After recently moving, I found myself starting over in terms of decor and how I wanted our new home to feel. One of the things that was really important to me when thinking about our new decor was obviously bringing a lot from our travels into our home, souvenirs we’ve brought home that evoke memories or photos from our trips that bring us right back to that moment. As I thought about it, being a traveler feels all the better when you can come home and bring little pieces of memories from all over the world. So if you’re looking at how to bring travel into your home and make your space feel like a combination of styles from all over the world, here’s some tips and tricks!
Smaller is often better.
I have found that the smaller souvenirs and items we’ve brought back from travels often pack the biggest punch in home decor. Items like our wooden Buddha from Bali or our Moroccan lantern from Granada, those items aren’t very big but the details in them make their stories seem larger. I like having more small items that mean a lot rather than one or two huge items.
Combine photographs from traveling with art pieces.
One thing that we really wanted to do in our new place was to combine Nick’s beautiful photography with more art pieces that help us relive our travels. We ended up with a really nice mix of framed travel quotes, wall canvases and framed photographs that make our home an eclectic mix of our thoughts on travel and the world.
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures.
I love an eclectic mix of patterns and textures, so in our new home, I mixed different patterned pillows and blankets with other fabrics throughout to give it a sense of a world eclectic mix. This is a great way to bring in patterns from different cultures. I happen to love Moroccan prints so a lot of our prints are derived from that style which mixes nice with other patterns and textures.
Utilize stores like World Market.
One of my favorite stores for home items is Cost Plus World Market which carries furniture and decor items from around the world. So when we moved and I needed items that matched items from our travels but I couldn’t travel back to a country right away to buy something else, I head to World Market. From lanterns to rugs, World Market will give you a really great worldly aesthetic for pieces that you may need.
Liz @ California2Catalonia says
Yes! To all of this! Tony and I love buying little things for our home while traveling since every time we look at them it brings us back to the trip! My absolute favorite is a series of 4 old-time maps I got him to represent our road trip through New England. I can’t wait until we have a home to fill with everything we accumulate :).
Casey says
I love the memories that little momentos bring back!
Christine Everyday says
I really love these ideas. They leave you with little reminders of your adventures all over your house!
Casey says
Totally! Every time I see them, I remember fun stories or amazing adventures!
Claire (@Kurea_San) says
I love the idea of pairing photographs with souvenirs. I just bought my first house and am looking for unique ways to style the interior. Feeling very inspired right now.
Claire xx
Casey says
Yea! It’s so fun to have a combination of photos and souvenirs! So glad you are inspired too! 🙂
Emily of Em Busy Living says
I’ve been buying prints everywhere I travel just so I can have a huge gallery wall one day that represents all of the places we’ve been. I love the small souvenirs you have sitting around!
Casey says
That’s a cool idea, I’d like to start buying more artwork, but I’m always so in love with Nick’s photos of our travels that I lean toward that!
Emily of Em Busy Living says
That is definitely the best way to go! Nothing is more personal 🙂 I have a few of my photos that I would love to have printed and framed too. My mom always bought prints on their travels so I grew up staring at the walls and hoping I’d do the same one day.
Erin B says
I love this idea, i wish i had thought of doing this sooner! Makes me want to go back to all the places i’ve visited and bring something home to display! x
littlebateaux.blogspot.co.uk
Casey says
I know, me too! I wish we had Morocco on the agenda upcoming just to go back and buy a bunch for my house! 🙂
Jenn says
Love it! Photos are my favorite since I don’t like clutter. I also have my magnets.
Casey says
Totally! Photos are such a great way to remember places and memories!
Jojo says
That Buddha is stunning! How big is it exactly? I started collecting frames from trips for a picture from the trip for a little while but then I ran out of space to put them ＜（－︿－）＞ maybe when I get my own place that will be better.
Casey says
That Buddha is one of my all time faves from our travels – he’s about 6 inches tall and so gorgeous!
Andi Perullo de Ledesma says
Great suggestions!
Casey says
Thanks!
Rachel @ STCL says
Awesome tips! I love bringing back little trinkets from my travels and sprinkling them around my home and office!
Casey says
They are so great to remind us of lovely memories! 🙂