The Caribbean is the best place to live in the world and interior designers continue to use the region as inspiration for their design styles. It is very possible to go overboard when incorporating island elements in your space, so care must be taken during the design process. The key to a successful Caribbean design, is to effectively balance the various details in your home.
Caribbean inspiration can be drawn from colourful buildings and architecture; glow of the golden sun; sparkling blue skies; stunning beaches with sandy beaches in colours of white, pink and black sand; juicy, colourful and organic fruit that ripen on the trees and vines; tropical plants that caress the landscapes; and colourful reefs where fish, crabs and sting rays play day after day.
How to Bring the Caribbean Into Your Home
Here are some simple tips on how you can incorporate some of these core Caribbean design essentials into your home.
1. Colour
Many people who think of bringing the Caribbean into their lives, try to do so with colour. More adventurous home owners experiment with vibrant wall colour. Paint and wall paper can make a dull room feel lively and can brighten a previously dark space. In addition, Caribbean colour palettes can be used to accent existing design styles. Brightly coloured pillows and other home décor accents can add pops of colour to complement existing aesthetics.
2. Materials
If you can get your hands on natural materials that ooze the Caribbean, do it. Materials are very effective at bringing the Caribbean into your home. Furniture made from mahogany, cedrorano and other exotic woods; wicker, bamboo and rattan will bring in hardy elements. They can then be paired with softer materials such as sea island cotton; linens; jute; and other natural fibres in the form of home accents such as pillows, rugs, window treatments and other home textiles.
3. Plants
A Caribbean design element that has gained popularity over the last few years is the use of tropical plants. Using the right plants will improve air quality and humidity in the home. Tropical plants will also create a Caribbean feel when placed in strategic locations in the home. Plants can be used on tables or free standing on the floor in pots. Some suggestions for tropical plants are: golden palms, parlour palms, yucca, fiddle leaf fig, and the monstera plant.
4. Art, Photographs and Sculpture
Authentic Caribbean art and sculptures is another way to bring the Caribbean into your home. Caribbean seascapes, oceans, sealife and underwater themes will enhance the Caribbean vibe. Additionally, people, landscapes, tropical flowers, plants and trees, Caribbean animals and historic Caribbean architecture can also achieve the same effect. Sculptures made from wood, clay, metal and mixed media are also recommended.
5. Scents
To stimulate your senses in such a way that you feel as though you’re in the Caribbean, give your nose some work. Candles, wax melts, room sprays, fragrance oils and plug-ins in the right scents can make your home smell wonderful. Caribbean scents that include crisp, cool and sweet fruit; fresh and fragrant herbs; soft and dewy flowers and coastal and beachy ocean notes are extremely popular.
These essential features, which represent the foundations of Caribbean design, can be incorporated into any space. They can be integrated into the home to complement an existing design style through the use of home décor items; artwork and wall décor; furniture; wall colour; lighting; hardware fixtures and plants.
References
Architectural Digest: 17 Best Indoor Trees (and Tropical Plants) to Grow in Your Living Room
Island Origins: Refresh Your Home With These Caribbean Décor Ideas
SF Gate: How to Make Your Own Caribbean Décor
Image Credit: Photo by Huy Phan from Pexels
