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If you adore distant exotic island locations and the tranquility and peacefulness they exude, there’s a way to bring those vibes straight to your home. The bathroom is an ideal place to start because it’s usually the first stop every morning after you wake up and the last stop before going to bed at night. By enhancing this space with indoor tropical plants and other rainforest-like features, you will be able to fully embrace the look and feel of the tropics. Sometimes just a few touches are all that is needed to create an ambiance reminiscent of the beauty of the islands of the South Pacific or other far off escapes such as Bali or the Maldives.
Learn Creative Ways to Make Your Bathroom Look Exotic, Stylish, & Serene
Whether small or large, a bathroom can be a great statement room. With careful planning, this space can be transformed into a paradise sanctuary regardless of where you live. From the simple addition of a few awesome accent pieces to a full remodel, continue reading on to learn more about how to transform your bathroom into a modern and luxurious space with the vibrant yet peaceful aesthetics of a remote, secluded island.
In this article, we start off by exploring 10 ways of bringing the atmosphere of the tropics into your home before presenting you with 20 design ideas. So to kick things off, here are some tips about materials, textures, color palettes, lighting, décor, and accents.
Interior Decorating with a Tropical Style
Image credit: 123rf/brizmaker via Balcony Garden Web
This approach to interior design ingeniously blends the natural elements of the tropics to create serenity and a sense of calm combined with vibrant beauty to your home. The goal here is to create a design that remains functional yet seamlessly blends the outdoors with the indoors. By bringing nature and its elements inside, you can connect with nature in a truly relaxed and peaceful setting without leaving your home. This can be achieved by bringing together:
- Plenty of natural light where possible
- Indoor tropical foliage (both real and faux)
- Natural materials with textures (rocks and stonework, different woods, rugs and accents made from woven grasses and fibers)
- Color palettes which reflect natural tropical settings
- Organized bath products, linens, and accessories
- Uncluttered floor spaces
- Sustainable design practices
These design elements can come together to create some pretty amazing results. In the sections below, we will explore these further.
Amenities
Image credit: Maison Valentina
To create a luxurious and relaxing atmosphere, choose spa-like amenities that add functionality, convenience, and value to your space. Indulge in features that help create the feeling of relaxation and Zen:
- Walk-in showers with steam, body jets, and rainfall showerheads
- Waterwalls and fountains
- Freestanding soaking tubs
- Soft, diffused lighting
- Natural stone countertops
- Wood vanities and benches
Indoor Plants
Courtesy of: Deavita.net via Arch20
To achieve tranquility and serenity, you have to return to nature. For your home, this means bringing nature indoors. One way of doing this is to add tropical plants to your bathroom to give it the lush and fresh ambience of a rainforests. If you don't have very little natural light or perhaps no light at all as some bathrooms are interior rooms, good quality faux plants work very well. And they only care they need is occasional dusting. For some great tips and recommendations for awesome faux plants, check out our earlier post which has a section all about those!
Indoor plants provide so many benefits such as adding life to a space in addition to introducing color, form, and texture into your design. They provide an easy way of reconnecting with nature without stepping foot outside. You can have them hang from the ceiling or placed on the floor. They can sit on countertops, shelves, and windowsills, or even be in the shower itself as space and light permit.
For live plants, choose low-maintenance varieties that can thrive in a warm, humid and steamy bathroom environment. Some suggestions are:
- “Marble Queen” and “Golden” Pothos
- ZZ plant
- Majesty palm
- Snake plant
- Aloe vera
- Monstera Deliciosa
- Lucky bamboo
- Philodendron
- Anthurium
- Spider plant
- Dracaena Madagascar Dragon Tree and Dracaena Golden Coast
- Rubber plant
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The Importance of Natural Materials
Image credit: Minimalism
One of the principal features of tropical design is the integration of natural materials. The use of these brings a simple yet organic look and feel to the space. When selecting materials, choose eco-friendly and sustainable options that are easy to maintain, such as bamboo, recycled glass, and reclaimed woods and metals. Exotic woods such as teak, and then rattan, stone and even polished concrete, are commonly used to recreate the feeling of a being at a tropical jungle destination in a hidden luxury escape with an outdoor shower and a secluded beach. When it comes to fabrics, select those made from organic materials and natural fibers such as cotton, jute, or linen.
Color Palette
Courtesy of: Edward George London
Color is a core element in home design. It sets the tone for how energetic or calming the space will feel. Base colors can include, whites, beiges, and light cream. You can go with darker blues, greens, and greys if you have lots of natural light. Use pops of bright color to accentuate the space. These can be vivid hues of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples that appear naturally in rain forests and in jungle flora.
Accessories
Image courtesy of Casacoulon Interiordesign
Accentuate the space with bath accessories that bring in the feeling of being surrounded by nature. Picture gorgeous cascading waterfalls and crystal clear turquoise water surrounded by large-leaved, glossy greenery. Look for accessories that fit into that imagery. You can feel as though you are just steps away from a sparkling white sandy beach when you choose the right pieces in the right colors and textures!
Some great choices include:
- Sinks made from natural stone or heavy artistic glass which bring in that tropical look
- Plumbing fixtures that compliment those stone or metal pieces
- Light fixtures which make a natural or tropical statement. Lighting that is labeled as "farmhouse" works great here!
- Stone accessories such as soap dispensers, toothbrush holders
- Bamboo window blinds (be careful with real wood, they can warp in the humidity)
- Bamboo shelves and dividers
- Woven rugs, baskets, stools, and chairs
- Mats or rugs made from jute, hemp, sisal or banana fiber
- Carefully chosen artwork and matching accents
20 Tropical Bathroom Design Ideas for Every Budget
Tropical design features lots of greenery, natural materials, rustic finishes, and rich colors. Plants, whether potted plants or designed to be a living wall of color, are the primary component of tropical design and work amazingly well in bathrooms. In addition to bringing in those necessary shades of green, they create that true tropical rainforest vibe. Just go with big plants with large, bold leaves. If lighter color tones are used on walls and flooring, your plants will stand all that much more.
Below, we have collected a series of tropical bathroom design ideas which we hope will inspire you. For a minimalist touch, less is obviously more. Choose a color palette with more neutrals when there is little to no natural lighting to keep things brighter.
1. Indoor-Outdoor Retreat
Image credit: DigDigs
Here is a wonderful example of natural elements which blend perfectly to create an exquisite indoor-outdoor bathroom retreat. The minimalism of the stone tiles and rockwork allow the tropical foliage to pop with color, form, and texture. The wooden element of the ceiling with its ambient lighting complete the look.
2. Small Bathrooms
Although this bathroom is small, it works. It is tastefully decorated with carefully chosen pieces that bring in the vibe of far off lands. The heavy use of wood, woven accents, and handcrafted accessories balances out the bold patterns of the flooring. The use of plants brings the atmosphere of an exotic jungle straight into to this space. The large mirror is a smart piece because it reflects the light and makes the room feel brighter and more open.
Image courtesy of Maison Valentina
3. Simple Luxury Oasis
Image credit: Luxury Bathrooms
Create your own simple luxury oasis by incorporating lots of natural stone elements and a cream color palette. The open-beam wooden ceiling creates dramatic visual interest. The free-standing bathtub works as the focal point since almost no décor pieces are used. A single large potted palm in a terracotta pot is all this space needs for a bit of color. When you have a lot of floorspace, that can make things feel a bit cold or empty. We recommend an additional potted plant or two as well as addition seating such as this teak bench. Teak works so well in bathrooms because the wood can stand up to the high humidity.
4. Modern Functionality
Courtesy of: Ventierinterior
Even if your bathroom is small, you can still make it opulent and classy while not losing out on functionality. Here, earth tones and neutrals are used from the vanity and accessories, to the wall art and the flooring. The large leaf plants positioned behind the large soaking tub provide wonderful color as they soften the look and bring the tropics inside. The large window provides ample natural light.
5. Vintage-Inspired Bath Retreat
Courtesy of: Vogue Scandinavia
If you are a fan of vintage décor, here’s an example of how to update your bathroom so it becomes a real vintage gem. A free-standing clawed tub surrounded by tropical foliage creates a wonderful antique or Victorian look. If you don't have a tub similar to this, no worries! Dress up the room itself with vintage pieces such as antique plants stands and ornately carved small tables with varying heights. Bring in a few woven baskets and vintage ceramics or pottery. Find vintage artwork and a mirror or two in antique frames. Textured rugs and off-white linen draperies for windows and to frame the tub or shower area will bring in additional warmth and help to created an aged look.
6. Simple Calming Oasis
Image credit: Decorilla.com
This bathroom is simple and evokes a calming sense of peace and tranquility. Its minimalist design makes it a great source of inspiration for what can be done without using a lot of furnishings and décor pieces. There is also no heavy use of color. The look is sleek and flows with a relaxing ambiance. The wood paneling brings in the necessary warmth and texture while the use of faux greenery provides that pop of tropical green color and adds to the mix of serenity and simplicity.
An important tip: When using any kind of faux plant panels indoors, especially when covering a larger wall area, we recommend unpacking the product outdoors and spreading them out so they can air out first before using them. If weather does not permit, lay them out in the garage or in another covered exterior space. Like most products made from man-made materials, these have a smell. Some products smell more strongly than others. The smell will disappear after a few days so be patient. You don't want that unpleasant smell in your indoor spaces.
Having said that, faux greenery such as these boxwood hedge panels are very cool because they are so versatile and really create a wonderful statement. Cleaning them is a breeze too. Just use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner and gently vacuum them periodically to keep them dust free.
7. A Modern Tropical Look
Image credit: Hindware
In this design, the shower area is separated from the commode area simply by using a partition wall. Different materials and colors are used in each section of this room to further emphasize the separations. A dark wood floating vanity, a round LED mirror and a sensor-activated faucet are just some of the modern luxuries that provide convenience and functionality.
8. Tropical Contemporary Retreat
Image credit: Design Café
Contemporary design features clean shapes, geometric patterns, and hard angles. Here, the designer used a beautiful dark ocean blue on the walls with a cool white color palette for the bathtub, sinks, and accessories. Light wooden tiles are set in a geometric pattern which creates a wonderful visual effect. A large indoor plant brings in a touch of the tropics. Large windows allow for plenty of natural light which softens this room and keeps it airy and open.
9. Rejuvenating Retreat
Courtesy of: Decorilla
Rejuvenate your senses with this tropical bathroom design. It creates a truly calming place for you to wind down at the end of the day. The shelves and wall niches allow for storage and display while woven bamboo shades are perfect as tropical window coverings. If you happen to have large windows with a great view, use that scenery as part of your interior decor. Bring in similar colors and decor pieces which accentuate the exterior scenery to create a seamless and cohesive look
A quick tip: Rocks and stonework are awesome. In spaces such as this, use large river rock in small non-traffic areas when possible. They add such an amazing natural effect. You can find them in the garden section of most home improvement stores. River rock is smooth, rounded and they are available in creams, greys, and blues. They are also easy to keep clean. Simply use the brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner. These are large enough to not be sucked up so you can keep these spaces dust free.
Related Reads on Tropical Living & Design
- 8 Easy To Grow Indoor Tropical Plants: Planting Guide & Styling Tips
- 10 Top Picks For Outdoor Tropical Plants: Easy-Care Options For A Vibrant Oasis
- Bring Paradise Home: 20 Tropical Living Room Ideas for Every Budget
- Create Your Dream Escape: 20 Tropical Backyard Ideas
- DIY Tropical! Project Ideas For Your Outdoor Tropical Retreat!
- Embrace Tranquility: Create A Relaxing Space At Home
10. Unique Bathroom Spaces
Image credit: DigsDigs
If you love character and flair, you might very well want to have a tropical bathroom that has a lively personality! Here, we see the perfect blend of repurposed vintage pieces with copper elements and lots of wood and greenery. Even though the room is small, the design details are awesome. They create a sense of being in a faraway tropical escape.
11. Luxurious Outdoor Bath
Courtesy of: Spotools
This luxuriously calming space features an awesome granite tub. Even if you don't have a stone tub, any good quality freestanding tub placed in an outdoor setting such as this can truly become your own unique tropical escape. The darker tub placed along side a lighter stone half-wall creates a nice area of contrast. The rich dark wooden walls and wood beam ceiling which open to large-leaf tropicals and Asian stone artwork easily make this space feel like it is in a remote jungle setting in Bali or Thailand. If you have the outdoor space where you can create such a setting, go for it. Most people who visit beautiful tropical resorts which offer outdoor bath spaces fall in love with them. There is something magical and luxurious about having an outdoor bathroom oasis. Create one if you can!
12. Simple Changes With Big Results
Courtesy of: Sherwin Williams
If you are not up for a major redecorating project, there are small things you can do that can have a big impact on how a space looks. For instance, create a statement wall. By changing one wall color from white to forest green and then adding a cool piece of wall art and a nice plant, you can achieve a major effect by doing very little. The green accent wall brings depth and contrast to this small bathroom which was previously all white. This is a simple and affordable upgrade anyone can do. And the wonderful thing about paint is it is just that. Paint. If your new color choice doesn't fully transport you to where you want to be, you can always paint over it with a new color!
13. Vanity Makeover
Image credit: HGTV
This richly-colored master bathroom features an eye-catching color combination. The kelly green cabinetry is placed against a black shiplap accent wall. The lush green brings the outside in while the black hardware creates a calm contrast against the green and a stunning contrast against the crisp white countertops. The knotted rope light pendants and the barn-style sconces with vintage bulbs are the perfect accents and bring a touch of warmth to this bath space. When updating your lighting, we highly recommend using Edison bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can create an effect like nothing else!
14. Tropical Powder Room
Courtesy of: Model Remodel
This powder room features lively palm leaf wallpaper, brass fixtures and accents, and a walnut vanity. Vivid colors are balanced by the white subway wall tiles and black hexagon floor tiles. Although this space is mall, it has loads of tropical flair thanks to bold prints, the wall art and the color contrasts. Don’t be afraid to play with various print and design elements just because the area you have to work with is small. You may be surprised at how well the end result turns out to be!
15. Luxury Tropical Texture
Image by: Malgosia Design
The sink area is an awesome example of textures resonating with the tropics. With its exquisite backlit bamboo-inspired wall, chocolate brown flooring, and beaded wall sconces, this space exudes the essence of luxury tropical style. The custom-made wash basin and the single white orchid plant sitting on the floating wood slab vanity bring in an additional hint of tropical luxury.
16. Hawaiian Inspiration
Image credit: Knudson Interiors
This spa-like bathroom is an indoor relaxation sanctuary in a Hawaiian home. Oversized wood-framed windows with bamboo window treatments offer an exotic island feel and help to link the outdoors with the indoors. The freestanding stone tub with soft rounded edges placed on a bed of large blue-grey river rock takes center stage. This tropical escape is the perfect blend of natural materials which creates a blissful retreat.
17. Tropical Jungle Vibes
Courtesy of: Studio DIY!
This refreshing bathroom is designed with elements that are reminiscent of a tropical jungle. The color combination is flora-inspired. Vibrant greens are paired with white and light pink which perfectly complement the medium-toned wooden vanity. The flooring features authentic cultural design elements from the South Pacific. All of the color and design elements blend together to create a truly beautiful and unique look.
18. Transitional Tropical Style
Image by: Susie Bettenhousen Design via Curated Interior
In this example, the result is a cool and serene bathroom like one would find on a sun-drenched island. The window with wonderful exterior landscaping allows for tons of natural light. The white shiplap walls, crisp white vessel sinks, and freestanding tub set against white walls allows the greens and neutral colors of the accents and accessories to pop and bring this space to life. They seamlessly allow the outdoors to be brought indoors.
Textural elements such as the woven-framed mirrors, bamboo window treatments, and woven baskets all warm the room. The tropical leaves bring and additional touch of the tropics to the room.
19. Island Inspiration
Courtesy of: Decoist
Here is another great example of a bath space which allows for revitalization and rejuvenation. Again, a lot of natural light, which is even better if you have a great view, is one of the key features needed in tropical bathroom escapes. With just a few changes to existing décor and design, you can create a powerful impact. The look and feel of a space can dramatically change with the use of wood furnishings and accents along with fabrics that are in whites and soft shades of blue. Add a natural fiber rug and some awesome plants , and you will find yourself transported to a tropical happy place.
20. Wellness & Spa Haven
Image by: Build Design Center
Here is more inspiration for you to turn your bathroom into a blissful paradise where pampering yourself can mean that much more. Take a moment and imagine this space without the indoor and our plants, without the small wooden table and without the rocks at the base of the tub. Even with this cool tub, this space would be very lifeless and boring. So it just goes to show you that by bringing in the tropics through the use of great plants, a few wooden and textural accents, and things like river rock scattered at the base of a tub, spaces like this can be transformed into tropical retreats. Again, as mentioned above, if you have wonderful plants and or landscaping visible from a window, use it to your interior advantage. Outdoor plants paired with indoor ones creates a more dense jungle vibe.
Final Thoughts
Many people don't realize it but bathrooms can be great places to relax and forget the rest of the world for a bit. Sometimes it only takes a few pieces of carefully chosen furnishings such as a comfortable bench or a relaxing chair with a side table, a few accent pieces and some new wall art to make the necessary changes. For us, plants are always a must. Not enough natural light or you simply don't want to care for real plants? Go with faux ones, there are a lot of great ones out there. They are aren't cheap but good quality, lifelike ones are worth the cost. Make some changes to light fixtures too. Bring in a couple of uplights if you have the outlets for it so cords are not in the way. A change in lighting can work wonders in creating the right atmosphere. The possibilities are endless!
