It's easy to associate the word tropical with with bright colours and big patterns.
Contemporary tropical decor takes an understated and paired back approach with an emphasis on elegant and sophisticated design elements.
Expect to find features like mellow, calming colours, natural materials and lots and lots of greenery!
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Tropical Interior by HK Living
Natural Materials
Set tropical leafy patterns against a neutral backdrop to bring a sense of clam to your scheme.
Make use of natural materials such as wooden floors, rattan furniture, plain undyed fabrics and ceramics to create a laid back interior.
Handmade Tableware
For tableware opt for handmade pieces, adding a further element of that natural feel that you looking to create throughout the design.
Go modern with abstract palm trees or mix shades of dark grey, burgundy, terracotta and light blues or sage greens to create a beautiful table setting.
Greenery
You can't think about a tropic interior without imagining heavy overgrown jungles full of brightly coloured plants.
Layer your interior with green plants, go for different sizes and use pots that work with your colour scheme.
Remember to keep the design paired back.
A great designer to get inspiration from for this is Abigail Ahern.
Wallpaper by Arte Wallcoverings
Subtle Colours
Create a relaxing and serene environment by choosing a colour palette of soft colour tones and neutrals.
Bright tropical colours on a large space will create a sense of alarm rather than calm.
Use stronger colours in smaller doses such as pillows, vases, and flowers.
Walls can also be left rough and painted in an earthy colour tone.
This design is especially successful if you have a courtyard and can create this look on the walls.
Furniture & Homeware by IB Laursen
Rattan Furniture
By using furniture that has a natural texture such as Rattan or Cane furniture, you create an environment that feels close to nature and natural materials tend to bring the outdoors in.
Mix natural materials such as rattan, wood, ceramics, jute, cotton and linen to add texture and layers to your design.
Textiles
Opt for washed linen napkins and tablecloths.
Linen can be pricer than cotton but it's worth investing in pieces that will serve you for years to come.
By choosing a neutral colour and adding accessories to your table decor depending on the occasion, makes the linen set more versatile and the investment more worthwhile.
Shades of Green
There is a big chance that a shade of green will make it's way into your colour scheme.
If you want to introduce green slowly a great place to start is your serve wear.
Mixed with natural woods and greenery, it creates a relaxed and lifting interior.
Flooring
I love using a dark wood floor with this scheme because I feel tones of green work so well with tones blacks and browns, making the space feel slightly more formal.
Exotic woods such as Reclaimed Wenge, Teak & Walnut are great choices for this look too.
Catmore Oak in Herringbone by Urbane Living
On the other end of the spectrum, opting for a light blonde wood in either flooring or in other homeware, will lighten the space and add freshness.
I hope you are enjoying your summer 🏝
jx
