Interiors Inspired by Travel

Months of travel restrictions have made jetting off to stunning, new destinations impossible for most of us. As more people crave that sense of travel and getting away from everyday life, we’ve seen a rising interest in travel-inspired interior design.

Whether this means incorporating elements of previous travels and adventures into current interiors or taking design inspiration from other countries and cultures, there are plenty of ways to give your interiors a fresh, far-off look.

Take a look at our guide to every interior design style.

Choose Your Inspiration

The most obvious place to start with when designing a travel-inspired space is to identify where you want to draw inspiration from.

Do you want to focus on a particular country or city, or do you wish to pick a more general theme? These decisions will help you choose the colours, patterns and textures best suited for the space.

Some themes centred around travel you might want to consider include:

Tropical Jungle Interiors

Choosing this kind of theme will involve embracing lots of lush greens and bursts of other bright colours.

Botanical patterns make a great choice - you could also opt for an elegant animal print to bring your space to life.

Houseplants and raw, rustic materials are other staples for this theme. Baskets and macrame wall hangings will add to the natural, outdoorsy feel.

Coastal and Ocean Interiors

Within this theme, there is plenty of room to get creative and design a unique space. Whether you’re inspired by a peaceful seaside retreat or want to evoke shores from further afield, using shades of blue paired with calming neutrals will help you achieve a beach look.

Natural textures in the form of woven rugs and baskets and wooden features are also sure to bring thoughts of sea and sands. Combine these with carefully selected decor pieces like shell or marine life motifs.

Industrial City Interiors

Channelling city living is often best done through embracing industrial loft vibes. This means opting for lots of metals and dark colours like sleek blacks and greys.

Exposed features like brick and hanging wires are also a must when looking to achieve that classic industrial look.

Incorporating statement-making industrial lighting into your kitchen, bedroom and living spaces is a great way to effortlessly reinforce the style of a New York or London loft.

Using Countries for Interior Inspiration

Drawing design inspiration from a particular country or culture rather than a more general theme can be something to consider if you want to give your interiors a truly transportive quality.

For some, this might mean replicating the feel of a favourite travel spot, or it could be more aspirational and reflect dream destinations.

Below, we consider some destinations that have iconic interior styles to show you just how many places could inspire your next interior makeover.

Indian-Inspired Interior Design

Many Indian-inspired interiors make use of vivid colours and patterns that give a sense of depth and luxury. Consider cushions, rugs, wallpapers or wall hangings with intricate paisley and mandala patterns to create a bold, colourful statement.

Use burnt oranges, pinks and golds to further cultivate a sense of richness and opulence. Ornate mirrors and unique pendant lights will also help bring this theme together.

Moroccan-Inspired Interior Design

Another frequently sought after style is taken from Moroccan interior design. Moroccan-inspired spaces often have a light and airy feel, with neutral colours serving as a backdrop to bright, loud hues and eclectic patterns.

Trends towards maximalism play wonderfully into a Moroccan design - when it comes to patterns, more is often desired. Mismatched tiles and textiles can add unique character and charm. Including extravagantly patterned pillows and cushions is a simple way to incorporate this theme into your home.

Shapes that evoke traditional Moroccan architecture are also something to consider. Lights, art or furniture that embrace the iconic rounded and arched shapes can help enhance the hints of Moroccan inspiration in your space.

Japanese-Inspired Interior Design

With styles like Japandi being ever-popular, you might already have a good idea about how to design a Japanese-inspired interior.

Traditional Japanese styles are often characterised by rustic minimalism. In practice, this translates into clean, functional spaces with neutral colour palettes and very limited visual clutter.

Maximising natural light and using warm, earthy tones helps to create light, calming spaces that reflect this stylish Japanese simplicity. Nature also often takes centre-stage, with carefully pruned plants or floral patterns being popular additions.

There are, of course, plenty of other countries and cities to take inspiration from, we have only touched on some of the most popular here - you could even mix and match your themes and have different rooms that focus on different countries.

Styling Souvenirs From Your Own Travels

Showcasing what you’ve collected from your own adventures is a wonderful way to imbue your space with a travel theme. Artistic shots from your last holiday might make great additions to a gallery wall - tie in your picture frames to your theme to create a seamless and cohesive look.

If you don’t want to go all out and create a gateway to a particular country, you can still show off your love of travel by highlighting your favourite pieces from your collection and giving them pride of place on a meticulously styled shelf or coffee table.

Resort-Like Outdoor Spaces

If you’ve got the bug for travel-inspired interiors, don’t keep it all inside - with some careful styling, you can create a top travel destination right in your own back garden!

Creating a dedicated outdoor dining area lit with ambient lighting is a great way to boost that getaway feeling even more. Incorporating features like fire pits can also help conjure feelings of being away on a retreat.

Good lighting plays a central role in the design of outside spaces. To find out more about choosing the best lights for your outdoor spaces, take a look at our guide on lighting your outdoor area with style.

If your interiors need a fresh new look, getting inspired by travel can offer up some great new design opportunities! Whether you transform your rooms entirely or just want to give a hint of far-off shores, hopefully, we have provided you with a bit of inspiration to get started.

If you are seeking further interior style ideas, check out our Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook pages.

Header Image Credit: @dovecotebarns