I recently visited Pompeii and, perhaps unsurprisingly for someone who spends most of her life thinking about interiors, I couldn’t stop looking at the floors, walls and materials.
We tend to think of interior design trends as something new. But walking through homes that were lived in nearly 2,000 years ago, I was struck by how many of the things we’re using in interiors today were already there.
Patterned floors. Statement marble. Decorative borders. Warm earthy colours. Courtyards connecting the inside with the outside. Even the idea of using beautiful materials to make everyday spaces feel special.
And the most extraordinary thing? So much of it has survived.
It was a brilliant reminder that while trends come and go, good design has incredible staying power.
Here are seven interior design ideas I brought home from Pompeii.
1. Natural stone really is timeless
One of the things that caught my eye everywhere was the stone.
Different colours and varieties of marble were used across floors, walls, architectural details and surfaces – and many are still beautiful almost two millennia later.
Today we’re seeing a real move towards more expressive natural stone in interiors. Rather than choosing the safest white worktop possible, homeowners are becoming braver with veining, colour and texture.
Pompeii is a pretty convincing argument for it.
If you’re choosing stone for a kitchen worktop, bathroom vanity, fireplace or table, don’t automatically dismiss something because it feels distinctive. A beautiful natural material can become the element that gives an otherwise simple room its character.
MBR tip: If you’re nervous about using a heavily veined or colourful stone across a large area, introduce it in a smaller dose – a coffee table, side table, splashback or vanity top can have just as much impact.
2. Patterned floors aren’t just a trend
The mosaics were probably my favourite detail.
Some were incredibly intricate, while others used relatively simple geometric patterns and borders. But they all demonstrated how much personality a floor can bring to a room.
We’re seeing the same principle in homes now through checkerboard tiles, patterned encaustic tiles, parquet, borders and rugs.
Your floor doesn’t always have to disappear into the background.
In fact, if the rest of your room is relatively simple, a patterned floor can do a huge amount of the design work for you.
And if you’re not ready to commit to tiles, a beautiful patterned rug gives you a similar effect without the permanence.
3. Don’t be frightened of mixing materials
One of the things that made the Pompeii interiors feel so interesting was the combination of materials.
Different stones sat alongside mosaics, painted plaster, timber and decorative detailing. It wasn’t about making everything match perfectly.
That’s something we talk about a lot at My Bespoke Room.
Rooms can feel flat when every finish is too similar. The most successful interiors usually have contrast – smooth against textured, old against new, matt against polished, plain against patterned.
The trick isn’t to make everything match. It’s to make everything feel as though it belongs together.
4. Borders are back – although apparently they never really left
Decorative borders appeared again and again in Pompeii, particularly around mosaic floors.
It’s such a simple design device, but it immediately makes a space feel considered.
We’re seeing a modern version of this idea appearing everywhere now: contrast tile borders, painted edges, rug borders and flooring details that help define different areas within a room.
It’s particularly useful in open-plan spaces where you want to create a sense of different zones without putting up walls.
Sometimes the smallest detail is what makes a room feel properly designed.
5. Earthy colours have lasted for a reason
Terracotta, ochre, deep reds, warm neutrals, greens and natural stone shades were everywhere.
Sound familiar?
Many of the colours dominating interiors today aren’t new trends at all. They’re colours we’ve been living with for centuries.
And there’s a reason they work.
They’re rooted in nature, which makes them incredibly easy to live with and combine.
If you’re worried about choosing a colour you’ll tire of, looking to natural materials is often a good starting point. Think clay, sand, stone, olive, rust and warm mineral tones rather than whatever happens to be labelled the colour of the year.
6. Bring the outside in
Pompeii’s homes were often arranged around courtyards and gardens, creating a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces.
It’s an idea that feels remarkably modern.
Today we talk about biophilic design, indoor-outdoor living and maximising natural light – but people have understood the benefits of connecting their homes with nature for thousands of years.
You don’t need a Roman courtyard to do it.
Position furniture to make the most of a garden view. Add plants. Use natural materials. Avoid blocking windows unnecessarily. Pick up colours from outside and repeat them indoors.
These seemingly small decisions can completely change how a room feels.
7. Design for longevity, not just Instagram
This was probably my biggest takeaway.
We’re surrounded by interior trends now. Every time we open Instagram or Pinterest there’s another colour, tile, sofa shape or “must-have” finish we’re told we need.
But standing in rooms created nearly 2,000 years ago puts trends into perspective.
The elements that still looked beautiful weren’t necessarily the most fashionable. They were the ones with craftsmanship, proportion, quality materials and personality.
That’s something I think we should all remember when designing our homes.
You don’t need to create a “timeless” beige box because you’re frightened of making the wrong decision. Equally, you don’t need to replace everything every time a new trend appears.
The best homes evolve.
Choose things you genuinely love. Invest where it matters. Mix old with new. Use colour and pattern in ways that feel like you. And don’t be afraid to keep something simply because it makes you happy.
What ancient Pompeii can teach us about modern interiors
My trip to Pompeii reminded me that we haven’t reinvented interior design nearly as much as we think we have.
We’re still drawn to beautiful natural materials.
We still use pattern to add personality.
We still want our homes to connect us with nature.
And we still want to create spaces that feel special to live in.
The styles might change, but the fundamentals of good interior design really don’t.
And perhaps that’s the best test when you’re making decisions about your own home:
Will I still love this when the trend has disappeared?
At My Bespoke Room, that’s exactly what our interior designers help clients work out. We don’t believe your home should look like everybody else’s – or like it’s been lifted straight from an Instagram feed.
It should feel like your home, only better.
Whether you’ve got lots of ideas and need help pulling them together, or you have no idea where to start, our designers can help you create a space that works for your home, your life and your budget.
Want some help bringing your ideas together? Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our team.
FAQ:
Timeless interior design doesn’t mean playing it safe or decorating everything in beige! It’s about choosing colours, materials and furniture you genuinely love rather than following every new trend. Natural materials, beautiful textures and well-proportioned furniture are a great starting point. Then add personality through artwork, pattern, colour and those little details that make your home feel like yours.
The secret is finding a common thread that ties everything together. That might be a colour running through your furniture and accessories, a consistent wood tone or a balance of textures. You don’t need everything to match, but you do want it to feel connected. Try choosing two or three main materials and building from there. And remember, contrast is a good thing! A room with a mixture of old and new, smooth and textured, or plain and patterned often feels far more interesting than one where everything matches perfectly.
Colours inspired by nature are a wonderful place to start. Think warm neutrals, earthy terracottas, olive greens, soft stone shades and rich ochres. They’ve been used in homes for centuries and work beautifully with natural materials. But timeless doesn’t necessarily mean neutral. A rich blue, deep red or bold green can feel just as enduring when it’s right for your space. The most important thing is choosing colours that work with your home’s natural light and, of course, that make you happy.
Absolutely, provided you love them and they work with the rest of your home. As Pompeii proves, patterned floors and distinctive natural stone have been making homes beautiful for thousands of years! The trick is thinking about balance. If you’re choosing a statement marble worktop or a patterned floor, you might want to keep some of the surrounding finishes simpler. And if you’re nervous about committing, try introducing pattern or stone through smaller pieces such as rugs, side tables or splashbacks.
Definitely! At My Bespoke Room, we believe great interior design should be accessible to everyone, whatever your budget. Our professional designers help you make sense of your ideas, mix styles and choose colours, furniture and materials that work beautifully together.
We’ll help you work out where it’s worth investing, where you can save and how to create a home that feels personal rather than simply following the latest trends.
Our online interior design packages start from just £175, and you can begin with a FREE 30-minute consultation to talk through your room, your ideas and your budget.
Book a FREE Designer Call and let’s create a home you’ll love for years to come.
