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If you love a touch of the exotic, you can bring the tropical into your home pretty easily. With some cosmetic touch-ups adding vibrant colors, a little bit of nature, and some authentic furniture, you can close your eyes and smell the coconuts all year round in your personal oasis. Here are some tropical home decor ideas.
Tropical Home Decor Ideas
Indoor Tropical Plants
The tropics are known for their amazing plant life. But they require a specific climate to flourish. While your tropical plans might do well during the Summer, they will almost certainly perish in the Winter. However, growing tropical plants in colder climates aren’t impossible. Some species such as Blue Palm, Japanese Banana, and Canna can withstand cold weather. Yet you can also grow your favorite tropical plants inside your conservatory or a terrarium for smaller, individual species. Using glass keeps an area insulated and warm, benefiting the plants all year round.
Tropical Reef Fish Tanks
Of course, some of the most beautiful places on Earth, such as the Caribbean, are filled with exotic sea life and unique creatures. Fortunately, just like plants, you can bring some of your favorites home with you, and many pet or fish stores sell almost all legal species. However, looking after tropical fish isn’t as easy as cold-water fish. You need special equipment like a purpose-built tank, filters, airers, and a heat source to keep them warm. And not all fish are easy to support either. Guppy, Molly, and Dwarf Gourami are some of the best for beginners.
Tiki and Rattan Décor
Traditional tropical furniture uses abundant woods and fibrous materials like Tiki and rattan. Over the years, these made their way to colder climates where they tend to come out every Summer while the Sun is how. Currently, rattan furniture is trendy in the US and UK, where it is used for garden furniture. The styles lend themselves well to traditional tropical colors and décor. Additionally, they offer a cool and calming hue balance to your decorating style, as well as being physically colder when it’s too hot because of how they are woven.
Use Natural Materials
Further to Tiki and rattan, you should fill your room or home with as much natural material and fabric as possible for an authentic tropical look. In the tropics, raw materials are abundant, and it shows in how the native residents style their homes. Some of the most used include:
- Bamboo: sustainably sourced and great for cabinets with a striking natural pattern.
- Seagrass: similar to wicker with a pleasing artisanal look.
- Jute: cool and soft, making it great for rugs.
- Abaca: easily braided, so best used for coasters and seating.
- Teak: a hardwood with high oil, natural bug resistance.
You can make your home feel and look more tropical using materials commonly found in hotter climates. However, when appropriately sourced, well-made items will last a lifetime, bringing a more natural feel to your indoor tropical room or conservatory.
Keep it Casual
Island life in exotic places like Barbados and Jamaica is known for being a little more laid back. As a result, there is a more casual approach to life. And this also shows through with decorating and furniture. Rather than formal and stiff styling, it is best to keep your tropical décor a little more casual than you traditionally would. For example, furniture items such as chairs and sofas should be placed in the sunniest areas, a little off rather than uniform. You should also consider using materials like rattan and bamboo for a more natural feeling.
Match the Colors
The colors of nature, and especially the tropics, are earthy and rich. Greens and browns are traditional, with patterns based on nature. For instance, white palm leaf prints on pastel green backgrounds are standard. Additionally, you should aim to use as much natural color as possible, so don’t paint your tropical furniture. Instead, let the Tiki or rattan colors come through on their own. A good tip is to use colors inspired by the ocean, especially natural accent hues. For example, consider shades of blue for floor tiling alongside your natural furniture.
Don’t Forget the Ocean
Tropical and island life revolves around fishing and the beach. Therefore, further to the ocean, you can inspire a more natural look and feel if you accentuate your decorating scheme with genuine oceanic items. For example, sea pebbles, shells, and barnacles add a much more pleasing aesthetic to a tropical project when matched with commonly used materials. Then, of course, you could apply wall art such as sunset paintings, starfish, and ocean views to invoke feelings of a tropical getaway.
Tropical Home Decor Summary
You can bring tropical life to your home using natural materials, a matching color scheme, and wildlife no matter where you live. Even in a cold climate, you can grow certain species of tropical plants, and a tropical fish tank is excellent for keeping some exotic species.
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