Why Is Lighting So Important in Tropical Home Décor?

Lighting represents a vital element of both interior and exterior design because it dramatically impacts functionality, spatial perception, mood and the overall feel of the space.

In the tropics, daylight both on sunny days and cloudy days influences how indoor and outdoor spaces will look. At night, awesome outdoor spaces at a great resort are magically transformed by well-planned and strategically placed lighting fixtures. Most people do not realize that both day and night, their tropical experiences are being heavily influenced by lighting. Their memories once they return home are defined by what they saw and that includes the lighting that was present at the moment.

An area with good illumination is instantly transformed into a welcoming living space with depth and dimension. Below are several examples of how light can affect space:

• It sets the mood – Cool, bright lights create stimulating and productive settings while warm lights are used in cozy and relaxing settings.
• Improves functionality of space – Different types of lighting can do this including task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting.
• Changes the perception of space and color – Adequate lighting can add dimension to a room (height, depth, width) by manipulating shadows and highlighting specific areas. Similarly, it can soften or brighten up the existing color palette.
• Spices up the visuals – As a decorative element, it can significantly add character and improve the overall look of an entire space.
• Highlights prominent features – It can be used to effectively accentuate artwork and architectural details at home.

But light also impacts people. In fact, light (and darkness) are the biggest external factors that can affect your mind, your body, and your inner clock, which controls sleep, appetite, and alertness. Because of this, it is crucial to choose light fixtures which will provide your desired levels of brightness but at the same time, will not disrupt your body’s inner rhythm. To achieve this, primary light sources should resemble natural lighting and enhance indoor and outdoor conditions accordingly while secondary light sources can provide more unique, fun, and dramatic effects.

3 Lighting Types & How To Use Them In Tropical Home Décor

Tropical style is all about playfulness, vibrant colors and natural materials like exotic woods, rattan, bamboo, and stone. Typical motifs include exotic birds, tropical fish, palm fronds, and banana leaves. For texture, you can use anything from wicker pieces, and sisal or jute items including mats to corals, seashells, and pieces of sea glass. But before you actually create your unique tropical look, you should become familiar with the awesome types of lighting that are out there so you can see how easy it really is to incorporate them into your space.

Ambient Lighting

Also known as “general lighting”, this is the most basic form of lighting used to provide general illumination for a specific area. Its main characteristic is uniformity. The entire space is evenly lit without contrasts, highlights, or shadows. Examples include chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lighting, wall sconces and other fixtures that wash the walls with light.

Where to use: Every room of the house, centrally positioned, closer to the ceiling.

Tropical style ambient lighting – A fantastic example is a large statement rattan pendant with a unique woven pattern. It can serve as a striking detail above a dining table or kitchen island and falls right within the tropical-inspired design scheme. If you have the space, you can create a group of them as pictured here for an amazing effect!

Photo Credit: Chandeliers Life

Task Lighting

Although ambient lighting provides illumination for the entire room, sometimes it is not enough for performing specific tasks such as reading, writing, preparing food, or crafting. In cases like this, task lighting should be used. Typically, spaces that need additional task lighting are desks, reading areas, dining tables, and kitchen countertops. To brighten your task area, you can use a variety of fixtures including floor lamps that provide more focused light, track lighting mounted above a specific area, as well as desk or tabletop lamps.

Where to use: Any work area including office desks, kitchen counters, kitchen islands, garage workstations, under cabinetry, bathroom vanities and nightstands. When it comes to the exterior of your home, task lights are commonly placed along pathways, at the top or bottom of stairwells, and above entry doors.

Accent Lighting

If you want to highlight a certain object or area within the room, use accent or spot lighting. The light that is cast on a particular item is substantially brighter than what an ambient fixture provides. This type of lighting accentuates specific objects or architectural features. Use this technique to bring attention to things like decorative items, artwork, alcoves, and sculptures. Accent lighting creates depth and adds dynamics to the space. Bear in mind that this technique only works when used sparingly. If you use too many of them, your space can end up looking like a museum or an art gallery so be careful! Fixtures that fall into this category are directional recessed lights, undermounted cabinet lights, and track-mounted spotlights.

Where to use: Direct these toward any feature or object you wish to draw attention to, such as a fireplace, a piece of artwork, a statue, a really cool plant, an entryway, or a display on custom shelving.

Exterior Lights

For outdoor areas, it’s important to use proper lighting for safety and security. Correctly positioned fixtures should illuminate pathways, driveways, and walkways so they are clearly visible. This also helps to deter intruders! Similar to indoor areas, you can use ambient lighting such as hanging lanterns or pendants on patios and porches along with accent lighting to draw attention to specific landscape elements, unique façades, or patio features. In addition to this, strategically placed fixtures can increase your home’s curb appeal and first impressions, thus boosting its market value.

Photo Credit: Edward George

How To Choose The Best Lighting Fixtures

When choosing light sources for your home, it is important to consider several factors:

• Function or purpose – Think of how specific fixtures will be used to determine which types to get and what kind of bulbs to go with them. Will one continuous level of brightness be used? Or should dimmer switches be installed?
• Room size and space – Consider the size of the room and ensure that the size of the fixture itself is in good proportion with the room’s layout. Measure the size of available ceiling space and compare it to the size of any furniture. Look at both and see how it makes you feel. You will notice if something seems off. You don’t want the fixture to be too big or too small for the space and its size should be relative to the larger pieces in the room.
• Color temperature – Select temperature colors based on the intended purpose of the fixture. Choose cool lights (5000-6000K) for performing tasks and warm lights (around 2700-3000K) for relaxation. Be careful though! Using cooler lights can create a cold, office-like feel when used for ambient or general lighting in a room so keep them for task lighting only. 3000K is considered to be “soft white” and 2700K is “warm white”. These are ideal for creating tropical escapes!
• Layer lighting –By combining several different types of light sources in one room you can ensure that there will be plenty of visual interest and a good amount of depth and contrast. This will also help to avoid making the space appear “flat” or washed out with colors not standing out as they should.
• Decor style – Make sure that the lighting fixtures you choose complement the chosen décor style. Trust us on this. Going eclectic can work with décor pieces and the occasional table lamp but it doesn’t always work with mounted light fixtures.
• Construction quality -All fixtures should be well-made and of good quality to ensure that they last as long as possible. Don’t skimp on quality!

Color Temperature

Photo Credit: runb.com on linkedin

Watts, Lumens, & Kelvins

When buying a box of light bulbs in years past, it used to be that you only needed to focus on the wattage because most bulbs were incandescent. But with the introduction of lower-energy bulbs that could still shine as bright as the sun, other units of measure came onto the scene. So at the risk of getting too technical, here is what you should know:

• Wattage indicates energy consumption. The higher wattage the bulb, the brighter it’s going to be. But…watts do not measure the level of brightness, they only measure how much electricity the bulb uses.

If you have a bulb that is lit, what color is it? Is it a bright white? Or does it have a yellowish-golden hue to it? This is important because as the brightness increases, you want the color it emits to be the color that works best for your tropical space. That brightness is measured in lumens.

• Lumens measure the amount of visible light that is emitted by the light bulb. These measure the level of brightness,

After knowing the lumens of your bulb, you need to understand kelvins.

• Kelvins measure the color temperature which is the warmth or coolness of the light. They indicate the perceived color.
• While the lumens focus on the quantity or amount of light, the kelvins focus on the color quality of it.

Here are two examples which help to show the relationship between lumens and kelvins.

• Example: A high lumen and low kelvin bulb could be 800 lumens and 2700 kelvin. This would be very, very bright and it would have a warm, yellowish light to it because 800 lumens is a high amount while 2700 kelvins is not.
• Example: A low lumen and high kelvin bulb could be 400 lumens and 5,000 kelvins. This will be dimmer because the lumens are low and it will emit a cool, bluish kind of whitish light because the kelvins are higher.

Kelvins In More Detail

So you’ve got your wattage, your lumens and your kelvins. It is important to balance all three together.

Photo Credit: Westinghouse

While lumens and watts can be directly compared to each other, kelvins cannot be compared to either of those because they are a separate scientific measurement. The number of kelvins also varies depending on the type of bulb and its manufacturer. Most light bulbs have the number of kelvin (K) printed on the packaging.

In short, the higher the number of kelvins, the colder and bluer the light becomes. Here are a few examples:

• 1,000K: A lit match
• 1,500K: A candle flame or small fire in a fireplace
• 2,000-3,000K: Sunrises and mornings, late afternoons and sunsets
• 4,000-5,000K: Mid-day, great for task lighting
• 6,000K: A lightly overcast sky. Physicians perform surgery with this lighting
• 7,000K-8,000K: Cool to bluish white. Sunny skies during winter
• 8,000K-9,000K: Factory and warehouse lighting
• 9,000-10,000: Blue skies in the summer

Photo Credit: rbw.com

Warmer yellowish lighting is better for entertaining and for relaxation while cooler or white lighting is better for performing tasks. Be careful because when you are using cooler lights, you don’t want to go too cold. Cold lighting can make rooms feel like an office or sterile like a hospital. Unfortunately, too many people are using it in their homes in their quest to be energy efficient without realizing that warm lighting is just as energy efficient. Cold white light is not comfortable or inviting and it just doesn’t work in tropical design.

A soft white is going to be around 3,000K while a warm white is going to be lower at about 2,700K. So if you see 2700K on a pack of bulbs, that is a standard “warm white” which will be perfect for tropical escapes. For these spaces, warmer is better.

If you really want to bring in that kind of vintage, antique yellow warm look and have the bulbs themselves be something really, really cool to look at because of their amazing filament designs, check vintage bulbs which are also called Edison bulbs. They used to come in one kind of standard elongated shape, but now there are all kinds of them available. Those are awesome!

5 Ideas For Tropical Interior Lighting

Designing a peaceful and attractive living space requires a bit of research, some planning, and smart purchases. For some people, adding a simple seashell lamp is enough to transport them into an imaginary exotic destination. For most people however, it usually takes a bit more than that to create a lovely coastal or tropical feel throughout the room.

When choosing tropical lighting for your interior, there are several ways you can go. You want the temperature of your lighting to balance with your color choices. Yellows, oranges, reds, and browns are warmer colors. Blues, greens, and whites are cooler colors. That is why a color palette of turquoise, aqua, green, and blue, which are hues that are easily found in places like the Caribbean or the South Pacific, is so easy to pair with lighting in tropical design. When these cooler colors are paired with warmer lighting, the result is a wonderful balance of color and lighting.

Regarding the lighting fixtures themselves, imagine places like Bora Bora and Fiji even if you have never been. It is easy to imagine materials such as sand, corals, bleached wood, and tropical plants. Fixtures can feature many types of textured surfaces and shapes. One example is a lamp or a ceiling fan with palm leaf motifs. These really help to bring the tropics indoors. So regardless of which way you choose to go with these images in mind, check out lots of different fixtures so you can find the ones that will really help you to reach that vacation state of mind in your personal tropical space!

The Differences Between Chandeliers and Pendant Lighting

This is worth noting because depending on the size of the fixture you are considering, there can be some confusion between the two. Also, chandeliers are not always what most people imagine them to be. You might not think that chandeliers belong in tropical design but once you know that there are many different styles, you might just want to give them a second look!

Chandeliers are simply multi-bulb hanging light fixtures. The individual sockets are mounted on a single frame which may or may not include multiple branches. They can be very simple in design or they can be very ornate. They can hold many light bulbs depending on their size. Each bulb placement sits within a detailed form and pattern so that the fixture as a whole makes a statement and acts as a decorative centerpiece. Most chandeliers use either candelabra bulbs (E12) or chandelier bulbs (E14). These bulbs are not the same as they are different sizes so be sure to check which bulbs your fixture will need.

Chandeliers are usually found in large living rooms, dining rooms, entryways, and over staircases. They are typically larger than pendants and their frames and any accompanying glassware are much more ornate than pendants. They are hung from ceilings just as pendants are but many times, chandeliers require higher-than-average ceilings because of their size and scale. Some also include a large number of expensive glass or crystal pieces which are positioned and hung from a metal frame while others feature fancy and very detailed metal work, again with multiple bulb placement.

Mini chandeliers are available which do not require tall ceilings and can be used in spaces such as over dining room tables. Their styling can still be more on the ornate side so you need to consider that when planning the finished look of your space.

Pendant lights on the other hand are typically used over dining room tables, kitchen islands and countertops and freestanding or built-in bars. Larger ones are often used in entryways. These are smaller light fixtures and are simpler in design. While they can be very dramatic, they are typically not as big nor are they as grand as chandeliers. Pendants are available in a wide variety of sizes from large to small and most use a single bulb. There are larger styles that might contain 2 or 3 bulbs at the most.

Smaller single-light pendants can be either used on their own or in small groupings such as over kitchen islands or bar tops. Both chandeliers and pendants are available in a wide range of types and styles ranging from vintage and classical to farmhouse and tropical.

1.      Tropical Table Lamps

This tropical table lamp features a round bamboo lampshade in a natural finish with a black metal tripod base. Because of its beautiful detailing, it emits a gorgeous light and creates cool wall shadows. This makes it a great decorative lighting piece which is suitable for many spaces. It can be used in living rooms such as on a side or console table, on a bedroom nightstand, in a dining room on a sideboard or buffet, or in an entryway on a foyer table. So be sure to look at a wide range of table lamps to see which ones will help you to achieve your end result.

Photo Credit: Eglo

2.      Bathroom Task Lights

Apart from general lighting, your tropical bathroom should also have adequate task lighting available for those daily hygiene and beauty regimens. This kind of lighting is usually mounted on the wall and placed either next to or above the vanity mirrors to brighten up the sink and counter space. But it doesn’t have to be boring! Consider adding a dramatic look that adds a real burst of tropical design style. In this example, knotted rope light pendants and the barn-style sconces with vintage bulbs are the perfect accents for this bathroom 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! And when they are put on a dimmer switch, even better!

Image credit: HGTV

3.      Dining Room Chandelier

A lot of people dismiss chandeliers because the word alone creates images of large and ornate, crystal-laden light fixtures that belong in grand mansions with a grand piano nearby or in hotel ballrooms. But as mentioned above, the right dining room fixture can function as an additional piece of art, even in tropical design! Chandeliers do not have to be overly grand or ornate. If you’re looking for a real conversation piece, shop around. This example is one that works. With its organic, leaf-shaped structure and six candelabra bulbs, it not only adds to the tropical atmosphere but also brings in a fluid form that one would find in the natural surroundings in the tropics.

Photo Credit: 1-800Lighting

4.      Tropical Pendant Lights

Tropical style also includes organic and earthy elements which have a lot of vibrant personality, just like the kitchen pictured here. It exudes lots of character and playfulness and helps to create an atmosphere that reminds you of what can be seen in tropical rainforests and jungles. In this example, you can see how the colors of tropical fish and exotic flowers are incorporated into the overall décor. Adding neutral pendant lights against vibrant décor elements and the backsplash balances out the space and creates a bubbly and unique tropical kitchen.

Photo Credit: Work-tops.com

5.      Uplights

Simplicity is sometimes a wonderful thing and uplights are exactly that, they are simple and easy to use. These fixtures are small spotlights that sit on the floor. They can be angled slightly to highlight artwork, architectural features, wall textures, specific furnishings, and plants that make a statement. Outdoors they are used at night to light up palm tree trunks, beautiful landscaping, and outdoor statement pieces such as boulders and water features. Here is a great example of how two uplights placed behind chairs can make a dramatic statement. These lights also operate with a remote that can dim them and change the bulb color as well. Inexpensive accessories can create awesome effects!

Photo Credit: Eglo.com

1.      Outdoor Hanging Lanterns

Add a special touch to your tropical patio by hanging stunning spherical pendants with dual shades such as these. These woven Balinese designs are available in two-tone finishes – white and natural tones on the inner sphere and white and chocolate on the outer sphere. Natural materials, neutral colors, and an earthy look make these hanging lanterns a perfect addition to any tropical-style outdoor living space by bringing in a touch of Bali!

Photo Credit: Maxim Lighting

2.      Uplights For Tropical Style Backyards & Outdoor Spaces

Uplights are fixtures that are placed at or close to ground level and shine upwards at a slight angle. They are often concealed either in the greenery of the lawn, at the base of a wall, or behind larger landscaping elements such as rocks and boulders. When light is cast upwards, it adds elegance and so much depth to outdoor spaces. It showcases the grandeur of the entire landscaping area. If placed correctly, it jazzes up the space and creates a truly amazing and dramatic tropical atmosphere. We love uplights and they are perfect for your tropical backyard!

Photo Credit: Illumination FL

3.      Tiki Bar Lighting

What better way to bring the vacation vibe home than to have a tiki bar? To be sure your bar looks as authentic as possible, try positioning the lights as if they were placed there unintentionally. That might sound a bit strange but it’s true. There should be a bit of haphazardness to your lighting. It should not look like it was planned and then installed in an orderly manner.

Tiki lighting is a group all of its own which takes the three primary styles of tiki (Polynesian, contemporary, and nautical) and blends them all together. So while you can focus on specific elements of each style, you can also incorporate all three together as you wish to create your own unique look. The whole idea is to create a style of your own which best reflects your personality and taste. Tiki lights include tiki torches, tapa cloth lights, glass float lights, string lights, pufferfish lights, bamboo and rattan shaded lights, neon lights, and a whole lot more.

There is a wide range of tiki lights on the market today so you should do a bit of research first before making your first purchase. If you are on Facebook, several excellent tiki groups focus on everything from building your tiki space from the ground up to furnishing it with every possible detail. You can check out this tiki bar group as there are artists in it who make tiki lights which are available for purchase. Also, don’t forget to consider the following: Choose weather-resistant materials for outdoor tiki bars, avoid hanging lights where they can easily be broken by the wind, and avoid placing flammable tiki torches near flammable materials. Careful placement goes a long way in saving money and in staying safe!

Photo Credit: Bestway Portable Buildings Inc.

4.      Walkway Lighting For Your Tropical Garden

Walkway or path lighting is very important, not only for easy navigation in low light conditions, but also for the ambiance and welcoming atmosphere it creates. There are several different types of lighting in this category, each serving a different purpose. There are side-mounted step lighting and downlights in addition to a variety of path light styles. Depending on your energy preferences, you can use either electric or solar-powered lighting. To find the perfect solution for your property, calculate how many lights you need and consider things like functionality, brightness, and weather resistance. Be strategic in your planning when thinking about where each fixture should be placed. All of these considerations will help to determine if solar will supply enough power or if you should go with electric. Remember that when individual solar lights are placed in areas that are largely shaded, they will not work well, if at all. Lighting will be dim or even non-existent. You can always consult with professionals who can offer assistance and recommendations for the best products to suit your needs.

Photo Credit: Nite Time Décor

5.      Wall Wash Lighting

These soft outdoor lights serve to evenly illuminate wide surfaces. Wall washing entails vertical, indirect lighting. To make sure the wall (or the area you want to brighten) is well-lit, be sure to angle the fixtures correctly. Wall washing is popular in outdoor design because it not only emphasizes the architectural details of the house and its façade, but it also provides a very upscale and resort-like feel to your space.

Photo credit: LeonLite

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day (literally!), you want your indoor and outdoor tropical escapes to be illuminated in ways that go way beyond just regular old general lighting. While some general lighting is necessary, it doesn’t have to be the sole source of illumination. Spend some time to really focus on the details. Small corners with specific furnishings are perfect spots for a vignette or specialized lighting which provides wonderful accent lighting to highlight those spaces. Larger accent lighting can come from fixtures such as pendants, strategically placed uplights, and awesome overhead lighting such as string or bistro lights. Many of these fixtures can also be used outdoors in addition to beautiful walkway and path lighting. You can add in a really fun and party atmosphere as well by creating an indoor or outdoor tiki bar, complete with all of the colorful specialty lighting and tiki torches!

Lighting is an essential need for everyday living. It is also a very important necessity when creating tropical spaces, just as important as color choices, artwork, décor, and accent pieces. So consider it carefully in your planning and then don’t hold back when using it to make your tropical escape come to life!

Read More About Tropical Design

1. Tropical Colors for Your Home: Stunning Curb Appeal
2. A Guide to Creating an Exotic Oasis at Home
3. 10 Tropical Pool Landscaping Ideas
4. 8 Easy to Grow Indoor Tropical Plants
5. 10 Tropical Bedroom Design Ideas & Practical Advice
6. Transform Your Bathroom: 20 Inspiring Tropical Design Ideas