For many foreigners investing in property in Bali, part of the appeal is embracing the island’s unique culture while making their new house feel like a personal home.
With Indonesia’s recent removal of restrictions on imported personal goods, it’s now easier to blend elements of your home culture with traditional Balinese aesthetics.
The right cross-cultural design approach can create a comfortable, authentic living space that reflects your global lifestyle.
Whether you want a modern style with Balinese accents or to lean more into traditional island craftsmanship, here are some tips for harmoniously merging East and West.
1. Start with the Bali Basics
Incorporate some core features of classic Balinese home design and materials to give your new house an unmistakable sense of place.
Teak wood floors, carved stone details, and alang-alang thatched roofing are all quintessentially Balinese elements that create an organic, tropical feel.
Invest in some quality hand-carved teak wood furniture for the living room—a stately couch, plush armchairs, or a solid coffee table.
The rich patina and craftsmanship make pieces like these exotic centerpieces. Complement the wood with plush, neutral-toned upholstery in natural fibers like cotton or linen.
In the kitchen and dining room, blend hand-carved wood cabinets and a wooden dining set with modern appliances and dinnerware you import. The mix of textures and materials layers is of visual interest.
2. Incorporate Craft and Artisan Touches
What makes Balinese decor so distinctive is the incredible craft and intricate details incorporated into everything from wood carvings and stonework to textiles and ceramics.
Source these types of accent pieces locally from artisan makers and craft markets.
Hand-painted ceramic dishes and pots, woven bamboo containers, delicately carved “fruit bowls,” hand-stamped batik print bed linens, and intricate masks or statuary all add pops of authentic Island craftsmanship.
Look for pieces celebrating Bali’s Hindu cultural heritage through symbols, deities, or nature imagery.
These accents may seem small, but clustered throughout your home, they create a cohesive sense of Balinese artistry and make space feel curated rather than mass-produced.
3. Merge Modern and Traditional Styles
Your home should bring the Bali vibe but still fit your modern lifestyle.
Use furniture, artwork, and decorations from your home country to add personal touches.
You might want a comfy couch in the living room for watching movies. Add colorful pillows with batik patterns to keep the Balinese feel.
A hand-carved teak headboard can make a simple bed look warm and inviting. Use lamps, rugs, and pictures from home to make the space feel less like a themed resort.
This mix helps create familiar spaces, like a room with a big couch and a flat-screen TV. However, the woven bamboo cabinets and cool wall masks make it feel like Bali.
4. Focus On Ambiance
Creating the right atmosphere is key to a cozy cross-cultural home.
Bring in the fixtures, lighting, and technology you need for modern living, then add natural materials, soft lighting, and greenery to create a peaceful island feel.
Good lighting is important. Buy table and floor lamps with linen or rattan shades that soften the light.
Hang rattan pendant lights over kitchen islands or dining tables for an earthy, bohemian look.
Create outdoor living rooms next to indoor spaces for seamless indoor/outdoor living.
These outdoor areas, designed with teak wood, sheer curtains, and comfy weather-resistant furniture, are great for relaxing tropical living.
Finally, fill your home with lush greenery and stone accents to match Bali’s natural environment. The right mix of elements creates a true sense of place while making your home feel like your sanctuary.
No matter where you get your furnishings, artwork, and decor, the key is balancing them in a way that gives an island feel and shows your unique style.
Done right, your living spaces will be the perfect East-meets-West oasis.
Conclusion
Investing in real estate in Bali offers a unique opportunity to blend modern comforts with traditional Balinese culture.
Each aspect of your new home, from design to decor, should reflect this balance.
Consider what makes a house feel like home to you and combine it with Bali’s tropical, artistic vibe.
Pay attention to lighting, greenery, and unique artisan accents to make your space special.
You can create an exotic and personal home by thoughtfully merging these styles.
Take your time, plan carefully, and enjoy the process of making your Bali home a perfect blend of East and West.
See also : How to find the right constructor for your villa in Bali
