The 4 things to look for in tropical-style upholstery
Pamela Gentry, Content Solutions Writer
If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, incorporating a coastal feel in the design of your living space is always a good idea. For those who are looking to give their home some coastal flair, the Tommy Bahama furniture collection offers an attractive line of custom upholstery selections that will give your home a casual seaside appeal and a relaxing island vibe. Here are the four best ways to pick the right upholstery for your home.
1. Design
Designer Janet Graham of
Baer’s Furniture, a collection of fine furniture stores with locations throughout Florida, offers the following expert advice for
creating a tropical look in your living space.
“Whenever I am decorating a home, I always start with the fabrics. It is important to have an effective balance of varying styles, colors and textures.” Graham suggested pairing solid colors with stripes or patterns from same color family to create visual interest.
For patterns, look for oceanside imagery such as shells, coconuts, leaves and trees, Graham said. As for colors, coral tones and a range of yellows and aquas bring the feel of the ocean indoors. Or try pairing a cream color with brown and apple green or complementing it with shades of navy blue and gray.
2. Quality construction
Choosing a durable fabric is key. Graham said one of the most popular fabric choices in the Tommy Bahama collection is Sunbrella-brand fabrics.
Once used mainly in outdoor areas such as patios, Sunbrella fabric is very durable and stain-resistant. Sunbrella fabrics are typically light in color and can even be exposed to bleach without fading. But Sunbrella also has a casual look and is soft to the touch, which makes it a perfect choice for any room of the home.
Its superior quality makes it worth the initial expense, Graham said. And Sunbrella is available in a wide range of patterns and colors.
Cut chenille is another option. It is more durable than cotton or linen and is available in a rainbow of patterns and colors. Polyester, nylon and acrylic fabrics are in this same family. The Tommy Bahama collection also uses seagrass-style fabric as a design accent on their furniture pieces, placing it on outside areas of sofas and chairs that are benefited by its unique look and texture.
3. Fabric type
Fabric types other than those listed above can be used as well. Linen is a common upholstery on furniture. It is breathable and provides a fun messy and wrinkled look, giving the space a light and beachy appeal. But, Graham noted, linen should be used sparingly on well-used furniture pieces, as it is more prone to wear.
Tommy Bahama also offers environmentally friendly fabric choices.
4. Fit and function
Whether your taste in furniture is modern or gravitates toward a more traditional style, the Tommy Bahama collection has pieces that can complete your room’s look. With their vast array of custom upholstery selections and color palettes varying from soft and earthy to bold nautical blue, you are sure to find the perfect fabrics to complement your tropical-themed interior.
Not sure where to begin? Let the design experts at Baer’s help get you started in creating an atmosphere in your home that mirrors the natural beauty of the sea.