How to Create a Tribal Style Interior

Creating an inviting and unique interior can often be a difficult task, balancing your decor, accessories and prints can often create a clashing and muddled appearance that distracts from the overall theme of your interior decor. This season has seen a re-visiting of classic and popular prints that are easy to colour co-ordinate while creating a warm and sumptuous ambiance within your home.

Tribal prints and influences are still a favourite on the interior design scene as they create visual detail and artistic inspiration that reflects the cultural and atmospheric spirit of African tribal homes. From simple natural materials to bold and colourful fabrics, tribal interiors will add a sophisticated and unique style to any room of the home.

Colour Palettes

When choosing colours for your tribal inspired interior then you will be spoilt for choice, as pretty much anything goes when following this trend. Vivid hues such an red, blue and Yellow look fabulous alongside rich chocolate and beige tones to create a lively and uplifting ambiance that is reflective of tribal dress and fabrics. Muted versions of these colours also work with the detailed and complex tribal prints, select colours such as coral, lilac and pale blue for a more subdued and neutral feel. For a more contemporary and minimal take on the tribal trend then select simple monochrome tones or black and beige partnerships that look amazing as a plain feature wall or complex wallpaper design.

Cushions

Bold print cushions are a great way of livening up a plain sofa, seat or bed to create a zoned area of colour and pattern that is both textural and detailed. Tribal print designs feature and array of shapes, stripes, ancient imagery and symbols that create an authentic tribal ambiance within your home. A selection of plain black and white cushions can be scattered alongside bold monochrome tribal striped patterns that look fabulous on a plain black or white upholstered sofa. For a cosier feel then opt for a group of cushions in colourful mix and match tribal patterns in classic cotton of linen fabrics for a pop of colour in a neutral or bold painted space. Cushions can be left plain or adorned with simple pom poms or metallic elements such as beading and thread work.

Upholstery

If you’re not fully committed to re-decorating your whole home then why not add some simple tribal influences in your rugs, fabrics and curtains for a splash of pattern and colour that will update your current interior look. Throws can be used to cover a dated seating area or why not re-upholster your favourite occasional chair with a tribal influenced fabric for a burst of colour and pattern. Curtains can be used as an alternative to a feature wall design and are a perfect space to try out a bold patterned tribal finish or an unusual partnership of colours. Tribal patterned rugs are easily available on the high street or why not create an added air of African authenticity by partnering classic tribal patterns with an animal print rug such as zebra or cheetah for some texture and variation.

Accessories

When it comes to selecting accessories for your tribal style home then try and look for natural materials such as wood and ceramic pottery with African painted imagery. African wall masks and shields are an eye-catching art choice and can be displayed as a single item above a fireplace or bed frame for a visual focal point or can be hung in a group formation that looks particularly stylish in a dining room area or stairway wall. African warriors and pygmy statues add a fun focal point to an alcove area or for a more elegant look then a carved wooden female figure will create a curvaceous and delicate finish to your home.  Plain ceramic clay pots look fabulous on plain oak or hardwood sideboards and consoles or alternatively opt for brightly coloured patterned vases, bowls and crockery that will create a focal point against a neutral painted wall or furniture item.

Furniture

For an authentic tribal feel then select bold and chunky wooden furniture designs that are heavily carved or feature dark metal elements such as hinges and drawer handles.  Hardwoods such as walnut and mahogany work really well against the warm and bold colour schemes associated with the tribal theme and can be carved with animal imagery or simplistic geometric patterns for a truly authentic finish. For a more contemporary look then partner a monochrome tribal decor with some black or white painted furniture that will create a sophisticated yet traditional feel.

For more ideas on creating a tribal style home interior then take a look at our latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Tribal