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This post shows you the ultimate guide to create the best British Colonial bedroom.
Wondering what the British colonial style is?
British colonial decor is a gorgeous style that came about during the British Empire’s colonial period, from the 17th to 19th centuries.
This style has influences from multiple regions of warmer climates that were once part of the British Empire, such as India, Southeast Asia, South Africa, and the Caribbean.
British colonial furniture is focused on local materials, like dark timber and bamboo.
This mix of materials creates a captivating decor style that can be used for any room in the house!
Let’s explore 14 best ways for you to create the perfect bedroom using British colonial decor, whether its for your new home or a bedroom makeover.
1. Color Palette
British colonial homes have a very contrasting color palette.
Dark tones, such as deep browns and dark greens, are highlighted against light surfaces such as white walls and white fabrics.
The best way to create this contrast is to go for dark woods for flooring and furniture and paint your walls pure white!
Not only does this add contrast to your room, but leaves it looking effortlessly chic.
2. High Ceilings
If your home is lucky enough to have high ceilings, keep the ceilings white and add dark timber beams for a stunning ceiling design.
This fantastic look can still work well with low ceilings.
Just opt for beams that aren’t too large so they don’t overpower the room.
You can also add ceiling fans made of dark wood to keep the air circulating.
3. King Bed
A master bedroom should have a king bed!
British colonial beds were all made from dark woods such as mahogany and ebony.
Mahogany wood comes from the Caribbean, whereas Ebony comes from India.
These are materials that never go out of style.
They are also extremely durable, so if you can invest in the best, go for it!
Get a king bed with a poster bed design to elevate the look.
4. Canopy Bed
Another idea for your king bed is a canopy bed.
During the British colonial period, poster beds with canopies were used as protection to prevent things from dropping onto the bed.
Canopy beds also look so stylish and are perfect for a little privacy.
Go for white flowy fabrics and drape them around the beams to create a beautiful canopied bed.
5. Pure White Linens
Choose pure white linens in your bedroom.
Linen is known for its strength, durability, and its ability to keep you cool.
Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant, which dates back thousands of years.
There’s evidence of linen being produced in ancient Egypt as far back as 4,000 years ago!!
In British colonial times, linen was used for bedding, table linens, curtains and white drapes, and upholstery.
This kept everything light, airy, and breathable, particularly perfect for hot climates.
6. Contrast of Light
Contrasting light was used in British colonial homes for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
Due to the extremes in weather, from heat and humidity, people needed to adapt to different climates across the world.
To manage heat, shutters and blinds were used as window treatments to create shaded areas in the home.
To cool the house down, large windows and high ceilings kept the air circulating.
In your bedroom, make sure to balance light by looking at how much light enters through.
If you have small windows, chose sheer curtains that let more light through.
7. Animal Hides
Animal prints always look chic and classy.
Go for faux furs and animal patterns for rugs, throws, and upholstery.
The best animal prints to choose from are from leopards, cows, and zebras.
When used in British colonial design, this decor element created an exotic feel which brought together local materials and aesthetics.
You can even hang wall hangings made from animal textures to complete the look!
8. Bamboo Furniture
Bamboo furniture is a staple of British colonial homes.
It was lightweight, readily available, and well-suited to tropical climates.
Bamboo is naturally found in many places around the world – Asia, Afria, South America, and parts of North America too.
Choose stylish furniture made of bamboo such as bamboo chairs and tables.
A great idea is to opt for a bamboo bench at the end of your bed!
9. Soft Furnishings
Soft furnishings are the ultimate way to create a cozy space.
Go for bedding that’s plump and fluffy in soft fabrics such as cotton with a high-thread count, silk, or satin.
Not only are soft furnishings super comfortable, but they’re warm for the winter months.
In British colonial times, soft furnishings like cotton and linen were used for their cooling properties.
They also used soft rugs and curtains to help create an elegant atmosphere.
10. Vintage Trunks
Nowadays, we use stylish suitcases to carry our luggage around.
In British colonial times, vintage trunks were used!
Trunks provided much needed space and sturdiness for families to travel around.
Even though they were used for travelling, they could be repurposed as functional furniture pieces like coffee tables or storage chests.
The best options to go for are leather trunks or wooden trunks.
You could even turn a large trunk into a bench by adding comfy cushions on top!
11. Abundance of Indoor Greenery
We all love some greenery in our homes.
Lush tropical plants were used in homes for practical and aesthetic reasons.
Plants help to improve air quality in homes, and tropical plants are large enough to provide shade.
There was also a Victorian fascination with botany during colonial times, which led people to add plants they found from around the world into their homes.
They also decorated their walls with botanical prints.
Use tropical plants such as palm trees, ferns, and orchids in your bedrooms for a full tropical vibe.
This also adds hues of traditional green into the bedroom.
12. Sisal Rugs
Sisal rugs are made from the natural fibres of the agave plant native to the Americas.
They are strong, practical, and durable, making them perfect for areas with heavy footfall.
They come in beautiful brown colors, which complements the contrasting light in a British colonial bedroom.
A jute rug is also a fantastic option for this!
13. Rattan Blinds
Did you know that Rattan is made from trees native to the palm family?
These plants originate from Southeast Asia.
Not only do rattan blinds look beautiful, but they’re great at keeping indoors cool and for allowing air circulation.
Try rich brown rattan blinds on your windows to create this look.
14. Decorative objects
The British colonial times were all about exploration.
People tended to collect things they found and loved, so British colonial homes always had a piece of everywhere.
Great decorative options to use are antique globes and maps, brass lanterns, unique coffee tables, and bar carts.
Conclusion
After reading this ultimate guide to the British colonial decor style, you should be well on the way to creating your perfect bedroom in no time.
Just remember the basics – dark wood furniture, exotic plants, and white walls and fabrics.
You can never go wrong with these options!
Happy decorating 🙂
