Decorating in the Tropical Chic Style

Tropical chic is one of the most popular looks today. It includes comfort, warmth, and a touch of the exotic, using jungle themes, restful colors, and natural textural elements.

It is a style that has fresh appeal with touches of traditional.

It is not the multi-colored jungle look you might choose for a child's room. Instead, it might be defined as "lush minimalism" since it mixes lots of texture and intricate pattern with simple details and a few large accessories.

- Common motifs include stylized palm trees, large leafed banana plants, monkeys, animal prints, rattan, leather, and grass cloth.

This look is most often used in living rooms and family rooms, but can be adapted for master suites and bathrooms as well. 

There are some of the underlying elements and themes of a tropical look room.... For best viewing, open browser window to maximum size

•  Comfortable upholstered furniture is a must in a tropical room.

•  Long horizontal lines underscore a casual look and add to a restful mood, while taller elements such as plants, screens, or artwork add a grand scale.

•  Neutral tones including ivory, beige, camel, tan, deep brown, soft gold, and pale yellows are the foundation of a tropical themed room. A major element in shades also is Green tone that range from light sage to avocado and from yellow-greens to a green that is nearly black. Make accents on dark brown, black, or even muted reds.

•  Furniture in a tropical room is often large in scale and selected for comfort and utility. Make accents on pieces in wicker, bamboo, iron, and rattan will also fit well with the look.

•  Fabrics should be soft and lush. Perfect for the major upholstered pieces are neutral solid chenilles. Chairs, pillows, ottomans might be done in jungle prints and leaf designs.