The modern Balinese style is one of the most relevant interior design trends of the moment, as well as being a decorating style full of ideas from which to draw inspiration. Let’s take a closer look at what this style is all about.
First, why Bali style?
Bali is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. With its magical mix of culture, people, nature, activities, climate, culinary delights, nightlife and beautiful accommodations, it is considered to be one of a kind.
Also known as “the island of the gods”, Bali is considered by many travellers to be one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Its natural beauty, spirituality and high-speed wifi encourage many to settle here. And this has something to do with interior design. Yes! Actually, Bali’s interior design is a great reflection of Bali’s culture and cherished lifestyle.
Bali is home to some of the most beautiful and unique interior design styles in the world. From traditional Balinese designs to modern and contemporary styles, there is something for everyone.
Balinese interior style reflects this special mood in an aesthetic that revolves around nature and balance. Natural materials, craftsmanship, greenery and the outdoors are balanced as a reflection of the island’s culture.
Besides, who wouldn’t want to live in interiors that convey an inner sense of instant calm, relaxation and well-being?
I have to admit that the charm of these interiors is also partly due to their enchanting location and breathtaking scenery. But I believe there are some interesting elements that could certainly be incorporated into any project that would bring out the atmosphere of this magical island.
Introduction: What Is Bali Interior Design and Why Is It So Popular?
What is Balinese style?
Hailing from Indonesia, this style is characterised by natural materials and a connection with nature. The result is a more minimalist approach, inspired by the natural environment and relaxed culture.
Balinese style incorporates the outdoors like no other interior design style and draws on Bali’s nature of wild greenery, tropical foliage and rich flora.
This vitality is balanced by the soothing and elegant impact of pieces also crafted from nature: woods and bamboo and very earthy ceramics. And the magic that ties it all together is a sense of spirituality that comes partly from keeping the choice of design, and use of craftsmanship organic and also from spreading the aesthetic of Bali’s beloved Buddhas and spiritual figures.
Although it has been around for decades, Balinese style has evolved over the years and is now more refined than ever. Modern touches and contemporary art have been carefully blended into a Balinese-style interior. Today, you can find modern Balinese-inspired properties all over the world – be it in London or Dubai.
Explore the elements of a Balinese-inspired villa.
Bali has long been known for its stunning and intricate traditional designs, from the majestic palaces of kings to the elegant homes of ordinary people.
Balinese design elements are unique and unmistakable, combining a blend of ancient Javanese influences with contemporary tropical aesthetics to create one-of-a-kind pieces.
Handcrafted teak or bamboo furniture, textured rugs, local artwork, indoor plants and, of course, lots of rattan are used to bring the outdoors in, providing the sense of well-being that nature brings.
How to Incorporate Natural Materials into Your Bali-inspired Villa
Bali is a place defined of tropical and wild greenery and a rich flora. Yet, in Balinese style interiors the elements who cannot be missed come from nature – especially, besides greenery, woods and bamboos.
Incorporating natural materials into Balinese interior design is a great way to create a unique and welcoming ambience. Natural materials such as wood, stone and bamboo are the perfect elements to bring a sense of tranquillity and warmth to any space.
As we have said before, Bali is a place defined by wild, tropical greenery and rich flora. Therefore, in Balinese style interiors the elements that cannot be missing come from nature, especially; that distinctive greenery, and the use of wood, stones and bamboo. If the material is as untreated as possible, the better.
In Bali, bamboo is used everywhere, along with cane. They are both structural and decorative: the first thing I learned in Bali is how many possible uses bamboo can be put to – it is even used as a framework for concrete constructions. In decoration, bamboo can easily be used as a partition wall, or as wall cladding to add some texture, or in furniture elements.
Besides this, of course the main protagonist of this style is wood: Merbau, Bangkirai & Teak solid and raw woods are perfect for both Balinese furniture and decorative elements and durable for both indoor and outdoor use.
From day beds to tables to wood panelling, wood is everywhere. There is no need to perfectly combine wood essences as it was typical a few years ago: in fact, in this style, dark woods are combined with bleached ones, or with warmer essences, looking for the representation of nature where not all tones are exactly the same.
Along with wood and bamboo, natural stones and pebbles are also widely used, especially in bathroom design. For a more modern style, concrete is also often combined with raw wood.
These natural materials can be used in a variety of ways to add texture, colour and character to your home. Using these elements, you can create an interior design that accurately reflects Balinese culture.
Make the most of open spaces with Balinese-style furniture and accessories.
Think holistically when first incorporating the Balinese style into your home. Balinese style never feels too cluttered, and always feels otherworldly, it’s a mosaic of ideas and pieces all designed together.
The key is to imagine and picture the mosaic and bring it to life as a whole. The natural inspiration can be represented either by the use of organic shapes, and materials or by the layout of the space.
Balinese-style furniture and accessories can be a great way to make the most of open spaces. With its natural look, it brings the beauty of nature indoors and creates a unique ambience. The combination of wood, rattan, bamboo and other materials creates a unique look that will transform any room into something special.
In addition, Balinese-style furniture is versatile enough to fit any space, from small flats to large homes. With the right accessories, you can create a cosy atmosphere that will make your open space feel cozy and warm.
How to choose the perfect Bali-inspired furniture?
As already mentioned, choose wooden furniture, best if it has a solid, raw look, or alternatively with some tone-on-tone carvings and decorations.
Thanks to the climate and also culture, similar furniture elements in solid wood are often used both indoors and outdoors and help to achieve that typical fluidity of this style. Life is spent between outdoors and indoors and this is reflected in interior design. Outdoor baths and showers are also very common, or the use of simple natural pebbles instead of flooring in the bathroom.
In our homes, we probably do not have a similar climate that allows us to treat the indoors and outdoors almost equally, but we can for example plan for slightly larger openings that create that connection with nature outside, and of course include tropical plants and mini bonsai gardens indoors.
On the other hand, the terrace/garden should be precisely designed to have focal points that can be seen from the windows, so that it somehow “flows” into the interior space.
Another element of Balinese style that we can incorporate into our homes is lighting. Decorative lamps and lamps made of natural materials are other key elements in the Balinese style: often, there are many hanging lamps as there should be, but this never feels too much.
Often, they also somewhat distract the eye from the ceiling fan, which is, of course, an ever-present element in Balinese interiors. Rattan and wicker are the main materials for ceiling lights, becoming a key element of the whole interior aesthetic.
Colour palette in Bali’s villas
As you can imagine by now, the main colour palette used in Bali is inspired by natural elements and materials, favouring delicate and soothing earthy colour palettes.
The Balinese interior style, although highly decorative, is never overdone. This is partly due to the use of a neutral colour palette and is inspired by the location and scenery outside: more white in beach houses and browner in country houses.
Colour only appears in accessories (cushions, textiles, paintings) and, of course, in greenery, leafy plants and tropical flowers. Of course, there are some exceptions, but the style is mainly based on the use of different neutral colours in the same space.
Whenever you use colour, keep in mind the principles of holistic design: in fact, this will help you achieve that balance that is at the heart of the Balinese aesthetic.
Other interior style trends you may like:
- Take inspiration from Japandi style.
- Get inspired by the minimalist interior style.
- Tell me, what style appeals to you and would you like me to create a guide to? Drop me a line here.
Typical ornaments and artwork in the modern Balinese interior trend
Finally, what makes Balinese-style interiors so magical are the ornaments and artwork.
Spiritual figures, Buddhas, and wooden statues of all sizes are often balanced to have a main focal point with a larger element to create balance.
Bali is characterised by handicrafts, with streets literally lined with carpentry, but also macramé, textiles, artwork, recycled glass and local crafts. It is a true paradise for lovers of handmade pieces. Art is everywhere in Bali, making it an essential element of its aesthetic.
Patterns are also quite common in this style and it has its roots in the Hindu religion.
Should you design your villa in Bali style?
If you are looking for a unique, exotic and luxurious atmosphere for your home, Bali interior design is a perfect choice.
Characterised by the use of natural materials such as bamboo and rattan, Balinese designs create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquillity.
From choosing the perfect pieces to creating a cosy atmosphere, we have compiled the best tips for achieving Balinese interior design in your home or rental property.
What do you think of this style? Would you give it a touch for your next project?
High ceilings, sunken living rooms or open-plan bathrooms with palm trees inside: whatever your dream spaces, Tanic’s team of interior designers can bring them to life…
Whether you are designing your rental property or building your dream home from scratch, Balinese-inspired interior design could be your thing.
Taking inspiration from this magical island will bring you fabulous furniture made from stunning indigenous materials, and gorgeous items made by local artisans who have been perfecting their craft for generations, and that’s not to mention the sense of peace this style will bring to your space.
But where to start? From coming up with the concept, the ambience, and a functional and highly personalised layout, to choosing each piece of furniture, creating and designing your villa is a rather daunting task.
Luckily, right here on this very page, you’ll find interior design experts capable of creating Instagram-worthy spaces that would deserve to appear on the cover of Architectural Digest. So, to help you create the perfect interiors for your home or commercial project, we’re here to help you make your dream space a reality.
