When you’re thinking about redecorating your house or your apartment, where do you find inspiration? Various magazines, blogs and websites of interior designers, and Pinterest are probably the source of inspiration to many, and for a good reason. You want to choose the pieces and styles which will always be fashionable and elegant, and that is often hard to find. Different cultures consider different things to be beautiful, so we bring you a brief list of timeless decorating trends from all over the world.

India’s endless love of craft

Everywhere you look you can see lovely pieces which were designed with a lot of care and love, but made in some factory. In India, designers and homeowners work together to bring back the art of craft. In a great number of homes you can see different things that were handcrafted and picked with a lot of love: from simple bed linens and towels all the way to coffee tables and statues. These things aren’t always cheap, and this is the number one reason why they have been forgotten in the first place. Nevertheless, if you decide to buy a handmade piece, you can be sure that it will last for decades and never go out of style.

Russia’s fascination with antiques

It seems like everyone is sentimental about the past in Russia: in every apartment, there are vintage pieces that testify to the grandeur of past times. From decorative satin blankets embroidered with gold, to intricate porcelain figurines on shelves, the Russians are in love with the glamour and riches of the past, which they freely mix with modern pieces. Minimalist glass tables share the same room with crystal chandeliers, and modern, industrial-style lamps proudly stand on antique coffee tables surrounded by elegant floor rugs.

Cheerful and sophisticated Spain

Spanish-style décor is always vibrant but at the same time elegant and sophisticated. Spanish floors are always in focus and rarely covered with rugs or carpets. They are usually made of stone or wood and have a lovely texture design which would be a real shame to conceal. They also like to use intricate decorative tiles which allow them to decorate their stairs, kitchens, and fireplaces without actually cluttering the space with figurines or vases.

Japan’s legendary minimalism

If you could pick a single word to describe Japan’s home decorating style, it would be ‘zen’. Japanese believe that simplicity brings peace, and this is one of the reasons why they always choose clean and uncluttered living spaces. They love to bring in the elements of nature, and if you’re hoping to do the same, try bringing in more plants into the room. They don’t have to be big leafy plants, nor do they necessarily have to be real bonsai trees. A simple bamboo will do the trick, along with a small orchid or a succulent in a brass pot that will look great on your coffee table. Make sure your plants have plenty of natural light; choose light, flowy curtains which soften the sunlight and not necessarily block it. This will also make the space similar to traditional Japanese homes, since they have large windows which allow them an unrestricted view of their natural environment.

From India, across Africa, all the way to Japan and the USA, trends change and differ, but that doesn’t make them any less beautiful. The delicate mixture of old and new, minimalism combined with the love of intricate details, and neoclassical elegance all have their own beauty, and it’s up to you to get the best out of each style and bring it into your home. Never follow current trends blindly because those trends often change while by picking different things from different trends you can create a unique style that has staying power.