Designing Joy: Redefining the Future of Hospitality
What happens when you trade restraint for curiosity? When you throw out the rulebook and lead with feeling? When, instead of asking what’s practical, you ask: what sparks joy?
At HD Expo 2025, in collaboration with our partners at Kimball Hospitality, we asked those questions with wide eyes and open hands—and we built a booth that answered them with color, curiosity, and unapologetic joy.
And the result? An award-winning experience that captured attention—and hearts—across the show floor.
Because if the future of hospitality is about experiences—and it is—then we must begin with emotion. That’s exactly what we did.
A Booth That Felt Like a Dream
Our booth wasn’t just a showcase. It was a pool party. A pink brainstorm. A floating bed suspended in a moody violet hush.
Each vignette told a story. Each story invited a smile.
The central area evoked the soul of a pool—not in a literal or gimmicky way, but in spirit. That memory of sun-warmed tile underfoot, of floating beside a new friend, of freedom and spontaneous conversation. We wrapped that nostalgia in vibrant blues, oranges, and pinks, grounding it with adaptive furniture that blurred the lines between work and play. We wanted people to linger—and they did.
The meeting space was no beige box with a whiteboard. Wrapped in punchy pinks and lush oranges, it encouraged ideas to loosen their ties and dance. Technology quietly supported the scene, while playful furniture and color did the talking. The message was clear: productivity and playfulness aren’t opposites—they’re co-conspirators.
The final moment was the bedroom—though this one wasn’t about sleep. It was about wakefulness. About mornings that feel like clean slates and nights that restore. With shifting light, clever storage, and a calming palette, it spoke to hospitality that respects the rhythm of being human. We designed a bed that appeared to float—its support cleverly hidden to preserve the illusion from a standing perspective.
And through it all, one word glowed in spirit and sensation: joy.
Collaboration Was the Catalyst
From the start, this wasn’t a vendor-client relationship—it was a creative alliance. We weren’t just designing for Kimball; we were dreaming with them. The trust, flexibility, and mutual investment from every partner shaped the final product in profound ways.
“The joy, trust, and partnership I felt with every member of the Kimball project team is real. It went beyond work—and because of that, we built something truly exciting, connected, and lasting.”
—Claire, Project Designer
That kind of synergy doesn’t just make for smooth teamwork. It makes for better design. When everyone is empowered to bring bold ideas to the table—and supported to see them through—the results are magnetic.
Yes, We Took Risks. And Yes, It Was Worth It.
We dreamed up furniture that looked inflatable but was fully upholstered and up to code. We designed a bed that appeared to float. We painted a meeting space in the color of ripe tangerines.
It was a design dare—and Kimball said yes.
We pushed on the boundaries of what a booth could be, and the response was overwhelming. People smiled. They lingered. They asked questions. They took photos. And many told us it was the most unexpected and joyful space at the show.
“This year reminded me how energizing it is to try something new—and how meaningful it is to share that joy. Collaborating with Kimball pushed us to lead with emotion and creativity.”
—Allison, Designer
“Visitors told us they felt good in the space—that it made them smile. That’s not just good design. That’s emotional impact.”
—Matt, Design Director
What It Means for the Future
HD Expo isn’t just a tradeshow. It’s a snapshot of where the industry is headed—and this year, it revealed a clear direction: storytelling, emotion, and design with purpose.
The future of hospitality design isn’t about minimalism for minimalism’s sake. It’s about memory. About mood. About meaning.
“This booth wasn’t just about how it looked—it was about how it made people feel. And it reminded us of our responsibility to create experiences that are emotional, innovative, and relevant.”
—Hadley, Designer
Sustainability and wellness are no longer trends—they’re expectations. And experience-driven, emotionally intelligent spaces are what resonate most.
At Gettys, we’re proud to lead that evolution. We design spaces that blend beauty and utility, but also capture something deeper: feeling.
Onward
If this booth taught us anything, it’s that joy belongs in the blueprint. That we don’t have to choose between durability and delight. That we can—and should—design moments that spark curiosity, comfort, and connection.
To everyone who visited: thank you for your smiles, your questions, your wonder.
To those who missed it: don’t worry. We’re just getting started.
