…Design inspiration from the world’s summer destinations
Wherever your travels take you this summer, here are a few design ideas worth bringing home.
By Ada Ekwueme Oguike
Summer travel has changed.
It isn’t just about the destination anymore, it’s about the stay. Whether it’s a villa overlooking the sea, a charming countryside retreat or a boutique hotel tucked away on a quiet coast, where we stay has become part of the holiday itself.
The best part? These beautiful spaces aren’t memorable because they’re expensive. They’re memorable because they’re designed for summer living. They celebrate sunshine, fresh air, outdoor living and a slower pace of life.
Wherever your travels take you this summer, here are a few design ideas worth bringing home.
Greece
If you’ve ever wandered through the Greek islands, you’ll know the feeling. Whitewashed buildings, blue skies and sunshine bouncing off every surface. Everything feels fresh, bright and surprisingly calm, even on the hottest days. That’s no accident. The simple colour palette, shaded courtyards and breezy outdoor spaces have been shaped by the climate for generations.
Steal this idea: don’t estimate the power of simplicity. Before buying something new for your home, try removing a few things instead. A little breathing room can completely change how your home feels.
Amalfi Coast
On the Amalfi Coast, you’ll quickly notice that nobody rushes indoors. Life is lived outdoors. Terraces are where breakfast begins, lunch lingers, and evenings stretch long after sunset.
There’s no grand event, just everyday life enjoyed outside.
It’s a reminder that outdoor spaces don’t have to be extravagant to be enjoyed. They just need to be used.
Steal this idea: your outdoor space doesn’t have to be large to be enjoyed. A comfortable chair, a small table and a few plants can become your favourite spot in the house.
Bali
Bali has a way of making you slow down. Homes are open to the breeze, surrounded by tropical greenery and filled with natural materials that seem to get better with age. Nothing competes for attention, yet everything feels thoughtfully placed.
Perhaps that’s why people leave Bali talking about how peaceful it felt.
Steal this idea: Bring a little nature indoors. A leafy plant, a woven basket or even a timber tray can soften a room without changing everything else.
The Hamptons
The Hamptons have become famous for their relaxed coastal style, but what stands out isn’t the furniture or the finishes. It’s how easy these homes feel to live in. Big windows let in plenty of light, comfortable seating encourages long conversations and every room seems designed to help people spend time together. That’s a luxury we can all appreciate.
Steal this idea: Look around your living room. Does the layout encourage conversation, or does every seat face the television? Sometimes moving a chair is all it takes to change how a room is used.
Algarve, Portugal
Portugal has quietly become one of Europe’s favorite summer escapes and it’s easy to see why. The homes don’t compete for attention. Instead, they let the sunshine, the sea and the landscape do the talking.
You will find soft earthy colors, shaded terraces and interiors that feel rather relaxed rather than overly styled.
it is the kind of design that reminds you that not every room needs to impress some spaces are simply meant to help you slow down.
Steal this idea: The next time you’re decorating a room, stop before you think you’re finished. Sometimes the piece that’s missing isn’t another accessory it’s a little empty space.
Bring Summer Home
One of the nicest things about travelling is that we return with more than photographs and souvenirs. We come back with new ideas sometimes without even realising it.
Perhaps it’s the terrace in Italy that inspires you to eat outside more often. Or the simplicity of Greece that encourages you to declutter. Maybe it’s Bali’s connection to nature or the relaxed comfort of the Hamptons that stays with you long after you’ve unpacked.
The beauty of good design is that it travels well.
You may not be bringing home a villa on the Amalfi Coast or a beachfront retreat in the Maldives, but you can certainly bring home the feeling they gave you. And sometimes, that’s the best souvenir of all.
Ada Ekwueme-Oguike is the Creative Director behind Lighthouse Interior Design, a Lagos-based firm reimagining the art of boutique interiors. Specializing in both residential and hospitality projects, Ada’s work is a testament to her love for thoughtful design and storytelling.
Discover more on Instagram @lightwoxng or at www.lighthouseid.com.
