I’ve lived in a number of countries and travelled to even more and along the way I’ve collected my fair share of beautiful things — and a few questionable ones too (who hasn’t made the odd souvenir impulse buy?). When you’re far from home, it’s so easy to imagine that hand-painted vase or carved wooden elephant looking just right in your living room. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they end up in the back of a cupboard gathering dust. Over time, I’ve realised that decorating with cultural influences works best when it’s done thoughtfully — with a focus on meaning, not just aesthetics. It’s about creating a home that reflects not just where you’ve been, but what moved you, what you learned and what you love.
So how do you do that without turning your living room into a themed restaurant or losing your personal style along the way? Here’s how I approach it.
1. Start with Curiosity, Not Pinterest
Before diving into cushions covered in tribal prints or “ethnic” wall art (cringe), take a step back. What’s the story behind the pattern or object you’re drawn to? Where does it come from? What was its traditional use? Who made it?
Digging into the cultural significance of a piece not only helps you decorate more respectfully — it often makes the item feel more special. If you’re going to live with it every day, why not learn a little about it?
2. Pick a Few References, Not the Whole Map
You don’t need a Moroccan pouffe and a Mexican serape and a Japanese shoji screen and a French antique mirror all in one room. The most successful globally-inspired interiors tend to reference just one or two cultures, allowing them to shine without competing for attention.
That doesn’t mean your entire home has to be uniform — one room could have Japanese minimalism as a guiding principle, another could play with North African textures and colours. It’s about focus, not overwhelm.
3. Use Motifs and Patterns With Intention
Ikats, suzanis, shibori, block prints, kilims — the list of gorgeous traditional patterns is endless. But it’s easy to fall into the trap of overdoing it, layering patterns in a maximalist sort of way is a serious skill.
The key is to layer these elements into your home the way you’d layer flavours in a dish — thoughtfully. Maybe it’s a kantha throw on a neutral sofa, or a single wall of hand-stamped tiles behind your kitchen sink. Let the pattern breathe.
4. Support Artisans and Ethical Brands
If you can, buy directly from artisans or brands that support traditional crafts and pay fair wages. It makes a world of difference. Look for co-operatives, ethical makers’ markets or design studios working collaboratively with craftspeople.
There’s no shortage of mass-produced homewares that look the part — woven baskets, printed cushions, faux African masks — but often they’re stripped of their cultural context and made with no connection to the communities they imitate. It’s all surface, no soul. The same visual, repeated a thousand times over.
Even if you’re buying locally or second-hand, do your homework. Knowing where something comes from and who made it adds meaning to the piece and helps preserve traditional techniques. It also helps steer clear of decorative clichés that don’t honour the real craft behind them.
5. Blend Old and New
One of my favourite ways to incorporate cultural design is by mixing old-world elements with modern surroundings. An antique Chinese cabinet in a clean-lined hallway, a bold African mudcloth cushion on a sleek Scandinavian chair — it’s the contrast that makes it sing.
It keeps things from feeling too themed or kitschy and brings a sense of evolution to your space, as if it’s been layered over time (even if it hasn’t).
6. Let Travel Memories Inspire, Not Dominate
By all means, display that Berber bowl you carried home in your hand luggage or the Portuguese tiles you bought on a whim. But let them sit alongside your other things, not take over. A home should reflect you, not your boarding pass history.
7. Tell Your Story With Integrity
Ultimately, cultural design influences are at their best when they’re woven in with intention, appreciation and respect. They’re not just about looks — they’re about history, heritage and the hands that made them.
There’s something special about a home that tells a story — not just your own, but a tapestry of stories from around the world. Whether it’s a Moroccan lantern picked up while travelling, a Japanese noren hanging in a hallway, or a Turkish kilim rug that grounds your living room, cultural elements can bring incredible depth and richness to your space.
But there’s a fine line between weaving in global influences and going overboard with a “look how well-travelled I am” aesthetic. The goal isn’t to replicate a Balinese villa in your back garden or turn your lounge into a Parisian café — unless, of course, that’s your thing. It’s about layering references subtly and respectfully, creating a space that feels considered, personal and full of texture.
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