Hawaiian Home Decor
You may live several thousand miles away from Hawaii, but you can still create a tropical paradise with touches of Hawaiian decor. Hawaiian style interiors can be kitschy, with brightly colored pineapple fabrics and tiki masks, or elegant with furniture made from indigenous woods.
In general, Hawaii decor reflects the area's native plants, ocean and beach colors, and tropical climate. The focus is casual, with a touch of Asian formality. Does this Spark an idea?
Types
Ceiling fans will add tropical flavor to your decor. They're very common in tropical climates, along with rattan, wicker and bamboo furniture of all types. Light-colored seagrass rugs, painted bamboo bead curtains, tropical-themed ceramics can also create the island oasis atmosphere.
In Hawaii, designers create furniture from the wood of koa and mango trees. Coffee tables, end tables and dining sets made of these materials area available in tropical designs.
Area rugs with abstract designs of antheriums, bamboo and surfboards will also invoke the atmosphere of Hawaii.
If you're willing to make an investment, install indigenous bamboo and palmwood flooring, which looks much like hardwood flooring.
Features
Accessorizing with Hawaiian-themed pillows, lamps and wall-art will make all the difference. Art-deco style fabrics with palm tree and pineapple designs are widely available. Create your own throw pillows for the living room or bedroom. Vintage Hawaiian posters of surfers and Hawaiian travel themes can also add a lot of colorful cultural interest to any room in your home.
Ceramic pineapples and hula dancers in grass skirts create the base for many Hawaiian-themed table lamps. Depending on your taste, these objects might be just the thing to add Hawaiian flavor of your space.
Significance
For the bedroom, you can create a Hawaiian theme with linens. Use comforters with surfing themes, tropical plants and beach umbrellas. You can buy sheets, comforters and pillow shams with brilliant, oversized Hawaiian Bird of Paradise and orchid designs. Complete the scene by adding a seagrass area rug and koa wood lamp.
Considerations
Masks, shields and totems carved from indigenous woods will also add real Hawaiian flavor to a patio. Placemats, potholders, table runners with designs of antheriums, pink orchids, palm trees and tropical ferns are available for the Hawaiian-themed kitchen and dining area.
And don't forget to add the perfect finishing touch to any tropical decor: a real palm tree.
Potential
Finding Hawaiian products for your home can be a challenge--if you don't live in Hawaii that is!
Tommy Bahama is a well-known source for all things tropical, including products for the home. Much depends on the area you're decorating. Is it a patio, deck or poolside area? Or is your project an extensive, full treatment of your home's interior? Interior designers can help you find the best products for these larger projects, but individual items and small projects can be easily handled on your own by shopping online or at a local furniture store (see Resources below).
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