If you want to feel like you are on a secluded, paradise island even though you are at home, decorating your bedroom tropical style is a great way to start. This design style brings a truly relaxing feeling of serenity and escape, inspired by nature found only in remote tropical destinations.

Bedrooms should be used for winding down and relaxing. They are refuges for quiet intimacy and for restorative sleeping. We recommend keeping everything about them quiet and low key so that they can be the tranquil and relaxing spaces they are meant to be. Preferably, that means no TVs and no computers either! Even the use of cellphones should be extremely minimal.

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Whether you plan to either make a few updates or to fully redo your master bedroom or any bedroom in your home, you can find ways to implement exotic design elements which will instantly transport you to a tropical haven.

These same styling techniques can also be applied to other areas of your home including your master bathroom, your living room, and even your backyard!

How To Create A Bedroom, Tropical Style

Tropical style is all about recreating the fun, playful, but also serene vibes you felt during your island getaway. Think palm trees, bamboo and lush foliage, lava rock, earthy tones in all of the scenery, thatched roofs and woven textures, and other memories and imagery that create a true and holistic picture of your perfect tropical escape. To make your bedroom as authentic as possible and to create a resort-like feeling at home, keep things as natural as possible. Use raw or unprocessed materials, decor made of handcarved wood, coconut shells, hand forged metal, earthenware such as pottery, and woven mats or rugs. We recommend using a lot of plant life too as tropical plants are simply visual therapy. For those concerns about allergies or mold from potting soils, no worries! There are a whole lot of excellent faux plants available too!

Furnishings

Furniture is a vital component of interior decorating as it sets the tone and binds the whole space together. In bedrooms, the primary pieces of furniture are bedframes, headboards, nightstands, dressers, and others chests of drawers. Tropical style furnishings are typically defined by the use of sturdy darker polished woods. Tropical wood types include Hawaiian koa, mahogany, teak, mango, and even monkeypod. But of course, more traditional American hardwoods including oak, walnut, maple, cherry, and maple work just as well. All of these can bring the feel of lush rainforests to your bedrooms and living spaces. Wicker furniture made from rattan, bamboo or cane are also often used. However, there is no set rule about this because as we discussed in our earlier post about what the word “tropical” means to you, there are several different types of tropical styles and looks.

Once you know what “tropical” really means to you, be as creative as want and give your room the character you envision. Let your personality shine through the décor style. For example, if you love the look of rainforests with all of their darker greens, darker woods, and bright bold floral colors, go in that direction. But if you lean more towards serene beaches and the soothing sounds of ocean as described in our earlier post, go for a lighter look that is more beachy or surfer-inspired perhaps. The point is to choose the tropical look you like and then move forward accordingly. Use furnishings that speak to you. To truly personalize your space, use accents that include things like family vacation photos, cherished pieces that have been passed down in your family (vintage and antique pieces are always awesome!), and anything else that will help to make your tropical escape perfect for you.

Big, Bold Patterns

Another way to accomplish tropical flair in a bedroom is to incorporate bold patterns inspired by faraway paradise islands. Patterns usually feature big tropical leaves, ferns, palm fronds, exotic flowers, pineapples, and animal imagery. These can be used on wallpaper, cushions, comforters, pillows, upholstery, and rugs. This particular jungle print wallpaper is beautifully designed and creates an awesome tropical look.

In the example below, the wallpaper print has a great tropical vibe to it which looks like it was originally headed towards a wonderful rainforest look. But with the addition of the flamingos and their beautiful pinkish coral color, you have suddenly be transported to a tropical coastline (flamingos aren’t typically found in rainforests…). With a headboard to match the bird prints, a few similarly colored accent pieces, and the use of cane on the cabinet doors, this bedroom is now a light an airy tropical space!

When using prints on wallpaper and on accent pieces or bedding such as comforters, you can mix and match different motifs to add visual interest but just remember to keep a watchful eye on these. You want patterns to be related so that there is a visual flow. Large patterns create a focal point as your eye will be drawn to them. They can overtake a space if they are not used in proper amounts. Too much of any pattern can overwhelm a room and make it feel busy and chaotic. We have a post which addresses this issue as well, be sure to check it out.

Photo Credit: The other aesthetic

Wall Textures

Tropical styles also feature lots of textures from flooring choices to decor pieces and wall art. This can include walls themselves. Having heavily textured walls brings in so much character and visual interest as opposed to having only smooth and plain ones. One easy way to have fun with creating your tropical space is to put some texture on the walls yourself.

An inexpensive way to do that is to get a big bucket of joint compound or “drywall mud” as it is commonly known from a hardware or home improvement store. This mud has a consistency similar to peanut butter and there is so much you can do with it. You can create a wide range of effects from lightly textured surfaces to heavily textured ones. Here are few quick examples:

• Use a spackling knife to smear compound on the walls and then with a few lifting and patting movements which you then lightly smooth out, you can create a type of a “knock down” look.
• A roller tool specifically made for creating stucco-like textures will give you that stucco look as you roll it across an even coat of mud while applying different levels of pressure as you roll.
• You can even use things like a small garden trowel to create a hand-raked look by dragging it across the mud.

The possibilities are endless! And what is so cool is that if you find that after it has dried that your texture is too light, simply apply more here and there as needed and repeat your texturing method. Or, if your texture is too heavy, you can do a little “wet sanding” which mean you can simply wet an old rag or towel and lightly wipe down the area a few times as needed to tone down the texturing.

When you are ready to paint, give it a good coat of primer after it has dried. Or you can go straight to your color with a good quality primer blend paint. You can also experiment with different painting effects such as taking a very small amount of paint and diluting it in some water in a small container. Then with a clean damp rag, you can start carefully wiping it onto the walls in varying amounts to create a wonderful water color effect without removing the texture you created. Again, the possibilities are endless!

Tropical Color Palettes

The color palette that you choose for your tropical bedroom should be inspired by nature and be the essence of a tropical paradise. We discussed in our earlier post that the goal is the create a space that lets you relax in tropical style. Walking into your bedroom should take you back to the beach, releasing tension by breathing deeply while soaking in the warm sun. Or it should take you the tranquility of a rainforest where as you walk through the tropical beauty, you see and hear the calming sounds of rain drops falling on the leaves and a tropical bird or two off in the distance.

If you are having difficulty deciding on which color combinations to use or you need a bit of mental inspiration, try recreating the amazing and relaxing sounds of the tropics and then see what comes to mind. With a great sound therapy machine, it just might help you to visualize that perfect scene. Then when you have completed your tropical retreat, you can continue to enjoy the wonderful sounds of the tropics!

Decorating in a tropical style is different from coastal styles because it introduces hints of adventure and liveliness while still remaining calm and refreshing. When choosing your color palette, think of all the distinctive features that you love about exotic tropical locations, from the sugar white sand and sparkling turquoise waters to the breathtaking leafy rainforests beneath clear blue skies. Create a sense of opulence with lively accent colors such as coral pinks, brilliant banana yellows, vibrant burnt oranges, and foliage-toned greens. To balance these out, bring in some neutrals such as whites, creams, and woody browns.

Plants Are A Must!

Don’t hesitate about bringing indoor tropical plants into your bedroom. They bring the beauty and element of nature straight into your living space. Plus, many of these plants are considered to be air purifiers, so they are great for the bedroom. Snake plants, spider plants, kentia palms, peace lilies, and fiddle leaf figs are all good choices for your sleeping space. And they add authenticity to the room! But as mentioned before, if you suffer from certain mold allergies, potting soil in your bedroom be a problem. So really do consider the use of faux plants. There are some excellent ones out there such as giant bird of paradise and others that are truly worth the money. As with live plants and anything else in your room, they do require regular dusting to keep them clean (and your room allergy-free!)

Photo Credit: Glamour

Accents

Accents are important in interior decorating as they can make or break the room. In the bedroom, there are countless ways to use them. Wall art, pots and vases, plants, special mementos, mirrors, and so many other as available for use. Use some really cool pieces of rock or smooth stone, a few beautiful shells, an cool piece of tiki or two, or even a handcarved wooden sea turtle. If you have enough space, you can even add larger pieces like oars or a surfboard. Large pieces like those are great because you can either mount them on a wall or simply stand them up to fill in an empty corner.

You want to be connected to your tropical space. You want it to lift your spirits after a long day. You want it to help you maintain  positive mindset. As we have discussed in our earlier post about accents. the right décor pieces can transform a basic bedroom into a truly inviting and healing space which is the goal here. Simply choosing any random piece to fill in spaces here and there will not work. That will only create visual and mental confusion as you are pulled in a totally wrong direction.

Photo Credit: Instagram @mango_manor

Bedding

Choose bedding that complements the rest of the room and transforms your bedroom into a true tropical oasis. If you have had opportunities to travel in the past, try to remember where you stayed to see if anything about the decor used in your room stood out to you. If really stylish bedding was used, try to hunt for something similar online. If you will be traveling in the future, make a note to pay special attention to your room. While most hotels and resort simply use white bedding, sometimes there are special parts of that which might stand out whether it be a particular print or image, or maybe it is a perfect solid color to use at home.

Once excellent source of tropical patterns and colors for bedding sets and other household items is Tommy Bahama. They consistently come out with amazingly beautiful and high quality things of the home which will truly transport you to the tropics.

When updating your bedding, here are a few guidelines to remember:

• If your bed is placed against the wall with large prints, choose a toned-down comforter or bedspread. Use solid color linens.
• If the walls are plain, opt for a nature-inspired print or pattern on the bed.
• Make that the bedding colors you choose are visually pleasing to the eye as they blend in with the rest of the room. If you eye is not happy, you won’t be either.
• Keep the use of bright colors reserved for accents. Avoid using them on the walls. Too many bright colors will only add a lot of unnecessary energy to the room. Even with the lights off, they really can interfere with proper sleep.
• Choose high quality, high thread count, and breathable linens such as those made from cotton or bamboo. Spending a little extra on the best sheets possible to get the best quality sleep is truly worth it!

Photo Credit: Alfresco Emporium

10 Tropical Bedroom Design Inspirations

Some of the key inspirations of tropical design come from places like the South Pacific. They can come from Hawaii, the Caribbean, and even the Seychelles which is way out in the Indian Ocean. To help you beautify your bedroom, we’ve made a collection of 10 project ideas which we hope will inspire you.

1.  Simple & Elegant

This bedroom’s design incorporates natural materials, grey walls, and neutral colors. The floors are made of hardwood, while the focal wall is decorated with beautiful, framed leaf wall art in a gold color. Grey bedding and walls, which on their own could be quite boring, are complemented with a good selection of greenery, warm browns and jewel tones in the furnishings, window blinds, and accent pieces. The lighter shades found in the wood flooring really work and help to create this cohesive and elegant look.

Photo Credit: Home Stratosphere

2.  Outdoor Inspiration

This bedroom boasts doors and windows with deep, rich mahogany that is reminiscent of the tropics. The fabric colors really bring the outdoors in as the room comes to life with bright yellow accent pillows, muted green bedding, and touches of blue on the wicker chair and in the wall art.

Photo Credit: Southern Living

3.  Leafy Greenery

Sometimes all it takes is one big, great plant. But then we are very partial to palms because for us, they are simply the most beautiful forms of plant life!

This bedroom is modern and minimal but far from being bare and bland. Here, the design is based on several distinctive components — the large palm tree in a woven basket, a few minimalistic pieces of furniture, and dark hardwood floors. The bedding is crisp white as are the walls, the ceiling, and the window treatment. The use of accents is kept to a minimum which in this case, allows each one to speak for itself. The hats on the wall and the geometric-patterned pillow are great.  The whole design has a relaxing, vacation-like feel which we love.

Photo Credit: Hunker

4.  The Tropics For Kids And Teens

This tropical retreat is a true paradise! With its hammock chair, tiki bar-style window treatments, bamboo wall coverings, and lighted palm tree, this is a great escape for the younger family members. The white bedding and vibrant accent cushions against the perfectly chosen shade of blue for the walls allow the rest of the room to shine in true tropical style.

Photo Credit: Houzz

5. A Tropical Sanctuary

This bedroom is a wonderful example of how polished tropical styling with a rustic edge can look. Mustard yellow combined with warm grey and medium wood tones create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The textures from the woven rugs, the wood furnishings, and the plants add warmth and depth to this room. This is a bit of peaceful paradise!

Photo Credit: Amazon

More Tropical Home Décor Ideas:

• Tropical Wall Décor Ideas
• 8 Easy to Grow Indoor Tropical Plants: Planting Guide & Styling Tips
• Bring Paradise Home: 20 Tropical Living Room Ideas for Every Budget
• Transform Your Bathroom: 20 Inspiring Tropical Design Ideas
• Tropical Outdoor Living Room & Patio Ideas: A Guide to Creating an Exotic Oasis at Home
• 10 Top Picks for Outdoor Tropical Plants: Easy-Care Options for a Vibrant Oasis

6. Tropical Sophistication

This island-inspired bedroom feels like a permanent vacation. It’s simple yet chic elements of tropical design create the sense that you are only steps away from beautiful turquoise waters and a sandy beach when in fact, it is located in the middle of a suburban neighborhood. To create this vibe, combine creams with rich browns in pillow and bedding fabrics with lots of textures such as a storage bench, a high pile carpet or large rug, a textured headboard such as the lattice one shown here, and carefully chosen tropical plants.

Photo Credit: Liberty Flooring Solutions

7. An Enchanting Jungle

The design of this refreshing yet serene bedroom was inspired by tropical rainforests. This look is perfect for those looking to have their bedroom become a quiet tropical escape, which is what bedrooms should be. Here, bold prints are used on the bedding instead of on the wall. The large leaf design pairs beautifully with the headboard, the rattan furniture, and the wide-plank wood flooring. With plant life in different shapes and sizes, and visible at different heights, this room has lots of depth and layers. It truly has an awesome jungle vibe!

Photo Credit: Archi-Living

8. Statement Wallpaper

As mentioned before, wallpaper is making a comeback. In this instance, it is used in one small space. When considering wallpaper, most people think it has to cover at least one wall or perhaps even the entire room. Not true! If you have an area of wall space which can be highlighted on its own, such as a cutout or niche as shown in this example, wallpaper is a great option for use as a wall accent. You can even simply use a strip of it that is wide enough to match the width of your bed to create a cool focal point. This bed doesn’t even need a headboard, the wallpaper satisfies that need!

Wallpaper is very popular and the designs and patterns have come a long way. You can even create your personal designs and have them custom printed. These are no longer the wallpapers with the dated looks of the 1970’s and 80’s. Also, the product itself has become a lot easier to use, making them more versatile. Wallpaper is awesome and can used to create a world of tropical bliss anywhere in your home!

Photo Credit: Decoist

9. Organic Tropical

Nothing says “exotic islands” like using natural materials in combination with light and airy décor elements and some greenery. In this example, instead of rich, dark colors and big, bold prints, a modern tropical design is achieved by adding a bamboo canopy with light and airy curtains over the bed set against a crisp white floor and walls.  The woven baskets bring in some additional texture in addition to the wooden pallets which are used as a mattress platform instead of a traditional box spring (probably kind of creaky but very creative!). The crisp white bedding is perfectly paired with neutral  and navy blue pillows. The muted dark blue throw brings in a great pop of color as do the large leaf plants. This scene is a great example of casual and laid-back island living!

When trying to create a look like this, keeps things as natural as possible with unfinished woods and using only a few heavily textured decor pieces. Those elements will stand out beautifully against white walls and window treatments.

Photo Credit: Hunker

10. Colorful Sea Life

No matter which color palette you use, incorporating a few neutrals will keep things balanced. They can either be the main color element with accents being the source of needed color or they can be the accents pieces used to break up and tone down the use of bolder colors on walls, upholstery, and bedding. They are easy to work with and can be in the form of just about anything from paint colors to wood furnishings.

Here it is easy to see how different elements of sea life come alive with striking oranges, brilliant corals, light blues, and shades of green. This is an excellent example and it speaks to perfection. The vibrant color palette used in this room, including the smart use of the spring green shutter-style wall accents, is fun and lively yet relaxing at the same time.

This space works so well because it is bright but not too bold, it is full or character and personality, and it simply is “island chic”, like something you would find on a Caribbean island.

Photo Credit: Eastern Accents

Final Thoughts

This post was fun because your bedroom is supposed to be a happy place. A place of refuge. A place for peace and quiet. A place for being renewed and refreshed after a wonderful night’s sleep. We think it is actually one of the most important rooms in the home! So it is our hope that you have found some inspiration for your next bedroom transformation. These fool-proof tropical bedroom design ideas will help you to change your sleeping space into a year round tropical paradise. For more inspiration about how to decorate other rooms in true tropical style, visit our Tropical Design & Styling Guide!

For your convenience, here is a list of the products we have recommended which can really help to create an amazing and relaxing tropical experience!

1. Tommy Bahama - Peel and Stick Designer Wallpaper, Premium Botanical Wallpaper for Bedroom, Powder Room, Kitchen, Self Adhesive, Vinyl, 30.75 Sq Ft Coverage (Nassau Collection, Jungle)

   

   $39.06

   Buy Now

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   04/02/2025 07:42 pm GMT
2. Wooster Brush, 9-Inch R233-9 Texture Maker Roller Cover, Tan

   

   $9.09

   This texture roller is awesome for create lighter to heavier stucco effects using paint, drywall mud, and other course materials for walls and ceilings!

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   04/02/2025 08:21 pm GMT
3. Magicteam Sound Machine White Noise Machine with 20 Non Looping Natural Soothing Sounds Memory Function 32 Levels of Volume Powered by AC or USB and Sleep Sound Timer Therapy for Baby Kids Adults

   

   $20.99

   This white noise machine is great because it is non-looping and has a variable timer with 1 to 5 hours available. It is sleek, compact and puts out a great sound. The brook, waves, and rain options are great for relaxing in your personal tropical escape!

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   04/01/2025 10:50 pm GMT
4. Artificial Plants Indoor Outdoor - Artificial Bird of Paradise - 5 FT Decorative Pre-Potted Faux Modern Palm Tree for Stunning Decor - UV Resistant Evergreen Fake Tree

   

   $54.95

   This faux giant bird of paradise is the perfect addition when tropical greenery for your retreat is needed but you don't want fuss with live plants!

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   04/02/2025 07:50 pm GMT
5. New Arrivals: Beach, Home & Entertaining | Tommy Bahama

   

   Tommy Bahama provides some of the most beautiful home furnishings and accessories which are pure tropical sophistication. Their selections are sure to have just what you need to complete a truly authentic, high-end look!

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6. MFWFM Tropical Monstera Wallpaper Banana Leaf Wall Mural Wallpaper for Living Room Bedroom TV Background Wall Covering(Not Peel n' Stick)

   

   $139.99

   Bring the tropics inside with this beautifully bold and vibrant easy-to-use wallpaper! This is a wonderful option for adding color and visual interest to a space as no wall art is needed. The visual impact is awesome!

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   04/02/2025 07:50 pm GMT