Destination Decor: What To Shop And What To Skip When Traveling Abroad

Pack your bags—but not too full, since half the fun of traveling is shopping in destinations around the world for treasures to bring back home.

While some think of souvenir shopping as magnets and postcards, others know that taking the time to scour markets and artisan shops can yield the most meaningful home decor and provide a talking point in your place to last a lifetime.

“Seeking out unique items during your travels allows for the discovery of treasures that are distinctly different from the mass-produced goods found in retail stores,” said Kati Curtis, of Kati Curtis Design Firm in New York City. “These one-of-a-kind pieces possess their own character and story, embodying a spirit of place. When you purchase items from local artisans or markets, you not only support the local economy but also foster a deeper connection to the culture and traditions behind the craftsmanship.”

If your passport is anything like mine, finding something you haven’t seen in a souk or shop before can be as challenging as finding a blank page for a new stamp. That’s when you let the experts weigh in…before you need to weigh your bag at TSA.

“When I shop for items to bring home, I consider a few key factors: authenticity, cultural significance, practicality and convenience,” said Elyse Eisen, a travel and real estate publicist, CEO of The Chain Collective PR and founder of The Tipsy Traveler.

Eisen elaborates on the above, mentioning the need for the item in question to have a strong sense of place, be locally made, unique to the region and also easy to pack with her.

“I carefully consider how the item will fit into my home and lifestyle [and] I prioritize convenience, so if I can’t carry it on or it can’t be shipped, I won’t purchase it,” she said.

With these rules in order, take out your maps and let’s get shopping. While there are unique knickknacks around the globe, there are also a few key places that you can reliably find truly amazing artisan goods for your home, as recommended by the professionals.

Marketplace Mapping: Where To Shop For What

North America

Starting in North America, both Curtis and Eisen agree that Mexico is a booming destination for textiles, furniture and one-of-a-kind home decor.

“Mexico is really leading the world stage right now in terms of collectible design items, furniture, art and ceramics,” Curtis said. “The bold patterns and traditional techniques reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region, allowing me to introduce spirited and cultural elements into my designs.”

Eisen added Aruba and Curaçao to this North American list as well, mentioning unique and locally inspired prints, murals and mixed medium art. This is evident on every street corner as well, when walking through the towns, as there has been a resurgence of professional street artists on both islands.

Europe

Eisen wants you to turn from your bedroom to your bar cart, making sure to stop over in Croatia on your next trip—with some extra protection, too.

“For incredible regional wines, I highly recommend using a separate wine-specific suitcase with proper padding when traveling to Croatia. If you’re in Dubrovnik, D’vino Wine Bar has an amazing selection of regional wines,” she said.

Another hidden gem is the Czech Republic, as recommended by Curtis, which perfectly complemented Eisen’s recommendation above.

“When it comes to glassware, the Czech Republic has the best hand cut pieces that exhibit incredible beauty as well as color and durability,” Curtis mentioned.

Africa And Asia

Crossing over to Northern Africa unlocks even more opportunities for unique, striking art and decor. As soon as you enter the markets of Morocco, you’ll be met with hand-crafted lamps and textiles, as mentioned by both Curtis and Eisen.

While in Morocco, be sure to keep an eye turned down, as you won’t want to miss the hand-woven and dyed rugs, which Curtis also calls out can be found in India, as well.

“India and Morocco are my go-to countries for rugs, where I explore vibrant medinas as well as remote villages,” Curtis said.

Making your way halfway around the globe, a stop in China may be in order if on the hunt for glass or, as the name suggests, fine china. Eisen called out Xiamen specifically for ceramics, like coasters and trivets, that are also easy to handle and pack.

Home Decor Tips Once Homebound

Now you are home, unpacked and looking at your treasures—what’s next?

Curtis advises making sure that at home, you start at the foundation and work your way up. Rugs are a great way to do this, as they can set the tone for the entire space.

“Once home, position the rug in a central area, like the living room or dining space, and use it to serve as the basis for your design scheme,” Curtis said. “Use the colors and patterns from the rug to inspire your palette for furniture and accessories—designers do this all the time!”

Moving from the floor to the walls, a trendy-yet-timeless decor choice is a gallery wall with both frames and art from your travels.

“Combine small art pieces and traditional textiles or prints from your travels to create a gallery wall,” Curtis said. “Don’t worry about things matching perfectly, the more unique the mix the better!”

Lastly, what should you do with the smaller stuff without cluttering your space? Curtis suggests displaying any sculptural pieces, like carved wood or stone, on shelving units or tables, so they can be appreciated by yourself and your guests. When it comes to ceramics and glassware, don’t be too hung up on it matching your current collection of cups and bowls, and instead, integrate it.

“Mix and match your found objects with sets you already have to make things more interesting. There’s nothing more boring than a table setting that includes one ‘set’ of china. Use finds from your travels to make your table settings look more curated,” she said.