On vacation, there is no question that most people are careful about the accommodations they select, and often pay particular attention to the decor when booking, whether it’s for a hotel, apartment, chalet or something else. We all surely enjoy the chance to take in new surroundings and enjoy the sights and sounds on display while on holiday. What may surprise many, however, is just how influential these new experiences can be when it comes to our decision-making even after returning home.
A new survey commissioned by Booking.com has found that over half of Canadian travelers were inspired by their holiday accommodation to redecorate their own home, and that the new experiences they had on vacation helped them become more creative in the interior design planning process. So, what is it about being on holiday that helps people find new ideas, and what other sources of inspiration are out there for fans of interior decorating?
Bringing change back home with us
According to the research, 43% of respondents to the survey found inspiration from the local designs they encountered in their travels, while 35% were influenced by the opportunity to become immersed in different cultures. This makes sense as interior decorating is about change and renewal, and what better symbol of the new and unexpected than visiting undiscovered parts of the world and delving into a new culture? Just under a third (31%) of respondents also indicated that they liked the idea of making interior design changes that would remind them of the pleasure of their trip, while 16% indicated that it was a way to in some way recreate the experiences of their vacation after returning home.
Pepijn Rijvers, Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com, noted: “The experiences we have while on holiday can last for a lifetime; whether that’s the memories we create, the purchases we make or the inspiration we come home with. Passion for interior design is one that spans all continents, and what better way to get new ideas and fresh inspiration than looking to the accommodation we stay in while on holiday.”
Choice of stay
Perhaps unsurprisingly, people also value the interior design when selecting their holiday destination, with 31% of the respondents citing it as the most important factor when determining their choice of accommodations. Interestingly, finding something a little out of the ordinary is also a huge plus for Canadian travelers. A total of 80% of those surveyed asserted that they look for something different from the look of their own home, while 56% said they would prefer something that was completely different.
The interior design of the accommodations can even influence how travelers spend their time while on vacation. Of the respondents, 23% said that they have spent more time in the accommodation simply because the interior design was so good. Of course, we often dream about the places we will explore once we get to our destination, such as the cities, coasts, mountains or a whole range of other attractions, not to mention food, drink and different cultures. Yet, this particular stat indicates that where we stay is also highly significant and that its memories and influence can also stay with us long after our departure.
Inspired by new environments
When it comes to interior design, it also suggests that we are moved by new environments that provide us with the impetus to innovate. This could be a general feel from visiting another part of the world, or a more specific area of creativity. Perhaps the experience of eating at a superb restaurant in Paris might inspire us to redecorate our dining area, or a trip to Las Vegas might have us browsing casino portals back home in a bid to create a stunning new games room. The good news is that even after the vacation is long over, there are plenty of other sources of inspiration out there, from friends’ houses and local eateries to entertainment venues and even films and television.
In each case, the principle is the same: to find something new or innovative that also strikes a personal chord. After all, mere difference is not enough. The best interior design is not only striking, but also in a style that inspires a feeling of affinity and warmth for the inhabitants. This is why it makes sense that travel and exploration is one of the best ways to get new ideas and find creativity. Travel is a feast for the senses that makes it easier to pick out the things that we truly appreciate, but also to leave behind anything that leaves us unmoved.
