These Are the Top Cities Around the World for Design Inspiration
No matter where in the world you call home, you can pretty much take inspiration from all kinds of cultures by way of interior decorating. But it’s hard to deny that certain cities around the world have a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them particularly alluring, which is why one ceramics company wanted to see which global cities are most inspiring to design lovers… and the top choice likely won’t surprise you at all.
Atlas Ceramics, a U.K.-based tile and home goods company, used global search data from Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to determine the world’s most inspirational cities for interiors and design. They compiled their list by looking at combined annual Google searches across the categories of interiors, decor, aesthetics, furniture, and tiles in order to see which cities are paving the way for design trends these days.
Taking home top honors, of course, is Paris, France, which yielded 292,980 searches across all categories in 2021, likely in no small part thanks to its eclectic blend of vintage and modern furnishings and accessories, rich colors, and timeless aesthetic appeal. Paris also served as the top search term for decor, with 78,500 searches over the course of the year.
Coming in closely behind is New York City, which snagged an impressive 275,620 searches. Famous for its lofts, factories, and warehouses converted into living spaces, few cities know how to maximize a small surface area while still creating something beautiful, and the Big Apple’s love of industrial elements and minimalist vibes, including exposed pipes and brickwork, open-plan floor designs, and floor-to-ceiling windows makes for a design scheme that works in spaces large and small. In fact, the researchers note that New York was the top searched for aesthetic with a whopping 214,100 searches.
Singapore’s capital city of the same name came in third place at 217,520 total searches, with its rich blend of Eastern cultures that pair perfectly with a tropical climate and love of bold colors and maximalism galore. Singapore’s furniture also saw the most searches over the year, which makes sense given its thriving art, design, and architecture community.
Check out the full list for endless design and decor inspiration — if travel is outside the realm of possibility right now, you can always infuse your dream destination right within your space by way of furniture, accessories, or even just a well-placed trinket or two.