5 steps to nail funky tropical-inspired styling this summer

If your interiors are screaming out for an invigorating update, Dulux’s latest tropical-inspired colour trend predictions for summer ‘18 are the perfect way to bring refreshing holiday vibes into your place.

Dulux’s colour palette Escapade features a playful medley of tropical colours, including pale mint, zesty mustard and soft pink, guaranteed to bring a sense of fun and re-energise any neutral space.

Stylist: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen

Pip Brett, owner of homewares store Jumbled and Dulux Colour Trends Contributor, says ‘this palette is about pure happiness; it’s about creating that holiday felling all-year-round’. Sounds like a great idea to us!

Here are five steps you to follow to nail this refreshing tropical trend in time for summer.

Step 1. Create a fresh white canvas.

To make your tropical accents and accessories stand out, it’s best to start off with a crisp blank canvas and add interest from there.

Begin your tropical transformation by giving your room a fresh coat of a cool white paint, such as Dulux’s Lexicon Quarter.

Next, declutter all your surfaces so there’s plenty of negative space and your new furniture and accessories have plenty of breathing room. 

Step 2. Select unexpected accents.

Dulux Colour Expert Andrea Lucena-Orr suggests, ‘if you’re hesitant to dip into colour, fear not: even small doses of exuberant shades can have a huge impact’.

For subtle but eye-catching pops of colour try adding Dulux’s Cuticle Pink or pale green shade Soft Fresco to unexpected places, such as door frames, staircases, shelving, small pieces of furniture, cornices or mantels to make white walls sing.

Stylist: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen

Andrea reminds us, ‘colour is nothing to be afraid of. Introducing new schemes can invigorate a space…and the beautiful thing about paint is that if you decide on a new colour down the track, you can simply paint over it’.

Step 3. Tap into your inner glamazon.

Enhance the retro 70s Palm Springs feel of your space with the introduction of an eclectic mix of glamorous metallics, sumptuous textiles and feature glassware.

Think amber and turquoise coloured glassware, pale blue Mongolian sheepskin throws and luxe gold accessories (i.e. lamps, pineapple canisters or side tables).

Stylist: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen

Pair pink wall accents with velvet and silk pieces in rich jewel shades. We adore this blue velvet armchair by Voyager and velvet cushions are everywhere right now.

Step 4. Make bold choices.

When selecting big-ticket accessories like artworks and bed linen, opt for ones with strong geometric patterns and vibrant colours that’ll complement the tropical shades you selected for your painted accent features.

For instance, this Adairs Blue Glass bed linen would work perfectly with both mint green and pale pink wall accents.

Stylist: Bree Leech. Photographer: Lisa Cohen

Step 5. Bring the rainforest in.

One of our favourite ways to play up a botanical theme is to add an array of potted tropical houseplants, like indoor palms, ferns and philodendrons, to interiors.

A bonus of introducing lush houseplants is they’ll help to create a happier, healthier home by purifying the air you breathe.

Take your rainforest styling that step further with palm print cushions, fern leaf wallpaper or palm tree wall art.

For sale:  73 Massinger Street, Byron Bay, NSW

We hope this guide helps you to bring a little bit of joyful tropical glam into your life.

For more groovy décor ideas perfect for summer styling check out these nautical interiors and the 70s trends making a comeback.

Happy decorating!

The Homely Team