How to Create a Caribbean Style Home Interior

With all the miserable weather and chilly early morning alarm calls of the autumn and winter months who can blame us for yearning for the warm and relaxed summer climate that now seems a far off distant memory.

Caribbean interiors provide a cool and calm ambiance that is perfect for creating a bright and uplifting interior feel even when the rain is pouring outside your window. This look works particularly well in living rooms, bedrooms and conservatory areas and provides you with a splash of colour and tropical elegance that suits a vast range of interior styles.

When you are selecting colours for your Caribbean style interiors try and imagine the stunning island scenery and backdrops and select colour shades that will recreate a summery and fun ambiance with a hint of nautical style.  Simple, bright blue, turquoise and indigo tones look amazing alongside a crisp white backdrop and create and beach side feel that is beautifully simple and relaxed. Muted gold and mustard can be partnered with neutral creams and beige for a more colonial Caribbean style that is perfect for those who prefer a more subdued interior colour scheme. Of course if you are not afraid of a blast of colour in your home then select vibrant and tropical colour tones such as magenta, purple, lime and yellow and use them to highlight a feature wall for a pop of zesty island energy.

Simple, clean lines will create a fresh and uplifting feel within your chosen interior space and while you may choose to create a bright and colourful look on your walls, Caribbean interiors feature neutral and natural floor coverings that will not distract from the colourful backdrop that is commonplace in island, beach front properties. Opt for plain wood flooring in light golden oak tones or white washed floor panels that will create a sandy, beach hut feel and accentuate with a crisp blue rug for a splash of coastal colour. For a cosier ambiance, select some ivory or pale cream carpet that will provide a sleeker and sophisticated interior finish.

Fabrics should be light and flowing to accentuate the wonderful bright natural sunlight of the outdoor spaces. Opt for crisp white voile or a pale pastel blue net and arrange in sweeping angles across a window or patio door and also use to create a canopy over a bed or seating area for an elegant space in which to enjoy some well deserved relaxation. Select cushions that will compliment the sumptuous tropical feel using elegant blues, whites and corals or embrace a colourful island style with bright rainbow tones, marine and palm patterns that will add texture and cosiness to a bed or seating area.

Caribbean accessories celebrate the natural designs and landscape of their beautiful coastal surroundings and add a sense of authenticity and indigenous style to your home. Large shells and corals are a prominent feature in island homes as they are regularly found right on their doorstep. Fill up a large shallow bowl or clear glass lanterns with shells and pebbles for a chic, coastal feel and display an array of corals along a shelving area or sideboard area for added visual beauty.  Tropical fruits are strongly featured in wall art, tiles and ornaments and create the fun and vibrant style that we associate with Caribbean homes and holiday destinations. Palm trees and orchids are a great way of creating visual texture and colour and can be used to create a focal point in the corner of the room that will bring a sense of the outdoors, indoors.

When selecting furniture for your Caribbean style interior you can create a relaxed and laidback feel or a sophisticated and refined colonial look that can be matched to your chosen colour palette. Dark hardwood items crafted from walnut or mahogany will provide a classic and traditional colonial finish that looks wonderful alongside natural, earthen tones and light open spaces as a contrast to the plain walls and flooring. For a more tropical feel then select items made from natural materials such as bamboo and rattan that can be left in their natural form or painted with and crisp white or bold blue for a splash of visual vibrancy. Baskets and storage chests can be left in a natural, weathered wood finish or painted in complimentary tropical tones for a stylish and practical space within your home interior.

For more inspiration on creating a fresh and sumptuous Caribbean interior take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Caribbean Interiors