save money in the long run

Hotel guests sleep in beds, sit in chairs, and work at desks while in their rooms, which means a hotel’s furniture plays a meaningful role in determining a guest’s overall experience during their stay. The feeling of comfort, cleanliness, and in some cases, even luxury, determine whether guests will be returning, or not. Losing a guest’s loyalty due to worn or out-of-date furniture means losing money.

Even though hotel contract furniture represents a significant capital expense, hoteliers can save money in the long run by choosing high-quality wood furniture that will endure many years of frequent use. By offering an industry-leading 10-year warranty, Northland Furniture stands behind the beautiful casegoods they design and build for exceptional strength and durability.

Northland is a leading contract furniture manufacturer in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are interested in developing new furniture designs or purchasing from our product catalogs, Northland Furniture can help distinguish your property and elevate your guest’s experience.

Northland’s featured projects are easy to preview online. Our photo portfolio displays original and custom designs in addition to hardware and finish choices for hospitality projects throughout the USA.

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Hostel Industry Transformed by Millennials

Published by: Northland - February 15, 2017

In years past, the word “hostels” has conjured up images of affordable dormitory-style housing in the minds of travelers and industry insiders alike. Today, the hostel industry has undergone a transformation that provides new possibilities for the budget-conscious traveler.

Student and young adult travel have become more common, and with it, new hospitality niches are emerging. Budget-conscious travel takes the forefront as more youth decide to travel before starting school and a career. Even after completing school and entering the workforce, millennials are spending more money and time exploring the world.

Airbnb and similar models demonstrate a shift in preference. With millennials leading the way, the rise in hostel travel can be attributed to a number of factors, including value pricing, convenient central locations, accommodations adapted to their needs and the social opportunities inherent with hostels.

 

Transformation of the hostel industry

“It’s astounding how much the hostel industry has transformed in the last five years, alone,” Feargal Mooney, chief executive of Hostelworld, said in a statement. “Today, we’re seeing luxury hostel accommodations that are offering the perfect balance of privacy, amenities and social activities.”

Poshtels is the name given to one style of this new breed of hostels. Combining “posh” elements with an updated hostel experience, these reimagined concepts fueled by the millennial travel trend show little sign of changing soon.

The hostel industry is redefining ideas of what’s included in a stay and custom furniture for hostels is right there alongside. New experiences include upgraded furnishings and a broader array of amenities. Free wifi, laundry and cleaning services, food and beverage services, bicycle rentals, libraries and media centers are just some of the services now available to hostel travelers.

”The growth trend is giving many large hotels a run for their money,“ Mooney said, noting that some big chains are creating ‘hostel-like’ properties to remain competitive. The new breed of hostels, Mooney added, allows “for serendipitous, adventurous things to happen in more places, and let millennial travelers get more value for their money.”

 

Custom furniture for hostels

Northland has designed and produced custom furniture for hostels, as well as furniture for all types of environments. With over forty years experience as an industry leader, if you’re looking to upgrade your furnishings, we can help.

Our designers and craftsmen have decades of experience and can create exactly the style you’re looking for. Contact Northland and find out how we can help you realize your vision of an updated and upgraded hostel experience for your guests.

 

Resources:
Report: Millennial Travelers Are Fueling A Hostel Revolution
Poshtels are the hot new trend in the travel industry — here’s what they are
Seven Swanky Hostels Around the World

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The Rise of Co-Living

Published by: Northland - January 25, 2017

Interesting things happen when you watch trends. One hospitality trend Northland is currently watching is co-living. With an emphasis on collaboration and community, there’s a noticeable shift taking place towards co-living.

In a nutshell, co-living is about community and developing connections between those who occupy that space. It’s group living, with shared kitchens and living areas and social programming.

Responding to shifts towards home sharing and other communal living concepts, hospitality companies have taken action. During 2016, companies like Airbnb and HomeStay watched their share of the hospitality market grow. While private hotels have different concepts and thus cannot directly compete with the Airbnbs and HomeStays, they can offer alternatives based around similar ideals.

 

Co-Living enters the mainstream

Last year, the co-living concept entered the mainstream for hospitality with AccorHotels’ newest brand: Jo&Joe. According to AccorHotels, Jo&Joe “…blends the best of private-rental hostel and hotel formats,” and calls it a “totally reinvented and disruptive experience in terms of design approach, catering, service, and customer journey.”

In 2017, there will be more emphasis on communal areas, as well as spaces that bring people together. This is true not only for hospitality but other sectors of society as well.

Companies are beginning to bridge gaps by creating shared spaces that blur the lines between work and home. Residential housing is growing in prevalence, especially on the US east coast.

Companies such as Common, PureHouse, WeWork/WeLive and NeueHouse have all developed ways to bring their employees together. There are a variety of concepts around the co-living/co-working theme. While each differs in some details, emphasis on shared space and communal experience remains.

Northland Furniture has long been a leader in the hospitality industry. For over forty years, we have survived trends and industry changes through responsive action, thoughtful design and quality manufacturing. While we are excited to watch how the industry changes, you can also count on Northland to not just be on the sidelines. We will be right there, doing what we have done for nearly half a century, creating quality furniture for you.

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Hospitality Interior Design Trends Bridge Millennials and Baby Boomers

Published by: Northland - December 28, 2016

Hospitality design trends for 2017 indicate we will see both millennials and baby boomers with contrasting wants and needs, and accordingly, the industry will see challenges resulting from meeting those needs. In order to be successful, hotels will need to find the right mix of features to appeal to each audience.

 

“The easiest way to sum it up is that millennials seek to create a sharing experience—it’s a version of the “Uber effect”—while baby boomers look for a fundamental experience when choosing a hotel,” offered Jordan McInturf, vice president of sales with Shelby Williams.

Baby Boomer Seek Fundamental Comforts

When looking at baby boomer preference, most indicators point to familiar design elements. Here are some of the most commonly mentioned design trends for 2017:

 

  • Rustic – Traditional furniture is a favorite among travelers. Inspired by nature and the countryside, rustic design helps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s reminiscent of home.
  • Metallics – Metallic tones are finding their way into many of the small details.
  • Monochrome – This classic finish will never go out of style.
  • Neutral tones – Inspiration from the outdoors paves the way for neutral, earthy tones
  • Natural textures – Expect to see different techniques with texture, including wire and brushing, which helps to make wood grain pop.

 

Millennials Crave Unique Sharing Opportunities

On the other side, addressing the wants and needs of millenials requires some new approaches. Millennials want each experience they have in hotels to be unique. As a result, the challenges revolve around how to provide more unique, authentic experiences.

 

No generation before has ever been interwoven like technology and millennials . This means that when staying at a hotel, millenials will expect much more than free Wi-Fi. They are seeking new ways to create and share their experiences, and simultaneously want to do so in environmentally conscious spaces. As a result, we’re seeing hotel lobby and room designs morphing into more open and flexible spaces and technology incorporated into functional furniture. Scaled down design with an emphasis on authentic and sharable experiences will be the standard.

 

As consumer tastes evolve, Northland Furniture will also be there to help. As we often say, we leave nothing on the shelf. We don’t carry stock furniture that sits, waiting to be purchased. We craft unique commercial furniture that’s made according to the specifications of our customers.

 

As an industry leader for over 40 years, you can trust that as wants and needs change, Northland Furniture will be there at the forefront.

 

Resources:

 

http://ehotelier.com/insights/2015/01/14/5-hotel-design-trends-to-watch-out-for-this-year/

https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/4/25/top-6-design-trends-will-be-hot-2017

https://www.genesisproductsinc.com/new-trends-in-the-hospitality-industry-the-modern-hotel-makeover/

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Creating Unique Experiences with Boutique Hotel Furniture

Published by: Northland - October 12, 2016

The ongoing trend in tourism accommodations comes in the rise of boutique hotels and one-of-a-kind experiences. While thinking back to your last vacation may not prove helpful, but looking forward to your next trip can be inspiring for furniture designers and hoteliers. On your next vacation, would you rather stay in a run-of-the-mill hotel with the same old fixtures, dressers and beds? Most travelers seek out interesting lodging that offers a boutique experience. While decor and amenities contribute to the experience, boutique hotel furniture plays a large role.

The Role of Hospitality Furniture in Boutique Hotel Experiences

Contrary to what you may first imagine about boutique hotels, the term can be applied to accommodations of all sizes. When applied in a hotel setting, boutique refers to luxury and individuality, rather than size. Typically boutique hotels are smaller in size than larger hotel chains, but the same boutique style and idealism can be applied to both. Hospitality furniture plays a large role in defining the boutique hotel experience. Through hospitality furniture, you can create warm, inviting spaces with the intimate details and quality of finishes.

Quality and Return on Investment

Investing in high-quality hospitality furniture can be a game changer for boutique hotels across the country. High-quality furniture provides a luxurious feel that guests can sense. In addition to the ambiance you’re creating with high-quality furniture, the longevity and long warranty are a wise investment. Selecting poor-quality furniture can result in having to replace hospitality furniture every couple years, which isn’t financially sound. When it comes to choosing boutique hotel furniture, return on investment plays a large role for hoteliers. Additionally, guests seeking a boutique hotel experience look for quality and attention to detail in their accommodations.

Visual Impact

Along with quality and return on investment, boutique hotel furniture must deliver visually in order to create an impact on guests. Creating continuity in a space while incorporating visually impactful elements are key in creating a memorable experience.

Creating visually impactful space that incorporates luxury and detail often falls to the use of a creative furniture designer. Furniture designers, either in-house at your furniture manufacturer or an independent contractor, can help you create spaces with hospitality furniture that inspire luxury, personality and individually – hallmarks of the boutique hotel experience.

Create a Unique Experience with Boutique Hotel Furniture

By investing in high quality, creative furniture for your boutique hotel, you create a visually inspiring environment for guests. Through the details and luxury you create, guests will be eager to return and share their experiences on review websites. Design and quality blend together to create stunning boutique furniture, which plays a large role in your guest’s experience.

Contact Northland for more information about manufacturing visually impactful boutique hotel furniture.

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Engineered Wood | A Sustainable Hospitality Furniture Choice

Published by: Northland - September 14, 2016

When it comes to choosing the material for your next hospitality furniture project, you may want to consider engineered wood. Engineered wood provides many sustainable benefits for hospitality furniture. In addition to being ecologically responsible, engineered wood can enhance the structural integrity of hospitality furniture.

What is Engineered Wood?

You may be asking yourself, what exactly is engineered wood and how does it differ from solid wood? Engineered wood is typically made from the same species as it’s solid wood counterpart. Engineered wood is made from solid wood, veneers, chips and individual fibers. These parts of the tree are reconstituted using different resins and manufacturing processes. This process produces wood that performs better and often costs less than the same dimension of solid wood.

Advantages to Engineered Woods

While wood itself is a renewable resource, engineered woods have many sustainable and environmental benefits. Most often with engineered woods, 95% of the tree is used, which is typically much more than with solid wood products.

  • Highly efficient use of trees, waste can be recycled for further use
  • End product is free of knots, voids, warping and other imperfections
  • Consistent quality
  • Lays tighter and flatter
  • Higher load carrying abilities compared to solid wood
  • Resins used in these products don’t produce gas
  • Higher density, carbon-intense wood products sequester carbon dioxide, which results in a net negative carbon footprint

The many advantages of engineered wood make it a sustainable choice for hospitality furniture. By using nearly every part of the tree, nothing is left to rot or be burned. Using as much of the tree as possible ensure that nothing goes to waste, which is one of the hallmark principles of sustainable building practices.

At Northland, we use engineered wood to create beautiful and sustainable hospitality, senior living and dormitory furniture. Reduce material costs and your carbon footprint by choosing commercial furniture made from engineered wood. By choosing engineered wood, imperfections are avoided and quality remains consistent. Both strong advantages when it comes to hospitality furniture.

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Northland Proudly Provides National Parks Furniture Across the US

Published by: Northland - September 7, 2016

On August 25, 2016, the National Parks Service turned 100! With this exciting centennial comes 100 years of nature, wildlife, history, culture and adventure that can only be found in the great outdoors. Northland has proudly provided national parks furniture across the country. We’re proud to be a part of your outdoor recreational experience and are excited for the future of the National Parks Service.

National Parks Furniture

The National Parks Service wanted to replace furniture at key locations leading up to the Centennial year. Northland is proud to be a small part of the experience of the thousands of people that visit these facilities each year. The following locations were part of the renovated furniture provided by Northland:

  • Lake Yellowstone Hotel  – Yellowstone | Dark, colonial revival-style furniture all hand distressed
  • Grant Village Lodges – Yellowstone | Custom distressed farmhouse
  • Canyon Lodges – Yellowstone | Custom Shaker-influenced style
  • Old Faithful Lodge – Yellowstone | Lighter Craftsman influenced
  • Sandpiper Lodge – Yellowstone
  • Swift Current Motor Inn – Glacier National Park | Simple clean pine furniture
  • Swift Current Cabins – Glacier National Park | Dark/distressed Colonial revival influenced
  • Apgar Village Lodge – Glacier National Park | 1950s inspired headboards, two-tone with bottle glass green finish
  • Grand Canyon Railway Lodge – Grand Canyon | Custom design with custom nail heads bearing the property logo

All of the pieces were designed to be specific to each property. Some of the pieces were designed by others, with additional designs done in-house at Northland. We’re extremely proud of the work put into these projects and the final products that are now enjoyed by thousands of visitors to these parks every year.

Free Admission on National Public Lands Day

Enjoy free admission to all 413 national parks on Saturday, September 24, National Public Lands Day! National parks bring the great outdoors to your front door and allow you to see many of our country’s naturally occurring treasures. From Yellowstone to Glacier National Park and everywhere in-between, you can see it all for free on National Public Lands Day. Plan to visit your favorite national park for free!

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Beyond the Collections | Custom Commercial Furniture

Published by: Northland - August 17, 2016

When searching for custom commercial furniture for hospitality, senior living, or dormitory, it’s easy to get caught up in the collections offered by different manufacturers. Collections provide a great option for individuals in different industries looking for a quick option for commercial furniture. They also give customers looking for custom commercial furniture a jumping off point and idea of what a manufacturer can build. It’s important to know, especially when it comes to manufacturers like Northland Furniture Company, that custom commercial furniture can be a custom as you desire.

Truly Custom Commercial Furniture

Commercial furniture manufacturers often create collections to make choosing new pieces for hospitality and other industries simple. Collections are tastefully designed and curated to appeal to broad audiences, which make them desirable for commercial institutions. Sometimes these collections can be customized, depending on the manufacturer, but it’s possible to walk into another facility and see the same collection elsewhere.

Truly custom commercial furniture leaves the design and style of the pieces up to your imagination. Customers work with designers at the manufacturer to create one-of-a-kind custom commercial furniture unique to your brand or individual facility.

Benefits of Custom Commercial Furniture

  • Accurately Represents Your Brand
  • Gives Guests or Residents a Comfortable, Unique Atmosphere
  • Furniture is One-of-a-Kind
  • Designed to Your Exact Style and Specifications

While not every commercial furniture manufacturer can create truly unique custom pieces, Northland can design and build whatever you want, with limited exclusions and restrictions. If you don’t see something you want in the collections we offer, don’t worry. We’re not limited by what’s in our collections and can custom design commercial furniture per your requirements. We like to get creative and are always excited to expand on the beautiful custom commercial furniture we produce.

Contact Northland for more information about custom commercial furniture design. Whether you want to customize items within our collections or work with us to create something truly unique to represent your company and your brand, we have the skill and creativity to create furniture you and your guests or residents will love for many years to come.

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