Interior Trends to Try – Tropical
Scorchio! Sizzling! Boiling! Sweating my nads off (thanks for that one Mr B) are some of the words that have had high usage on Instagram this week. It’s been a bit tropical in the UK hasn’t it? We’ve all thought about having a pina colada whilst sat next to our paddling pools that are 75% grass and wasps and losing air at a rapid rate, but now it seems to be cooling down a bit (phew), how about we move that tropical goodness indoors?
For some, tropical trends might immediately bring up images of bright flashing neon lights, pineapple cocktail glasses and oversized palm print wallpaper but I think we have moved on from that into a more sophisticated and subtle style of décor. Tropical and botanical wall hangings are still immensely popular and oversized woven light pendant lights are becoming all the rage, both inside and out.
One of my favourite instagrammers @kylamagrathinteriors shows us how to do tropical rattan woven lampshades
Both in the garden and inside in the bedroom! @kylamagrathinteriorsSo, how can you add a bit of summer vibes into your home without filling it with flamingos? (I have nothing against flamingos, as long as they stay confined to my daughters’ room ).
Tropical wall hangings
Probably one of my favourite ways to add a bit of summer to a room when summer is a long distant memory of salty lips and sweaty nights (ok, not the best image of summer!), a botanical and tropics inspired wall hanging is perfect for any room. There are so many to choose from and sizes to fit all, just add a blank wall, nail and hammer!
If you can’t find the perfect wall hanging for your room, improvise. Throws, fabric or even rugs can be hung on the wall to add character to a room.
One of my favourite pieces of home-ware in the house, our roseandgrey.co.uk jungle print wall hanging
Always thinking outside the box with her own style, Kate has transformed her bedroom into a tropical paradise! Image credit: kate_rose_morganWhimsical Wallpaper
A year or two ago, botanical wallpaper was BIG! Bathrooms were being turned into miniature rain forests and cacti adorned ceilings. Although I still love these big botanical prints, there has recently been a subtle change to the print designs giving the 2020 tropical trend a more refined look.
The botanical effect is still strong in Eli’s bathroom and I love it! Image credit: @eli_at_home
Wallpapering the ceiling cleverly gives this nursery height and a real focal point. Image credit: @threeboysandapinkbath
This tropical jungle is complimented with earthy tones, a rattan chair and plants. Image credit: the_1882_houseFrame it
Don’t fancy covering a whole wall with botanical print or letting your kids swing off your junglesque wall hanging? How about framing a piece of wallpaper and creating your own botanical artwork? You could even create a jungle gallery of your own!
Tropical fabrics
I think tropical can sometimes be seen as a bit kitsch and over the top, so if you don’t fancy doing the whole Hawaiian look in your living room, how about adding some curtains, bedding or cushions? You can keep the colours muted or go flamboyant and extra, there is plenty for everyone.
It doesn’t just have to be cushions and curtains, you could also upholster a chair or headboard in tropical fabric.
I love the colour in these Bluebellgrey Peggy curtains, perfect for a bedroom. Bring the pink out of these curtains by matching them with a pink velvet headboard Image credit: johnlewis.com
Mustard and teal cushion, a beautiful twist to traditional tropical colours. Colour Image: next.com
Look no further than the amazingly talented Emma J Shipley when it comes to flamboyant tropical prints!Weathered and woven
The rattan trend has been omnipresent in 2020, I think it is such an exceptionally sustainable and versatile material that it will be here to stay for the foreseeable. I’m sure we’ve all owned a rattan chair or two over the years, but you can now pretty much get any piece of furniture made out of rattan and it instantly gives a room a holiday vibe look.
This fabulous mooielight fitting instantly makes me feel like I’m in a tropical hotel room drinking Singapore Slings. Image credit: mooielight.com
Rattan light shade from George at AsdaHomewares
It’s not all tropical leaf print and rattan; homewares can also play a huge factor in creating that holiday vibe in your home. From hanging chairs to brightly coloured kitchenware, you can easily envisage sat at the bar ordering a cocktail from Tom Cruise (showing my age there!)
Sipping a cocktail optional. Image credit: bali-interiors.com
Indoor rattan planter by Cox & Cox
Brighten up any corner with this far eastern inspired Armoire from oliverbonas.com
Wow your guests with this vibrant 4 side plate set from Sara Miller via wayfair.co.ukPlants
You can’t go for that completely tropical look without adding in some plants! That’s like going to Ikea and not having the meatballs (OK, I have a confession to make. I have never tried the meatballs!!)
To me, plants make a home and I couldn’t live in a house without them. I have lost count how many plants we have in the home and have written a blog post about the best house plants here.
When you are going for a tropical look, think Kentia or Areca palms, cacti, succulents, fiddle-leaf figs and Bird of Paradise plants.
No one does tropical plants better than Natasha! Image credit: @la_sidhu
I love our Areca Palm, it really adds a tropical vibe to our living room
We also have plenty of succulents and cacti in the house including this aloe vera and lipstick hanging plantIf you have the space, why not even add an olive tree or fiddle leaf tree in your home? This is something I would love to do and would look fabulous surrounded by tropical prints and rattan furniture.
As we are getting closer to buying our next home, I will definitely be adding a little bit more tropical style into my decor. I love the eclectic and colourful feel of it, and I think it really brings out my party loving personality!
What will you try in your home?
Mel x
