Irina

Global interiors: how to be inspired by your travels when decorating

Posted on 19th March 2026

One prominent interiors trend this Spring Summer 2026 season is global, travel-inspired design. We break down the key elements to getting the look…

Tropical trinkets, Mediterranean dinnerware, Nordic décor – if you love bringing back a piece of your travels home with you, this season, dare to draw even more design ideas and inspiration from the places you’ve roamed to add international charm and character to your rooms. “Globally inspired homes are going to be everywhere in 2026,” Marie Goodwin, head designer at Prestigious Textiles, tells me.

But how do you get this look? I’ve asked the experts…

A kitchen design in Italy with Smeg appliances, dark red flooring, a stone sink, and marbled surfaces. — Kate Watson-Smyth of @mad_about_the_house’s kitchen in Turin featuring Smeg appliances.

Anouska Tamony, creative director at the eponymous interior design studio, says drawing inspiration from global design is about storytelling, ‘creating a home that feels personal and collected over time’. “It’s less about replicating a specific look and more about blending influences, whether that’s the warmth of Mediterranean textures, the simplicity of Scandinavian design, or the richness of handcrafted pieces from further afield. The trick is in balancing these elements so the space feels cohesive rather than themed,” she explains.

A calm bedroom design with global design inspiration, a blue headboard, and rustic decor. — Harrison Spinks Yorkshire 15k king-size divan set in Lovely Ocean, £3299, Furniture Village.

Get the look

For the colour scheme, Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village, recommends drawing inspiration from across the globe, ‘from the olive groves of Spain to the coral reef of Australia’. “Escape to far-flung destinations without even stepping foot outside your door by decorating with a colour palette inspired by global travel,” says Shelley.

An exotic bathroom with scalloped tiles in the shower and patterned flooring. — Textures and patterns, set against earthy tones, evoke a sense of calm and understated luxury in the Metamorphic Artist’s Residence in London by Anouska Tamony Interiors. Photography: Nick George.

A bathroom design with global touches, a freestanding tub, glass roof, and house plants. — This warm, inviting bathroom draws on global influences through natural materials, textured finishes, and artisan-style details. Design by Anouska Tamony Interiors. Photography: Nick George.

Layering your shades, patterns, and textures in a balanced, considered way is crucial when looking to get this aesthetic, says Marie. “Pair vibrant hues and bold patterns with softer neutrals or simple motifs and mix tactile fabrics with smoother surfaces so each element compliments each other, making the space feel beautifully and intentionally collected,” she advises.

Anouska agrees and adds, “Build a layered colour palette of warm, earthy tones which allow you to play with occasional bolder accents, such as an interesting pattern, sculpture or piece of art.”

Speaking of pattern, it is a great tool for bringing a touch of global influence to your interiors. “From the vibrant tapestries of India to the distressed ikat designs of Southeast Asia, the richness of cultural design offers a tapestry of colours, textures, and traditions that inspire creativity and evoke a sense of wanderlust,” explains Debbie Leigh, design manager at Iliv.

A kitchen design with ochre cabinetry, a butler sink, brass tap, and checkerboard flooring, with open shelving above it. — “The most successful interiors are those that reflect personal experiences, with pieces chosen for their meaning rather than their uniformity,” says Mike Whitfield, luxury interiors expert at Lusso. Design by McKenna Interiors.

A classic bedroom design with neutral wall paint, jute rug, and global-inspired patterned fabrics. — Rustic Persian collection, from £36 per m, Prestigious Textiles.

To create a grounded feel, Anouska recommends focusing on natural materials such as wood, ceramic tiles, stone, and rattan and incorporating handcrafted or artisanal pieces for added character.

“Decorating is about pairing accessories in a way that feels cohesive and considered,” says James Mellan-Matulewicz, CEO and creative director at Bobbi Beck. “For example, if you have trinkets from India, you might take inspiration from traditional design elements and reflect that subtly in your space. Or you might be drawn to Moroccan tilework and incorporate that influence into a bathroom setting.”

A Mediterranean-style bathroom with chrome brassware, textured wall and floor tiles, and waffle towels. — Waffled bath towels in Powder Pink and Light Yellow, £12.99 each, H&M Home.

An intricate sideboard with an exotic wallpaper behind it. — Suraja Persian wallpaper, £79 per roll, Bobbi Beck.

“The aim is to curate a space where the pieces feel collected, as though they have always belonged. While giving each piece enough space to feel intentional with a quiet nod to the places that have inspired you,” concludes James.

So, on your next voyage, why not jot down all the foreign design intricacies that catch your eye and make every day at home feel like a holiday?