With their lush botanical forms, exotic wildlife motifs and otherworldly colours, tropical prints have broad appeal. Their effect is transportative, conjuring dense jungle, sun-drenched vistas or just the uncommon beauty of a plant from a hot climate. The tropical interior design trend is an enduring one – travels towards the equator have long inspired designers to embrace the vibrant colours and alluring natural forms of the tropics. Classic palm, banana leaf and floral designs are endlessly adaptable, and flamboyant scenes with birds, butterflies and wild cats bring a sense of adventure. 

 

Integrating tropical design in various home styles

Tropical prints are often associated with bohemian and maximalist interior styles but can be used to enhance and enliven the full range of aesthetics, from traditional to modern and even minimalist. Over the next few minutes, we’ll explore the best ways to incorporate tropical prints into different interior styles, as well as how to layer tropical colour accents, flex for different seasons, make sustainable choices, and consider the cultural dimensions of tropical motifs.

 

Modern style

Modern style interiors are understated, characterised by clean lines, natural materials and neutral colours. Geometric patterns are often used to bring character, and it’s perfectly possible to incorporate tropical prints into a modern room without losing its calm and understated feel. 

‘For a modern space, balance is key,’ says interior designer Elizabeth Stanhope. ‘Tropical prints with clean patterns or muted tones will complement a contemporary palette. For example, a single statement piece like a tropical-patterned accent chair can provide vibrancy without overwhelming the aesthetic.’

Two of our stylised designs that play on the timeless form of the palm leaf can bring life and style to a modern interior. Bangkok Nights, in fine linen and wallpaper, nods to the Far East, while Butterfly Palm stuns in bold colours on luxe velvet.

 

Bohemian style

Lush, tropical designs in fabrics and wallpaper find their natural home in bohemian style, which is unbridled and exploratory, drawing on eclectic influences from across the world. Bold colours and different textures are used, bringing together diverse elements for an abundant and joyous look.

‘Bohemian spaces tend to have lots of gorgeous textures and patterns, so don’t be afraid to mix different scales and styles of tropical prints,’ says Elizabeth Stanhope. ‘Combine bold palm leaf motifs with smaller floral or geometric patterns. Add texture through natural materials like rattan, jute, or linen. Accessorise your space with tropical patterned cushions, throws and greenery.’

Gathering a profusion of tropical plants is a great way to build the bohemian look, bringing the natural world inside. And printed fabrics and wallpapers can pleasingly echo and complement the forms of the houseplants. Rainforest Rabble, one of our bestsellers, perfectly summons a lush tropical retreat in a symphony of gorgeous colours, and could feature in a bohemian style room as tropical wall art. Meanwhile, Jungle Rumble features parrots, leopards and dense foliage on 100% linen.  

 

Traditional style

Traditional British interior design has been influenced by the rest of the world for centuries, from delicate chinoiserie to ornate Indian chintz. The drizzly, grey winters in the UK only increase the year-round appeal of more vibrant traditions, and their colour, pattern and life. Designs that draw on the hot and sultry tropics can bring richness that adds a lot, even in quite a traditional country house.

The linking factor is a broad appreciation of the natural world, natural materials such as cane and rattan furniture, and houseplants. When incorporating tropical patterns into traditional room schemes, opt for classic motifs like palm or banana leaves in more subdued colour palettes.

‘In a traditional room, tropical prints can be blended through classic pieces and textures,’ says Elizabeth Stanhope. ‘Consider using tropical fabrics on bespoke furniture pieces such as a wingback chair or upholstered antique. Look for prints with a hand-painted or a vintage feel and layer with rich colours.’

Many tropical prints in Linwood’s range draw on archival documents or traditional botanical illustration that sits well in a traditional room scheme. Monkey Puzzle printed velvet has a delightful Baroque feel, depicting a classical landscape of palms and monkeys, Bamboo Garden features delicate floral blossoms and Jungle Jive is inspired by a 1930s archival design.

 

Minimalist style

In minimalism, less is more, and design satisfaction comes from clean, simple lines and sculptural form. Minimalists recoil from too much ornamentation and decoration and prefer a more restrained, even monochromatic colour palette. So it may feel counterintuitive to look towards the rich abundance of tropical design when working in this style. But some of the most beautiful minimalist design carefully uses colour and form as an accent to soften the look and create a soothing environment.

‘Minimalist spaces can still embrace tropical design,’ says Elizabeth Stanhope. ‘Use subtle prints with monochromatic or soft colour palettes. For example, a tropical print in black and white or soft greens can add interest without disrupting the clean, uncluttered feel. Limit tropical elements to a single feature, like curtains, a rug, or an accent cushion.’

A number of Linwood’s tropical designs use a calm colour palette and can be used within a minimalist interior to bring a subtle natural feel, which is tinged with the exotic. Consider Tropicana in Charcoal or Island Paradise scenic print in monochrome Noir.

 

Seasonally adapting tropical interiors

The tropical theme’s natural home is on the sunny side of life, but it can be part of interiors that see through all the seasons in style. A successful tropical room design can flex for different times of year, incorporating light and fresh elements in summer and more warm and cozy textural pieces in the colder months, all the while maintaining a tropical feel. 

Elizabeth Stanhope says: ‘For summer, embrace bright, airy fabrics like beautiful linens with lighter tropical prints, complemented by sheer curtains and textures. When transitioning into autumn or winter, incorporate deeper, more saturated tropical hues such as emerald green or burnt orange as shown in the bedroom above with its Miji Tomato print and layered bed. Incorporate heavier textiles like velvet or wool throws and adjust accessories to feature warmer metals like brass or gold for a more seasonal feel.’

 

Sustainable design choices

When choosing accessories for more environmentally friendly tropical room design, opt for sustainably sourced wood and natural fibres like bamboo, rattan, or jute. And one of the best ways to reduce the carbon footprint is by reusing existing furniture rather than creating demand for more new pieces. Re-upholstering old furniture in tropical-print fabrics keeps items out of landfill and gives you a unique focal point.

While we look to cultures and traditions across the world for design inspiration, Linwood fabrics are produced in the UK, and many of our fabrics and wallpapers are made entirely in Britain, cutting air miles associated with transporting materials from overseas.

Organic fabrics like linen and cotton make for more sustainable interiors. Linen brings a subtle texture and natural feel and is made from flax, which is environmentally friendly. It has low water needs, often growing just with rainwater, and none of the plant goes to waste. Plus, linen is naturally moth resistant, so it’s built to last. Consider our 100% linen Perdana fabric, with exotic flowers and pomegranates, inspired by an archival document.

 

Cultural considerations

The motifs used in tropical prints may have symbolism and diverse meanings in different territories. Considering these brings richness and depth to interiors. For example, in contemporary Western culture, we associate palm trees with relaxation and leisure, but in tropical island cultures, palms provide food, shelter, fibre, and materials for traditional crafts. In these regions, people often see palm trees as symbols of resilience, endurance, and adaptability in harsh environments.

Considering the cultural roots of the designs can also guide an interior theme, leading to choices of textiles and artwork that bring cohesion. For instance, our hand-painted Aesop wallpaper design portrays a mystical world of tigers, horsemen and peacocks, with a nod to Mughal artworks. A room featuring this print could be dressed in traditional arts, crafts and textiles from the Indian subcontinent. 

 

Layering with tropical-coloured accents

Part of the joy of tropical designs is being able to embrace a rich and intense colour palette, inspired by regions where the sun reflects the natural world intensely. Rich flora and fauna appear in dense hues, from exquisite blooms to tropical birds of paradise. In recent years, the Soft Tropics interiors trend has seen tropical design forms take on more muted colours, from soft golden hues to delicate pinks and calm blues.

You can add depth and vibrancy to your tropical room design, by layering tropical-inspired accent colours with accessories such as rugs and cushions. When done thoughtfully, this can complement tropical prints without overwhelming the space. Try pulling in accent colours like sunset orange, deep greens, ocean blues, and bright yellows, for a dynamic look.

Elizabeth Stanhope shares her tip: ‘When layering tropical inspired colours with prints, start by selecting a dominant colour from your tropical fabric/wallpaper as your anchor. Use this colour to inform your choice of complementary or contrasting tones for paints, furniture, fabrics, and accessories. For example, if the print features green palm leaves, you might pair it with a warm coral or soft sandy beige to create a balanced, cohesive tropical feel.’

While tropical prints are associated with the bohemian, eclectic look, their appeal is as broad as nature itself, and they have much to offer across the full range of interior styles. With thoughtful attention to colour, pattern, form and layering, they can soften a minimalist room, inject character into a modern room and enliven a traditional room, all without overwhelming the desired aesthetic.

Tropical interior design presents the opportunity to delve into other cultures and create interiors that are rich in diverse meanings and symbolism. Prints inspired by hot climates don’t need to tie a room to one season, they can provide an anchor for colour layering, and they can be part of a room scheme that prioritises sustainable design. All the more reason to take a design adventure into the sultry and sweltering tropics.