Designing With Purpose

Designing With Purpose: How Industry-Specific Furnishings are Redefining Hospitality and Housing

By Preeti Bhatia, Co-Founder & Director of Sales & Marketing, Omland Hospitality

Introduction

In today’s competitive hospitality and housing landscape, the smallest details often make the greatest difference. Guests and residents may never think about the design of their bed base, the way a curtain drapes or the assembly of a platform bed but those details shape their comfort, safety and overall experience.

For more than two decades, I have dedicated my career to making sure those details are never overlooked. As Co-Founder of Omland Hospitality, I’ve worked closely with hoteliers, housing operators, universities and healthcare providers to design products that are not just functional but purposeful. Every innovation we bring to market starts with one question: Does this product truly serve the needs of the people who will use it?

The Challenge: Meeting Industry-Specific Needs

While all hospitality and housing projects fall under the commercial category, each industry has very specific requirements. Early in my journey, as I connected with decision-makers, I learned two important truths:

• Consistency matters. Operators value suppliers who can provide reliable, repeatable solutions across multiple projects and locations.
• Retail is not the answer. Many organizations turned to retail outlets when they couldn’t find specialized suppliers. The result was inconsistent products, limited stock and frequent discontinuations – making it difficult to maintain standards and train staff effectively.

These lessons reinforced the importance of creating tailored, industry-specific solutions supported by consistent supply. It’s not just about providing products; it’s about helping operators achieve reliability, efficiency, and long-term value.

Case Study 1: A Platform Bed That Simplifies Housing Operations

In supportive and transitional housing, durability and ease of use are essential. Traditional platform beds use screws and bolts, which:

• Require hours of assembly.
• Lose parts when moved between rooms.
• Create frustration for staff and residents alike.

Recognizing this, I developed a platform bed with no screws or bolts. It assembles in minutes, can be moved without risk of losing parts, and provides unmatched durability.

Impact: Housing providers now spend less time on logistics and more time on their mission — supporting people in transition. This innovation proved that by listening to operators and studying their challenges, we could remove obstacles and add real value.

Case Study 2: Reinventing the Hotel Bed Base

Hotels worldwide have moved away from box springs, yet too many bed base models still leave much to be desired. Common flaws include:

• Mattress sliding due to ineffective handles.
• Weak structures with low weight capacity.
• Solid metal sheets that create noise during movement.
• Rough, unsafe edges that diminish aesthetics.

I worked on designing a new bed base that addressed these shortcomings:

• High durability with strong weight capacity.
• Non-skid surface that eliminates mattress movement without awkward handles.
• Quiet design that avoids the rattling of solid sheets.
• Smooth edges for safety and elegance.

Impact: Hotels that adopt this design see fewer maintenance calls, fewer guest complaints, and better reviews. The product pays for itself in longevity, while elevating the guest experience — the cornerstone of hospitality.

The Omland Approach: Design With Purpose

These product stories reflect a broader philosophy at Omland Hospitality:

1. Listen First – Engage directly with operators to understand their pain points.
2. Engineer Solutions – Translate those challenges into design specifications.
3. Test Rigorously – Ensure durability, safety, and ease of use in real-world conditions.
4. Deliver Value – Products must save time, reduce costs, and improve user experience.

It is this process that has enabled us to serve diverse sectors:

• Hotels, resorts, and boutique BnBs.
• Transitional and supportive housing facilities.
• Student housing and universities.
• Healthcare and long-term care environments.
• Government and institutional projects.

Why Specifications Matter More Than Ever

The hospitality and housing industries are changing. Budgets are tighter, guest expectations are higher, and operators are looking for partners who understand their world.

By focusing on specifications, we create solutions that:

• Extend product life cycles, lowering long-term costs.
• Reduce assembly and maintenance burdens.
• Provide comfort and safety that translate into positive reviews.
• Reinforce trust between supplier and operator.

For me, specifications are not a technical detail — they are the foundation of trust.

Looking Ahead: Innovation With Responsibility

As we look toward the future, I see new challenges emerging: sustainability, rapid urban growth, and the increasing demand for multi-purpose spaces. These will require even greater attention to detail and innovation.

At Omland, I am committed to continuing this work — not just developing products, but shaping environments where people can feel safe, comfortable, and cared for. That is what it means to furnish every space with purpose.

Conclusion

Furniture is not just about filling a room. It is about solving problems, improving lives, and creating experiences that matter.

I am proud that at Omland Hospitality, every product we bring forward is a reflection of that belief. From bolt-free beds for transitional housing to skid-proof hotel bases, our mission is to raise standards in every industry we touch.

If you are navigating challenges in hospitality, housing, or institutional furnishing, I welcome the opportunity to connect. Together, we can design solutions that serve their purpose today — and for many years to come.

Connect with Preeti on LinkedIn