Bali Interior Design: Embracing Nature and Calm

For any enthusiast of Bali interior design, the concept is a way of living, not a trend or phase that will fade away with time. In its roots, this form of home design emanates from the calm and natural culture of the Indonesian island, hence striking a perfect balance of comfort, beauty, and spiritualism. 

In this article, Swiss Interior covers all you need to know about home design in Bali, from planning your home design to trying to bring a piece of Bali’s serenity and tranquility into your home. WE will take inspiration from one of Swiss Interior’s amazing Bali interior design home at 475A Yishun St 44, 5-Room HDB BTO.

living room Bali style interior design

What Is Bali Style Interior Design?

Harmonising indoor and outdoor areas is the fundamental goal of Bali style interior design. It is inspired by the island’s verdant scenery, age-old workmanship, and serene ambiance. This design approach skilfully combines earthy hues, natural materials, and cultural components to create visually attractive and serene places.

The Bali interior design style doesn’t try to hide its relationship to nature; it highlights it. Some of the characteristics of this lovely style are open plans, vegetation, and natural textures.

The Essential Components of Interior Design in Bali

Here are some of the essential components of Balinese home design:

1. Organic Substances

Bali home interior design celebrates the charm of unprocessed, natural materials. Consider stone, bamboo, rattan, and teak wood. These fabrics give off a cozy, earthy vibe and add texture. This design style’s mainstays include stone sculptures, woven baskets, and wooden furniture.

2. Open Areas

Bali concept interior design blurs the distinction between indoor and outdoor space. Natural light floods the room through large windows, open floor plans, and sliding glass doors, bringing the beauty of the outside in. Traditional Balinese residences typically have courtyards and outdoor living spaces.

3. An earthy color scheme

Earthy and neutral shades of beige, cream, brown, and green are the mainstays of the color palette. These colors create a placid and sober atmosphere. For added color, incorporate gold accents or bright tropical shades.

4. Water Features

In the Balinese culture, water is significant because it symbolizes life and purity. Fountains, small interior ponds, or just ornamental basins with water and floating flowers are frequently used in interior settings.

5. Coastal Verdure

In Balinese home design, plants are the focal point. Greenery like hanging vines and tall palms is used to enforce the connection with nature. This style is perfect for indoor plants such as philodendrons, monstera, and ferns.

6. Handmade touches

Balinese artisan - pottery, woven textiles, and carved wood paneling reveal the artistic spirit of Balinese people. These little details create a unique environment with a cultural background.

cute puppy in a Bali-style interior design home

How to Furnish Your Bali-Inspired Room

A Bali-themed home demands delicacy in furnishing. Every piece must be placed with its purpose in mind—to highlight natural beauty, comfort, and quality. Here are some furniture items you can use:

  • Wooden furniture: Furniture should be made of solid wood. Teak wood is particularly popular due to its rich color and durability. Look for organic-feeling designs that are uncomplicated with clear lines.

  • Bamboo and Rattan Accents: Cane headboards, bamboo lamp fixtures, and chairs made of woven rattan add texture and a touch of the tropics. The best part about these materials is that they are both sturdy and lightweight, which is perfect for indoor and outdoor purposes.

  • Sparse Seating: Low furniture, such as poufs, floor cushions, and low coffee tables, is commonly used in Balinese home design. This creates a relaxed, low-lying atmosphere. 

  • Canopy beds: A canopy bed, often draped with light, airy fabrics, is characteristic of a classic Balinese bedroom. Besides being beautiful, it creates a cozy, intimate ambiance.

  • Nature-Inspired Furniture: Furniture that can be used both indoors and outside, such as loungers and daybeds, preserves the smooth transition to nature.

Decorating Tips for Bali Style Interior Design 

Let’s get to the fun part! Here are some tips for decorating your Bali-themed home:

1. Textures of Layers

Layering is the secret to designing a warm and welcoming Bali style home interior design. Combine soft textiles, weaving embellishments, and rough wood textures with polished stone surfaces for a dynamic effect.

2. Make Use of Décor Statement

Wooden masks, stone statues, or batik fabrics are some of the traditional Balinese artworks that can make a statement in your house. A stone Buddha statue in the yard or a huge carved panel over the sofa adds authenticity to the design.

3. Create Ambient Lighting

For a Bali-themed house, setting the mood requires paying great attention to lighting. Warm, soft lighting produces a tranquil mood. Add candles or lanterns to pendant lamps in natural materials such as rattan or bamboo for a light with romance.

4. Aromatherapy

Balinese culture is very dependent on aromas. To mimic the tropical aroma of Bali, use essential oil diffusers, incense, or scented candles in scents such as sandalwood, jasmine, or frangipani.

5. Don’t Forget the Bathroom

Balinese bathrooms are often like mini spas. Add plants, wooden elements, and natural stone. Your bathroom can become your own personal retreat with a freestanding tub centered amidst flora.

Bali interior design bedroom

Cultural Influence on Bali Interior Design

Hindu and Balinese customs play a big role in designing homes in Bali. Spirituality is immense, and altars or sculptures can often be found in households for daily sacrifice. In addition, Balinese architecture has a deep respect for the natural world, focusing on sustainability and environmental balance in the following ways:

  • The Philosophy of Tri Hita Karana: This ideal from Bali talks about harmony among people, the natural world, and the spiritual world. All these are seen in the use of open areas and natural materials in home design to help it blend in with the environment.

  • Sacred Geometry: Sacred geometry can often be found in Bali interior design and architecture to build harmonious and well-balanced environments. For example, symmetry is one of those elements that are often used in décor and furniture placement.

Small Space Interior Design in Bali

You don’t have to own a big property to feel the spirit of Bali-style home design. Even small houses and apartments can reflect the serene and luxurious atmosphere of this design with a few well-chosen accents.

1. Choose Furniture that can Serve Multiple Purposes.

Choose multi-functional furniture pieces for compact spaces. A wooden coffee table that serves as a work station or a rattan bench with built-in storage, for example, could maximize utility while preserving the Bali style.

2. Create a Vertical Space Play

Utilize vertical elements in adding greenery, such as long bamboo stalks, wall-mounted pots, or hanging plants. This creates lushness without eating up important floor space. 

3. Mirrors for Space and Light

Natural light is the staple of Balinese home design. Place mirrors strategically so it would provide reflections to provide an impression of a more spacious space in case the room doesn’t have larger windows. Rattan and wood frames may connect the mirrors with the overall motif.

4. Choose Airy, Light Fabrics

Use light, breathable materials for drapes, pillows, and throws, such as cotton or linen, to avoid overpowering a tiny area. For preserving an air of openness, sheer drapes are especially excellent.

5. Make the décor simpler.

Less is more in a small space. To avoid clutter and preserve the beauty of Bali's design, limit your collection to a few focal points, such as a single potted palm, a stone vase, or a carved wood panel.

A Balinese home design can be serene, giving a spacious feel and making the space cozy even when it is small. Like we show in our portfolio, focusing on natural materials, well-chosen furniture, and a unified color scheme can transport the serenity of the island into any space within your house.

interior design Bali style kitchen

Designing a Balinese-Inspired Garden

A lush, tropical garden is a must for any house with a Bali theme. How to make your own is as follows:

  • Choose the Right Plants: Pay attention to tropical vegetation such as hibiscus, bamboo, and palms. Use ground coverings like ferns or moss to fill in spaces and give a layered impression.

  • Add Water Features: A small water basin, koi pond, or even a tiny fountain may add to your garden’s serene ambiance.

  • Use Natural Stone: Garden walls, sculptures, or stone walkways add texture and an authentic Balinese feel.

  • Add Outdoor Lighting: Spotlights, lanterns, and string lights can highlight key features in your garden and add a touch of magic in the evening.

Timeless Appeal of Bali Interior Design

Bali home design is not just about aesthetics in nature but also about creating a way of living that respects simplicity, quiet, and all things natural. It is timeless because it promotes sustainability, conscious living, and bonding with the environment. Wherever you’re looking—from updating your place with minimal adjustments to an all-over overhaul of your home—Bali designs bring ideas to fill all your needs.

By incorporating open areas, natural materials, and ethnic accents, you can bring a serene and lovely oasis into your home. The best part? Due to the style’s flexibility, Bali style interior design can be modified while keeping the integrity of the elements.
Now that you have this information, you can incorporate a bit of Bali into your home design. Let the relaxing sensations of this island-inspired design take over your house by starting simple and embracing nature.