In today’s post, I’m going to give you an inside look into home items you should buy while traveling. These are items that I seek out while I’m traveling that bring me joy long after I’ve come home.

This post is inspired from the time I was interviewed by Fig Linens and Home a few years back. (Fig Linens and Home is a home store that used to be located in Westport, Connecticut. They are now online only.) I explained how much I love purchasing home items while traveling, and why you should too.

The Kitchen

Let’s start with the heart of the home, the kitchen. My favorite items to purchase for the kitchen are plates and dishes. I have purchased a lot of dishes from South Korea. More recently I’ve purchased bowls from Japan. Potholders to protect your hands while cooking are great as well.

During my last trip to Japan, the Airbnb had no tea/coffee mugs. I was forced to pick one up. This led me to buy a tea mug that I adore. I don’t even drink out of it. Haha. I just love its message.

In addition to plates and dishes, spices are a great home item you should buy when traveling. When I was in Malta, I picked up a lot of spices, including coriander, which for some reason had been hard to find near home. I purchased vanilla extract from the Dominican Republic.

My sister was recently in Indonesia, where she picked up seasoning packets for me. Things like these keep the trip alive months and years later.

The Bathroom

Now we’re onto the bathroom, where you wouldn’t expect to bring anything home for. In 2019 I was in Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S. I saw the cutest wastebasket at a discount store. How would I take it home? I managed. That’s one reason traveling with a duffel bag can come in handy.

Hand soap is a great item to pick up while traveling. When I was in Malta, I picked up hand soap that was made in Italy. The scent was Mediterranean lemon, and it smelled divine. I’ve since filled it many times over with other soap. However, I still use the bottle, and it brings back memories of my trip. It is the same brand as the one used in the Airbnb where I stayed.

Similar to the hand soap are body wash and body cream. The scents transport you right back to your trip. I was able to pick up some wonderful Italian body washes and a body cream when I was in Malta. The brand also had a room spray, which I keep in my bathroom as well.

Washcloths bring back the same memories. Daiso, a Japanese dollar store has a great variety. In Japan, people bring their own small towels to dry their hands in public restrooms. This is because many public restrooms in Japan do not provide anything to dry your hands with. (See my post about the 5 Mistakes I Made Visiting Japan for the First Time.) However, I use them as washcloths since in the U.S. most public restrooms do provide you with something to dry your hands with.

The Bedroom

I never expected to purchase bedsheets while I was traveling in Brooklyn, New York a couple years ago. I found the cutest set for an unbelievable price, so I had to have them. So, bedsheets and other linens (My sister brought towels in Japan.) should definitely be on your list of home items you should buy while traveling.

However, be sure to look at the packaging when you buy items like bedsheets while traveling. The sizing is not universal. I bought bedsheets in Dubai. Even the pillowcases were too small.

The Office or Living Room

Books, magazines and notebooks from your travels can be great additions to your home. I try to get a magazine from every country I visit, whether I’m able to read it or not. Sometimes I purchase books. They add something special to your bookshelf.

I picked up pens in Japan for my office. I was able to support a small “mom and pop” shop. And now, while I’m working (I work from home.) they remind me of my stroll through that neighborhood in Japan.

Paintings and other artwork can be great additions to a blank wall. The painting below came from Haiti. It had to be deconstructed to bring it home. However, I was able to put it back together with items from an art supply store.

These are the home items you should buy while traveling. Are there any other things for your home that you like to buy while you’re traveling? Let me know in the comments.