Tiki Culture: Is It Exploitation?
In this post, we will take a look at several styles or themes which are often used in the “Tiki” look. While there is no specific or official number of these, we have identified 7 which are the most common. But just remember that the cool thing with Tiki is that you can customize it any way you want so it works for you. So onward now to some really cool Tiki looks!
Traditional Polynesian Tiki Style
This theme emphasizes authentic Polynesian artistry and motifs. It’s focus is on a more open and airy look compared to the more widely known heavily decorated and layered looks. Traditional Polynesian focuses on natural materials used such as natural fiber and grass weavings, bamboo and rattan accent pieces, and awesome artwork. Having a few really nice pieces of wall art which bring in bold pops of colors are key as are having textured pieces such as carved wooden masks and replicas of historical tribal artifacts. Large quantities of décor should not be used here so don’t overload the space with it. Each piece should be able to speak for itself.
Photo Credit: houzz.com
Photo Credit: canvas.saatchiart.com
When trying to incorporate carvings and actual Tiki statues, look for those which feature the most authentic looks. Try to avoid anything that looks commercialized and cartoonish.
Photo Credit: Etsy
These Tiki artifacts are on display in the “Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands” in Papeete, Tahiti and are used here for ideas and inspiration. For authenticity in traditional Polynesian Tiki settings, keeps things exactly that, authentic!
Photo Credit: Te Fare Iamanaha – Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands
For color, focus more on earthy tones and less on bright colors. Keep strong bursts of color contained to artwork and upholstery accents such as sofa pillows. When looking for colorful art pieces, we highly recommend artists such as Kim McDonald. She lives in Hawaii and has traveled throughout French Polynesia. We absolutely love her work because she beautifully captures the real essence of Polynesia in her pieces with vibrant color. Her work is an excellent fit for upscale tropical spaces and in Tiki designs which are more controlled and minimalist. She is on Facebook too.
Photo Credit: Kim McDonald
Kim’s work is a great example of what not to use in very busy Tiki designs where a lot of layering on the walls is in place. You would not want her artwork to get lost in the layers! Her work stands out beautifully on its own.
Regarding lighting, traditional Polynesian design includes the use of lots of natural light and then a more traditional use of lighting at night. If you want to incorporate a bit of color into your lighting, we recommend creating a gentle mix which comes from nice pendant, tabletop, and hidden uplighting. The result should be a subtle and come from a minimal number of fixtures.
This is an awesome example of how Tiki can be used in a minimalist Polynesian style. The large table lamp is classic mid-century and pairs perfectly with the sofa pillows and the red and turquoise bowls on the coffee table, which is also classic mid-century. There there is the awesome artwork in bright orange which features a historical sailing vessel. We love this! It is authentic and it is classy yet casual.
Mid-Century American or “Retro Tiki”
This is the most famous Tiki style which was hugely popular in the 1950’s and 60’s. Our earlier posts about the elements of Tiki are very detailed and will take you through the history of Tiki as well as provide the steps needed to create it. So to avoid the risk of repeating ourselves too much here, we will only provide a few more examples of this classic look so you can compare and contrast those with the other styles presented in this post.
The key elements of classic retro Tiki include the use of bold colors in artwork which is more commercialized and was created for American culture.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Photo Credit: Etsy
It also means a heavy use of colored lighting used on the ceilings, walls, and tabletops with layers of wall décor and accents throughout. The color, décor choices, and placement of plants create an awesome tropical atmosphere for this bar.
Photo Credit: Punchdrunk.com
This is a great example of how Tiki can be used in a less crowded way so the focus can be on the Tiki mug collection behind the bar and on the individual choices for lighting. Notice how the owners have a television mounted above the bar which is great for watching sporting events. But what is awesome is how the owners created a panel with 2 porthole cutouts and hung it in front of the TV which has an aquarium-themed screensaver running. It creates a really cool underwater effect!
Photo Credit: Reddit
Here is another example of a classic retro living room. Notice the lighting and how the amount of décor and furnishings used creates a more crowded and full look which is common in retro Tiki settings.
Photo Credit: Reddit
You can even use Tiki in the bathroom. How cool is this??
Photo Credit: Reddit
So there you have it for a quick look at classic retro Tiki!
In the following examples of styles and themes, we will be focusing more on Tiki bars for both indoors and outdoors and less on primary living spaces such as living rooms because these design styles and themes are more intense. They are usually “too much” for most people to use aside from Tiki bars. But that is not to say that you cannot use these in those spaces if you want to! As we have said, that is the beauty of Tiki - it can be used indoors and outdoors however you want. And that is what we are all about at Cerulean Bay, creating your own tropical escapes which work for you!
Jungle Rainforests
A lot of people love the idea of just being in a jungle or rainforest somewhere, surrounded by the deep greenery of the tropics. There is something about being immersed in the dense, lush beauty of tropical plants, trees, and flowers. It is both relaxing and invigorating at the same time. It is almost magical as it heals the mind and soothes the soul. So it is only natural that when someone is creating their own tropical retreat or Tiki space, they want to include a lot of plant life, either real or faux. Jungle greenery is after all, a foundational part of the look. So if you want that to be your primary focal point, go for it! Welcome to the jungle!
Photo Credit: Tiki With Ray
Jungle greenery works very well when it is kept ceiling spaces as that helps to keep floor spaces more open and accessible.
Photo Credit: Secret Chicago
Photo Credit: Rainforest Café, Katy, TX
The key element of this look comes from the large number of plants used, the many shades of green in those plants, the different shapes of their leaves, and both the warm and colored lighting which are hidden among and woven into the plants. Focus on having many lighting fixtures which are all strategically placed to create deep colored lighting. Jungles and rainforest do not receive a lot of natural light so having your space be on the darker side will really work. It creates that magical feeling of being deep within a jungle somewhere with your strategic lighting being the only lighting there is. Plus you can show off any really cool décor or collections you might have!
Plants can be hung from the ceiling both as vines and as hanging potted plants. Trees and large-leaf floor plants can be grouped together to break up the space into smaller areas which can be used to create cozy seating arrangements and to create a more full jungle vibe. Potted plants can also be used on the bar and on tabletops. Use bright and vibrant colors in florals, in décor, and in upholstery to break up the greenery. Big plants and big pendant lighting made from bamboo and other natural materials create an amazing look.
Photo Credit: Tiki With Ray
So with jungle and rainforest looks, go big and go bold! You can even have strategically spaced speakers and a sound system (as you should have in any bar setting), which when not playing tunes is playing really cool sounds of the rainforest with some thunder and rain mixed in.
You can also have a lot of fun by bringing in a ton of plants and intermingling all kinds of really cool light fixtures in them to create that magical atmosphere. Just be creative when it comes to placing your light fixtures. There are many different types and sizes of fixtures out there which can be mounted from ceilings and on walls as well as hidden for use as uplighting and backlighting. You can also create your own lighting pieces by inserting bulbs and string lights into really cool bottles, jars, glass fishing floats and anything else you can think of that will work in your Tiki space!
Headhunters and Cannibals
A few of the Pacific island nations do have headhunting and cannibalism in their histories. The Fiji Islands are better known for this as their cannibal past is well documented. It goes back as far as 2,500 years ago and continued up until the 1800’s. Fijians are quite open about it as they accept it as being a part of their history. Today you can find wooden carvings which are wonderful replicas of cannibal forks and ceremonial dishes that were used in cannibalistic rituals in many stores where handcrafted items are sold. We also have a few pieces in our store. In fact, as we write this post, we are currently waiting for another shipment of cannibal forks to arrive!
As the Tiki craze became really popular, so did the idea of island natives carrying spears with skulls on them, witch doctors having shrunken heads, and other “headhunter” imagery. In creating tiki spaces, they are often included with a lot of plant life which is very similar to having jungles and rainforests as a theme. If you love using a lot of plants, headhunters with their shrunken heads and skulls are the perfect addition to jungle and rainforest bar scenes!
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Skulls and shrunken heads are prominently featured along with associated weaponry like spears and warrior clubs. True Tiki enthusiasts pay careful attention when using these design elements because they want them to resemble what would have been found long ago in the tribal villages of these tropical islands. They try very hard to have things look as authentic as possible and not have them look simply like a bunch of Halloween decorations.
Photo Credits: Tiki With Ray
Photo Credit: Pinterest
There is some really great island witch doctor and headhunter artwork out there, it just takes a lot of “hunting” around (no pun intended!) to find it!
Photo Credit: Pinterest
As with jungle and rainforest inspired Tiki spaces, the use of headhunters, witch doctors, shrunken heads and any other pieces of art and décor that can make this theme come to life are simply awesome. This theme is perfect when you want to add that certain sense of danger while keeping things fun at the same time. And it is based on history so you do have some authenticity which keeps the story you are telling with your bar genuine. So get those skulls and spears and create that headhunter island from which no one escapes!
Nautical
Using nautical elements creates a whole different kind of look in Tiki. This is bringing in the maritime look, or “life on the open water”. Here you have captain’s wheels, heavy ropes and netting, anchors and brass accents, old diving helmets, wooden oars and paddles, maritime flags, and of course glass fishing floats with lights in them.
A word of caution though: Depending on how heavy you go with nautical elements, especially when you get into things resembling parts of old sailing ships such as rope rigging, heavy beams, and wooden barrels, you can easily start crossing over into a pirate theme. Both include many of the same elements about the seafaring life so think carefully about what period of time you want your Tiki space to look like. Is it more modern maritime or is it truly from the time of the pirates and their Caribbean adventures? While the resulting looks can be similar, some people might not want the pirate look to be included.
In this example, notice how the heavy use of ropes, rigging and wooden crossbeams create a look which resembles an old sailing ship yet there is no pirate imagery.
Here is another example from this same bar which shows lots of wooden barrels, more glass fishing floats and more ropes and rigging.
Photo Credits: Smuggler’s Cove
This really cool bar features heavy nautical elements which create an awesome seafaring atmosphere without it being overly layered or decorated. When you compare this photo below with the 2 bar scenes above, you can see how a nautical look can either contain a heavy use of décor elements or a lighter use. Both work just as well!
Photo Credit: myTiki.life
When it comes to nautical, we think less is more so that you can show off each decorative element as these tend to really make a maritime and seafaring statement. You don’t want to include too many nautical pieces because then you will have a hard time making any one particular piece stand out. Once you have that part figured out and completed, start to incorporate bits of traditional Tiki. You will see how the look changes and comes that much more to life!
Pirates – Truly Authentic or Disney Inspired?
Ah pirates! This is a genre we love because it has one of the widest ranges of looks. You can either stay very true, authentic, and historical with the pirate look or you can go in a completely different direction with the look that first Disney and then Johnny Depp have made world famous.
For a historically authentic look, design and décor elements include a look that is very old world nautical. It is old sailing ships and their heavy ropes, riggings and beams. You would have pieces that are either real artifacts of replicas of those items from the time of pirates which include old telescopes, compasses, weaponry such as swords and guns, old maps, and artwork that is true to the look of pirates and the locations of their activity.
Or, as is probably the case for most pirate enthusiasts and Tiki bar owners, you can go the more commercialized route and include elements of pirate flags along with heavy ropes, riggings, and wooden beams. You would also have treasure chests, wooden barrels, and even imagery of the old Caribbean ports where they hung out. For the Disney inspired look, all a person really needs to do is watch a movie of two from the movie series which stemmed from the Pirates of the Caribbean rides at Disney’s parks. These provide imagery that millions can connect with. Thanks to these movies, decorating with Tiki in pirate style is easier than ever today because people are so familiar with it.
Here is a great example of an outdoor pirate Tiki bar. Just take a close loot at all of the details in each of these photos and you can see how there are a lot of pieces and elements you can use to create your own pirate Tiki bar.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
These next 2 photos are especially cool because they are part of an amazing pirate bar that was specially designed and created for a home. This link will take you to the story of “The Plundering Pirate” and it is a must-read! We highly recommend that you check it out because you can see the level of work (and expense!) that some people will do to get the most awesome place possible. While this level of expertise and design is not available to most people, you can definitely get some amazing ideas and inspiration from it!
Photo Credits: Phillip Freer Design
This photo is also from the same artist above and it shows how you can create a simple display like this for a small spaces. Even though it is small, it makes a big statement, especially when used in a cool Tiki space.
Photo Credit: Phillip Freer Design
So if the world of pirates will complete your Tiki space, we say “Go For It”! Pirate-themed Tiki bars create their own awesome energy, they are very inviting, and most of all, they are fun!
Surfer Beachcomber
The relaxation of the beach and a day of surfing take over this theme. It is a look that is less layered and has a more relaxed, outdoor approach to it. It blends beach elements with Tiki decor for a really casual vibe. It is flip flops, thatched roof huts, seashells, sand, surfboards, and pelicans. It also includes brightly colored birds like parrots and toucans. Jimmy Buffett would definitely visit! The color palette is softer with beachy pastels and neutrals tones as the foundation which are brightened with bold and vibrant pops of colors in accents and in tropical birds, flowers, and whimsical artwork which includes signs with memes, names of cities and how far away they are, and even neon signs.
Photo Credit: Spirithunters.com
Artwork and décor inspired by marine life such as various fish and sharks adorn walls and ceilings along with random pieces like surfboards, driftwood, and pretty much anything else that is inspired by the beach and crashing waves.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
This is a great example of how the use of lighter colors which look faded are a part of the pastel color palette work so well with the surfer beachcomber theme. They are not traditional Tiki colors but when elements of Tiki are mixed in, the combination is fun and beachy.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
This photo has some great ideas for indoor spaces if you don’t want to use a lot of décor pieces. The bamboo wall covering provides the perfect canvas for a larger piece of wall art which is complemented by a few random pieces of signage, an old license plate, and even a skateboard. The lighting is free of color as bistro string lights create the lighting atmosphere. Having a few large leaf tropicals brings in some natural color with their deep greens. This look would work perfectly when paired with an indoor bar.
Photo Credit: myTiki.life
When going for a surfer beachcomber look, you really can’t go wrong. It is a popular and awesome look that reminds many people of their visits to tropical beaches, especially those where diving and surfing are popular. Keep things easy and layer as little or as much as you want for this look. It will create the perfect escape!
Final Thoughts
We really hope you have enjoyed this post and have found it to be informative and helpful. We have covered everything from traditional Polynesian and the classic retro Tiki look to headhunters, pirates, and surfers hanging out at the beach. Tiki is cool and laid back. It is relaxing. And when you pair it with a particular theme that really works for you, it will come to life in ways for you that you didn’t expect. It is one of those things that you can imagine and carefully plan for in great detail and then realize how much better it looks in real life when you have completed it. So as you move forward with your Tiki dream space, go big and go bold! It is worth the time, money, and effort. You and your guests will truly love it!
