Laws of the Jungle: How to Get That Lush, Tropical Look
Explore style's wild side by borrowing the colors, patterns and images of a tropical jungle
I'm not talking modern tropical or rattan furniture. I am talking the lush, steamy, full-to-bursting look of the jungle. Pattern on pattern, green everywhere. Big, bold flowers and layer upon layer of color.
OK, so a jungle room might be a little overbearing (not to mention humid), but you can steal elements of that jungle lushness. A hint of the Amazon goes a long way.
Here are a few ideas to up the tropical, Heart of Darkness feel.
OK, so a jungle room might be a little overbearing (not to mention humid), but you can steal elements of that jungle lushness. A hint of the Amazon goes a long way.
Here are a few ideas to up the tropical, Heart of Darkness feel.
This wallpaper mural is a fantasy jungle come true (complete with nymph). The bright leaf-green Acapulco chair ups the tropical vibe, but nothing feels oppressive because there is still so much space.
Green
The jungle is green. Layer upon layer upon layer of it. Even if you are not going for a jungle or tropical theme, green can give a room that sense of cool lushness. It's a very cocooning color.
The jungle is green. Layer upon layer upon layer of it. Even if you are not going for a jungle or tropical theme, green can give a room that sense of cool lushness. It's a very cocooning color.
Here mint green does the job because it's paired with exotic elements like a zebra rug (fake, I hope), a red floor (ever see the dirt in Kauai?) and a few palms.
Colonial Lush
The plantation colonial look is its own style. Think 19th-century English design meets the tropics. It's a mix of buttoned up and completely wild. This room, with its unruly palms and bird cages, is a perfect example.
The plantation colonial look is its own style. Think 19th-century English design meets the tropics. It's a mix of buttoned up and completely wild. This room, with its unruly palms and bird cages, is a perfect example.
This billiards room has a similar look, but it may be just a little too slick and clean. A bit of chaos goes a long way in faking the jungle.
Palm Patterns
I love everything about this vignette — the amazing emerald green, the palm motif on the upholstery and the surprising placement of the color. It's simple and not exactly lush, but it implies the jungle in subtle ways.
I love everything about this vignette — the amazing emerald green, the palm motif on the upholstery and the surprising placement of the color. It's simple and not exactly lush, but it implies the jungle in subtle ways.
Another example of modern jungle. It's all feminine and white, and then there's that delicate but lush palm wallpaper.
I want this wallpaper everywhere. But it's nice as an accent, too.
Bright tropical florals can be intimidating, but when they are in an otherwise neutral and modern room, they add just the right amount of jungle exuberance.