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Are you captivated by tropical décor that is reminiscent of the gorgeous islands in the South Pacific, Hawaii, or the Caribbean? Are you dreaming of turning your own living room into a tropical paradise but are not sure how to accomplish the desired look?
Whether you are thinking of making a few minor changes such as adding simple accessories, or planning to completely renovate the space, you have come to the right place. We will help you infuse your space with the exotic allure and charm of the Fiji Islands, Seychelles, the Maldives, the South Pacific, and the Bahamas.
Infuse Your Home With Tropical Charm
In this article, we have compiled useful tips, ideas, and recommendations on how to give your living room a tropical makeover. Our goal is to guide you through the process while exploring patterns, colors, textures, materials, plants, and motifs that bring the outside into your room while capturing the ambiance of lush vegetation and the tranquility of the tropics.
Whether you are on a tight budget or not, and whether you live in an apartment, condo, or a family home, we will show you how to transform your personal space into a stress-free escape all year round.
With the design ideas below, you can make small décor changes that will have a big impact. Get inspired to bring the rainforest and jungle vibes into your home. With a little planning and creativity, you can create a stunning tropical look without breaking the bank.
What Is Tropical Interior Design?
Tropical interior design originated in the 19th century, a period marked by exploring faraway exotic lands. But tropical style is not just a design. It is a philosophy and a reflection of a stress-free way of living that glorifies the charm and diversity of tropical regions worldwide, from Puerto Rican rainforests to the sandy beaches of Bora Bora.
It mimics the ambiance of a carefree life, calm seas, gentle breezes, the soothing sounds of the ocean, and exotic wildlife. This authentic tropical style is all about connecting and becoming one with nature, and bringing many of the outside elements inside. These elements are inspired by exotic flora and fauna, vibrant colors, natural materials, light textures, tropical fruit, bold patterns, and so on.
While contemporary tropical style is more eclectic, since it mixes modern aesthetics with tropical elements, minimalist tropical style is characterized by clean lines and muted colors with pops of color. What’s most important is that either style embraces the tropical settings in a fun, vibrant, and unique way.
Contemporary tropical style. Image credit: Cubicoon
7 Main Characteristics of Tropical Design
Tropical interior décor emphasizes a sense of relaxation and calmness specific to the islands such as those found in the South Pacific or in places like Bali or the Caribbean. Let’s explore the main features of tropical décor style:
Natural Materials
If you want to create an authentic tropical look, using natural materials is a must. Materials such as bamboo, rattan, stone, and both weathered and polished woods such as teak and mahogany reflect the earth-friendly authenticity of tropical cultures.
Handmade, ethically sourced décor will provide your space with the traditional craftsmanship that local artisans have used for centuries. Include accents made from fabrics including linen and natural fibers including jute and sisal and you've got yourself a true tropical space.
Color Palette
Tropical style is typically inspired by vibrant hues that can be found in nature, such as:
- blues such as turquoise, cerulean and azure (ocean, sky)
- golden, brass & copper tones (sun-drenched sand, sunsets)
- greens such as moss, fern, and forest (dense vegetation)
- bright reds, oranges, yellows, pinks (tropical flowers and fruit, corals, tropical fish and birds)
When these are combined with neutral colors (browns, beiges, and whites), they achieve a perfect balance and a harmonious look.
If a more visually minimalist result is the goal, incorporate more neutral tones while using specific vibrant colors more sparingly.
Cool aqua blue waters of Blue Lagoon, Vanuatu island. Image credit: Escape
Hibiscus flowers. Image credit: Rotorua Pacific Island Trust
Bold Patterns
Typical tropical patterns include various types and sizes of leaves, palm trees and fronds, florals, exotic fruits, and shapes and patterns found in nature. There are many ways to add tropical motifs to your living room, family room, or any room in your home. These are a few examples:
- Accent wall (leaf patterns, florals, pineapples, exotic animals)
- Fabric wall hangings (throws, tapestries, scarves)
- Cushions (leaf patterns, palm patterns, subtle shades of green)
Raw wood, lush plants, banana leaf pillows. Image credit: H&M
Natural Light
Large windows, skylights, and glass doors are typical for tropical interiors. Natural light is key in tropical spaces. It opens up spaces, making them airy and inviting.
Don’t be afraid to play with natural light sources. Even if your living room does not offer a lot of natural light, there are ways to maximize sunlight. You can always use mirrors to brighten up a room. Mirrors will open up your space by reflecting light into areas of the room which tend to be darker. Strategically placing a mirror or two can resolve that issue. Replace heavy window treatments with lightweight, semi-translucent curtains to enhance softer light.
Tropical Indoor Plants
Another crucial feature of tropical décor is plant life such as large, leafy plants like Monstera, Begonias, Bromeliads, Kentia palms, Golden Cane palms, or Birds of paradise. Adding botanicals is a simple and affordable way to bring life and vibrancy to your living room, imitating the lush tropical foliage found in places like New Caledonia, Zanzibar, the Maldives, and Mauritius.
Large plants are perfect for livening up unused corners while vibrant flowers will brighten up your space. For a more minimalist look, opt for white florals that complement greenery and light-colored walls. If you are a beginner with house plants, Spider plants or ZZ plants are good first choices as they are easy to grow.
Tropical plants as focal points. Photo credit: The Nordroom
Indoor plants are beneficial for many reasons:
- Enhancing interiors
- Purifying air
- Absorbing sound
- Calming effects
- Therapeutic & stress-relieving
Accents
There are countless ways to add tropical ambiance to your living room and accents will do the trick:
- Handcrafted wood carvings, figurines, masks and pots
- Handcrafted metal sculptures
- Quality keepsakes from your travels to tropical destinations (nothing tacky or touristy!)
- Carefully selected art which complement tropical styles
- Ornamental decorative items (vases, bowls, serving boards)
- Handblown glass artwork
- Woven baskets and mats
- Terracotta clay pots
Photo credit: KBInteriors
Fabrics
Natural fibers such as linen, sisal, silk, seagrass, and jute complement the organic look of tropical style. Sofas and chairs can be upholstered with linens and pillows with silk, rugs can be woven from seagrass or sisal, and ottomans can be covered with jute. Fabrics are a great way to add more texture to your room. Add in organic cotton curtains and some bamboo placemats on a table to complete the look.
How To Incorporate Tropical Design Into Your Living Space
Below, we have compiled several essential tips on how to bring the vibe of exotic beaches and enchanting jungles into your living room décor.
- Balance is key – Avoid too many competing bright colors. Choose animal prints in neutral colors. Add a few larger décor pieces as this helps to create a more balanced look without things becoming to crowded or visually busy.
- Let you personal style shine through – Your design should speak to you, whether it’s by using deep hues of orange and pink or bright sky blues. This is your space and you have to be sure it takes you to where you want to be! If you allow yourself to unleash your creativity, you will ultimately get the layout and the look you will love.
- Choose accessories that last - Since your design preferences can change over time, invest in accessories that are well made and that you genuinely love. These will last longer and you don't have to worry about trends that come and go.
- No need for full room remodel –You can make a big impact even with the smallest changes. For instance, adding a statement piece of wall art or a handmade kava bowl will make your space feel more exotic.
- Layering – By layering furniture and accessories in proper amounts using different materials in contrasting colors and textures, you can be sure that your space will neither be overpowering or monotonous.
20 Tropical Living Room Ideas You Will Love
It’s time to bring the tropics to your home! Continue reading to find tropical design ideas that will help you transform any room in your home into a place of bliss and serenity.
1. Rejuvenation Retreat
Turn part of your living room into a dedicated wellness sanctuary reminiscent of the South Pacific. By having a nook for de-stressing which is only seconds away, you will be able to escape and travel to tropics without actually leaving your living room.
Furnish the space with soothing and calming elements. Include pieces such as quality ergonomic chair or sofa, indoor fountains, ambient lighting, and plants that purify the air. All of these elements will help you relax after a stressful day, making it a perfect serene retreat.
Photo credit: Homilo, interior design
2. Modern Tropical Living Room
Unlike traditional tropical design which includes bright colors and multiple textural elements from dark polished woods to lighter bamboo pieces, a more modern tropical style includes simple, clean lines and less color contrast. In this example, the only color that really pops is from the bright green plant.
Everything else, including the pots, chairs, walls, floors, and cushions, are in neutral, earthy colors. Introducing big and bold furniture pieces in this color scheme increase visual interest.
Image credit: Pinterest
3. Dark Wall Art & Neutral Upholstery
This small tropical living room includes bold prints, neutral upholstery, dark wall art and exotic plants. Even though there isn’t a lot of square footage, the illusion of a larger space is achieved by using a clear coffee table and painting the walls white. A few strategically placed ornate accents and a single large palm tree accomplish the desired look of being in a lush tropical forest.
Image credit: Shelterness
4. Caribbean Tropical Living Room
Create a tropical haven in your living room by using shades of cream and coral prints with dark wood.
Combined with dark wood moldings and a dark hardwood floor, the coral prints stand out against the neutral upholstery.
Phot credit: Architectural Digest
5. Caribbean-Style Great Room
This open-concept space features a living room and dining area with vaulted ceilings, off white walls, and lots of natural fibers in the window shade and rugs.
Oversized banana leaves and tropical flower arrangements complete the tropical look in this airy space.
Image credit: Southern Living
6. Industrial Tropical Living Room
This elegant living area is designed with green and grey tones. The modern seating is covered in soft, textural fabrics. The industrial vibe is softened by using a variety of wall art and is enhanced with the use of hanging and potted plants. Items of different heights and shapes create visual interest.
Photo credit: Design café
7. Living Room With Character
Here’s a wonderful example of how you can transform a room and get that "Wow!" effect when you get creative and let yourself shine through.
With just a few statement pieces such as the mural on the wall and its ornate molding, a handcrafted bench used as console table, and a bit of tropical greenery, these homeowners created a little piece of paradise at home.
Image credit: Hector Sanchez
8. Boho Tropical Living Room
This room combines tropical and boho styles. "Boho" is a style that is artistic, informal, and unconventional. It is also referred to as "Bohemian" or "Boho chic" and comes from a fashion and lifestyle choice that is unconventional and free-spirited. In this room, neutral colors from the cream walls to the rug and accents provide brightness and airiness. The leather sofa and wood furniture anchor the room with the baskets and potted plants providing the tropical feel.
Photo credit: Shelterness
9. Indoor Water Element
Create a truly serene space by adding an indoor mirror waterfall fountain in addition to tropical greenery. The sound of gently cascading water will have a tranquil calming effect and will greatly enhance the tropical atmosphere you are creating.
Image by: Décor Matters
10. Tropical Décor For Small Spaces
If you don’t have a lot of square footage but still long to have a piece of the tropics at home, here’s an idea for you.
Select a designated area in the room (a console table, a mantle, side tables, or a bookcase) where you can display decorative items that remind you of the tropics.
Pictured here are greenery displayed as a focal point on a console table along a small jar filled with rocks. Include matching keepsakes from past travels and a large-leafed floor plant or two, and you will have created a bit of that wonderful tropical ambiance!
Photo credit: Fodona
11. Bali-Inspired Living Room
This living area is inspired by the wonderful island of Bali. Lots of light comes in through the floor-to-ceiling glass panels which open to the outside.
This spacious room is a great example of how you can use large, leafy outdoor plans to create a lush jungle vibe indoors. This room incorporates an industrial style with mid-century and tropical to create a truly unique look.
Image credit: Bali Interiors
12. Accent Wall
In this example, the wall is the focal point. It features bold tropical prints and the smart use of neutral furnishings to create a well-balanced toned-down look.
If you decide to use wallpaper with a bold pattern, check the repetition of the pattern on the wallpaper to ensure it will not take over the room. Also, don't crowd the room with too many pieces of furniture or with too many accessories. You want the wall to remain as the focal point.
Image credit: Wallmur
13. Vibrant Colors of Tropical Rainforest
This tropical-style living room bursts with the natural hues of paradise. The terracotta walls pair exceptionally well with glossy green leaves of the bird of paradise plants.
The muted upholstery colors blend well with the lively floor tile pattern while the blue ottomans are reminders of cool ocean waters.
Photo credit: Benjamin Moore
14. Eclectic Tropical Living Room
Eclectic style is based on combining different styles and periods. In this example, different colors, shapes, textures, and finishes are beautifully blended into a unique living room with character.
Modern furniture and accessories are mixed with antique pieces . The result is a mix of many textures and shapes which create a one-of-a-kind cohesive look.
Photo credit: Design Café
15. Ocean-Inspired Color Palette
Selecting a color palette for a tropical style room is not as hard as it seems. You should aim to draw inspiration from nature, whether it’s the beach, the ocean itself, or from the rainforest and its wildlife.
This sitting room is decorated in several shades of blue, from dark navy and cerulean to turquoise. Paired with a few bright greens and yellows, it perfectly depicts what tropical islands are all about.
Image credit: Trevor Dixon via Better Homes & Gardens
16. Tropical Gallery Wall for Small Living Rooms
If you are on a budget or you don’t have a lot of space, you can add some wonderful tropical ambiance by creating a gallery wall with a tropical theme.
To make the wall pop, make sure your walls and furniture are neutral in color. The wall art can add as little or as much color as you would like while some shelving with accents can add depth. Pillows and other accents can be used to bring in other colors and textures. Potted plants will bring in greens to complete the look.
Image credit: Shelterness
17. Retro Tropical Décor
Tropical vibes can also be achieved by blending retro furniture and décor with tropical colors and accent pieces: ocean-inspired wall art, large ceramic fish sculptures, palm leaves, coral lamp shades, seagrass rugs, and sea blue curtains. All of these features make this room unique and tastefully decorated.
Photo credit: Annie Schlechter via Southern Living
18. Soothing Earth Tones
Earth tones in décor are known for their remarkably soothing effect. They add warmth to a room, regardless of your décor style. From rich browns to a pastel sage, these calming colors offer a relaxed and cozy feel to any space. To add depth and character, add houseplants. For texture, use materials such as leather, rattan, jute, stone and raw wood.
Image credit: Curated interior
19. Open Concept Layout
This open-concept space is airy, spacious, and beautifully adorned with whites, neutrals, greenery, mirrors, and different textures. White linen cushions on wicker furniture and wood and glass elements combined with a few sturdy houseplants and woven lampshades overhead give this space a remarkably calming and serene ambience.
Image credit: Lifestyling
20. Compact Sitting Room
This small living room perfectly balances out various colors, materials, and shapes. White sofas are placed around a wooden coffee table and fireplace. Orange cushions, goldenrod woven carpet, well chosen potted plants, and dark brown accents complete this room's tropical look with a warm and inviting laid-back feel.
Image credit: Home Stratosphere
Share The Inspiration!
We hope that our ideas for tropical spaces have sparked your imagination! With carefully selected colors and a wide variety of available furnishings and accents, you can use these ideas to create your own personal space which is reminiscent of a sun-drenched island paradise.
And don't forget to share this post! These inspirations should be shared so creativity can be sparked in others who need their own tropical escape!
As you embark on your journey, don’t forget that the essence of tropical interior design is not only in the décor itself but in the feelings it evokes – tranquility, warmth, and a connection with nature and the tropics. We wish you great success as you move forward in creating your own tropical sanctuary in your home where you can escape whenever you feel the need.
