Want to give your home a touch of Filipino decor without it looking dated? This guide shares the secret to mixing old and new styles. We’ll show you how to use stunning decor to make your living room feel both fresh and timeless.
The Bahay Kubo in a Contemporary Residence
The traditional bahay kubo, or nipa hut, is more than just a place to live; it stands for Filipino creativity, community, and our strong ties to nature. It is a great example of tropical design because it is open-air, raised, and made of natural materials. This guide shows you how to use purposeful Filipino decor to bring the same relaxed, welcoming feel to a modern home.
You can turn your living room into a peaceful sanctuary that honors Filipino culture while still feeling modern by focusing on a few key design principles. It’s a creative conversation between the old and the new, where clean lines meet hand-carved textures, and a simple design uses warm, earthy colors—all hallmarks of beautiful Filipino home decor.
Modern Filipino Decor Principles
It’s not enough to simply fill a modern Filipino living room with traditional things. It’s about using the right materials, colors, and layout to capture the spirit of the bahay kubo and create truly authentic Filipino decor.
A Layout That Is Open and Airy
The bahay kubo is notable for its open, flowing shape that lets air move around. You can make your living room feel just as big.
Elevated Furniture
Pick furniture with legs to make the room look bigger. This “elevated” design is like the stilts of the bahay kubo and makes the room feel less full. This is a simple but effective principle in modern Filipino decor.
Natural Light
Use sheer curtains or leave windows open to let in as much natural light as possible. This links your indoor space to the outside, which is an important aspect of traditional Filipino home design.
Minimalism
Avoid putting too much stuff in your room. A room with a lot of stuff is less impressive than one with just a few carefully chosen pieces. Leave a lot of room free so people may move about and take a break.
Adding Art and Color
A modern Filipino living room has a neutral color palette that acts as a blank canvas for smaller pieces of Filipino decor in traditional colors to stand out.
- Natural Color Palette: Use warm browns, deep greens, and sandy beiges from the Philippines’ natural world on your walls and big furniture.
- Bright Points of Interest: Adding bright colors is easy with throw pillows, blankets, or art. A pillow with a t’nalak or inabel pattern or a piece of art by a Filipino artist adds a cultural touch to the room without being overwhelming.
- Houseplants: You can bring the lushness of the Philippines’ tropics into your home with houseplants. A big monstera, a potted bamboo palm, or a group of small ferns can make a room feel more alive and connected to nature.
The Last Step: Putting Together the Old and the New
It’s all about finding a balance that works with this design. It’s not about picking one style over the other; it’s about making them work together. New furniture looks clean, but vintage Filipino decor gives a room a cozy feel and adds character. A sleek, low-profile sofa can give a room a strong base, and a vintage rocking chair can make it a nice place to be. This style is all about enjoying the present and remembering the past. It is a way of thinking about design that values Filipino culture, embraces the beauty of nature, and puts comfort and home first.