Forever Holiday? 7 Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like a Tropical Getaway

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Have you ever returned from a holiday feeling inspired to completely revamp your interior? It’s not surprising that after returning from a holiday, we want to replicate the same feeling of calm Iazing in our tropical villa to escape those post-holiday blues. While it’s not feasible to be on holiday forever, the following tips will help you in recreating the same relaxing tropical resort vibes at home!

1. Go for an earthy or neutral colour palette

Tropical resorts are designed to induce a sense of ease/comfort, and the first step in doing so often revolves around the use of colour. Consider including plenty of warm tones such as beige, taupe, tan, or light wood tones when renovating your home to create a cosy space that is light and welcoming. However, be sure to give the rooms some depth and dimension using lighter and darker shades.

Take inspiration from this tropical-styled home, which features various shades of brown alongside grey, white and black tones. It gives the space a high-end vibe, while green foliages will add a splash of luscious colour.

2. Choose furnishings made of natural materials

Natural components such as teak wood, seagrass, or rattan are widely used throughout tropical resort hotels as they create a sensory connection to the outdoors. To recreate a similar feel at home, look for furniture made from bamboo, wood, stone, rattan and fabrics made from wool, linen, cotton, satin or even jute.

This 3-bedroom home in Bayan Lepas has a laid-back ambience thanks to the extensive use of wooden and rattan furniture. When combined with white tones and ample sunlight, the space evokes a sense of relaxation and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

3. Introduce botanical patterns or leaf motifs on objects, walls or fabric

To reinforce your home’s tropical resort feel, include a botanical pattern or leaf motif on numerous objects throughout your home. It can be in the form of wall arts, glassware, rugs, throw pillows and more. To make a bigger effect, you can consider installing a tropical theme wallpaper as seen in this 3-bedroom condominium in Penang. It sets the right tone and puts you in a holiday mood as soon you enter the house.

Aside from the wallpaper, there are several tropical details found throughout the house. The coconut print glassware in the living room and botanical motif throw pillows in the bedroom look fantastic when combined with sage green and white tones, wooden furniture, and potted plants, giving the home a major tropical island vibe!

4. Go big with houseplants (real or faux)

One of the hallmarks of tropical resorts is the use of oversized houseplants. Replicate the look by incorporating large potted plants throughout your home to pull off the tropical resort look. Some excellent choices include Bird of Paradise, Banana trees, Palms, Ferns, and Dracaena. Their distinctive shape and sheer size make for a dramatic accent in your home.

For a rich jungle environment, try blending different types of plants together, as seen in this Balinese-styled home. The designer scattered various types of plants including Birds of Paradise, Fiddle-leaf Figs and Monstera leaves around the house to tie the space together.

If you don't have a green thumb, artificial plants are a great alternative. They don't require any upkeep, and the best part about investing in faux plants is that they can be placed anywhere in your home (because they don't require any sunlight).

Explore: A Beginner’s Guide to Decorating Your Home With Plants

5. Set up a chill-out outdoor area

Nothing says R&R like an outdoor afternoon nap. While your home may not face the ocean or be surrounded by lush jungle, you can still enjoy a taste of tropical resort life by creating a chill zone on your balcony or backyard. Simply add a low-slung couch, a daybed, a hanging chair or a hammock, and a couple of throw pillows to create this blissful scene. It will provide a relaxed atmosphere in which you can read your favourite books or magazines or take a well-deserved snooze.

Draw inspiration from this balcony that features a hanging chair that can accommodate up to two-person at once, brightly coloured throw pillows, a rug and a couple of potted plants. Simply glancing at this setup will make you feel at ease!

6. Build a swimming pool

Almost every tropical resort has a swimming pool available for guest use, so if you’re fortunate enough to have extra space on your side or back yard, consider turning it into a pool (only if you can afford it of course!). If you install one, you will likely find yourself choosing to stay home lounging on a deck chair, gazing at the crystal blue water rather than travelling somewhere in search of the same experience.

This luxurious-looking swimming pool with a water feature is a side yard dream! The seating area near the pool is ideal for light reading or enjoying tea time with family members. Meanwhile, the cement wall surrounding the pool keeps the space private from the neighbours and passersby.

7. Give your bathroom a spa treatment

Even if you don't have the luxury of a private swimming pool, you can still replicate the tropical resort vibe in your home with a spa-like bathroom. Replace your regular shower fixtures with a rain shower head, install a dimmer switch to set a serene, sunset-like mood, and surround your bathroom with lush tropical plants. You should also hang a loofah in your shower for a quick skin scrub before drying yourself with a super soft and absorbent bath towel.

If you have a bathtub at home, adding a bathtub caddy or tray makes it easy to read a good book while soaking in the tub. Organised shelves and towel racks also contribute to the spa-like atmosphere that we all love to immerse ourselves in while on vacation. Of course, don't forget to hang a fluffy white robe on the back of the door for the authentic spa experience.

Explore: 8 of the Best Luxurious Bathroom Makeovers We’ve Seen

Planning to create a tropical resort-inspired home?

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