Companies go to great lengths to achieve the right look and feel for serviced apartment interiors, with a view to combining style, function and the best possible use of space. In doing this, the guiding principle may be to adopt a distinct design theme and palette throughout, or allow for greater flexibility and individual choice.
Either way, the key is to consult widely. And not just with design professionals and those in trades, but also the people who matter most - current residents and prospective tenants.
'To gauge feedback and comments, we renovated three apartments as mock-up units,' says Rene Holenweger, general manager of Gateway Apartments in Tsim Sha Tsui. 'Our objective was to create what is needed for a modern lifestyle, but with a better utilisation of space and a comfortable, homey feel.'
The process presented different layouts and interior fittings. For example, for the studio mock-up, a sliding door was added to the bedroom, giving residents the choice of greater privacy or an open-plan look.
A one-bedroom unit was upgraded to become a '1 + 1' including a second room for use as a child's bedroom or a study.
And it was shown how the larger two- and three-bedroom apartments could allow for flexible configurations to suit families with differing needs and budgets.