Tropical decor adds a breezy, natural feeling to your home's interior and style to its exterior spaces. The best aspect of tropical decor is that it's easy and affordable. It works wonders on a deck, patio, garden or porch, giving outdoor spaces color and visual pop. If you want to do a full home redesign in a tropical theme, begin with architectural elements that welcome light and then invest in some key furniture pieces to carry the idea. Does this Spark an idea?
Palette
A tropical palette emphasizes natural materials and finishes. Wood and wood tones are the favorite backdrop for accent pieces in spring green, mango orange, sunny yellow, deep green, vivid red and ocean blue. Pastels and blacks are not as common as earth tones, so keep beams exposed, wood floors uncovered and architectural details unfinished. Textiles are often in white, off-white or pale earth tones, allowing natural light to enter through windows and move through the space.
Styles
Tropical decor has distinct interpretations. There is the Hawaiian look with bold colors and natural elements. There is the kitschy Tiki theme, with mismatched flea-market furniture in wicker and rattan and walls decorated with masks and totems. Then there is tropical minimalism, an outgrowth of the "green" design movement that features bamboo floor mats, integration of nature in the home interior, open floor plans, low-impact materials, views of the garden and landscape and bold accent colors.
Furniture and Accessories
Go festive with your tropical theme. Set up a rattan frame couch with cushions printed in flowers and banana leaves. In the bedroom, a plain bed gets a tropical update with a mosquito net as a canopy and bedding printed in bright persimmon or leaf green. Wooden cabinets, niches and shelves look best in medium to light tones. Add texture and dimension with bamboo poles, retro Tiki print fabric, rattan mats or a wall mural of a tropical rain forest scene.
Bring in nature with displays of sea grass, shells, banana leaves and coral. Hang leafy green plants near doorways and windows and plant bright blooming flowers within view of picture windows. Try party lights and paper lanterns for lighting options indoors and Tiki torches or a fire pit for outdoor entertaining.
Tags: banana leaves, earth tones, home interior, tropical theme