The whole world is wide open for capturing ideas for the home and it’s now not so much what inspires your décor, but where. We’ve chosen some of our favourite far flung locations and explored how you can recreate their home style. Warning: this blog may bring on a severe case of wanderlust.

Indian

Luxurious silks, printed cottons and elaborate patterns are staples of Indian décor, and the Indira fabric by iLiv, with its Indian elephant print, is a design fit for a Maharaja. Indian furniture is often intricately carved yet rustic in appearance, and made from exotic woods such as teak, ebony and rosewood. And since Indian décor is often so rich in colour, pattern and texture, just a few strategically placed pieces can fill your room with exotic flair.

Scandi

Scandinavian style has quickly become one of the most popular and Pinterest-friendly styles there is. Keep furniture minimal, and for colours choose either bold, high contrast hues or trendy monochromes. Prints should feature geometrics and clean lines – nothing that’s overly fussy. The same goes for your fabrics; stick to simple linens and knits, steering clear of silks and satins. One of the key things to remember when it comes to creating Scandi style is that despite being rooted in minimalism, it’s also very warm and inviting. Bring everything to life by adding plants, tealights (we love this smoke grey holder), and organic materials, like wicker or rattan.

Oriental

Asian or oriental-themed spaces are known for serenity and balance, while their streamlined feel complements a modern home. It goes without saying that one of the easiest and most versatile ways to give your home an oriental flavour is to use bamboo, but we also love colourful Japanese flowers and orchids providing pops of colour. Stick to clean-lined, simple furnishings and a calming, neutral colour palette – although full-bodied, passionate colours such as red look effective when used sparingly. Tranquillity is at the heart so any patterns should be minimal. Screens, wooden blinds and paper lanterns (or this look-a-like pendant light) also provide a far-eastern vibe.

African

Lots of people mistakenly believe African-style décor means lots of clutter and tacky animal prints, but there are ways to create a stylish savannah without looking like you swallowed a safari. Use earthy colours like browns, darker oranges, black and khaki, then subtly integrate any animal elements into the design. Native materials like wood, clay and leather are all components of African lifestyles, so use these for added authenticity. Traditional African spaces make art and decoration their focal point, so include a few decorative pieces like an unusual jar, a woven rug, interesting plates, masks or animal figurines.

French country

French country styling sees European elegance meet olde-worlde character. The go-to print is toile, but notes of gingham, stripes, florals and solids wouldn’t look out of place either. Layer your fabrics and use a colour palette that’s soft and delicate, like white dove greys, wedgewood blue and tearose. French country-style furnishing should feel like it has a story behind it, and avoid shiny metals in favour of wrought iron. Decorative pieces should also have a function – so think jugs (this one would look beautiful holding flowers), jars, and wall hung plates. Finally, no French country style room is complete without a jug of flowers fresh from the garden.