Yearning for a tropical getaway but unable to follow your friends to Bali or the Cook Islands? No worries! You can still experience the serenity and relaxation of your favourite tropical retreat without leaving the comfort of your home.
The gentle rustling of palm trees, the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore, and the warm breeze caressing your skin—these magical moments stay with us long after our holidays end. It's no surprise we crave that sense of wellbeing and tranquillity throughout the year, especially during the winter months when we need it most.
Bringing Tranquillity Home:
A coastal retreat allows us to reset and rejuvenate, removing the negative elements that disrupt our wellbeing and making room for contentment and relaxation to take centre stage. The good news is that you can infuse your home with the same elements of relaxation. By choosing the right paint colours, décor, and incorporating special touches, you can create a space that exudes holiday vibes and sets the stage for tranquillity.
Inspired by Your Favourite Tropical Places:
While you don't have to replicate a typical Balinese or Hawaiian home, you can evoke the essence of your favourite tropical place, drawing inspiration from its colour palette, fabrics, and local plants with their signature scents.
Do you love the lush green of swaying palm trees against a picture-perfect blue sky? Or the mesmerizing peachy pink sunsets melting into the Pacific? Perhaps the vibrant orange hues of tropical flora captivate you. Discover what moves you and let these inspirations guide your décor choices, infusing your home with positivity and the therapeutic effects essential to our well-being.
Painting the Retreat:
While nautical destinations like the Hamptons often rely on navy, white, and taupe palettes, more exotic tropical locations celebrate zestiness and flamboyance with brighter hues. Whether you're drawing inspiration from the Bahamas, Hawaii, or Bali, the common thread among the décor in these places is relaxation.
Bali's Vibrant Colours:
In Bali, vibrant colours reign supreme in homes, landscapes, and cuisine. Embrace the lush green of ancient rice fields with deep and rich shades, like Green Pea, and watery tones, such as Summer Green.
Invoke the pale blue and hot pink of sunsets with colours such as Resene’s Onahau and Cupid. Typical Balinese architecture features gold, emerald green, and burnt orange tones that can invigorate your home. Achieve harmony by integrating these bold hues throughout your home, maintaining consistency in flooring and trim colours.
Nature's Touch:
Overgrown potted plants or a lush garden add to the tropical ambiance, creating a natural buffer from the outside world. If you have a courtyard, transform it into a true retreat with meandering scented plants, a tranquil water feature, and a comfortable hammock—your ultimate oasis for unwinding with a book or indulging in an afternoon snooze.
Night-blooming plants like frangipani, with their sweet tropical scent, cater to your senses in a way that emulates the magic of a tropical holiday.
Caribbean Bliss:
Who can resist the allure of the deep aquamarines and turquoise waters of the Caribbean? Bring the same sense of relaxation into your home as you would experience on an island paradise. This will allow you to escape the stresses of daily life.
Dark and light blues, complemented by sandy tones, evoke the clear sky, ocean, and pristine beaches. Add an accent colour like a muted green to enhance visual interest.
Hawaiian Escape:
Hawaii has long been a dream destination, attracting visitors with its stress-free lifestyle.
Life on the islands embodies a sense of ease, away from the hustle and bustle of major cities. You're surrounded by crystal-clear waters and lush landscapes adorned with palm trees and hibiscus in vibrant colours.
Evoke this tropical palette with the calming luscious green, paired with the intoxicating shades of pink-red and an exotic purple.
Creating Your Oasis:
Paint your walls in the delightful coral shade, reminiscent of ripe watermelon and mango, and accentuate them with blue-green hues.
By doing so, you'll capture the essence of Hawaii's green landscapes and colourful flowers found in local homes and inland areas of Maui and O'ahu. The islands' iconic leis, made from brightly coloured flowers in purples, pinks, and oranges, offer the ultimate tropical inspiration for your home's colour scheme.
Greek Islands' Freshness:
Anyone who has visited the idyllic Greek Islands will remember the whitewashed houses with splashes of colour on their doors and windows. Spearmint, turquoise, and blue-green shades are scattered across the islands, adding freshness and vitality reminiscent of the surrounding ocean cliffs.
Recreate this tranquillity with the fresh white of Resene’s Rice Cake, the peacock green of its Niagara, or the cornflower blue of the paint brand’s Delta Blue.
Paint your internal and external window frames and doors in green or blue against white walls. This creates a fresh and relaxing atmosphere. Complete the space with sheer white curtains, ceramics in soft pastels, and soft textiles that invite relaxation.
Caribbean Vibrancy:
For a more vibrant ambiance, turn to the coral, green, and yellow palette of the Caribbean. Soft pink can gently brighten up a space while offering a calming presence that complements other hues.
Combine coral with green and blue to create a warm and inviting environment reminiscent of a boutique hotel room.
Restful Retreat:
In your relaxation rooms, such as the bedroom, you may prefer a more peaceful version of these colours. Opt for a serene white paired with natural wood to achieve the same soothing atmosphere found in a Tulum seaside retreat.
Complete the look with a muslin canopy overhead, sheer curtains, and fringed bedding for a laid-back coastal feel.
Designing Your Tropical Sanctuary:
The key to creating a tropical retreat-like space is to design an environment that encourages relaxation and unwinding.
Choose comfortable furniture, such as plush couches and floor cushions. Incorporate bold greenery with large leaves to enhance the tropical ambiance. Ensure the flow of your home is easy and uncluttered. It's not just the décor but also how you use the space that creates a retreat-like feeling. Consider playing relaxing music and attracting birdlife near your windows with trees.
By incorporating all these elements, you'll be transported back to your favourite getaway without the hassle of leaving your home.
Say goodbye to those holiday blues and welcome the feeling of being on vacation every day!
Share
