Learn How To Create A Gorgeous & Functional Culinary Space With Exotic Island Vibes

Transforming your kitchen into a space that is inspired by the beach, the coast, or even a jungle rainforest is a wonderful way to experience the beauty and even the tranquility of the tropics with elements that speak to you. Using these elements can really turn an ordinary kitchen into a tropical happy place. While most coastal styles have a lighter and more weathered look that typically uses more faded and pastel colors, tropical styles tend to use bolder colors such as deep jungle greens and ocean blues with touches of vibrant oranges and rich shades of reds and pinks.

The Basics of Tropical Kitchen Design

The result of decorating in tropical style is to have the sense of being on a staycation all year round. It is about using island-inspired elements to create a serene balance of patterns, colors, and plants which in turn creates an atmosphere that lifts moods and soothes the soul. There are many different tropical styles which range from chic and lush to contemporary and minimalist. A simple internet or social media search will give you countless ideas on which style is just right for you. However, when decorating any space in your home, the idea is not to “copy and paste” ideas in an attempt to create something that looks like it came from a magazine but rather to create a space that reflects your character, your personality, and your preferences.

Materials

Choose natural materials which add texture, warmth, and depth to your space. Used correctly, these materials will pull together a wonderful, unified look. For example, stone or even concrete countertops which feature a large stationary wooden cutting board that is paired with similar looking wooden shelving can be a great start. Cabinetry that is either finished in wood tones or is painted should blend in color-wise with other larger surfaces. These material elements can easily be combined with more dynamic and vibrant elements such as barstools and chairs that are made from bamboo or rattan. These add great texture and if these feature any upholstery, it should be made from fabrics which can stand up to heavy use and are easy to clean. Sturdy leather is a great option too. Go as big or as small as you want with any fabric patterns and go as bold as you want with colors too!

Backsplash

Your kitchen backsplash is your chance to express your artistic side or your personality. It is the accent wall space of your kitchen. Here you can use either a single color or a combination of colors. You can even use an exotic and tropical pattern. Most backsplashes are tiled areas which allow for easy cleaning but some backsplash surfaces are solid surfaces too such as marble. Whichever material you use, backsplashes must be able to tolerate varying levels of moisture and heat. There are many options available so if you want to brighten this area of your kitchen, choose high quality glass, stone or porcelain tile. Sizes of tile range from small ones which can be used to create mosaics to larger ones that might have a particular pattern printed on them. Creating bright and bold backsplashes which highlight a specific tropical color scheme is an excellent way to liven up kitchen spaces. These will also complement the natural materials chosen for the larger surfaces.

Image credit: Sweeten

Color Palettes

Color is extremely important when decorating in tropical styles. Shades range from creamy whites and beiges to accents of deep greens, cool blues, bold oranges, and sunny yellows.

Lighter off-whites are excellent tropical wall colors because they reflect light and make spaces appear larger and more airy. They makes it easy to mimic the atmosphere of a paradise beach somewhere in the tropics because you can use accents to provide all of the color. White conveys cleanliness and a serene ambiance. It helps to create a truly relaxing vibe. To add vibrancy, use saturated colors for accents, even in small appliances such as toasters, coffee machines, juicers, and stand mixers! Of course, your backsplash can be the space that provides the largest splash of color too. If you are going for a bolder palette, choose one or more shades of hibiscus pink, vivid yellows, and deep oranges. These colors will give the space lots of visual interest and its own eclectic feel. If bolder colors are a bit too much for you, go with a more subdued palette that includes softer blues, lighter greens, and beiges or creams.

Lighting

In areas where you are performing specific tasks such as preparing food at the sink, on countertops, on a kitchen island, or at the stove, the lighting must be functional and provide enough visibility for you to safely work. Tropical-themed pendants mixed with track or recessed lighting over preparation areas are great options. Subtle LED lights can illuminate smaller spaces as well as being mounted above and below cabinets.

Pineapple-shaped pendant light, image courtesy of Bright MLS via BEX Realty

Accents & Accessories

While accents are usually décor items which function as visual interest, accessories act as both visually interesting items and things that you actually use. As mentioned above, small countertop appliances in really cool colors are awesome because these function as great accessory décor items as well. Items that show off tropical details and colors work so well in kitchen areas. They are a simple way to make a big impact. Try displaying things like glassware and decorative bowls, or even things like colorful oven mitts for a lively twist on tropical design. Using tropical-patterned kitchen textiles also helps to tie everything together.

Plants

We love tropical plants and in our honest opinion, you can never have too many tropical plants. Many exotic varieties flourish very well indoors and they can really bring the outdoors inside, regardless of the season and weather. If you have a small space, a U-shaped, or a galley kitchen, try placing a few smaller pots on your windowsill if you have one. If you don’t have a window immediately in your kitchen, choose plants which do well in more limited lighting such as peace lilies or Neanthe Bellas which are also known as parlor palms. You can have a single plant which creates a statement or focal point or you can have several of them, it’s up to you! If your kitchen opens up to a balcony or a deck and you live in a warmer hardiness zone, you can place one or more large potted plants outside to create a nice visual flow as the scenery of your space transitions from the indoors to the outdoors.

Prints & Patterns

Typical tropical patterns include the flora and fauna which can be seen in the natural landscapes of the tropics. Motifs include things like flamingos, leafy jungle greens, oversized orchid flowers, and tropical fruit. You can introduce interesting patterns by adding rugs, seat cushions, or tea towels in addition to any wall art you might have. It is details like these which help to infuse the tropics into your space with original and refreshing style. So look at lots of prints and patterns and then go from there!

Tropical-Themed Kitchen Ideas

The design style and architecture of your home have a lot to do with what you can do to turn your kitchen into an awesome tropical space. If you want to create a real tropical feel, you should ensure there is plenty of light, there is as much open space as possible, and that you use as many natural materials as possible as these help to bring the outdoors inside. Below, you will find 8 ideas about how you can turn kitchen spaces into practical yet gorgeous spaces which exude exotic tropical vibes.

1. Modern Outdoor Tropical Kitchen

If your home’s layout allows you to do so, consider adding an exterior kitchen space. Outdoor kitchens are very popular and they add great value to your home. When you are outdoors, it is easy to create an island-retreat vibe because you already have the elements of tropics available on warm and sunny days. Obviously your local climate will dictate a lot about what is possible and how many months you might have in true “shorts and flip-flops” weather.

If you are lucky to be living in an area where you are surrounded by nature as opposed to being to a more urban setting, having the local plant life become part of your tropical scene is not hard to do. If you live in a warmer climate, the landscaping is yours to create, especially around a space that can accommodate an outdoor kitchen. For colder climates, as we have mentioned before, keep things as portable as possible: use lots of potted plants from large to small!

Since an outdoor cooking area is every chef’s dream and it offers the same benefits as an indoor kitchen, the beauty of this space is that you can spend quality time outside with friends and family. And everyone loves a tropical space that is well planned and thoughtfully put together. These spaces can hold something as simple as some countertop space with a small grill or even a pizza oven. Or they can be as complete as a full size kitchen. Pictured below is a really cool and inviting outdoor living space with lots of the key features of tropical style: lush outdoor plants, lots of textured stonework, furnishings with woven seats, and a great mix of color with beiges that are accented with bright corals and several shades of green.

Maruccia residence, Photo by: Promised Path

2. Beachfront Kitchen

If you are looking for ideas about how to decorate so your space is bright and airy, take a look at this charming kitchen with its wood floors, white window frames, and flat-paneled white cabinets. The white cabinetry reflects lots of lights and provides an ideal neutral foundation for tropical accessories. The eye-catching marble countertop combined with white, blue and warm wood accents provides a touch of luxury in a tranquil ambiance. Strategically placed greenery brings in a great tropical island feel. This is a fantastic example of using a lighter design without a lot of heavy wood and bold colors.

Photo by: Courtney’s World

3. Caribbean-Style Kitchen

If you are not afraid of bold colors and want to use a lot of them, then you may want to explore how color is used in Caribbean kitchens. They typically feature bright and bold pops colors which are found in the local landscapes. Colors inspired by turquoise waters and cerulean blue skies are typical of this style as are rainforest greens, canary yellows, flamingo pinks, and oranges such as mango and apricot. In this décor style, there is very little use of whites. If neutral colors are used, they are usually warmer hues such as ivory or creams. As far as the main elements are concerned, Caribbean kitchens often feature tile flooring, mahogany or other tropical wood, and of course, more color.

Image courtesy: Casa Idea Design

4.  Modern Tropical Kitchen

It is clear today that the kitchen is more than just a place to cook meals. As the heart of the home, it serves many purposes and many times, it serves as a workspace for kids and parents. Because of this, it offers endless décor possibilities. Modern décor is all about functionality, efficiency and elegance. In this example, fresh white cabinets against white walls are combined with wood flooring. There are not a lot of details here and they simply are not needed. Modern style is more about openness, airiness, and practicality. The marble countertops and solid white backsplash add a level of sophistication while textured items such as woven window shades, woven pendant lighting, and a fruit basket complete the look.

Photo credit: Digs Digs  

6. Small Tropical Kitchen

Color is such an essential part of tropical styling and décor. Colors range from seashell whites which many times are used as base colors, to bolder hues resembling leaves, flowers or animals which are often used as accent colors. In this example, the owners of this small kitchen decided to use the backsplash as the place to pop with color. Green subway tiles, wood countertops, and a large, white farmhouse sink create a wonderful tropical vibe. The patterned window treatments, tropical fruit artwork, and pineapple shaped bowls all bring in more color and balance out the finished result.

Image courtesy: Barlow & Barlow

7. Contemporary Colorful Oasis

One of the easiest ways to add color to a kitchen is to create a vibrant backsplash. The palette of this room is bright and cheerful because the backsplash is fun and playful. With the toe kick space, pendant light, potted plant, and fruit bowl all in the same bright shade of sunny yellow, this kitchen is an interesting and laid-back space. Subway tiles in kitchens are a classic look and in this example, they are placed vertically which adds another layer of dimension. Here, a simple space has been transformed into a statement room. If you like this effect but perhaps do not want to change an already existing backsplash, you can still use this type of yellow (or any other bold color) to achieve a very similar result. Just look for furnishings and decorative items that all carry the same color but be sure that your chosen color does not visually clash with your existing backsplash color or any other sources of color in your kitchen area. Your end result needs to make sense and be pleasing to the eye.

Photo by Custom Interiors Lagnappe

8. Indoor Nature

Why not embrace the beauty of nature right in own your kitchen by bringing in as many décor elements as needed to remind you of a lush rainforest? Featuring light wood flooring, olive green cabinetry, and white marble countertops, this open concept space is all about connecting with nature. The organic materials, patterns, and textures help you to feel as if you are hanging out in a lush, tropical oasis. The abundance of plants, palm printed wallpapers, and woven decorative plates on the wall go perfectly with the oversized woven pendant lights. This is a very boho style tropical kitchen which is ideal for nature lovers and for those who need a truly peaceful space at home.

Image by Estilo Proprio By Sir

A Few Picks for Tropical Kitchen Décor

Polished Coconut Bowl

Made in Indonesia, this coconut bowl has a vibrant, colorful interior that is the perfect addition for any kitchen space.  It is available in three different colors – green, red, and white, and can be used to hold small items like teabags, coffee pods, or candies. You can also use a variety of decorative fillers such as seashells, colored pieces of sea glass, or some really cool small souvenir décor pieces.

Handmade Glass Plate

You can beautify your kitchen and wow your guests with this unique artisan-made Fijian Blue Ocean Plate. It was handmade in Fiji! The artist drew her inspiration from the ocean which is right outside her home. The color of this serving plate features the many blues of the ocean and the swirling shape is reminiscent of waves breaking against reefs and upon the beach. It is perfect for serving appetizers, seafood bites, fruit, and small desserts.

Coconut-Shaped Cocktail Glasses

Complete the look of your tropical kitchen with these incredible cocktail glasses which were made by blowing glass by hand into coconut husks. Offered in several different vivid colors, they are perfect for tropical-themed entertaining with family and friends. As each piece is handmade and the size, shape and color will slightly vary among them. They come with a woven base which is required for stability.

Final Thoughts: Create A Lovely Tropical Kitchen

Whether you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen completely or you just want to add a few décor pieces that will remind you of a paradise island, we hope you have been inspired by the ideas we have shared with you here. To keep things simple and easy while transforming your kitchen into a tropical retreat, begin with natural materials and use neutral base colors (light or dark), such as in countertops. Cabinetry can be kept neutral or painted in a wonderful tropical color. Bring in plants, décor, and accessories which add vibrant accent colors. Use your backsplash space to make a statement. But most importantly, keep the atmosphere serene and peaceful. If you follow these simple steps, you can create a bit of paradise in your own kitchen space which will be a refuge for you to refresh your mind and your soul. It truly can be a place that reminds you of ocean breezes and the beautiful, mystical charm of the tropics.

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