To begin decorating your family room, you might consider using only neutral colors on the walls such as tan, beige or white. This will allow you to easily add in other tropical styled accessories without having a look that is overdone. If your walls are another color, consider repainting them using neutral shades.
After the walls, the next step in creating a tropical family room is to decide on a focal point. One of the best ways to do this is through the use of a tropical inspired artwork such as a floral photo or beach scene. If you are going to splurge on any one item for your family room décor, this should probably be the item to spend a little more money upon. Position your piece in an area where it can be easily seen such as in the center of the primary wall or above the mantle if you have one.
The next item that should be added to your family room to create a tropical feeling is a wonderful rug. Ideally, the floors in a family room with a tropical design should be either hardwood or stone. This will allow you the chance to liven things up with a great rug. There are many different rugs from which you can choose based on taste and design style. For instance you could use a natural sea grass or bamboo rug or you could choose a rug that features a design with palm trees or hibiscus flowers.
These items comprise the main elements for your tropical style family room. It is now time to begin adding in some accessories. This can be easily done by using tropical color pillows. This is a great option because pillows do not cost a lot of money and you can easily mix and match colors, patterns and fabric choices. Different patterns are a great choice but it is also a good idea to include a few brightly colored solids as well. You can also add in more tropical highlights and accessories to your room through the use of seashells, tiki statues, coral and tropical flowers and plants.
Keep in mind that where possible it is best to remove items from your family room that you absolutely do not need. Take advantage of the opportunity to de-clutter and remove excessive items. Excess clutter can help to detract from the overall tropical feeling.
Remember that there are really no right or wrongs when it comes to decorating with tropical style. Mixing and matching is a great approach to creating a feeling in your family room that is both tropical and relaxing.