15 Quirky Homes From Around the World

The perfect antidote to that generic hotel look we're so bored of seeing.

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Living area with lots of ornaments and decoration

Ok, quirky homes are not for everyone. There are those who prefer a more muted, toned-down feel to their interiors, nothing attention-grabbing or 'odd'. Each to their own, but we're quite partial to a bit of quirk here at Plum Guide. It's a fine line between quirk and plain weird, of course, but that's half the fun. If you like a house to be a tad unconventional, and to have an eclectic mix of furniture, artwork, nick-nacks, colours, and patterns, then you're going to want to check out these homes here. They're the antidote to the generic hotel look we're so bored of seeing.

Throw in fun furniture

This New York apartment, Portrait of an Artist gets the prize for quirkiest seating in the Plum Guide Collection, no question. This is an incredibly fun home, with beautiful exposed-brick walls and a great outdoor space too.

Go for old meets new

We absolutely love this home, Magic Tiles located in the characterful Old Jaffa neighbourhood of Tel Aviv. Not only does it have spectacular views from its fab roof terrace, but it's brimming with charm throughout. We love the vibrant bathroom tiles, original artwork throughout and endless interesting bits and pieces picked up by the owners from around the world. A great example of just how well mixing old and new can work in a home.

Make it just plain weird

This home might just take the biscuit for quirkiest things we've seen in a home: there are two fishtanks, a set of teeth in a jar, and seven birds' nests. Yes, you heard us, birds' nests.

Curate a house museum

Two Vespas in glass cabinets. Bicycles above the beds. Kids will love this place. And big kids will too (we know you're out there).

Get unique artwork

Technicolour Voyage in Copenhagen is one of the jewels in Plum Guide's Crown of Quirky Homes. Quirky in all the right ways. Perhaps not surprisingly, this is the home of an artist, and it's absolutely filled with unique artworks, awesome furniture, the works. One of our very favourite characterful homes. Take a tour of our photos and enjoy the artistry.

Mix fabrics and textures

This home is most definitely ready for its Architectural Digest close-up. A masterclass in quirky homes, the owner has a really terrific eye for mixing bold colours, fabrics, and artworks, in a daring but always elegant way. We absolutely love the various printed wallpapers, fabrics, and original artworks from celebrated artists including Nathalie du Pasquier and Etel Adnan. Yes, as you can tell, we have rather a lot of love for In Full Bloom.

Find some vintage pieces

Cloud 9 is packed-full with quirky details. Fun artwork, a vintage TV set, antlers on top of the fridge, trompe l'oeil wallpaper, the list goes on. It's also got a fantastic, central location in Midtown Manhattan. This one's a winner.

Create a treasure trove

Where to begin when talking about Wonderland? It's like living in a museum, except that you don't have to share it with tourists and you can touch things, even pick them up. We really urge you to scroll through the photos of this treasure trove - it really is extraordinary. And we don't use that word lightly.

Go minimalist, but make it quirky

This home might be on the minimal side of things compared to most of our other quirky contenders, but this one's definitely unconventional. It's got a distinctly Japanese feel to it - the beds are mere centimetres from the floor and the artwork blows around in the breeze. This is undoubtedly a stylish animal, but some guests might find it just the wrong side of monastic. It's a subjective one!

Contradict yourself

This Berlin home is a bundle of contradictions, just like all the best quirky homes. It mixes exquisite, period features (like the plaster moulding on the cornices and wood panelled walls) with modern, pop-culture pieces, including mario-kart art and old school lockers.

Craft it with (quirky) care

The wall above the keyboard - which features masks, skeletons, thingymajigs from around the world - is a work of art! The whole home has been lovingly-crafted with unusual things. It's not the most luxurious home on our books, but it's got charm aplenty.

Be extravagant

There's a bed that doubles as a dance-floor. Need we say more? Check out Saturday Night Fever.

Leave it unfinished

Drawings on the unfinished plasterwork, paintings in the kitchen, pink cushions in the garden, and mismatched prints and patterns all over the place. Minimalists will probably want to run a mile, but for the rest of us it's pure charm and character.

Be bold

This London home is seriously cool (even millennials would agree). We love the incredible vaulted ceiling, abundance of natural light, and bold art collection. Quirk appeal: ten out of ten. And if you like homes that make a statement, browse some of the boldest in our collection.

Seeing as you're here, we take it you like to do things a little differently. Time to check out these 11 unusual staircases from around the world.

Written by

Fanula is a freelance writer who has lived in five European cities. Some of her favourite things include: pom pom cushions, Art Deco architecture and sunset cocktails.

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