If your living room makes you feel more “meh” than “zen,” it’s time to create a beautiful Balinese decor living room. This isn’t just another boho trend—it’s a heartfelt homage to nature, culture, and the kind of peace that turns a house into a haven.
You don’t need a passport or a Bali villa to pull it off either. With a few thoughtful choices, your space can go from chaotic to calming without sacrificing personality or comfort. Whether you’re in a city loft or cozy bungalow, Balinese style fits beautifully—and meaningfully.
What Makes a Balinese Decor Living Room So Different?
Balinese decor in the living room is more than just a passing trend; it’s a tribute to nature, culture, and inner peace. You can achieve this style without exotic travels, simply by making thoughtful choices in your decor.
Whether you reside in a modern city apartment or a quaint home, Balinese design can seamlessly blend in while adding depth and significance. Central to Balinese decor is a spiritual and intentional approach rooted in the island’s reverence for the natural world.
Elements such as earthy materials, warm color palettes, protective statues, and a focus on harmonizing inner peace with external aesthetics define the essence of Balinese design.
That emotional shift—walking into a space and feeling grounded—is what makes the Balinese decor living room a favorite among design lovers seeking sanctuary, not just style.
Embracing Earthy, Honest Materials
Elements of Balinese interior design, you’ll find wood, rattan, linen, and stone chosen for their natural beauty and soothing energy, not plastic or polished chrome.
In a Balinese-themed room, expect to encounter materials like wood, rattan, linen, and stone—each selected for their raw appeal and tranquil vibes. The absence of plastic or glossy finishes in Balinese decor rooms elevates the focus on organic textures and earthy elements, promoting a sense of peace and connection to nature.
Balinese design enthusiasts appreciate the emphasis on natural materials like wood and stone, which contribute to the space’s serene atmosphere and rustic charm.
By steering clear of synthetic materials and embracing honest textures like rattan and stone, the Balinese decor style remains true to its earthy and grounded aesthetic.
Want to level up instantly? Invest in a rattan Balinese coffee table or a hand-carved teak root coffee table. Both are not only statement-makers, they’re loaded with soul.
Balinese Material Checklist:
Balinese Inventory of Materials:
- Balinese carved teak daybeds with intricate floral motifs
- Canopy mosquito nets in soft white cotton for a resort feel
- Traditional Balinese ceremonial umbrellas (tedung) for indoor or garden decor
- Hand-carved stone statues of deities like Ganesha or Buddha
- Bamboo wind chimes or hanging xylophones for soothing sounds
- Balinese offering trays (canang) used as decorative centerpieces
- Rangrang woven textiles from Nusa Penida, used as table runners or wall hangings
- Shell or bone inlay mirrors in sunburst or geometric designs
- Lontar palm leaf baskets used for storage or decoration
- Alang-alang thatch panels for tropical cabana-style accents
- Coconut shell lanterns with intricate carvings for ambient lighting
- Hand-painted Balinese masks for dramatic wall art
A Baliinspired Home Decor Color Palettes
The Balinese palette pulls directly from nature—think the soft beige of coastal sands, lush greens from rice terraces, and deep brown from carved temple doors. These shades instantly soothe.
To keep things feeling balanced:
- Start with a neutral base (off-whites, taupe, or sand)
- Layer in deep greens or clay hues for accents
- Use gold or bronze for decorative highlights like mirror frames or lighting
- Incorporate natural textures like raw linen, handwoven cotton, and unpolished wood to add depth and tactility. The feel is just as important as the look.
- Use burnt terracotta, muted saffron, or weathered indigo for occasional textiles—these earthy tones echo Balinese dyes and ceremonial garments.
- Integrate black volcanic stone or charcoal grey for grounding—think temple stone or lava rock, adding contrast without harshness.
- Add sheer curtains or gauze canopies to diffuse natural light and create an ethereal, breezy ambiance.
- Embrace asymmetry and imperfection—wabi-sabi-style imperfections like hand-chiseled edges or irregular weaving honor the artisan’s touch.
- Choose matte over gloss in finishes—whether it’s on ceramics or wall paint, the softness feels more organic.
- Incorporate subtle florals or frond patterns in batik or woodwork—never loud, always intentional.
- Display low-profile furniture to reflect Balinese customs of floor seating and intimate, grounded spaces.
Avoid overly bright or neon tones—they break the harmony of the space. This design style whispers, it never shouts.
Spiritually Grounded Accents That Tell a Story
One of the most iconic aspects of Balinese decor? Its symbolism.
You’ll often see:
- Ganesha statues (remover of obstacles)
- Lotus flowers (purity and rebirth)
- Handwoven offering bowls
- Sacred wall hangings with Sanskrit or floral mandalas
Every piece carries purpose. A Buddha statue isn’t just a decor item—it’s a nudge toward mindfulness.
You can also mix in incense burners or essential oil diffusers in natural stone or ceramic. The scent is just as vital to the experience as sight and touch.
Lighting That Feels Like Sunset in Ubud
Forget harsh overhead lights—modern Balinese style relies on layers of lighting that create intimacy and warmth. Think woven bamboo pendant lights, lanterns with cut-out patterns, and floor lamps that cast soft glows instead of shadows.
The goal is to replicate that “golden hour” vibe all day long.
Pro tip: Add a Himalayan salt lamp in a corner or a coconut shell lantern beside your reading nook for bonus ambience.
Don’t have a huge villa-style layout? You don’t need one. Balinese design is flexible and minimal at heart, which makes it ideal for small spaces.
Smart Tips for Small Spaces:
- Use foldable wood screens as faux room dividers
- Hang floating rattan shelves instead of clunky bookshelves
- Replace sofas with deep floor cushions or poufs
- Add greenery to dead corners with tall potted plants
A Balinese decor living room is about creating flow and breathing room—not overfilling a space.
Furniture That’s Built to Last—and Be Loved
Balinese furniture is rugged but elegant, often handmade, and lovingly imperfect. That live-edge Indonesian wood decor table? It tells a story with every knot and groove.
Go for:
- Low seating with neutral linen cushions
- Open-style bookshelves made of reclaimed wood
- Benches or tables carved with traditional Indonesian motifs
Why Balinese Decor Works So Well
More than just a visual shift, switching to Balinese design transforms how you feel in your home. Users often describe their new space as:
- Calmer
- More grounded
- Easier to keep clean
- More joyful to spend time in
With the rise of remote work and wellness living, your environment isn’t just background noise—it’s a key player in your daily emotional state.
Want to take your walls from blank to breathtaking? Learn how to elevate your space with spiritual and handcrafted touches in our guide to styling your home with Balinese wall art.
Common Mistakes to Dodge
Even the most peaceful aesthetic can go off the rails. Here’s what not to do:
- Clutter the space with too many “spiritual” items
- Mix too many trends (keep it cohesive, not confused)
- Use synthetic materials—they kill the natural flow
- Skip scent and sound—two of the most important sensory details
Final Word: Designing a Living Room That Breathes With You
A Balinese decor living room isn’t a trend—it’s a design philosophy with heart, history, and healing. It’s where nature meets nurture. Where every object has intention. And where peace isn’t a feeling you chase, but one you come home to.
You don’t have to go all in overnight. Start with a teak root table. Light a sandalwood stick. Replace a harsh light with a rattan pendant. You’ll feel the difference, trust me.
And when friends walk in and ask, “Wow—why does it feel so good in here?” you’ll smile and say: “It’s Bali, baby.”
Craving even more global design inspo? Explore our guide to Mexican Home Decor Living Room Ideas to Warm Up Your Space for a look that’s bold, colorful, and full of character.
