I love watching the evolution of an interiors trend. One of the big looks that’s evolved dramatically the last few years is tropical design.
The new incarnation of this classic trend comes courtesy of my friends at Metricon Homes and I absolutely adore it.
I actually filmed a video recently on this very topic and you can watch below to get a feel for how to rock this look. There’s a tonne of imagery below that’ll help you too.
I’d be interested to hear what you think about this look and if it’s a style you’re drawn to. Drop me a comment below and let me know your thoughts.
How to Rock Tropical Design at Home
Anchors Away
The tropical look is worlds apart from a traditional Hamptons-inspired interior (like this one). In this coastal look, it’s less stripes, less portholes and less anchor motifs.
The pops of red you’d traditionally see as accent colours in a nautical interior are also nowhere to be seen. This tropical design style is all about celebrating the Australian coastline instead of looking overseas for seaside inspiration – with nods to a tropical aesthetic.
A zesty colour story
The base colours in this scheme are blonde woods, white paints and even a series of greys are seen to be replacing beiges (I personally couldn’t be happier about that).
Atop this new base palette are sunburst yellows, zesty greens and even the occasional pop of black – especially where pattern is concerned.
Pattern plays a big part in this look
I love me some pattern, so I’m glad to see that this tropical design style is using it in great ways. The best place to introduce pattern here is in soft furnishings like cushions and bedding.
Although stripes are still seen occasionally in this look, geometric patterns are the heroes here. Look to black and white patterns and sit them against block colours like yellow and green. You can even look for literal influences in your patterns, like pineapples or palm leaves.
Bring in Greenery to complete the story
This look is all about rocking the indoor plant (a trend that is still going strong locally), so look to varieties like palms or bird of paradise – and even succulents – to complete the style story.
We’re thankfully letting go of varieties like the fiddle leaf fig. Which, by all accounts, is a right pain in the butt to keep alive anyway!
What’s your favourite element in this tropical design style? Drop a comment below and let me know if you’re keen on the Resort look for your own abode.
This post includes images and/or videos of Metricon display homes and events, reproduced with permission. © Metricon Homes Pty Ltd 2016.
6 Responses
I am currently decorating a 60s beach house. The theme is retro tropical. Before tropical was fashionable but now at least I have lots of things to choose from to buy!
Love mixing coastal, tropical and resort styles at home. Metricon always have lots of clever styling ideas. Cant go past a jute rug to add that resort feel to a room. Love their cushion combination too!
Great article Chris! I spend a lot of time throughout various coastal communities, and there’s nothing worse than a coastal/nautical/Hamptons look done wrong! I think there’s a lot of scope for guidance on this one! 🙂
Very cool Chris. Great to see you teaming up with Metricon 😉
Thx for the insight Chris, I still do love the casual elegance that a ‘Hamptons’ inspired decor can exude. But I am not 100% opposed to this adaptation of all things ‘coastal’. Growing up on the ‘goldie’ taught me everything I know about a bit of hibiscus and chintz cane decor. Id like to play between the ‘Hamptons’ & ‘coastal’ & see what happens.