Lazy days spent dozing in the sun, balmy breezes stirring the palm fronds outside your window and fruity drinks served with colorful miniature umbrellas. You can bring a tropical getaway to your home with this easy, breezy style.
Designing your space with a tropical theme can be achieved two ways. If you want a more toned-down natural interior, use a neutral palette of green, brown and tan. Choose furnishings in warm mid-tone woods and use natural fiber rugs over wood or tile flooring. Bring in natural accessories, such as driftwood and palm trees in decorative planters. Decorative pottery in muted tones blends well with this understated tropical style.
For a more vibrant island vibe, choose bright colors such as coral, turquoise, apple green and yellow. Paint the walls a bold color and punch up the room with colorful pillows and accessories. Paper the walls in grass cloth and hang botanical prints. Use woven rattan furniture with tropical fabric cushions.
For the windows, install bamboo blinds and hang cotton sheers to harness the warm summer breezes, or to at least capture the memory for you. Custom-made roman shades to coordinate with furniture fabrics create a cohesive look and increases the energy of the room. Plantation shutters give a British Colonial touch and can really enhance the space.
Rattan or bamboo ceiling fans are wonderful additions to the tropical room as they are decorative as well as functional. Chandeliers, pendant lights and table lamps can be chosen to augment the tropical theme. Try an elegant pineapple chandelier in bronze with natural fiber shades, decorative wall sconces or iron table lamps with bamboo or straw shades.
Art from local artists, often bright with a tropical flair, can bring life and character to your paradise at home. Botanical prints or even a collection of watercolors adds dimension, color and interest.
Your tropical paradise awaits just inside your door. Sit down, close your eyes and sip on your favorite fruity concoction in the comfort of your own home.
