Move over, minimalism. Jungalow style has officially taken the world by storm, and we’ve fallen hook, line and sinker for this home decor trend. Here’s how to turn your home into the bold, bohemian jungalow of your dreams…
Maximalists, your time has come. Last year (and the year before that) was the reign of the minimalist and industrial style. While sleek, clean and simple, it’s astonishingly hard for those of us who love stuff. Taking its place is its antithesis: jungalow style. Made extremely desirable by blogger Justina Blakeney, this boho home decor style is chock-full of personality. Characterised by vivid colours, exotic influences, an abundance of plants, and artfully mismatched furniture, it’s designed to feel cosy, warm and livable. It celebrates all things we love about decor right now: think antiques, unique textiles and handmade items from around the world. Want to retreat to your own jungalow? Here’s how to pull the look together…
A multicultural mash-up
No jungalow is complete without pieces gathered from all over the world. Display your travel treasures and souvenirs to keep your space eclectic yet personal, and mix up decor with Asian and Middle Eastern influences. Think Chinese porcelain stools (we found ours at Nook and Cranny; check out Lim’s and FairPrice Antique for more colours and prints), mixed with ornate Turkish Klim rugs, Indian tapestries and Balinese baskets.
Don’t have anything worthy of being displayed from your travels? Stores like Originals and Artful House bring in well-seasoned furniture from India, Indonesia and various parts of Southeast Asia. We’re talking mirrors beautifully carved out of old windows, solid Indonesian teak bed frames and African juju hats for statement-making wall art.
Woven accents
Rattan, bamboo, and cane – everything woven is having a moment right now. No longer reserved for the outdoors, these natural materials are timeless, and come in trendy colours to suit all styles.
Our favourite picks of rattan furnishings include rattan beds (insider secret: rattanrattan on Carousell has some seriously gorgeous ones a la Anthropologie ), shelves, and chairs (who wouldn’t want this Peacock chair by Stylo Deco?). If you’re planning on starting small, a belly basket works wonderfully as a storage solution (available at Bohemian in Singapore in different colours, sizes and with pompoms, and even IKEA).
If you’re keeping your rattan rustic, use colour, prints and soft textiles to bring your space to life. Think colourful cushion covers (available at Singapore Trading Post and Shiva Designs), soft throws (see these super soft ones by Bungalow 55) and wall prints (available at HipVan and Naiise).
Indoor plants
Before Jungalow style came about, I barely looked at plants. Today, I’m a proud mother of three leafy ones. Greenery is what makes the jungalow; it can soften and bring to life any space. Got an awkward or odd-looking corner? Fill it with a plant and watch how your room automatically transforms. And if you’re wondering what indoor plants work well in Singapore, low-maintenance ones include the aloe, rubber tree, snake plant and cactus.
To create an indoor jungle, you’ll need plants with big, bold and exuberant foliage. Pinterest loves the oversized fiddle leaf fig, with the enormous Birds of Paradise plant coming in second. Want a plant of the moment? Everyone loves the monstera. Note that it’s best suited to larger spaces as it grows horizontally. Don’t be afraid to go the artificial route either, as fake plants these days are no longer the tacky, plasticky things of the past.
To really nail the jungalow look, dress up your plants. Put the taller ones in woven baskets (available from Double Joy Lifestyle Garden Centre and Maissone) or colourful ceramic pots. We love these massive handpainted modernist ones by Pop & Scott (available at Affordable Style Files), Mozambique terracotta pots by Elements Concept (available at The Attaby Collective) and colourful ones by Homestolife. Got a smaller space? Display your plants in handmade macrame planters (available from Lazada or Etsy).
Where to go plant shopping:
Real plants: Far East Flora, Song Lang Garden,
Fake plants: Ikea, Vanda Win
Tropicool wallpaper
One thing we love about some of our favourite cafes – think Bicky & Brew and Shop Wonderland – are the show-stopping, Instagrammable walls. Created by decorator Don Loper in 1942 for the Beverly Hills Hotel, versions of the Martinique and Brazilliance banana-leaf wallpaper have popped up all over town.
Cluster Cluster’s wallpaper selection includes an assortment of tropicool prints, including banana leaves, palm trees and rattan. Alternatively, Maywallpaper on Carousell has some of the coolest leafy motifs we’ve seen and at pocket-friendly prices.
Thrifted finds
The old adage – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – rings especially true when it comes to decorating your jungalow. When shopping for antique furniture, keep your eyes peeled for special finds; dark wood furniture can be left on its own, while others can be upcycled through clever DIY – nothing like a fresh coat of paint or change of knobs to keep it looking fresh.
Don’t be afraid to mix your antiques from different periods and cultures; a jungalow looks best when it’s done up without creative restraint. For the best antiques in the city, check our guide to second-hand stores; we particularly love Journey East and Hock Siong & co.
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy:
Second hand furniture stores in Singapore
The best home decor stores in Bali’s Canggu for jungalow style
Have your furnishings come to you: Online furniture stores