Home Furniture

The latest trend in home interior design is the use of themes. Theme ideas range from sports to fabulously feminine and contemporary to eclectic. One of the most popular themes is the "Tropical Island" theme.

When using the Tropical Island theme idea, there are many directions you can go. From elegant to fun, you have a wide range of choices. You can use art work, painted murals, wall paper, textured wall paint or any combination of these materials.

Select colors that represent the tropics such as various shades of blue, dark turquoise and deep shades of green. Burlap fabric is a good choice for wall covering. For an inexpensive Tiki look, attach bamboo shades to the wall, than attach a chair rail above the shade using bamboo shafts.

Tropical plants are a must-have for the Tropical Island theme. You can use live or silk plants or sculptures of trees. Some craft and hobby stores have fake palm trees with strands of lights attached to them. Fake palm trees are fun and festive and provide a small amount of additional lighting.

Window treatments should be light and airy. Bamboo shades are a logical choice for this home interior design. Other options include brightly colored sheers or draperies made from bright, sheer fabric or an island print.

A wide range of art work is available to create any style of Tropical Island design. You might want pictures of sugar plantations or pineapple fields. Maybe you prefer oil paintings of cargo ships or fancy yachts. Perhaps your tastes are more suited for seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, turtles or other sea life. Regardless of art preferences, there is an abundance of art work depicting the beauty of the islands.

The Tropical Island home interior design can be used in nearly every room. It makes for an inviting living or family room, as it is bright and cheerful, yet relaxing. It is a calming theme for use in a bedroom and can easily be adapted for children or a nursery. Many children enjoy being surrounded by pictures of sea life and are calmed by the soothing colors.

Bathrooms are a natural setting for the Tropical Island theme. Accessories can easily be located in most retail and department stores. You can find everything from toothbrush holders to wall paper in a variety of island designs. A popular trend in bathroom designs is the use of glass bowl sinks. These are perfect for the Tropical Island theme and add exquisite beauty to the room.

Kitchens lend well to the Tropical Island theme. Bamboo kitchen tables and bar stools are quite popular. Another option is to use a picnic table or outdoor table with an umbrella. You could even go so far as to use a Tiki hut design umbrella to bring in the tropical island feeling in your dining room.

Laundry rooms and storage areas are usually boring areas within the home. Add a splash of tropical color or use a tropical island print wall paper border to breathe some life into a dull and boring space. Use wicker baskets painted in bright colors such as turquoise, orange or yellow, or paint shelves or walls in tropical shades.

The Tropical Island theme works well in the home office setting. It is inviting and friendly to guests and provides an uplifting environment in which to work. Use a variety of lush tropical plants and an aquarium or water fountain. Paint your office furniture white and add a tropical design for a fun and festive look.

Grab some home interior design magazines and catalogs and let your imagination go wild. Cut out photos of items you like and tape them to a piece of paper or foam board. Create a floor plan to help you determine what items you have room for, then go shopping.

Look for deals at your local thrift shop or visit yard or estate sales. You might be surprised at the great bargains available and you'll probably find several unique accessories. Most importantly have fun and get creative with this home interior design idea and soon your tropical oasis will await you!