So Your Style Is: Tropical
Throw open those doors and let the verdant outside in
Balmy temperatures and lush gardens combine with high ceilings and dark timber and cane to produce a laid-back style that makes every day feel like a holiday. Australia’s tropical north is a natural pairing for this style but don’t let your location limit you. A tropical feel is possible in any home, no matter how far away it is from the beach.
Why it works: The living’s easy in tropical homes designed to let in the breeze, and the calming power of nature influences design both inside and out.
You’ll love it if… Tropical holidays are your idea of heaven, you feel most at home in a sarong and you’re a natural water baby. You have a relaxed attitude and believe a carefree lifestyle is the only way to go.
Introduce these elements into your home for a tropical vibe.
Why it works: The living’s easy in tropical homes designed to let in the breeze, and the calming power of nature influences design both inside and out.
You’ll love it if… Tropical holidays are your idea of heaven, you feel most at home in a sarong and you’re a natural water baby. You have a relaxed attitude and believe a carefree lifestyle is the only way to go.
Introduce these elements into your home for a tropical vibe.
Tropical foliage
Palms and other indoor plants make an appearance throughout this style of home, and the bathroom is no exception.
HOW TO DO IT: Offset lush, green pot plants with dark timber features and a white backdrop, and be sure to keep leaves free of dust to maintain their lustrous, good looks.
Palms and other indoor plants make an appearance throughout this style of home, and the bathroom is no exception.
HOW TO DO IT: Offset lush, green pot plants with dark timber features and a white backdrop, and be sure to keep leaves free of dust to maintain their lustrous, good looks.
Carefree living
Who needs a backyard when you can have a soul space like this one? Instead of spending time mowing the lawn, you’ll look forward to a relaxing weekend in and out of the pool. Just don’t be surprised if all your friends want to come for the weekend, too.
HOW TO DO IT: Use teak with abandon in decking, trellises and fences. This durable hardwood requires minimal maintenance and lends a tropical feel to any outdoor room.
Who needs a backyard when you can have a soul space like this one? Instead of spending time mowing the lawn, you’ll look forward to a relaxing weekend in and out of the pool. Just don’t be surprised if all your friends want to come for the weekend, too.
HOW TO DO IT: Use teak with abandon in decking, trellises and fences. This durable hardwood requires minimal maintenance and lends a tropical feel to any outdoor room.
Resort worthy
A pool is one thing … and then there is a pool! This tropical wonderland makes use of natural stone and plenty of plantings to create an oasis at home. Going on holidays is optional.
HOW TO DO IT: There’s no need to wait for years for plants to mature. Intersperse palms with fast-growing bamboo to fill out any gaps. Be sure to opt for a non-invasive, clumping variety with a shallow root system to prevent the bamboo from taking over.
A pool is one thing … and then there is a pool! This tropical wonderland makes use of natural stone and plenty of plantings to create an oasis at home. Going on holidays is optional.
HOW TO DO IT: There’s no need to wait for years for plants to mature. Intersperse palms with fast-growing bamboo to fill out any gaps. Be sure to opt for a non-invasive, clumping variety with a shallow root system to prevent the bamboo from taking over.
Balance materials
Golden-toned and dark timber is heavily used in tropical-style homes but lightening the mood is easy with the use of floaty fabrics and high ceilings to give rooms a feeling of space. Doors that open to the outdoors are worth aspiring to, even if you don’t have a view as stunning as this one.
HOW TO DO IT: Four-poster beds are nice, but adding the tropical feel of a mosquito net is possible without one. This mosquito canopy is secured to the walls with string.
Golden-toned and dark timber is heavily used in tropical-style homes but lightening the mood is easy with the use of floaty fabrics and high ceilings to give rooms a feeling of space. Doors that open to the outdoors are worth aspiring to, even if you don’t have a view as stunning as this one.
HOW TO DO IT: Four-poster beds are nice, but adding the tropical feel of a mosquito net is possible without one. This mosquito canopy is secured to the walls with string.
Garden colour
Green is the dominant tone in any tropical home, but if you have full sun in your backyard and it doesn’t rain too much, a cheery bougainvillea is a fabulous addition that will take you straight to the tropics.
HOW TO DO IT: If you don’t want towering bougainvillea dominating your backyard, go for a dwarf variety or tame its wild tendencies by planting it in a pot rather than the garden.
Green is the dominant tone in any tropical home, but if you have full sun in your backyard and it doesn’t rain too much, a cheery bougainvillea is a fabulous addition that will take you straight to the tropics.
HOW TO DO IT: If you don’t want towering bougainvillea dominating your backyard, go for a dwarf variety or tame its wild tendencies by planting it in a pot rather than the garden.
Thoughtful decor
Complement creamy tones in walls and furnishings with accessories that draw inspiration from the garden. Floral motifs and splashes of yellow, green and orange bring a tropical home to life.
HOW TO DO IT: Use timber or cane-framed mirrors to amplify the light in living spaces. If a mirror can reflect palm fronds and other foliage inside or out, so much the better.
Complement creamy tones in walls and furnishings with accessories that draw inspiration from the garden. Floral motifs and splashes of yellow, green and orange bring a tropical home to life.
HOW TO DO IT: Use timber or cane-framed mirrors to amplify the light in living spaces. If a mirror can reflect palm fronds and other foliage inside or out, so much the better.
Indoor-outdoor kitchen
The boundaries between inside and out are blurred in a tropical-style home, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is with a kitchen that extends onto the deck. Sliding doors and concertina windows can separate the spaces when necessary, but they can otherwise stay open to the elements. A set-up like this encourages outdoor dining all year long.
HOW TO DO IT: If there’s no room indoors for island seating, extending the kitchen onto a covered deck can solve the problem nicely. Simply plant some stools at the window as in this kitchen.
The boundaries between inside and out are blurred in a tropical-style home, and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is with a kitchen that extends onto the deck. Sliding doors and concertina windows can separate the spaces when necessary, but they can otherwise stay open to the elements. A set-up like this encourages outdoor dining all year long.
HOW TO DO IT: If there’s no room indoors for island seating, extending the kitchen onto a covered deck can solve the problem nicely. Simply plant some stools at the window as in this kitchen.
Beautiful barbie
Incorporating a built-in barbecue into your outdoor area makes a stylish statement. An easy-clean option like this one is a chef’s dream, and catering for family and friends will be a cinch.
Incorporating a built-in barbecue into your outdoor area makes a stylish statement. An easy-clean option like this one is a chef’s dream, and catering for family and friends will be a cinch.
HOW TO DO IT: Extend the bench into which the barbecue has been built and add some seating as if it’s an island bench in the kitchen. Adding extra seating is now simple if there’s a crowd.
Outdoor living goes naturally with tropical-style homes, so no matter how small your backyard, use plenty of timber to create a welcoming space you can’t wait to hang out in. Draw inspiration from Balinese day beds, sundecks and decor for authentic appeal.
HOW TO DO IT: If you don’t have space for a pool and ocean views aren’t your reality, add a water feature surrounded by tropical gardens. The tranquil sound of trickling water is a soothing addition to any tropical abode.