In an age of rich global experiences, tailoring your decor and accessories lets you reminisce about past travels and feel inspired for future destinations. The goal is not just to appreciate aesthetics and show off where you’ve been – it’s to infuse your home atmosphere with lived experiences, anecdotes, and cherished feelings from these places. Here’s how to tastefully make your home reflect the places you have been:
Bringing the World to Your Living Room
Wall displays often serve as a focal point in homes. Lots of people these days put canvas prints on the wall depicting their own photos and artwork rather than more generic prints and pictures. The right display can evoke vivid, happy memories and spark engaging conversations with guests. Choose prints from photos taken during your trips – for example, panoramic landscape images, iconic landmarks, or even less obvious choices like escalator steps in the London Underground or pasta hanging on a Tuscan clothesline. The trick is to select images which evoke personal sentiments and sensations, enriching your space with emotional depth beyond its visual appeal.
Including your travel photos elevates your living room’s vibe and can give a gallery-esque experience that paints a vivid picture of your adventures. Alternatively, investing in the art of the places you have visited can bring the world to you, as each piece tells a story of a different society, its traditions, and expressions.
Cosmopolitan Kitchens and Dining Areas
The kitchen is the heart of the home. So why not sprinkle it with bits of flavour from the places you’ve visited? Use unique crockery you have picked up on your travels – a teacup from China, a wine glass from Italy, or a plate from France. This conjures up memories of the place where you found them and brings an international ambience to your table.
Cookbooks sourced from your travels can also make your kitchen shelves come alive. Display them prominently for both aesthetic and culinary influence, and transform your mealtimes into a cosmopolitan dining experience.
Fusion Touch to Your Bedrooms
Textiles sourced from your travels can radically transform your bedroom into a serene retreat. For example, quilts with patterns reflecting the pleasing complexity of Moroccan tiles, or soft, vibrant throws from the markets of Marrakesh. Use a kantha quilt from India, or a batik from Indonesia, or even a simple tartan from the Scottish Highlands. The unique textures, colours, and designs of these fabrics can bring depth and warmth.
Additionally, place a smattering of decor items such as a Turkish lamp on your bedside table or an antique Chinese screen as a headboard. These elements offer more than cohesion – they provide soulful travel narratives whispering stories of their origin.
Bathrooms Inspired by the World
Contrary to popular belief, bathrooms are not exempt from reflecting travel experiences either. For example, you could use tiles inspired by Gaudí’s work in Barcelona, or install a hammam-style basin found in a Turkish bazaar. There are plenty of ways to incorporate international flair into your bathroom. If you don’t want to go all out with decor and fittings, there are simpler ways to bring the world to your bathroom. For example, you could add a basket of seashells collected from a trip to the Maldives; towels embroidered in a bustling Moroccan souk; or even a simple soap dish from the flea markets in Paris.
Conclusion
Designing your living space to echo your wanderlust is not just an aesthetic exercise. It is a conscious effort to connect with the varied experiences and cultures and celebrate them in your everyday life. By incorporating these travel tokens into your decor, you create a space that is personal, engaging, and visually appealing. Ultimately, your home becomes not just a dwelling, but a well-curated collection of the places you’ve been and a unique mirror of your place in the world.
