Tropical Kitchens: 12 Key Design Elements
Get that holiday-at-home feeling in your kitchen with these homes for inspiration
Tropical kitchens are bright, breezy and balmy – think palm trees rather than sea shells. They’re a relaxed space to be in, and are characterised by warm, natural, organic materials such as wood and rattan. The tropical look encompasses both the rustic, down-to-earth Balinese style and the more refined, classic Caribbean style. Take a look at these kitchens and feel any anxiety about what to cook for dinner float away on a warm tropical breeze…
1. Architecture
Consider the architecture of the house when designing your tropical kitchen. Think lots of air and light, and natural materials that bring the outside in.
Consider the architecture of the house when designing your tropical kitchen. Think lots of air and light, and natural materials that bring the outside in.
2. Pitched ceiling
In warmer climates, high-pitched ceilings help with air circulation and temperature cooling. This ceiling has been painted white for a lighter, more contemporary look.
In warmer climates, high-pitched ceilings help with air circulation and temperature cooling. This ceiling has been painted white for a lighter, more contemporary look.
3. Use of wood
Wood is prevalent in tropical kitchens due to its honest, simple, rustic nature. The wood cabinetry in this kitchen in Hawaii is warm and inviting.
Wood is prevalent in tropical kitchens due to its honest, simple, rustic nature. The wood cabinetry in this kitchen in Hawaii is warm and inviting.
4. White colour palette
White is such as versatile colour and suits most kitchen styles, including tropical. This Melbourne kitchen embraces white, featuring a white ceiling, cabinetry, benchtop and splashback. Glass pendants are ideal as they are transparent and don’t block the sight-line to the ceiling.
Be inspired by more wonderfully white kitchens
White is such as versatile colour and suits most kitchen styles, including tropical. This Melbourne kitchen embraces white, featuring a white ceiling, cabinetry, benchtop and splashback. Glass pendants are ideal as they are transparent and don’t block the sight-line to the ceiling.
Be inspired by more wonderfully white kitchens
5. Panelled cabinetry
Cabinetry in tropical kitchens is more classic and textured than sleek and contemporary. Consider panel and frame or tongue-and-groove cabinetry in painted wood. The white panelled cabinetry here hides a tall pantry.
Cabinetry in tropical kitchens is more classic and textured than sleek and contemporary. Consider panel and frame or tongue-and-groove cabinetry in painted wood. The white panelled cabinetry here hides a tall pantry.
6. Glass louvre windows
Louvre windows are synonymous with the tropical look, and a practical solution in warm, wet climates. As seen in this Palm Beach, Sydney, kitchen, the blades open horizontally allowing maximum ventilation even at times of gentle rain.
Louvre windows are synonymous with the tropical look, and a practical solution in warm, wet climates. As seen in this Palm Beach, Sydney, kitchen, the blades open horizontally allowing maximum ventilation even at times of gentle rain.
7. Ceiling fans
Wood or bamboo ceiling fans, similar to this one, evoke a true tropical feeling and are both stylish and practical.
Wood or bamboo ceiling fans, similar to this one, evoke a true tropical feeling and are both stylish and practical.
8. Wicker and rattan
Woven from natural reed, palm and willow, or manufactured from bamboo, decor including fruit bowls, storage baskets and chairs (such as these rattan stools) reflect the tropical style in spades.
Woven from natural reed, palm and willow, or manufactured from bamboo, decor including fruit bowls, storage baskets and chairs (such as these rattan stools) reflect the tropical style in spades.
9. Tropical furniture and fittings
If the kitchen is open-plan, the rest of the furniture should reflect the tropical style. Here, the sofa is made from bamboo poles and the lights over the kitchen island are inspired by Indonesian fishing traps.
Sofa fabric: Osborne & Little ‘Chardon’ by Nina Campbell: The Elephant Room; kitchen pendants; Tucker Robbins Pod Lights
If the kitchen is open-plan, the rest of the furniture should reflect the tropical style. Here, the sofa is made from bamboo poles and the lights over the kitchen island are inspired by Indonesian fishing traps.
Sofa fabric: Osborne & Little ‘Chardon’ by Nina Campbell: The Elephant Room; kitchen pendants; Tucker Robbins Pod Lights
10. Natural lighting
Lighting in tropical kitchens work best if they reflect materials found in nature such as wood, wicker, cane or cork.
Lighting in tropical kitchens work best if they reflect materials found in nature such as wood, wicker, cane or cork.
11. Outdoor kitchen
If your kitchen opens onto a garden or deck, consider extending it outside. Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasing popular and up that holiday vibe. This kitchen in Palm Beach, Sydney, features an integrated barbecue to cook your tropical feasts.
If your kitchen opens onto a garden or deck, consider extending it outside. Outdoor kitchens are becoming increasing popular and up that holiday vibe. This kitchen in Palm Beach, Sydney, features an integrated barbecue to cook your tropical feasts.
12. Tropical plants and flowers
Adding tropical plants is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to increase the tropical vibe. The orchids show here are Phalaenopsis.
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Adding tropical plants is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to increase the tropical vibe. The orchids show here are Phalaenopsis.
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Indonesian Houzz: Take a Look Around a Tropical Bali Retreat
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This kitchen in St Barts embraces quintessential tropical style and has all the key ingredients to make you feel instantly relaxed and on holiday. Core features include the white tongue-and-groove panelling, benchtop and furniture, while the wooden window frames, ceiling fans and pineapple fruit bowl complete the look.
Following are 12 elements that will make your tropical kitchen dream a reality.