Designing a Home That Feels Like Your Favorite Vacation
Have you ever returned from a trip and found yourself wishing your home felt a little more like the place you just left?
Maybe it was the relaxed sophistication of a boutique hotel in Charleston. The effortless indoor-outdoor living of a resort in Scottsdale. The understated elegance of a coastal retreat in Nantucket. Or perhaps it was simply the feeling that everything was thoughtfully considered, beautifully maintained and completely effortless.
The truth is that great hospitality design and great residential design have more in common than most people realize. Both are rooted in creating experiences. The spaces we remember most aren't necessarily the most expensive. They're the ones that make us feel comfortable, inspired and completely at ease.
One of the first things luxury resorts do exceptionally well is eliminate visual clutter. Furniture is thoughtfully arranged. Materials are cohesive. Lighting is layered. Nothing feels accidental. At home, we often accumulate furnishings and décor over decades without ever stepping back to evaluate how everything works together. The result can feel disjointed, even when individual pieces are beautiful.
Another hallmark of luxury travel is the emphasis on comfort. Deep seating, quality bedding, spa-inspired bathrooms, blackout drapery, soft lighting and inviting outdoor spaces all contribute to a sense of retreat. Ironically, these are often the areas homeowners overlook in favor of highly visible design features. Yet they're the elements that most directly impact how a home feels on a daily basis.
The most successful homes also support the lifestyle of their owners. For some, that means a wine room inspired by a favorite Napa Valley getaway. For others, it's a wellness room for yoga and Pilates, a golf simulator, a beautifully appointed guest suite for visiting family, or an outdoor entertaining space that feels like a private resort. The goal isn't to replicate a hotel. It's to capture the experiences you value most.
This is why we spend so much time discussing how clients travel, entertain, relax, and spend their free time. Those conversations often reveal far more about how a home should function than a Pinterest board ever could. Great design isn't about following trends. It's about creating a home that reflects your lifestyle and aspirations.
The best part? Unlike a vacation, you don't have to leave after a week. When your home is designed intentionally, that sense of comfort, luxury and ease becomes part of everyday life.
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Written by Abby Fitzgerald, Founder & Principal Designer, Fitz Haus Interior Design
Abby Fitzgerald is the Founder and Principal Designer of Fitz Haus Interior Design, a luxury residential design studio serving Central Pennsylvania, Maryland, and clients nationwide through select projects. Inspired by timeless architecture, boutique hotels, luxury resorts, and well-traveled lifestyles, Abby creates homes that blend comfort, sophistication, and everyday functionality. Her work focuses on full-service interior design, renovations, furnishings, and custom homes, helping clients translate the experiences they love most into spaces that feel welcoming, personal, and beautifully curated. Abby's designs have been featured in regional publications and trusted by homeowners seeking a refined yet approachable approach to luxury living.