What is a Tropical Bathroom?
If you live in a cold-weather state, especially in the Northeast states like New York or New Jersey, you might feel like you need more than one or two vacations a year. In fact, if you had it your way, every day would be a vacation. That’s why you might think about a relaxation room, a spa-like place where you can unwind at the end of the day and feel like you stepped into another world, even if only for an hour. This is one of the reasons why we love the tropical bathroom vibe. Everything from a Southeast Asian, zen room to a 50s Tiki powder room could give you that ‘tropical getaway’ feeling, but the most important thing part is “how do you do it right”, so it comes out looking professional, clean, and makes you want to just enjoy the space itself? We put together a guide that will not only inspire you, but create an environment that will blow your guests away too, or let you keep your updated bathroom as a secret hideaway all to yourself!
How do you make a Bathroom Look Tropical?
When you think about tropical spaces, there are some common themes. These often include green, lush plants, natural materials like wood and stone, and just the right kind of lighting. Often, there is a water element as well, and this could be everything from a rainfall shower if you’re going all-out, or even just a miniature fountain placed in a tasteful area. Certain smells can also be transformative, and while this does not change the look of a bathroom, it can certainly change the atmosphere. Tropical smells can be subtle hints of citrus, hibiscus, vanilla, or ylang-ylang, or they can be less about the Caribbean and include jasmine, lemongrass, or frangipani.
Below, we have a list of modern bathroom trends combined with the concept of ‘tropical’ to help evoke the serenity and beauty of natural and relaxing tropical environments.
The Right Use of Wood Tones
Often, you might think of bamboo or light wood as the go-to option, and this can absolutely be true. Starting with revamped cabinetry can do a lot to transform a space. Because the tropical aesthetic is more natural, rough wood can go, or anything that is not too uniform in color or paint. Rich, textured wood can also be dark, too, which can go especially well if you have a minimalist cabinet, use wallpaper, or want to contrast bright and vivid plants. For example, this black, wood cabinet by Diamond, or some of these rustic and affordable colors by WOLF.
Add Plants
For a majority of concepts, the inclusion of plants is probably going to be a fundamental way to achieve the tropical vibe. But the right type of plants, both in looks, size, care, and time commitment is an important consideration. The following plants are worth considering:
- Bamboo – fast-growing and easy to care for, it is the quintessential symbol of what it means to be tropical
- Aloe Vera – low maintenance, easy to find, and fast-growing, you will also have a medicinal plant within arms reach if you raise an Aloe plant
- Orchids – a classic, beautiful plant that actually grows best in bathrooms, though you should read about its care before committing
- Snake Plant – snake plants are hardy and forgiving, and they don’t require much light.
- Spider Plant – As if the snake plant wasn’t enough, spider plants are used in both Japan and Thailand
- Pothos – this plant is pretty and dramatic, and like others on the list, has low requirements for light and water
- Bird’s Nest Fern – the appearance of the leaves of this plant evokes a tropical feeling
- Philodendron – adaptable and attractive, you might consider this plant if you’re going for variety
It’s important to note that certain environments are more suitable for some plants than others. We chose these plants because they thrive in bathrooms which are traditionally a warm, humid environment. They also can handle low light. Be mindful if you have pets, however, as some plants are moderately toxic to animals, like the Aloe Vera plant, which can cause liver or kidney damage if ingested.
Playing with Water
Water features are an important part of tropical landscapes. Whether you want a stark, minimalist, and modern Japanese zen room made of natural stone and devoid of plants, or you decide to go all-in and recreate the rainforest, water is the one feature that brings life and ambiance to the environment. A waterfall showerhead, a standalone bathtub, or a fountain that trickles water on your bathroom countertop can help achieve this feeling. If you feel you can’t incorporate these measures, other options might be to use colors that evoke flowing water or riverbeds, or to have moving water as background sound.
Floors that include ceramic or porcelain tiles, natural stone, bamboo, teak, or some other natural wood all can help bring together the look and feel of a tropical bathroom. There is no better way to bring earthiness into your space than thinking about how you might update your floor. If it’s not possible to do so, the cabinets and countertop can serve as the natural material that most draws the eye. From there, using a bamboo or hand-woven rug may then be all you need to breathe new life into your bathroom!
Giving your Bathroom a ‘Beachy’ Vibe
If you think about tropical as more beachy, you might be hoping for either a coastal or Caribbean vibe, therefore, you might draw your inspiration from the islands, or semi-tropical areas like Florida. For example:
- Barbados, Jamaica, and the Bahamas
- Hawaii
- The Florida Keys
- The Maldives
- Costa Rica
- Cabo
Creating a Spa Experience in Your Bathroom
When some people think of tropical, they might be after a more tranquil, peaceful vibe that is often associated with Southeast Asia or Japan. This heavily incorporates natural material and more defined lines. Minimalist design is more appropriate here, so using stone and all-natural, smooth countertops can go a long way. Inspiration comes from:
- Japan
- Thailand
- Bali
- Laos
- Vietnam
Going with a Bohemian-Inspired Bathroom Instead
Even though Bohemian bathrooms are not tropical, you might find that it was the aesthetic you actually were going for as you look at inspiration and start thinking about what types of cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, and colors will suit your bathroom. The ‘Bohemian’ look includes natural elements as well, including vibrant art, liberal use of textures, inclusion of real wood, lush landscapes, and cultural or ethnic heirlooms. For a more bohemian look, think of places like:
- Marrakech
- Ibiza, Spain
- Goa, India
- San Franciso USA – the Mission District
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