Decorating
Hot House Style: 11 Ways to Wow With Tropical Wallpaper
Bring a touch of lush luxury or frond-y fun into your home with these tropical-style wallpaper ideas
If you’ve ever visited Graceland in the US, the idea of a jungle room might conjure up lots of burled wood and green shag carpet on the ceiling. (If you doubt me, you really need to make the trip to Memphis to see Elvis’ beloved home.) But shake that image – jungle and tropical plants are dominating many stylish walls in every room of the house these days. Chic, powerful and welcoming, these wallpapers can thrive no matter the size of your room or the style of your home.
2. Create a living room accent wall
This is perhaps the most iconic tropical wallpaper. Designed by Don Loper in 1942 for the Beverly Hills Hotel, the glorious banana leaves have become a lasting symbol of Hollywood glamour. Used here as the backdrop for a sofa, with a starburst mirror in the centre, the large leaves dazzle without overwhelming.
‘The Iconic Original Martinique Wallpaper – Beverly Hills’: Designer Wallcoverings
This is perhaps the most iconic tropical wallpaper. Designed by Don Loper in 1942 for the Beverly Hills Hotel, the glorious banana leaves have become a lasting symbol of Hollywood glamour. Used here as the backdrop for a sofa, with a starburst mirror in the centre, the large leaves dazzle without overwhelming.
‘The Iconic Original Martinique Wallpaper – Beverly Hills’: Designer Wallcoverings
3. Cover every wall in a small space
But sometimes overwhelming is a good thing. Covering all the walls in this small powder room transformed the space into a lush jungle (complete with modern amenities).
But sometimes overwhelming is a good thing. Covering all the walls in this small powder room transformed the space into a lush jungle (complete with modern amenities).
4. Pair it with black and white photography
In this glamorous apartment of a fashion blogger, Bianca and Mick look right at home amid the Beverly Hills Hotel Martinique wallpaper.
In this glamorous apartment of a fashion blogger, Bianca and Mick look right at home amid the Beverly Hills Hotel Martinique wallpaper.
5. Give a vast space human scale
In this bedroom, interior designer Eugenie Niven Goodman had these charming trees hand-painted. The result is a design that custom-fits the barrel vault ceiling and the spaces between the windows.
Artwork: Flöe Painting
In this bedroom, interior designer Eugenie Niven Goodman had these charming trees hand-painted. The result is a design that custom-fits the barrel vault ceiling and the spaces between the windows.
Artwork: Flöe Painting
6. Accentuate a beautiful wood
African mahogany’s deep colour and lovely graining are an apt match for the tropical leaves. Woven baskets add to the textural palette.
African mahogany’s deep colour and lovely graining are an apt match for the tropical leaves. Woven baskets add to the textural palette.
7. Jazz up a bedhead wall
Interior designer Michelle Workman gave this apartment a fresh makeover in green and white. She mixed the oversized leaves with smaller-scale geometrics, larger swaths of solids and even a toile print.
‘Tropical Isle’ wallpaper: Decorators Walk (no longer available); fainting chair/ottoman in ‘Cathay Toile’ fabric: Brunschwig & Fils; bedside tables and lamps: Shine by S.H.O.
Interior designer Michelle Workman gave this apartment a fresh makeover in green and white. She mixed the oversized leaves with smaller-scale geometrics, larger swaths of solids and even a toile print.
‘Tropical Isle’ wallpaper: Decorators Walk (no longer available); fainting chair/ottoman in ‘Cathay Toile’ fabric: Brunschwig & Fils; bedside tables and lamps: Shine by S.H.O.
8. Add garden elements
The trellis details on the cabinetry and mirror, light fixtures that look like outdoor lanterns and whimsical drawer pulls give this room Bahamian botanical flair. You’ll feel like you’re putting on your face in a Caribbean gazebo.
‘Palm Leaves’ wallpaper: Cole & Son
The trellis details on the cabinetry and mirror, light fixtures that look like outdoor lanterns and whimsical drawer pulls give this room Bahamian botanical flair. You’ll feel like you’re putting on your face in a Caribbean gazebo.
‘Palm Leaves’ wallpaper: Cole & Son
10. Build in a strong contrast
The deep and bright colours in this wallpaper are surrounded by glossy white cabinetry, maximising its colourful impact.
‘Palm Jungle’ wallpaper: Cole & Son
The deep and bright colours in this wallpaper are surrounded by glossy white cabinetry, maximising its colourful impact.
‘Palm Jungle’ wallpaper: Cole & Son
11. Go large-scale
The trees seem almost actual-size in this playroom. A subdued colour palette gives it a more sophisticated look.
Custom wallpaper: Studio Munroe
TELL US
Have you tried a tropical theme at home? Share your successes and how-to advice with us in the Comments below.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Tropical
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The trees seem almost actual-size in this playroom. A subdued colour palette gives it a more sophisticated look.
Custom wallpaper: Studio Munroe
TELL US
Have you tried a tropical theme at home? Share your successes and how-to advice with us in the Comments below.
MORE
So Your Style Is: Tropical
How to Bring Balinese Style Home From Your Holiday
Palm Prints Make a Welcomed Appearance Indoors
A tropical pattern on the walls in the foyer is a wonderful way to welcome and wow your guests. When paired with wood furniture, white accents and cane or wicker textures, the style can take on a pleasing British Colonial look.
‘Honolulu Palm by Julien MacDonald’ wallpaper: Graham & Brown