A tropical paradise situated on a magical island, people who have been to Bali, Indonesia, are enchanted by its lush greenery, rich heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. Bali is often referred to as the island of the gods; for many people, this is an escape from reality.
In the world of interior design, few styles are as distinctive and enchanting as modern Balinese. It’s a style that beautifully marries the rich cultural heritage of Bali with sleek, contemporary aesthetics, creating spaces that are both serene and modern. This unique blend offers a retreat-like ambiance, making it perfect for those looking to infuse their homes with tranquility and natural beauty. Whether you’re designing a cozy villa or simply wish to bring a touch of paradise into your home, exploring the facets of modern Balinese interior design is worth your time.
In this article, you will be introduced to why the Balinese interior design has captured the eyes of people all over the world. You will also know how this rich Javanese heritage has enthralled and inspired many designers to emulate its aesthetics. Lastly, you will get tips on interpreting this kind of Tropical interior style for your homes.
What Is Balinese Interior Design
Contemporary Balinese interior design is influenced by Javanese Hinduism and the people’s way of life in this island paradise. The design style is rooted in nature; unlike the Scandinavian interior design that wants to return to nature, the Balinese interior design is already in one. You don’t just incorporate nature into the design; rather, you embrace what is in the wild, with its tropical greenery and rich foliage.
All the greenery is balanced by other earthy elements represented by terracotta, wood, and ceramic materials. When you decorate your room with bamboo and wood, a sense of spirituality comes along- and that’s what the Balinese interior design aims for.
What Makes Balinese Interior Design Unique?
Modern Balinese interior design stands out for its harmonious blend of natural elements and minimalist aesthetics, creating a zen-like ambiance that promotes relaxation and comfort. This design style is deeply rooted in Bali’s cultural heritage, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces to foster a strong connection with nature. Balinese interiors often feature open-air layouts, allowing natural light to flood the space and enhance the use of natural materials like wood, stone, and rattan. This unique combination makes Balinese design not only beautiful but also profoundly serene and inviting.
Like the island from which it got its inspiration, the Balinese interior design is calming and otherworldly. Furthermore, the Balinese aesthetics aims for harmony with its natural surroundings. Being deeply religious, the Balinese people incorporate traditions into their interior design.
The Balinese house has four strengths. It should have good ventilation to allow better airflow. This means the house should have large windows and an open layout to allow such airflow to happen. Like the communal Balinese family, homes should have a strong structural foundation.
The bucolic vibe of Bali allows its residents to commune widely with nature. That being said, the Balinese homes have large gardens to replicate what is in nature. Lastly, the Bali design interior design includes high walls to protect the occupants from the outside world.
Elements of Balinese Interior Design
Solid wood is a main component of the Balinese style. Here are some more elements common to this design aesthetics.
Open Layout
The Balinese are communal people. They have open living arrangements, with each pavilion housing a particular family. Married children often live beside their elders. These homes often have high walls to provide privacy and protection, often made of stones, bricks and bamboo.
The garden is a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. It’s also the space where the family can commune together. Traditional interpretations of the Balinese garden tend to be sparse, but the modern translation makes use of more vivid and richer use of natural elements.
Laidback Culture
Whether you want to get inspired by the lush jungles of Ubud or the coastal surfing activities of Uluwatu, one thing remains the same. The vibe is laid back. This means the furnishings should be fuss-free and flexible. Your artwork should be inspired by nature; your furniture should be easily moved around.
Locally Sourced Plants
Harmony is at the heart of the Balinese sentimentalities. Living in a different climate region does not allow you to have the same plants like those found in Bali. You can still follow the harmonious character by using locally-sourced plants and materials.
Outdoor-Indoor Amalgamation
Nature is part of the Balinese space. It’s no surprise that you could a lot of tropical foliage in such a design. Plants create a sense of serenity to any room, aside from improving the breaking air of that said room. Here are some indoor plants suited for the modern Balinese interior design:
- Monstera
- Areca
- Birds of Paradise
- Jasmine
A Balinese-style interior design balances the harmony between organic and man-made design elements. For example, your living room breathes and opens up seamlessly to the lush greens of the garden.
Wood
Solid wood is commonly seen in a Balinese living room, from sculptures to larger pieces like daybeds and coffee tables. The best thing about this design is you don’t have to think hard when matching wood elements; they don’t need to be matchy either. You can use these tropical wood materials:
- Merbau
- Teak
Ulin
Carved wooden pieces are often inspired by nature, the Balinese daily work life, and Buddhist and Hindu iconography. These larger wood elements are juxtaposed with bolder and brighter smaller design elements.
Bamboo
Your Balinese paradise will not be complete if you don’t incorporate bamboo elements. They are structurally stable yet pliant to be used as decorative.
Bright Colors
Bali is also known for its colorful dances and traditional attire. Each color has a meaning. For example, gold symbolizes prosperity and happiness; yellow for a good life.
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Balinese Gardens
Your rooms are extensions of the lush greenery outdoors. What better way to interpret this is by planting ferns, bougainvillea, lotus, and frangipani in your garden. Balinese spend their time basking in their gardens, so why not try to imitate it, right?
Big Walls
Walls, for the Balinese people, protect their homes from evil spirits. These big walls are ornately designed to highlight their function.
Detailed
Whether your approach is modern or traditional, there is no denying that the Balinese interior design is ornately created. On the one hand, it can have many curvilinear elements as seen in traditional art. It can have simple and clean lines but uses several materials, mainly stone and timber, as seen in the exposed timber beams of a high-ceiling Balinese home.
Tips on Creating a Balinese Interior Design
The holistic approach is the best way to create a Balinese-inspired living space. Think of your living space as the entire mosaic, that each design element is a piece of the puzzle. The colors used in larger and smaller design elements should be congruent.
Create An Outdoor Inspired Balinese Bathroom
Why not step outside the norm and mimic the luxury outdoor bathrooms that are iconic to the Balinese Interior Design Style. Of course this style would only be suited to the more tropical and warmer climates but you could possible adopt some features into your own home to give a similar look and feel. Perhaps adding plants or selecting a timber vanity and mirror that is similar that of Bali style.
Incorporate As Much Wood As You Can
Sky’s the limit would be an understatement when one talks about Balinese-style home decor. Incorporate the woodwork in the door frames, headboards, dividers, and the likes. Look for intricately designed carving pieces.
Bold Timber Front Door
Nothing will give away your design style than a large ornate timber carved Balinese style front door. This is an iconic Balinese feature that makes a bold and grand statement of authenticity to your space.
Add Pops of Color
Wood tones can make the room monotonous- and boring. Avoid such effects by adding pops of color here and there. Balinese interior modern design includes bright colors added to floral arrangements, wall art, and even modern busts and sculptures.
Create a Balinese Bedroom
To start the sense of serenity, you can paint your walls in neutral tones such as biscuit, beige, and cream. This way, you allow other design pieces to shine through. The star of the show in creating a Balinese inspired bedroom having a canopy style bed frame draped with some soft fabric in neutral tones.
Add Plants
Plants can also be injected into your home by adding ornate Bali-style pots in selected spaces in your home (interior/exterior/front entry way/around the pool). Look for big green leafy plants: Ficus, philodendrons, monstera, alocasia, palms and tiger grass are some good starting points.
Layer Colors and Textiles
Be mindful when incorporating traditional Balinese elements to your home, especially small accessories. Always know what their meaning are before adding them to your room. Frame a batik fabric to act as wall art.
To create a modern outtake for the Balinese interior, you can layer traditional colors with more upbeat colors. For example, combine a blue-tone pillow and a millennial pink one.
Add a Water Feature to the Garden…or Indoors
To create a more tropical sense to your garden, add fountain or pond as your water feature. Yoga and meditation is part of the Balinese culture. Having a water feature would complete the Balinese courtyard look. You can also include small statues and a stone pathway that can lead to your home.
You can also integrate the water feature into your home. The gentle trickling sound of water as it drops onto the stone has a meditative vibe and becomes a great statement piece, spa-like, if you must insist.
Add a Mirror
Carved ornate mirrors can give your room an authentic Balinese feel and be a great feature and focal point in your space.
Add a Tropical Ceiling Fan or some Rattan Lighting
Finish up your tropic look with a wooden ceiling fan. Find ones that use dark panels and match these to our predominantly white room. This design would be great if you have wide windows overlooking a green garden or lush area full of trees. Alternatively, add some beautifully hand crafted rattan lighting above your indoor or outdoor dining setting to create a strong focal point during and spectacular ambiance at night.
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How to Incorporate Natural Materials for That Balinese Feel
One of the hallmarks of Balinese design is its emphasis on natural materials, which bring warmth, texture, and a sense of relaxation to any space. To emulate this in your home, consider incorporating elements like raw wood furniture, stone carvings, and rattan décor. These materials not only add an earthy, authentic touch but also help to create a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors, a key aspect of Balinese style. By choosing items that reflect the natural beauty of the outdoors, you can transform your home into a tranquil haven that celebrates the simplicity and elegance of Bali.
The Role of Textiles in Balinese Decor
Textiles play a significant role in adding color, pattern, and warmth to Balinese interiors. From intricately designed batik fabrics to handwoven rugs and cushions, textiles are an easy way to incorporate Balinese flair into your home.
These elements often feature earthy tones and natural motifs, such as ferns and tropical plants, which enhance the space’s connection to nature. By carefully selecting textiles that complement your overall design, you can create a cohesive and inviting interior that echoes the island’s rich textile heritage.
To End
These are the simple tips you can apply to add some tropical Balinese feel to your house. Do you think this design style is right up your alley? Please tell share with us your thoughts in the comments below.
