Travel-Inspired Design: Bringing the World Home
It is hard to believe it has already been a year since I returned from my trip to Italy and Greece. That experience has stayed with me in so many ways, not just through the memories and photographs, but in how it continues to shape my eye for travel-inspired design. Travel has this incredible way of opening our minds to new colours, textures, and ways of living. The golden light over the Tuscan hills, the soft blues of the Aegean, the charm of weathered stone streets and handcrafted details all offer inspiration that naturally finds its way into how I approach creating thoughtful, personal spaces for my clients.
In today’s post, I want to share how travel can influence the way we design our homes, not by recreating a destination, but by thoughtfully weaving those beautiful experiences into spaces that feel elevated, meaningful, and uniquely yours.
Before we dive in, let me introduce myself. Hi! I’m Michelle—CEO and Principal Designer at Room Service Interiors. We work with homeowners throughout Cochrane, Calgary, Bearspaw, and surrounding areas to help them create homes that reflect their stories and experiences. As a full-service interior design studio, we specialize in thoughtful, personalized spaces that blend function with beauty.
READY TO SKIP THE STRESS AND LOVE YOUR RENOVATION? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CLEAR, "NO SURPRISES" DESIGN PROCESS!
How Travel Shapes Our Eye for Design
Travel opens our eyes to a multitude of new ideas. When we visit new places, we see colours, patterns, and textures that are different from what we are accustomed to at home. The soft blush tones of a Tuscan evening, the layered blues of the Aegean, the hand-carved stone and textured plaster that tell a story of history and craftsmanship, these are the kinds of details that quietly stay with us long after we return home.
As a designer, I am always paying attention to how different cultures approach space, light, and materials. A cozy café tucked into a narrow European street might inspire a warm and inviting breakfast nook at home. A bright coastal villa might spark ideas for a light-filled living room with natural textures. Each trip offers fresh inspiration. These ideas can easily be brought home and made your own.
At Room Service Interiors, we believe that these experiences help shape a design style that feels layered, personal, and rich in meaning. Rather than copying a particular look, travel-inspired design helps us gather small details from different places and blend them into something that feels unique to each client.
Ways to Bring Travel-Inspired Design into Your Home
You don’t need to fully recreate a destination to enjoy travel-inspired design. Small, thoughtful touches can bring those beautiful memories into your space without feeling overdone. Here are some simple ways to do it:
- Use Colour Palettes from Your Travels
Think about the colours that stood out to you. Soft blues from the sea, warm terracottas from old buildings, or rich greens from the countryside can inspire paint colours, fabrics, or even tile choices. - Incorporate Natural Textures
Many destinations feature unique materials that reflect their distinct landscapes. Stone, wood, woven baskets, or hand-crafted ceramics can bring an authentic feel to your home. - Select Meaningful Art and Decor
Display artwork, photographs, or small treasures collected during your trip. These pieces tell your story and remind you of your travels every day. - Choose Furniture with Character
Look for furniture that reflects the style or craftsmanship you admire. For example, a hand-carved wooden table or a vintage cabinet can bring in a sense of place without feeling like a theme. - Add Layered Textiles
Pillows, throws, or rugs in patterns and fabrics inspired by your travels can add warmth and depth to your rooms. - Bring in Scent and Lighting
A softly scented candle that reminds you of a destination or layered lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere can capture the feeling of a place in a very personal way.
At Room Service Interiors, we help our clients thoughtfully blend these elements so the design feels elevated, not staged. The goal is to create a home that reflects your journey while staying timeless and comfortable.
Travel-inspired design is about more than just filling a room with items from faraway places. It is about creating a space that reflects who you are and the experiences that have shaped you. The goal is not to copy a hotel or recreate a destination. Instead, it is to capture the feeling those places gave you and bring that into your home.
In the same way, carefully chosen colours, textures, and pieces can reflect your favourite destinations. These details help your home tell the story of your journey. A soft linen throw might evoke the feeling of a charming café. A piece of pottery may remind you of a local market. Even the overall mood of a room, relaxed, welcoming, and full of light, can be inspired by your travels.
As interior designers, we guide our clients in blending these personal touches with timeless design. The result is a home that feels layered, meaningful, and uniquely theirs. Travel may take us far, but with the right design, those special memories can live with us every day and continue to bring joy and inspiration for years to come.
Avoiding the “Theme” Trap: Keeping Inspired Design Sophisticated
Of course, one of the challenges with travel-inspired design is avoiding a space that feels too much like a themed room. It can be tempting to fill a room with pieces from one destination. However, this often feels more like a souvenir shop than a thoughtfully designed home. Travel-inspired design should feel like a natural part of your home, not set the stage.
Instead, we encourage a more curated approach. Begin by focusing on the mood or feeling you want to create in the space. Is it the relaxed warmth of a Mediterranean villa? The soft elegance of a Parisian apartment? The natural textures of a coastal retreat? When you focus on the atmosphere, it becomes easier to select elements that support the overall look without feeling forced.
Rather, try limiting the number of items that directly reference a specific place. A single piece of art, a special textile, or a handcrafted accessory can often make a stronger statement than a large collection. Layer these meaningful pieces with neutral or classic furnishings. This creates balance and allows the travel-inspired details to truly shine.
Travel-inspired design allows us to bring the beauty of our favourite destinations into the spaces where we live every day. It helps us hold onto the memories, feelings, and inspiration that come from experiencing different parts of the world. With thoughtful design choices, these influences can create a home that feels warm, personal, and timeless.
We love helping our clients bring their travels home in a way that feels sophisticated and meaningful.
If you are ready to create a space that reflects your journey and your personal story, we would be honoured to guide you through the process.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation in Cochrane, Bearspaw, Springbank, or Calgary, we’d love to chat about how we can help you bring your dream kitchen to life. Give us a call at (403) 860-5901, email us at hello@roomserviceinteriors.ca, or learn more about our team here. Let’s turn your vision into a space you’ll love—one thoughtful choice at a time!
Until next time,
Michelle xx