Choose for use, not just appearance
A finish that is perfect for a private bedroom may fail in a hotel corridor. A stone that looks beautiful in a showroom may be too porous for heavy hospitality use. A fabric that feels luxurious may not meet cleaning expectations.
Material selection matrix
| Criterion | Question |
|---|---|
| Durability | Will it tolerate the traffic level? |
| Cleanability | Can staff maintain it without specialist processes? |
| Tactility | Does it feel appropriate where people touch it? |
| Acoustics | Does it soften or amplify the space? |
| Replacement | Can it be matched or replaced later? |
For Australian material and design context, see Design Institute of Australia and built environment guidance from Australian Institute of Architects.