Caribbean Decor

Caribbean decor starts with bringing in lots of lush green plant life. This can be done with an atrium in the middle of the home, nourished by a large skylight. If you can't create an atrium, You can grow banana trees in large pots in ambient light next to windows. There are many species of palm that will also grow in pots and indoors. When you have achieved the look of the Caribbean vegetation, add parrots. Parrots can be painted on the walls and ceiling, or introduced as carved wooden statues and painted steel wall hangings.

Many species of the Caribbean fauna are featured in the craft work made from recycled steel drums. These colorful decor accents create a cheerful and whimsical focal point for a room. Hung on the wall near a potted banana tree or palm, they look absolutely wonderful.

The crystal blue of the sea water and the white or cream colored sand of the beaches is important to capture in Caribbean decor. Use both colors in your paint and in your choice of fabrics. People in the Caribbean have had to be very creative in order to survive economic hardship. This makes them very good at reusing and recycling materials. To make your decor feel authentically Caribbean, buy furniture that is made of wood that was reclaimed from torn down buildings. Each piece of furniture should be a bit different from every other. You can mix and match your chairs from separate garage sales and thrift stores, and then paint them in the same pallet of bright colors.

There are many Caribbean artists who sell their paintings of daily life on the islands. These make great additions to your walls. There is Caribbean indigenous art, as well as the art of the Afro-Caribbean tradition. Using both in your decor will make the room tell a story about the history of the Caribbean.

In Haiti there is a strong influence of a religion called Voodoon. Some of the ceremonies and dances involve wearing white cotton skirts with ruffles, lace, and scalloped eyelet. The use of these materials for curtains, bed spreads, and table cloths would be most appropriate.

There is also a strong Spanish influence in the Caribbean, so hanging Spanish instruments along side African ones on the walls, or resting them on shelves, will provide engaging accents pieces for your Caribbean decor.