When your work is done and your errands completed, home is where you want to unwind. While investing in a new property, expat homeowners are always looking for a “home away from home”. Home décor, inspired by the homeowner’s country of origin and culture, creates a sense of belongingness and comfort. Traditional home décor will continue to be a popular style for homes across the globe. Gracious and inviting, it evokes images of elegance and offers the warmth and comfort of childhood memories. In general, traditional home designs differ from region to region, styles varying from Victorian, Middle Eastern, Bohemian, Far East and more.
Here are a few ideas for expats to keep in mind to bring design elements of their home country through furniture, paints and other design aspects.
Materials
Ethnic interior designs are one of the most modern and timeless trends in home décor. To go back to one’s roots, look back and rediscover the materials the country is famous for, such as a certain type of wood or marble. Asian décor, especially Japanese culture, is centred around individuality and minimalism and it incorporates natural materials like bamboo, fibre textures and unique, sleek Asian-styled furniture.
To know bamboo is to know Asia, so dress your wall in bamboo-designed wallpapers to bring Asia into your living space. Similarly, terra cotta is popular for vases and pots in Tunisian homes — another great way to represent the essence of the country.
Colour schemes
It is fascinating to discover how colours conjure up different perceptions, especially when you notice the differences across cultures. Some countries are famous for being more colourful than others, think of the street of Rio in Brazil. Tune into the city’s bohemian spirit by adding Rio-themed travel prints, travel accessories such as globes or trunks to your interior. Bursting with tropical hues, a Brazilian-inspired home décor remains incomplete without bright yellows and splashes of fruity tones.
To celebrate the oriental in your living, you can use silk kimono prints for curtain or cushion covers that add a luxurious look to your living spaces. Take a minute to understand the colours that characterise the country. Use motifs, hues and patterns on cushions, sofas or curtains to incorporate these styles into your space.
Artwork and accessories
Stimulate your sense of design adventure and customise your abode to suit personal style and choice. Artworks will play a key role in setting the mood for each room in your home. Choose an iconic pop art piece or discover a treasure trove of nostalgic vintage book covers, designs, retro-flavoured prints and items such as trunks, suitcases, film posters, CDs as wall décor items reflecting the feel of your native country.
To begin, find a focal point in each room. Identify a spot that is at eye-level as you walk into the room; this is an ideal place for a statement art piece to set the mood.
It can be difficult to achieve an eclectic aesthetic that feels effortless yet pulled together; however, the addition of authentic textures and accessories can add the perfect depth to any style of décor. A curated collection of framed prints, shelf statues or table-top décors can enhance the cultural outlook — such as table mats from local artisans of India, Moroccan-inspired coffee table bowls or elephant motifs representing Africa. For example, an African influence on the room will feature wall masks and animal prints, while a Middle East-inspired design will be characterised by lavish chandeliers and striking rugs and floor cushions.
Indoor plants
Brighten up your space with indoor plants hailing from your region. The bonsai is common in Japan and can be found here, and so is the English Ivy, an ever-green vine familiar in homes across Europe and can be used as an ornamental wall décor or as hanging pot plants. Whether you want a tree or a small plant to adorn your space, there is a variety of decorative indoor plants to choose from. Indoor plants are extremely versatile and can be used in numerous ways to enhance and refresh the room’s ambiance.
