Half of Brits take interior design inspiration from overseas – like Sweden and Italy

Half of Brits have taken home décor inspiration from abroad – with Sweden, Italy, and Japan topping the list of most influential countries. A poll, of 2,000 adults, identified the places they draw their style from, for everything from rugs to wallpaper – with France, Denmark, and Norway also featuring.

In fact, exactly one in three revealed they feel so passionate about interior design, they’d even choose a holiday destination based on a country’s home décor heritage.

But it’s not just overseas styles that inspire us, as 19 percent have been influenced by home décor associated with staycation destinations here in the UK.

In fact, “English country cottage” style, appeared among the most popular specific design styles from across the globe, along with rustic Scandi, and the white buildings from Greece.

Commissioned by DFS, the research found that 33 percent would like to restyle areas of their home to reflect the style of their favourite places – but 63 percent don’t think they have the skillset to do so.

Pippa Jameson, sensory design expert, and author of “The Sensory Home”, said: “In the rush of everyday life, we yearn for a sense of escapism, and spaces inspired by our favourite destinations.

“From far-flung locations like Japan and Sweden, to closer to home in the United Kingdom – interior design inspiration can be found in every corner of the globe.

“Sensory design brings our travels home, creating spaces that unlock a treasure trove of memories and emotions through touch, sight, scent, and sound.

“Our homes serve as sanctuaries – places of solace, inspiration, and connection. Sensory design allows us to tailor our living environments, and merge holiday memories into the fabric of our everyday lives.

“Whether it’s the tranquil hues of a coastal retreat, the rustic charm of a mountain lodge, or the vibrant energy of a tropical paradise.”

The research went on to find the average UK home pays homage to two different countries’ interior styles.

Some of the top areas in which people take inspiration from overseas include for the colours used in their home (28 percent), artwork and prints they display (26 percent), and their furniture (25 percent).

An average of five hours is spent researching interior design trends before people redesign a space in their home – with inspiration being taken from interiors websites (33 percent), browsing retail stores (28 percent) or their websites (27 percent), and Pinterest (20 percent).

Art and colour are also two key things to evoke a sense of escapism, while 58 percent like to display souvenirs from their travels in their homes – with fridge magnets, ornaments, glasses, cups, and vases topping the trinkets list.

And when coming back from a holiday, almost half (46 percent) feel inspired to adopt certain parts of the lifestyle – with the diet, culture, and interior design style among the top things they’d like to instate in their day-to-day lives.

Meanwhile, 22 percent of those polled, via OnePoll, claim travel has encouraged them to step outside their comfort zone when it comes to decorating their home.

Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery at DFS, added: “As we head into the summer months, our minds can often drift to getaways and adventure. But we don’t need to hop on a plane to indulge in some wanderlust – we can also embrace escapism from the comfort of our own home.

“Picking up interiors inspiration from holidays and destinations you see online, or on TV, can be a great place to start, and can create a beautifully eclectic space that’s unique to you.”