When it comes to styling your home, inspiration can be found from almost anywhere – be that Pinterest boards, home design magazines or simply the everyday places you’ve been. However, if you want to bring a more exotic flair to your home we have just what you’re looking for – and the good news, you won’t even have to pay out for a plane ticket.
In today’s post, we’ll be sharing some of our favourite home styling tips that will allow you to travel the world and embrace interior design influences from around the globe without even having to step out of your front door. From harnessing Japanese zen to colourful Moroccan styles, simple Scandi and more, this post is packed with actionable advice to deliver a multi-cultural aesthetic to your home.
Mediterranean musings
Whether you have designs for a warm and eclectic Spanish-style kitchen or a cool and calming Greek-inspired dining room, there are plenty of ways to embellish your home with colourful accents to give it a worldly feel.
Bright and vibrant colours are often signature features in many warmer climates, particularly in the Mediterranean and North Africa. While there are some crossovers between countries and even continents, it’s often advisable to pick a particular region or style to truly encapsulate the look into your home.
For character-filled rooms, why not experiment with some patterned floor or wall tiles? The intricate detailing of encaustic tiles delivers a fresh and striking feature that will look like it’s been plucked straight from Morocco or Southern Spain – especially when paired with warm hues, gold accessories, Moorish rugs and tableware.
To create a Greek haven, team crisp white walls with bright blue and yellow accents. From vibrant scatter cushions and throws to authentic artwork, even the smallest of details can help to conjure up an international style – transporting you from your everyday life to a faraway land.
Master minimalism
If clean and clutter-free living is more your thing, you definitely don’t have to settle for bland decor – many cultures around the world have truly mastered minimalistic interiors that are a far cry from boring.
One such nation is Japan, where minimalism is growing in popularity with more people opting to furnish their homes with only items they actually need. If you wish to replicate this mantra and create a zen space, you need to start with cleansing your home with any unwanted possessions.
Paint walls with one light, neutral shade and design functional spaces that emphasise simplicity and comfort through ergonomic furniture. While the monochrome and bare essentials may be too austere for some, the use of greenery and muted decorative accents all work to soften the look and are relatively affordable, too.
Sumptuous Scandi style
If you prefer a softer approach to minimalism, then the Scandinavians definitely have the answer. Carve out a cosy, yet functional living room with stripped back wooden or tiled floors, the addition of an open fireplace and an eclectic mix of textures in neutral hues. Avoid cluttering up the finished look with too many accessories – a bookshelf with a few ornaments or one large painting should suffice.
For bathrooms and kitchens, combine fashion and function with two-tone or monochrome decor using sleek and smooth materials and furniture to give a clean look. The room can then be layered with wooden embellishments, organic fabrics and plants to achieve a zesty and zen-like space.
Heavenly outdoor areas
Another area that’s primed for a world makeover are your outdoor spaces. Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a modest backyard, it’s simple to create a welcoming space inspired by your favourite travel spot.
From exotic paradises packed with palm trees, colourful tropical flowers and eclectic furnishings to calm and tranquil havens that emphasises the subtle beauty of nature with rockeries and plenty of lush greenery, find a style you like and go wild.
Start by creating a blank canvas with versatile outdoor tiles that will provide the perfect foundation for channeling your inner creativity. From there you can decorate with vintage garden furniture for a European influence, shiny mirrors and lanterns for an African feel or earthy accents for a Far-Eastern vibe – just be sure to let your own personal taste and style come to the fore.
When it comes to decorating your home with travel-inspired interior design, the world is quite literally your oyster. The key to pulling off a worldly-feel in your home isn’t stuffing rooms with every trinket and treasure you’ve collected on your travels, but more identifying which styles you like the most and allowing them to take centre stage – and we hope this post will give you plenty of inspiration to help you along your way.
Author bio:
Suhayl Laher works at Tiles Direct, one of the UK’s largest independent tile distributors and retailers – bringing design inspiration to homeowners, architects and developers.