20 Living Room Ideas Showcasing Tropical-Style Elements

ByJohn Goodman Interiors, Living Rooms

Tropical-style living room features colorful splashes of green and blue in the cushions, pillows, and chairs. The furnishings, including a sofa as well as both upholstered and woven wicker chairs, contrast white with the green and blue accent colors. Set on a woven area rug, the furniture faces a high-design geometric coffee table, while an equally colorful abstract painting is hung on the wall behind the sofa. Large windows illuminate the bright space, which is augmented by a contemporary pendant light fixture and table lamps.

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Bright color palettes, natural fibers, organic materials, and lush greenery are some of the distinguishing features you will find in the decor of a Tropical-style living room. You can’t teleport back to 1960s São Paulo, but design-wise, you can evoke a Brazilian tropicalia vibe with the right mix of elements. The same goes if you are looking for a tranquil Balinese rainforest atmosphere or a Caribbean beach style… Below, we’ve curated a gallery of living room trends to inspire your own lush, colorful, and Tropical-style design ideas.

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software.

1. Ornate Tray Ceiling Showcases Wood Craftsmanship

Great room features an ornate tray ceiling showcasing wood craftsmanship, exposed beams and ceiling fans. The living room also includes an upholstered sectional and chairs with a nesting coffee table that can separate into three parts.  A large area rug covers hardwood flooring while a bank of windows draws in plenty of natural light.

Great room with tropical decor features an ornate tray ceiling showcasing wood craftsmanship, exposed beams, and ceiling fans. The interior design also includes an upholstered sectional and chairs with a nesting coffee table that can separate into three parts.  A large area rug covers hardwood flooring while a bank of windows draws in plenty of natural light.

2. Thoroughly Modern Design Embraces Tropical Aesthetic

Another example of a great room that incorporates tropical elements into the overall design scheme: Costa Rican design firm Benjamin Garcia Saxe Architecture is known for interacting with the natural landscape in its residential construction, and here they provide a commanding view of the lush treetop scenery from every part of the interior. The contemporary space features exposed steel I-beams in the ceiling with teak and concrete flooring. The living room also has gray velvet cushioned sofas with an ottoman, a wooden coffee table, a long side table, and a tripod floor lamp. The dining area includes a wooden table, bench, and chairs, with upholstered chairs at each end.

Another example of a great room that incorporates tropical design elements into the overall scheme: Costa Rican design firm Benjamin Garcia Saxe Architecture is known for interacting with the natural landscape in its residential construction, and here they provide a commanding view of the lush treetop scenery from every part of the interior. The tropical home decor features exposed steel I-beams in the ceiling with teak and concrete flooring. The living room also has gray velvet cushioned sofas with an ottoman, a wooden coffee table, a long side table, and a tripod floor lamp. The dining area includes a wooden table, bench, and chairs, with upholstered chairs at each end.

3. Animal-Print Cushions Add Tropical Notes

Living room features a white-skirted couch with animal-print cushions, brown armchairs and a wooden coffee table set on a woven area rug over ceramic tile flooring. The space also includes a fireplace with circular mirror, an exposed beam ceiling and a number of plants throughout the space.

Tropical living room ideas in this space feature a white-skirted couch with animal-print cushions, brown armchairs, and a wooden coffee table set on a woven area rug over ceramic tile flooring. The room also includes a fireplace with a circular mirror, an exposed beam ceiling, and indoor plants throughout the space.

4. Wood Slat Accent Wall Provides Organic Backdrop

Minimalist Tropical living room features an L-shaped white sectional sofa with a circular coffee table on a blue area rug, The space also includes a contemporary tree floor lamp, wood slat accent wall and light hardwood flooring. 

Minimalist Tropical living room features an L-shaped white sectional sofa with a circular coffee table on a blue area rug. The space also includes a contemporary tree floor lamp, wood slat accent wall, and light hardwood flooring. 

5. Leather Ottoman Takes Center Stage

Living room features a large leather ottoman, center stage, in a space that also has two brown sectionals, numerous plants, and a woven area rug over hardwood flooring. A series of framed black and white photographs hang on one wall while a painting is positioned over the fireplace.

Living room features a large leather ottoman, center stage, in a space that also has two brown sectionals, numerous plants, and a woven area rug over hardwood flooring. A series of framed black and white photographs hang on one wall while a painting is positioned over the fireplace.

6. Contemporary Design Harmonizes with Nature 

Contemporary living room features white leather sofas and chairs surrounding a wooden coffee table set on a woven area rug over dark hardwood flooring. The space also includes a tray ceiling with exposed beams, a flat-screen TV, a large mirror, and sliding doors that provide access to a backyard pool area.

Contemporary living room design features white leather sofas and chairs surrounding a wooden coffee table set on a woven area rug over the dark hardwood flooring. The space also includes a tray ceiling with exposed beams, a flat-screen TV, a large mirror, and sliding doors that provide access to a backyard pool area.

7. Earth Tones Palette Used Throughout Living Room 

Living room features a Tropical aesthetic in its wood-frame patterned accent chairs, woven area rug, potted plants, and earth tones throughout the space including an orange accent wall . The space also has a fireplace, sofa and wooden spool coffee table.

Living room features a Tropical vibe in its wood-frame patterned accent chairs, woven area rug, potted plants, and earth tones throughout the space including an orange accent wall. The space also has a fireplace, sofa, and wooden spool coffee table.

8. Potted Palm Plants Add Life to Dramatic Tropical Space

Modern loft living room features a tropical-style aesthetic with bright design furniture and potted palm plants in a space with a high ceiling and hardwood flooring.

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Modern loft living room features a tropical-style aesthetic with bright design furniture and potted palm plants in a space with a high ceiling and hardwood flooring.

9. Bamboo Blinds Cover Living Room Windows

Bamboo blinds cover the windows in this living room which features beige sectionals and a dark wood accent chair surrounding a wooden coffee table. The space also includes a fireplace, large area rug over hardwood flooring and several plants.

Bamboo blinds cover the windows in this living room which features beige sectionals and a dark wood accent chair surrounding a wooden coffee table. The Tropical interior design also includes a fireplace, a large area rug over hardwood flooring, a palm tree, and several plants.

10. Wicker Armchairs Dressed with Patterned Cushions

Airy living room features glass windows covered in sheer Roman shades, deep blue sofas, and wicker armchairs dressed with patterned cushions. The seating is arranged around a solid wooden coffee table, with several potted plants distributed around the room.

Airy living room features glass windows covered in sheer Roman shades, deep blue sofas, and wicker armchairs dressed with patterned cushions. The seating is arranged around a solid wooden coffee table, with several potted plants distributed around the room. The space also includes a woven area rug spread over hardwood flooring with table and floor lamps for illumination.

11. Potted Plants Enjoy Extra Headroom in Double-Height Space

Bird's-eye view of a living room with a double-height ceiling showcases a white round-back sofa set facing a glass-top coffee table. Two vintage rugs lie over rich hardwood flooring, with a grand piano in one corner. The space also includes massive clerestory windows, a fireplace, and large potted plants with plenty of room to grow.

Bird’s-eye view of a living room with a double-height ceiling showcases a white round-back sofa set facing a glass-top coffee table. Two vintage rugs lie over rich hardwood flooring, with a grand piano in one corner. The space also includes massive clerestory windows, a fireplace, and large potted plants with plenty of room to grow.

Type of Living Rooms: Family Rooms | Formal Living Rooms | Great Rooms | Libraries | Sunrooms | Bars | Man Caves | Game Rooms | Home Theaters

Related: All Tropical-style homes | Tropical Kitchen Ideas | Tropical Style Foyer Ideas | Tropical Landscaping Ideas | Tropical Style Dining Room Ideas | Tropical Style Primary Bedroom Ideas | Tropical Style Primary Bathroom

12. All-Wood Interior Features Cathedral Ceiling 

Massive all-wood interior features a beige modern sofa set with club chairs and a glass-top metal coffee table. The bright space, with a cathedral ceiling that matches the walls and hardwood flooring, includes extensive glass doors and transom windows, drawing in plenty of natural light.

Massive all-wood interior features a beige modern sofa set with club chairs and a glass-top metal coffee table. The bright space, with a cathedral ceiling that matches the walls and hardwood flooring, includes extensive glass doors and transom windows, drawing in plenty of natural light.

13. Compact Space Employs Tropical Aesthetic 

Light and airy compact living room showcases white sofas stuffed with orange pillows facing a solid wooden coffee table and fireplace. The space includes a woven carpet flooring, several plants and large windows on one wall.

Light and airy compact living room showcases white sofas stuffed with orange pillows facing a solid wooden coffee table and fireplace. The space includes woven carpet flooring, several plants, and large windows on one wall.

14. Pendant Lights Suspended from the Ceiling Like Golden Raindrops

Tropical boho-style living room features a mid-century modern beige sofa with orange pillows and a large window bringing in plenty of natural sunlight. The plant-filled space also has wide, light hardwood plank flooring and pendant lighting.

Tropical boho-style living room features a mid-century modern beige sofa with orange pillows and a large window bringing in plenty of natural sunlight. The plant-filled space also has wide, light hardwood plank flooring and pendant lighting suspended from the ceiling like golden raindrops.

15. Wood Grain-Patterned Area Rug Complements Cathedral Ceiling

Living room features an L-shaped sectional paired with round back chairs and a wooden coffee table. The space also includes a cathedral ceiling clad in dark wood plank and a large area rug with a unique woodgrain pattern.

Living room features an L-shaped sectional paired with round back chairs and a wooden coffee table. The space also includes a cathedral ceiling clad in dark wood plank and a large area rug with a unique wood grain pattern.

16. Great Room Goes with Green and Gray Color Palette

Tropical-style living room features a green and gray color palette in the sofa, chairs, patterned pillows, and area rug. The space also includes an exposed beam ceiling, light hardwood flooring, and a linear fireplace with a flat-screen TV mounted overhead. Artwork in both the living room and adjacent dining room continues to play up the green theme as well.

Tropical living room design features a green and gray color palette in the sofa, chairs, patterned pillows, and area rug. The space also includes an exposed beam ceiling, light hardwood flooring, and a linear fireplace with a flat-screen TV mounted overhead. Artwork in both the living room and adjacent dining room continues to play up the Tropical feel as well.

17. Air Flows Through Spacious Hawaiian Great Room

This Tropical-style great room in a Hawaiian home features redwood flooring, which matches the exposed wooden beams in the high cathedral ceiling. The living room also includes off-white upholstered sofa, chairs, and ottomans with a light blue upholstered coffee table. A wall of sliding glass doors and transom windows illuminates the room and provides expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Both the living room and dining area have pendant fixtures hanging from the ceiling for further lighting.

This Tropical-style great room in a Hawaiian home features redwood flooring, which matches the exposed wooden beams in the high cathedral ceiling. The living room also includes an off-white upholstered sofa, chairs, and ottomans with a light blue upholstered coffee table. A wall of sliding glass doors and transom windows illuminates the room and provides expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. Both the living room and dining area have pendant fixtures hanging from the ceiling for further lighting.

18. Bold Splashes of Color Take Room Tropical

Tropical-style living room features colorful splashes of green and blue in the cushions, pillows, and chairs. The furnishings, including a sofa as well as both upholstered and woven wicker chairs, contrast white with the green and blue accent colors. Set on a woven area rug, the furniture faces a high-design geometric coffee table, while an equally colorful abstract painting is hung on the wall behind the sofa. Large windows illuminate the bright space, which is augmented by a contemporary pendant light fixture and table lamps.

Tropical-style living room features splashes of bold colors with the use of green and blue in the cushions, pillows, and rattan chairs. The furnishings, including a sofa as well as both upholstered and woven wicker chairs, contrast white with the green and blue accent colors. Set on a woven area rug, the furniture faces a high-design geometric coffee table, while an equally colorful abstract painting is hung on the wall behind the sofa. Large windows illuminate the bright space, which is augmented by a contemporary pendant light fixture and table lamps.

19. Beach Bungalow Cools Down with Concrete and High Palapa Ceiling

Beach bungalow on the Mexican Pacific coast features a Tropical-style living room with a built-in concrete sofa and a floating concrete shelf overhead. The high palapa ceiling is part of a thatched roof constructed of dried palm leaves and wood frames, with the option to open up in hot weather for air flow.

Beach bungalow on the Mexican Pacific coast features a Tropical-style living room with a built-in concrete sofa and a floating concrete shelf overhead. The high palapa ceiling favors natural materials in the thatched roof constructed of dried palm leaves and wood frames, with the option to open up in hot weather for airflow.

20. Subtle Tropical Touches Resonate Throughout Seaside Home

This seaside home in Kuwait uses Tropical-style elements to subtly enhance its contemporary design. The spacious, bright living room features several sectional sofas and chaise lounges with two light blue coffee tables as well as a number of objet d'art side tables. The massive area rug is a work of art in itself, with abstract streaks of orange and blue running through the fibers. The space includes light wood cabinetry, stone walls, and hardwood flooring, with three circular pendant fixtures providing light.

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This seaside home in Kuwait uses a Tropical theme to subtly enhance its contemporary design. The spacious, bright living room features several sectional sofas and chaise lounges with two light blue coffee tables as well as a number of objet d’art side tables. The massive area rug is a work of art in itself, with abstract streaks of orange and blue running through the fibers. The space includes light wood cabinetry, stone walls, and hardwood flooring, with three circular pendant fixtures providing light.

Related: Hillside Ocean View Home | Tropical Island Villa | Stunning Tropical Waterfront Villas | Tropical Mansion

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John Goodman

John Goodman finds the creative energy of journalism constantly inspiring. He has worked as a reporter, editor and designer in lifestyles journalism for more than 20 years. As arts and culture editor with Vancouver’s North Shore News newspaper he was part of an award-winning team that created thousands of stories over the past two decades.

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