How to Design a Safari Theme Room
Decorate with the Jungle's Wild Side in the Living Room or Bedroom
Nov 29, 2008
There’s something about the mystery of the jungle that intrigues decorators and designers. Striking animal prints, lush vegetation, and exotic African art, provide a decorating pallet that’s hard to resist.
Start with the Walls of the Jungle Theme Room
Choices for paint colors in a safari style room tend toward the earth tones of deep browns, burnt oranges, golds, tans, and creams.
Once the wall is covered, it’s time to liven it up with a wild jungle print wallpaper border and some prints or posters of favorite jungle animals. Exotic masks and animal print tapestries are another attractive option. African mud cloths, or cotton wall hangings depicting colored mud paintings of tribal scenes, lend an authentic look.
Area Rugs for a Safari or Jungle Theme Room
For rooms with hardwood floors, area rugs can complement the jungle theme. If decorators haven’t already gone wild with animal prints, a zebra print rug or faux fur carpet is a great way to bring prints into the room. Otherwise, straw mats can complement the theme by offering a natural, outdoorsy ambiance.
Furniture for the Jungle or Safari Style Room
For a Jungle or Safari theme room, the more natural wood furniture, the better. The theme is best accentuated with dark wood pieces. Decorators who already have their furniture can accent it with wood pieces such as benches or trunks.
Some creative ideas for coffee tables, in-tables, or nightstands include large African drums, and African baskets or pottery jars topped with a piece of glass.
If decorators are going for a bold look, couches, chairs, and bedspreads can be found in various animal prints. But if they already have a classy black sofa or spread, they only need to toss on a cheetah, leopard, zebra, or giraffe print throw pillow to achieve the safari look.
Decorate the Jungle or Safari Theme Room
One of the most important aspects in decorating a jungle theme room is greenery. Decorators should find an exotic orchid or potted palm to offset their jungle décor. Potted vines can be placed on high shelves to drape lushly over the edge.
Final accents can be the most fun. Carved wooden animals, African pottery, baskets, and tribal drums all bring a touch of the jungle indoors. Decorators who’ve been inspired by a visit to Africa should certainly showcase any souvenirs they brought home from the journey. Personal touches like these make a room special and fill it with fond memories.
It’s easy to get carried away with a jungle or safari style room. This is one decorating scheme where less is often more. Decorators should start by choosing a few bold pieces and setting them off with tasteful accents and greenery.
Decorating a Child’s Bedroom with a Jungle Theme
The jungle theme is one that appeals to all ages. When designing a child’s bedroom, decorators can go wild with animal print wallpaper, jungle murals, and inflatable gorillas. They shouldn’t forget to scope out as many over-sized stuffed animals as the room will hold.
The most important part of decorating in a jungle or safari style is personalizing the room. Decorators should incorporate pieces and accents that appeal to them artistically rather than simply collecting a hodge-podge of jungle paraphernalia. They can take their time and find just the right accents to bring their room to life. And fortunately, due to the safari theme’s popularity, decorators will be able to keep the cost low by hunting down many of their accent pieces on eBay or at yard sales.
For other ideas, decorators can check out articles covering rooms designed with East Indian, music, and garden themes.
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