There's something so fascinating about interior design. All kinds of art are interesting, but the way that designers put together a space so that it combines aesthetic elements with those of functionality is truly something worthy of recognition. Gone are the days when to enjoy design and architecture do we have to purchase home magazines; instead we can turn to the internet for inspiration. Whether you're looking for ideas to decorate your own home, or just enjoy seeing what others have created, be sure to check out some of our favorite rooms here.
A Front Row Seat at the Eiffel Tower
Can you imagine waking up in the morning to this view? This apartment in Paris is about as close to the Eiffel Tower as you can get, and we bet the view is even more spectacular on July 14, also known as Bastille Day. On this holiday, fireworks fill the sky, and jets streaming red, white, and blue are flown over the country in celebration. You could even enjoy from the couch with that skylight!
We love the look of the modern coffee table and couch, but we do think a painting on the wall behind it would add some character and tie the room together.
Interior Designer's Home in Antwerp
This apartment in Antwerp, Belgium belongs to interior designer Anouk Taeymans, who spent years studying in Norway before returning to Belgium. Her design choices appear to include elements of both locations - the white walls and minimalist decor tend to be common elements of Scandanavian design, while her choice to keep the original stained glass pays homage to Belgian history during the Belle Époque. The apartment was built in 1914!
We also love her use of plants, the blue writing desk, and the vintage wicker chair off to the side. They must help brighten up the room on all those rainy Antwerp days!
The World's Largest Pendant Light
For whoever designed this living room, incorporating this light fixture must have been a top priority. It's almost more of a sculpture than an appliance, drawing your eye toward it the way any centerpiece would. We love the room's contrast of lighter pieces against dark walls, especially the way the light appears to be almost floating underneath the grated ceiling. It's an unusual design choice, but it certainly stands out.
How would you feel having a light like this in your living room? We wonder if there's anything inside of it to cover the lightbulbs, and how whoever owns this house keeps it dusted.
A Modern Farmhouse
This living room in a renovated Pennsylvania farmhouse has a clean and modern feel. White walls are accented with wood paneling and four mismatched chairs offering seating in place of a couch. We love the built-in bookshelf and how the books add color to the room, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't jealous of that floor-to-ceiling window. It's hard to tell here, but we imagine they must have a lovely view!
How do you feel about the choice to go sans couch? Do you like that the chairs are all so different, or would you choose something larger if this was your living room?
A Converted Church
How gorgeous is this loft apartment? It was renovated by a Basque artist from Sopuerta, Spain, and is actually a 16th-century church. He purchased it after it had been abandoned for decades and with the help of a friend and a little elbow grease, turned it into this beautiful home. He filled it with a mix of new and old furniture from his family, as well as his own works of art.
Sometime after moving in, the artist also added wires to connect the stairs to the ceiling for extra support. We think this was a good call; they look a bit dangerous!
A Very, Very, Very Fine Bus
The designer of this bus certainly knew what they were doing. With such a small space comes the risk of the room appearing cluttered, so we think their choice to cover the walls with plain, white plywood helps to keep things neat and tidy. It's also quite impressive that they were able to fit in a guitar, a keyboard, and a turntable while still leaving room for a couch and a kitchen!
How would you decorate a bus if you had one? What would you take with you on trips? Clearly, this person's priority was music - seems like they'd be a fun travel companion!
The Quaintest Little Winter Garden
This enchanting space is part of a restored home in the London neighborhood of Pimlico near Westminster. The home was built in 1860, and homes from this era often included what are known as conservatories or 'winter gardens.' These spaces bring the outside in; they typically have glass ceilings and are decorated with plants and patio furniture that allow the residents to enjoy some sunlight even during the coldest days of winter.
While winter gardens can still be found in older homes, they're much less common now than they were in the 19th and 20th centuries. We'd love to see them make a comeback!
Casa Cor Living Room
This living room was actually part of an installment at an event in Brazil called Casa Cor where artists, architects, and landscapers come to showcase their work. While this means it's no one's permanent living room, we still think it's a beautiful design. We love the way the designer incorporated the landscape around the set into the room, and think it looks like the perfect place to sit back and relax.
How would you feel having a big tree in your living room? Do you think it adds something to the space, or that the room would look better without it?
A Cozy Cabin
If we had a cabin like this, we would probably never leave. It's actually an Airbnb in upstate New York and seems like the perfect place to be with nature for those who prefer a bit more comfort than a traditional tent. The design is almost an optical illusion, and we love the way the slanted ceiling meets the floor-to-ceiling window offering a crystal clear picture of the great outdoors.
What would be more perfect than cozying up on that couch next to a warm fire? Make some hot chocolate in the kitchen, grab a blanket and you've got the ultimate glamping experience.
A London Library
A library worthy of a Disney princess - or any other book lover. There's something so comforting about floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and the addition of the ladder creates even more magic. Imagine exploring all that these shelves have to offer: far-off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise... The long couch in the background looks like the perfect place to lounge and spend an afternoon, well, with your nose stuck in a book.
How do you feel about the green paint and couches? If you had a library like this, would you keep it as is, or do you prefer a different color palette?
A Spanish Seaside Villa
This kitchen is part of an 18th-century villa on the island of Menorca off the coast of Spain. The decorators chose to utilize vintage tiles from the region for the backsplash and counters and created a seaside theme by pairing the blue tiles with a blue-green tassel lighting fixture. They must be big fans of color, or at least really love fruit, as they've also chosen to include five fruit bowls on the island.
Do you like this kitchen, or do you think it's too colorful? Minimalist decor is definitely a popular choice these days, but for a villa by the ocean, we think this kitchen is very appropriate.
A Blue House With a Blue Bathroom
We love the color of the tile that the designer chose to use in this bathroom, and think it pairs perfectly with the wood of the counter and the tub. It's quite a different approach to use so much of one color, but in this case, we think that the choice paid off. It almost creates a sort of under-the-sea vibe. We'd definitely be belting some Little Mermaid tunes under that waterfall showerhead.
What do you think about the blue tile? Is it too much, or do you find it relaxing? Blue is considered to have a calming effect in psychology, but it also depends on a person's taste.
House of Small Wonder
This stunning garden room is part of a restaurant in Berlin, Germany called "House of Small Wonder" and 'wonder' is exactly the feeling that this room elicits in us. You can't help but feel that the intricate carpet has a story of its own, almost as if it could fly "A Whole New World" style, and the spiral staircase invites you to climb it even without knowing where it leads.
Even the plants add a certain magic, creating a feeling of a jungle or a forest just waiting to be explored. Hopefully, their food is as refined as their decorating.
A Finnish(ed) Room
This living area is part of a Finnish museum in a building over 110 years old! While we've never seen someone use a carpet over both the floor and a seating area before, we can't help feel like it adds a certain cozy charm to the space, not to mention it's a great way to prevent anything from getting lost under the couch. We also love how the blue pillows complement the stained glass!
What do you think of this design? Would you use a carpet over your couch, or do you think they belong entirely on the floor? Would you choose a different color for the pillows?
A Clean and Simple Bathroom
Some designers just know how to utilize limited space well, and it appears that whoever designed this room was one of them. The mix of brick, tile and painted walls keep the room interesting, while a neutral color palette prevents it from becoming too overwhelming. A couple of plants add a bit of softness to an otherwise very modern space. This is definitely a bathroom we would love to have!
The only thing that we would change is the open shower; the apartment is in Poland, where it gets pretty cold, and a shower like this must be freezing in the winter!
Optical Illusion Shower
Where does the wall end and the ceiling begin? This is definitely different than any bathroom we've seen before, but it looks like the perfect space to unwind and take a bubble bath or waterfall shower. It's modern without being too minimalist and the pattern of the tile keeps the room interesting. The shade of blue they chose evokes a feeling of serenity, especially alongside a clean and simple white bathtub.
Do you like the tile, or do you find it overwhelming? If so, would you prefer it in a different color? How do you feel about the two separate showerheads?
The Book Nook
In recent years, many of us have found ourselves spending a great deal of time at home, and whoever owns this London apartment seems to have made the most of the situation by creating a little reading corner by adding glass walls black metal frames to an existing corner. We love that it lets in so much natural light - perfect for spending hours in a comfy chair with a good book.
We'd love this space with some cushioned window seats or even a large bean bag chair. The chairs are nice, but for hanging out and reading something cozier would be perfect.
The Ravenclaw Common Room
This room is actually part of a Polish castle, but for fans of Harry Potter, it may remind them of the common room for Ravenclaw house. Ravenclaw's colors are dark blue and bronze, and there is certainly no shortage of either of those in this charming sitting room. Students of Ravenclaw are notoriously studious, and we can just picture them settling into these blue velvet couches to hit the books.
Many castles throughout Europe have been turned into museums accessible to the public, though the one pictured here was actually turned into a hotel. We'd love to visit it one day!
A Venezuelan Villa
If you've ever wondered what you get when you cross an Italian architect with a Venezuelan villa, look no further. Gio Ponti's former home sits preserved as a museum atop a verdant hill on the north coast of the country. Its use of light, color, and shape are a remaining testament to his most famous quote "Your house will be gentle as a great butterfly on the top of the hill."
The property brings together art, furniture, architecture, and gardens that visitors can enjoy through a guided tour or private visits. The design of this corner alone is spectacular; we'd love to see the rest!
A Kangaroo View
If this bathroom was ours, we don't think we'd ever leave. It was part of a room from the Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia, a 5-star hotel on the southwest coast. Sadly, the hotel is temporarily closed, but we hope they'll be open again in the future. This bathtub looks more like a hot tub, and we'd love to see what kind of wildlife could be observed from this window!
What kind of wildlife would you hope to see here? How would you feel to see a kangaroo from your bathroom? It's probably something you can only experience in Australia!
Historically Charming
The room pictured here was actually created as a stage to showcase the furniture in it, but we think it's a great-looking room nevertheless. It was created by a German designer in Berlin using a historic building, which we think provides a perfect backdrop to highlight the more modern lighting fixtures and furniture. The exposed walls and intricate gate around the platform above are an interesting complement to items so sleek.
If you think this room looks a bit too rustic, look closer at the walls - the lack of baseboards and uneven plastering suggest that the room is at least being prepared for renovation.
A Beautiful Brownstone
Have you ever seen a lovelier home? This brownstone apartment in New York City is full of quaint and cozy details. Just imagine starting your day with a coffee in the nook by the window, or curling up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate as a snowstorm blankets the city. Original details like the fireplace and molding have been preserved, while sleek and colorful furniture add a modern update.
What's your favorite part of this room? We love the design of the red and striped chairs, but also feel drawn to the bookshelf in the corner. They really thought of everything!
Blue Is the Warmest Bathroom
Blue tile bathrooms seem to be quite popular, though whoever owns this bathroom decided to pair theirs with this bird print wallpaper. Wallpaper near the bathtub is definitely not something we've seen before, though in this case, we think it provides a warm and pleasant contrast to the coolness of the tiles. Tie it all together with a pink velvet chair and a fireplace and you've got the warmest bathroom we ever did see.
Would you like to have a fireplace in your bathroom? Imagine taking a warm bubble bath while a fire crackles nearby. It sounds like the perfect way to stay warm in the winter.
Mellow Yellow
Now, here's something we don't see every day. In a time of modern, minimalist design, such a mix of yellow, gold, and clashing patterns is sure to evoke a lot of opinions, but if we're being honest, we kind of love it. It's funky and fun; we can just imagine blasting the oldies on a speaker and dancing around the kitchen as we prepare a tasty meal. Probably something with bananas.
If you see this and think 70s', you'd be right. This house was built in 1971 and many of the elements included in this kitchen are actually part of the original design.
Mila Kunis' Living Room
Stars - they're just like us. If this is what our living room looks like, that is. This room is part of actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher's house in California, and we think it looks like the perfect place to kick back and relax. Their couch looks incredibly comfortable, and with all of that wood, they must have a fire going quite often. It seems like an ideal setup to host friends.
Have you ever seen a celebrity's house? Was the design similar to this one or something totally different? How do you think you'd design your house if you were famous and had the money?
An Emerald Eatery
We've seen blue and yellow tiles, and now we have green! This kitchen is part of a townhouse in London, and we have to say we think the tiles were a great choice! They're a little dark, but they're balanced by the light cabinets and open shelving. We love the look of the neatly stacked plates and cups, and the light fixtures have a vintage feel that makes the room even more interesting.
What color tiles do you like best? Colors can look different depending on how and where they're used. A blue t-shirt is much different than blue used on a large, permanent wall.
A Room With a View
This office was designed by the architect who created Bill Gates' 66,000 square foot house. He created this space in a shed in his own Washington backyard, which just goes to show that a great artist can find inspiration anywhere. We love the idea of working with a front-row seat to nature; imagine looking up from your paper to see a deer walking by or a squirrel running up a tree.
Would you like a workspace like this, or do you prefer to go into the office? Do you think being so close to the woods might feel a bit creepy at night?
Outside Inside
The focal point of this living room is obviously the fireplace, and as it's in Nova Scotia, we can understand why it was so important to the designer. Winters are long, snowy, and cold, and on the dreariest days, there's nothing better than cozying up by the fire. This fireplace is different than anything we've ever seen; we love the compartment for storing wood, and the stone creates a feeling of almost being outside.
Do you like this fireplace? Do you think it goes with the leather couches, or would you have chosen different seating options? We think it'd be nice to have something facing the fire.
Truly a Tudor
Tudor homes originated in the 14-1500's, and are identified by their steep roofs and the use of long beams of wood. While this house in LA certainly doesn't date back that far (Tudors didn't make it to the US until the 19th century) you can see that it does have some of the identifying features. We love the way the dark wooden roof contrasts against the more modern white walls.
This house is an example of what's called 'revivalist' architecture, which is when architects refer to styles and features of the past to design and create something in a more modern era.
An Out-Of-This-World Hotel Room
Imagine what it'd be like to wake up on another planet. At this hotel in Jordan, you don't have to travel to space to experience such a phenomenon. The room's domed windows face a wall of red rock - Jordan was actually the filming location for many scenes in the movie 'The Martian,' so we imagine that staying at this place in the desert is as close to Mars as most of us can get.
The hotel also offers "glamping" tents that aren't so different from what you see here. They include king-sized beds, bathrooms, and other amenities for a totally luxurious desert camping experience.
Fit for a Queenstown
This boutique hotel on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown has a picture-perfect view of Walter Peak mountain. It almost looks like a painting in the background and with a view like that, we can understand why the architect chose to go with floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can enjoy the sight from their rooms, but there are plenty of activities available to do on the lake as well, like scenic cruises and paddleboarding.
How would you spend your time if you were a guest of this hotel? Would you prefer to stay indoors and enjoy it from the window, or would you rather get out on the lake?
Picture-Perfect Pantry
Sometimes the least interesting places are the most interesting to look at. This pantry in a Texas home is one of the most beautiful we've ever seen, and it's clear that lots of care went into every detail of how it's arranged. Everything appears clean and organized, and the minimalist storage containers create an overall feeling of harmony. We love the way the color of the shelves reflects the light from the window.
With a pantry like this, we'd love to see what they've done with the kitchen. One thing's for sure - cooking must be a breeze with how well everything is organized.
It's Geometric!
It looks a bit like the hotel room in Jordan, but this dining set is actually part of someone's home in Colorado. The geometric dome is a really interesting way to keep the space open while still allowing in natural light, and we like the way it pairs with what looks like some rather vintage furniture. It's definitely not something you see every day, especially not in the United States.
How would you feel having this in your home? Do you like it, or would you prefer something different? It's almost like a combination of a window and a skylight.
An Underwater Oasis
We've probably all seen fish at an aquarium, but to see fish from your bed is a whole other story. This hotel room in the Maldives takes the underwater experience to a new level with suites surrounded by wall-to-wall water. Lay in bed and watch the fish swim by - and don't worry about anyone being able to see in. The outside of the dome is covered with a one-way reflective material.
Would you like to stay in a hotel like this, or do you prefer dry land? It would certainly be a unique experience, though we imagine any lights and sounds from outside might make it hard to sleep.
California Knows How to Decorate
Last but not least is this living room in a California home. The trees outside are very old oak trees, and we think in a way they give the space a unique touch. It almost feels like a kind of treehouse - where does the inside end and the outside begin? The rest of the room has a peaceful feel reminiscent of feng shui with muted colors and minimalist lines.
Do you prefer a room like this, or are you more into colorful design? There are so many choices available on both ends, but there's just something so timeless about rooms like this one.