Written by our local expert SJ Sarah-Jane has actually resided in Croatia for 10 + years. SJ, as she is understood, has actually been taking a trip the Balkans & beyond given that 2000. She now shares her enthusiasm for traveling with her husband & kids.
Okay, let’s be truthful: most of us get home from a journey with hundreds of images on our phones and a bag packed with random keepsakes that end up in a drawer. However what if, instead of concealing them away, you really made your home feel like a living scrapbook of your adventures? Envision walking into your living-room and immediately being advised of that beach in Greece, that grocery store in Istanbul, or that random alleyway in Lisbon where you got lost but ended up having the best night. Here’s how to turn those travel memories into enjoyable, stylish home decoration– without making your location appear like a souvenir shop.
Your images should have better than to sit in your phone’s cam roll. Select the ones that make you smile immediately– like the sundown you went after, or that blurry-but-perfect street scene– and put them on screen. Instead of just framing a few prints, choose something bold. Attempt metal picture prints that make your shots look like they belong in a gallery. They’re shiny, super resilient, and look a lot cooler than the typical frames. Bonus: no glass glare when the sun strikes.
Find one wall (hallways are ideal for this) and start a gallery of your journeys. Mix and match framed photos, postcards, tickets, even that doodle from the coffee shop napkin you could not throw away. It does not need to be in proportion– unpleasant is lovely here. Experiment with different sizes, and do not be afraid to mix black and white with color. Each time you go by, it’s like flipping through your own travel diary.
If you’re not into hanging stuff on the wall, pick one rack or console table and turn it into your travel corner. Include shells from Croatia, a small Eiffel Tower you purchased in Paris (do not roll your eyes, all of us have one), or that random ceramic meal you couldn’t leave behind in Portugal. Mix them with books, plants, and candles to produce a styled, not jumbled, look. Turn products when you get back from new journeys– it keeps things fresh and enjoyable.
One of the most convenient methods to make a space seem like “you” is through the use of fabric. That colorful toss from Mexico? Utilize it on your sofa. A handwoven headscarf from Turkey? Boom– instantaneous table runner. Even rugs or pillow covers can inform stories. Choose just one statement fabric per space, so it doesn’t feel like a bazaar blew up in your home.
Maps aren’t just for getting lost (or pretending you know where you are). Frame an old map of a city you enjoy, hang a scratch-off world map, or get imaginative with a print of the coordinates of somewhere special. You can even use them for DIY tasks– line a drawer with a city map, or stick one on a tray and unexpectedly your Saturday morning coffee is way more fascinating.
A few of the best travel memories originate from meals. Use the glasses, bowls, or plates you brought home to serve food and drinks, such as Turkish tea glasses, Greek carafes, or those small Moroccan bowls that make treats look classy. Strategy a “travel supper night” from time to time, cook a dish from a previous trip, and inform the stories while you eat– instantaneous nostalgia (and boasting rights).
If you’re crafty, this part’s fun. Fill a shadow box with your airplane tickets and MetroCards. Produce an image strip featuring five of your favorite minutes from a single trip and display it in a narrow space. Or compose a little note on the back of each framed image– like “the night we got hopelessly lost in Rome and it was incredible.” Tiny details like that make your home feel personal, not Pinterest-perfect.
The technique to decorating with memories is not to show everything. Choose your favorites, the ones that make you feel something, and leave the rest in storage in the meantime. Think about it like curating an exhibit– your home is the gallery, and you’re the curator. Less is more, but the best pieces will constantly trigger stories when good friends come by.
At the end of the day, your home must feel like you. Travel memories add character, warmth, and those little conversation beginners that make individuals state, “Ooh, where’s this from?” So dig out those images and mementos, get imaginative, and begin building an area that informs your story– one experience at a time.