Image Credit: Furniture Village
Wish you were here! Interior ideas to bring back from your favourite holiday destination
There are certain holidays that linger long after your suitcase has been unpacked and your tan faded. Sometimes it’s the food.
Sometimes it’s the slower pace of life.
More often than not, though, it’s the feeling of the place itself – the vibrant blue and white of a Greek taverna, the sun-bleached linens of a Balearic boutique hotel or the joyful colour combinations of a tropical island bar.
It’s no surprise, therefore, that more of us are looking beyond Instagram and into our own holiday albums for decorating inspiration.
In fact, a recent survey by DFS found half of Brits have taken home decor inspiration from their holidays, with a third (33%) revealing they feel so passionate about interior design they’d even choose a holiday destination based on a country’s home decor heritage.
“The interior design we notice on holiday tends to stay with us because we encounter them in a more receptive state,” explains Marcus Pearson, head of design at Old London.
“Away from routine, we’re more inclined to pause and look around – something we rarely do at home when there are places to be and things to get done.
“So, we acknowledge things in more detail – but we’re not just registering decoration; we are attaching a feeling to it.”
As Marcus points out it’s not about trying to recreate an exact replica of your hotel room, today’s travel-inspired interiors are more about capturing an atmosphere.
Think tactile materials, locally inspired colour palettes, artisan craftsmanship and pieces that tell the story of somewhere you’ve loved.
“The most memorable spaces usually have a strong sense of place,” Marcus continues.
“Their materials, colours and proportions feel connected to the climate, landscape and way of life around them.
“Stone feels cool because the air is hot; deep shutters make sense in fierce sunlight; washed-out colours echo what has been bleached by sea and sun.
“That coherence is what gives even a modest interior its character.”
But when we bring those styles home, Marcus says we should look beyond the obvious motifs and dig a little deeper into what’s really creating the atmosphere.
“Those underlying design decisions are far more effective as inspiration than the visible shorthand of a destination,” he explains. “Rather than recreating a holiday interior literally, identify the principle that made it feel memorable. Translating that idea will feel more personal, more enduring and much less like a replica of somewhere you once stayed.”
From the understated elegance of the French Riviera and the laid-back luxury of the Balearics to the citrus-bright charm of the Amalfi Coast, here’s how the style experts suggest bringing a little holiday magic home.
Amalfi Core (Italy)
Want to recreate that just-back-from-Italy feeling?
Take your cues from the Amalfi Coast, where sunshine hues, natural textures and beautifully imperfect craftsmanship are all part of the charm.
“Whilst there aren’t any two exact colours to choose from when designing an Amalfi Core style living space, it is worth noting the broad spectrum of vibrant colours that work well,” explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
“Bolder, more energetic colours, such as faded blues to replicate the deep blue hues of the Bay of Salerno or zesty yellows to match the exteriors of the architecture, can all work superbly well with this particular style – think bright, warm and playful colours.”
Melissa says adding greenery to your living space is one of the simplest ways to achieve the Amalfi Core look.
“Mediterranean plants to consider include olive trees to replicate the fields of green groves in this corner of the world, or perhaps a citrus tree to add an alluring aroma to your living space,” she explains.
“Kentia Palm, otherwise known as Howea Forsteriana, adds another exuberant touch of coastline scenery into your home whilst acting as the perfect filler for any empty corners due to their towering size.”
Match colourful and playful rugs to brighter coloured furniture, such as your sofa, or perhaps choose an alternative colour as a standalone focal piece for the room.
Melissa says patterned and ornamented pieces work well too.
“Rattan-style rugs are a fantastic accessory option and woven or flat-weave rugs in earthy reds and terracotta tones would also look great,” she says.
“You could go one step further and combine this with a more permanent addition – ceramic patterned tiles work brilliantly with this particular style thanks to their rustic look and are easy to clean.”
Another way to create a spacious Amalfi feel is through an open layout with a bare floor and relatively minimal furnishings.
“Clever fitted furniture with a wood effect can free up space and add to the rustic aesthetic at the same time,” Melissa adds.
Mamma Mia Core (Greece)
Crisp whites, sun-washed stone and endless shades of Aegean blue make Greece an enduring source of interiors inspiration.
“Unsurprisingly, beaming white walls and bright blues are the two key components of any Mamma Mia Core living space, giving a gentle nod to the colours of the Greek flag and the typical Santorini and Mykonos backdrop,” Melissa says of the Greek holiday aesthetic.
“These two colours provide an endless array of opportunities when it comes to designing the ultimate living space, as white provides a clear neutral focal point, leaving room for the colourful blue to contrast.”
If you already have white walls, Melissa suggests incorporating the blue through artwork, cushions, or if you are feeling bold, a blue sofa, for a real centrepiece.
“Keep your living space simple, perhaps with the sofa as the focal point of the living room, using a coffee table made out of a stylish and simple rattan, or maybe incorporating a sideboard or small chair made out of the same material, just be careful not to completely overdo it with the rattan,” she continues.
Melissa also recommends incorporating warm lighting that resonates with the Mediterranean sun, helping to bring out the bright blues and washed white colours.
“Finish off your living area by incorporating some textiles into the room, such as a Greek key flatweave rug to place in the centre of your room, or perhaps underneath your coffee table to truly bring out the Mamma Mia look in your living space,” she adds.
Riviera Core (France)
Effortlessly elegant with a dollop of old-school glamour, the French Riviera is all about timeless style that never tries too hard.
“The key to capturing the essence of Riviera Core is simplicity,” explains Melissa.
“Anything that could be considered too bright or bold is best to not include.”
Melissa says simple yet intricate additions to your home can truly help bring out the French Riviera aesthetic.
“Incorporating one or two cushions with bursts of colour can help add necessary and vital hues into your living space, without making them too much of a focal point,” she explains.
She also recommends swapping suede and satin textures with linen and cotton.
“Not only will this transform your living space for summer, but the lighter textures will help bring out the chilled and casual feel of the Riviera coast,” she adds.
“Incorporating one or two coastal elements to help bring out the beach feel of your home such as netting or artwork, depicting a coastal theme can help to take your Riviera Core space to the next level.”
Siesta Core (Spain)
Whether it’s the bohemian beach clubs of Ibiza, the elegant villas of Mallorca or the historic charm of Seville, Spanish-inspired interiors are all about warmth, texture and relaxed sophistication.
“Spanish interiors often balance strong architectural surfaces with warmth and pattern,” says Marcus.
“Terracotta, hand-finished tiles, deep timber and chalky mineral shades give rooms depth, while the overall effect remains informal and easy.”
But ultimately, according to Melissa, the key to a warming Spanish interior design is an earthy colour palette.
“This reflects the Mediterranean influence but leaves room for other bolder pieces of furniture, art and textures to do the talking,” she explains.
“Think neutral tones such as dark greens, terracotta, browns, and rusts.”
Visually striking art, bold textures and a blend of contemporary and traditional are all defining features of Spanish aesthetic.
“Introducing a console table or sideboard made out of a teak or similar wood helps add a layer of authenticity to your living area, with popular dark brown woods still used extensively across Spain,” Melissa continues.
Another way to embrace the muted tones of the Spanish colour palette in your home, is via soft furnishings.
“To finish off a Spanish-inspired living space, incorporate a few textures such as stylish tiled patterned rugs, soft handmade upholstery or handcrafted wooden sculptures,” Melissa adds.
“Adding foliage and greenery into terracotta pots can help warm up your home, especially if you incorporate Mediterranean plants like citrus and lavender which will not only make your space smell fantastic, particularly in your bedroom, but could also help you fall asleep quicker in warmer temperatures.”
Island Core (The Caribbean or Maldives)
More tropical inspired interiors take their cue from what is outside: sea, sky and a great deal of light.
“Pale timber, woven cane, white linen and gently weathered finishes keep spaces from feeling too finished, while the odd wash of turquoise gives a nod to the view without trying to outdo it,” Marcus explains.
Marcus says its less about recreating a resort and more about loosening things up.
“Lighter woods, softer fabrics and a few natural textures can go a long way; the charm lies in making the room feel breezy, sunlit and slightly less concerned with being immaculate,” he continues.
Seaside Core (The British coast)
British coastal style is at its best when it borrows the colours of the shoreline rather than the contents of the seaside souvenir shop.
“Think washed blues, sea-glass greens, chalky whites. Brass brings a little warmth, while glazed tiles and painted cabinetry give the room that clean, salt-air brightness,” Marcus says.
In a bathroom, a pale blue vanity or a slipper style freestanding bath could establish the mood without making too much of it.
“Keep the shapes simple and the finish slightly rustic; coastal rooms should feel fresh and breezy, but still entirely capable of surviving wet towels, sandy feet and a British summer,” Marcus continues.
“The look should feel fresh but not pristine.
“Texture, useful furniture and a slightly softened palette create a more convincing sense of coastal living than decorative seaside motifs.”
Want more inspiration? Read: How often should you REALLY wash your bedding during summer? and 8 interior collaborations that need to be on your radar this summer. And check out Gelato interiors: 8 ways to introduce the sweetest decorating trend of the summer
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