Beyond the Airplane: Designing the Spaces That Shape the Aviation Lifestyle

Every year, the aviation industry comes together to talk about what's next. New technology, advancements in airplane design, innovations in safety, and the future of business aviation take center stage. It's an exciting time to be part of an industry that is constantly evolving, and this week, as I attend NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, I'm looking forward to experiencing those conversations firsthand.

But as an interior designer who specializes in the aviation lifestyle, I find myself thinking about a different part of that experience.

What happens after the airplane lands?

Where do pilots go to unwind after a long flight? Where do aviation families gather at the end of the day? What makes a hangar feel like more than a place to park an airplane? And how can the spaces surrounding aviation make the entire experience more comfortable, functional, and enjoyable?

These questions are at the heart of what we do at Aeroview Design Co.

Because while the airplane is often the reason people fall in love with aviation, the lifestyle surrounding it is what makes that passion part of everyday life.

And I believe those spaces deserve just as much thoughtful planning as everything that happens in the air.

What Is Aviation Lifestyle Design?

Aviation lifestyle design focuses on creating functional, comfortable, and thoughtfully planned spaces for people who live, work, and spend time around aviation. It includes hangar home design, residential hangars, pilot lounges, FBO interiors, and other aviation-related environments. Unlike airplane cabin design, aviation lifestyle design considers how people use the spaces surrounding flight, from entertaining and everyday living to passenger comfort, storage, and operational efficiency.

Aviation Is More Than the Airplane

If you've spent much time around general aviation, you know there's something special about the community.

It's not unusual for a quick stop at someone's hangar to turn into an afternoon of conversation. An open hangar door can feel like an invitation to come say hello. Someone might be working on their airplane, another person might stop by with coffee, and before long, a few more friends have joined the conversation.

There's a sense of connection that extends well beyond flying itself.

It's one of the things I've come to appreciate most about working in aviation. The people are passionate about their airplanes, of course, but they're equally passionate about the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that flying brings into their lives.

For some, aviation represents freedom and adventure. For others, it's a way to connect with family, conduct business, explore new places, or simply enjoy a Saturday morning doing something they love.

And increasingly, that lifestyle influences the spaces people want to create around it.

A hangar may become a favorite gathering place. An airpark property may become the setting for a family's dream home. A pilot lounge may provide a welcome place to relax between flights. An FBO may serve as someone's first impression of an airport or community.

These environments might serve different purposes, but they share something important: they're designed for people whose lives are connected to aviation.

That's where thoughtful design has an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.

The Hangar Is Becoming More Than a Place to Park

For many pilots, the hangar is one of the most personal spaces they own.

It's where they care for their airplane, prepare for flights, organize equipment, and spend time doing something they genuinely enjoy. But depending on the owner, it can also become a workshop, office, entertaining space, or comfortable retreat.

And that's where hangar design starts to get interesting.

I've spoken with pilots who envision a hangar with a full lounge, comfortable seating, a television, a bar, and a place to gather with friends. Others want a more functional environment with organized storage, workspace, and carefully planned lighting. Some want a combination of both.

What matters isn't how many amenities we can fit into the space. It's understanding what the owner actually wants to do there.

A pilot who enjoys hosting friends on the weekends may need a very different layout from someone who primarily uses the hangar for airplane storage and maintenance.

Even decisions that seem relatively simple can influence how the entire space functions.

Where should the lounge be positioned in relation to the airplane? How will people move between the hangar and outdoor entertaining areas? Is there convenient access to a bathroom? Where will flight bags, tools, luggage, and equipment be stored? How should lighting change between working on the airplane and relaxing with friends?

And because hangars often have large volumes, hard surfaces, and unique mechanical requirements, acoustics, lighting, temperature control, and material selections deserve special consideration.

These aren't simply decorating decisions. They're planning decisions that affect how comfortable and functional the hangar will feel for years to come.

A well-designed hangar should support everything you love about aviation, not just provide enough square footage for the airplane.

Hangar Homes: Where Aviation and Everyday Living Meet

Hangar homes take this relationship between aviation and lifestyle one step further.

For pilots who dream of living in an airpark community, the appeal is often about convenience and freedom. The ability to walk out of the house, open the hangar door, and prepare for a flight creates a completely different relationship with flying.

But designing a hangar home involves much more than attaching a residence to a hangar.

We're creating a property where two very different environments need to work together.

The hangar may be open, active, and functional, while the residence needs to provide comfort, privacy, and a sense of retreat. The outdoor living spaces might connect both environments, creating opportunities for entertaining, relaxing, or simply enjoying views of the airplane and surrounding airpark.

Every decision influences another.

The position of the hangar affects airplane access and how the property is organized. The relationship between the garage, kitchen, pantry, and hangar influences everyday circulation. Window placement can determine whether the homeowners enjoy a beautiful view of their airplane or overlook something entirely different.

Even the way guests arrive matters.

Some may pull into the driveway. Others may arrive by airplane. Depending on how the homeowners entertain, those different arrival experiences can influence the layout of the residence, hangar, and outdoor spaces.

This is why I believe hangar home design should begin with understanding the entire property and the lifestyle it needs to support.

When we approach the residence, hangar, outdoor living, and airplane circulation as one cohesive environment, the design becomes much more intentional.

And the result should feel effortless.

Not because the planning was simple, but because the important decisions were made thoughtfully before construction began.

The Pilot Experience Doesn't End at the FBO Door

While hangar homes and residential hangars are a major part of our work, another area of aviation design that I find especially meaningful is the FBO experience.

An FBO serves a very different purpose from a private residence, but the importance of thoughtful design is just as relevant.

Consider what someone might need after arriving from a long flight.

A comfortable place to sit. A quiet area to work. Convenient access to refreshments. Somewhere to recharge a phone or laptop. Clear circulation through the facility. A welcoming environment that makes it easy to transition from flying to whatever comes next.

For passengers, the experience may be different. They might be waiting for transportation, meeting colleagues, or simply spending a few minutes in the lobby before continuing their day.

And for the people working at the facility, the layout needs to support the operational side of the business.

These different needs have to coexist within the same environment.

That's something I've been thinking about extensively while working on an FBO interior renovation in Texas.

The project includes a lobby and multiple pilot lounges, each with its own design direction and functional considerations. As we've developed the interiors, I've been reminded how important it is to look beyond how a space photographs and consider how people will actually experience it.

Furniture arrangements affect circulation and conversation. Lighting influences comfort and atmosphere. Materials need to feel elevated while remaining appropriate for a busy commercial environment. Different lounge spaces may need to accommodate different levels of activity, privacy, and relaxation.

And perhaps most importantly, the environment should feel welcoming to the people who use it.

A beautifully designed FBO isn't simply about creating an impressive first impression. It's about supporting the people who move through that facility every day.

When those needs are considered together, the design can contribute to an experience that feels more comfortable, efficient, and memorable.

Designing Around the People Who Fly

One thing I've learned through working with pilots and aviation families is that there isn't one universal definition of the aviation lifestyle.

Two people can own similar airplanes, live in the same airpark, and have completely different ideas about what their ideal space should look like.

One may dream of a hangar where friends gather every weekend. Another may want a quiet retreat with a comfortable office and views of the airplane. One family may prioritize entertaining and outdoor living, while another needs flexibility for children, visiting relatives, and future changes.

The same principle applies to commercial aviation environments. Different facilities serve different communities, and the spaces should reflect the needs of the people using them.

That's why I don't believe good design begins with selecting finishes or choosing a particular aesthetic.

It begins with listening.

Before we start developing a floorplan or selecting materials, I want to understand how the space will be used, what matters most to the people using it, and where the current environment may be creating unnecessary challenges.

Sometimes the most valuable design decisions aren't the ones someone immediately notices.

It's the storage that's exactly where it needs to be. The circulation that makes sense without thinking about it. The lounge that feels comfortable after a long flight. The lighting that changes with the activity. The view of the airplane that was carefully considered during the planning process.

These details may seem small individually, but together they shape how a space feels to live in or use.

To me, luxury is about creating an environment that anticipates your needs rather than asking you to constantly adapt to the space.

And when we're designing for people who fly, that understanding of the aviation lifestyle becomes especially important.

Why I'm Attending NBAA-BACE 2026

This week, I'm attending NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas, and I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to spend time with the people and businesses shaping the aviation industry.

While many attendees will be focused on airplanes, technology, operations, and business aviation services, I'm approaching the event through the lens of design.

I'm interested in the conversations happening around the broader aviation experience.

How are businesses thinking about the environments they provide for pilots and passengers? What challenges are airport operators and aviation businesses facing? How are the expectations of pilots and aviation families evolving?

And perhaps most importantly, how can thoughtful planning and interior design better support the people who make this industry what it is?

I don't expect every conversation to be about design. In fact, some of the most valuable conversations may have very little to do with interiors at all.

Understanding the aviation industry means understanding the people, the operations, and the experiences that shape it.

That's something I genuinely enjoy about this niche.

I'm not simply designing rooms with airplanes nearby. I'm learning from a community whose lifestyle, priorities, and experiences influence how those spaces should function.

And opportunities like NBAA-BACE allow me to continue building those relationships and expanding that understanding.

The Future of Aviation Living Deserves Thoughtful Design

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, I believe there's an opportunity to think more intentionally about the environments surrounding it.

Not every hangar needs a lounge. Not every aviation residence needs an elaborate entertaining area. And not every FBO needs to look like a luxury hotel.

The goal isn't to make every aviation space bigger, more expensive, or more elaborate.

It's to make each environment better suited to the people who use it.

For a hangar owner, that might mean creating a comfortable place to spend more time with friends and family. For an airpark homeowner, it could mean designing a residence that connects naturally with the hangar and outdoor living spaces. For an FBO operator, it might mean rethinking the lobby or pilot lounges to create a more comfortable experience.

Different spaces. Different priorities. The same underlying philosophy.

Understand the people first, then design around the way they live, work, gather, and fly.

Because aviation is about so much more than the airplane itself.

It's about the freedom it creates, the places it takes us, the people it brings together, and the lifestyle that grows around it.

And I believe the spaces we return to deserve to be part of that experience.

Designing for the Way You Live, Work, and Fly

At Aeroview Design Co., we specialize in luxury interior design and planning for hangar homes, aviation residences, hangars, FBOs, and pilot spaces.

Our approach begins with understanding how you use your space, the experiences you want to create, and the details that can make everyday life more comfortable and functional.

Whether you're planning a new hangar home, transforming an existing hangar, or reimagining a commercial aviation environment, we'd love to explore what's possible.

Explore Our Aviation Lifestyle Design Services →

Because the aviation lifestyle doesn't end when the airplane lands.