How to Decorate Your Home Like Australia's Great Barrier Reef

By Dobrina Zhekova
Updated: March 13, 2017
Sean Fennessy

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is not only one of the world’s most beautiful and exquisite natural wonders (and that’s official, by the way) but it is also the only natural site visible from space. The living formation along the northeastern coast of Australia is comprised of over 900 islands and 2,900 separate reefs where over 1,500 species of fish swim, making it one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.

Unfortunately, last year the reef suffered the worst coral-bleaching event ever recorded in Australia due to warming waters. And for Aussie Darren Palmer, one of the country’s most influential interior designers who grew up at the reef's southernmost point, its damage has also changed the conversation about the interior design it inspires.

“The interior approach to working with the tropical feeling of the area of the Great Barrier Reef is not as colorful as it once may have been. The reef itself is still largely alive, but it is in repair now and needs time to re-grow all the organisms that give color to the reef, providing oceans don’t continue to get warmer,” he said.

Palmer has managed to bring awareness to the issue through his work as well as adapt his designs by incorporating whites and organic forms that aren’t as vibrant and rich. He suggests drawing inspiration from Australia's wildlife, its beach culture in general, and the motifs found in its seaside homes.

“I recently created a home...with lots of comfortable furniture, made with bleached or limed timber, soft white cotton or linen upholstery, nautical motifs, and ship-inspired lighting and interior details like hooks, handles, port holes, and paneling,” he said. “A natural palette of colors and materials works well in creating the organic feeling inspired by the reef.”

As far as home accessories and art go, framed coral pieces and coral fans add to the raw and organic look that is important for a reef-inspired interior.

“You can get amazing faux corals and resin clam shells that give you a very realistic representation of the living elements from the reef,” he said, adding a warning to stay away from starfish and dolphin motifs.

Of course, as with any style influenced by the beach, it’s important to keep things relaxed. If something feels forced to you or you don’t feel comfortable around it, then it doesn’t belong in the room.

Now check out some beautiful home décor items that will forever remind you of the most beautiful natural wonder in the world.

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Sea Fan Coral Print

Courtesy of Etsy

To buy: etsy.com, from $10

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Water Stained Coral Wall Art

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, $100

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Making Waves Framed Prints

Courtesy of Pottery Barn

To buy: potterybarn.com, from $119

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Coral Red and Gray Geo Woven Throw

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, $15

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Lyrica Pillow

Courtesy of Lulu & Georgia

To buy: luluandgeorgia.com, $46

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Moselle Indoor/Outdoor Pillow

Courtesy of Lulu & Georgia

To buy: luluandgeorgia.com, from $36

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Tommy Bahama Bahama Coast Pelican Grey Blanket

Courtesy of Bedding Style

To buy: beddingstyle.com, from $50

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Souda Kreten Candelabra

Courtesy of AHAlife

To buy: ahalife.com, $195

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Crate and Barrel Jarvis Teal Blue Jute-Blend Rug

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

To buy: crateandbarrel.com, from $149

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Mallorca Dinner Plate

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

To buy: crateandbarrel.com, $20

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Wooden Boat Candle

Courtesy of AHAlife

To buy: ahalife.com, $84

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Laura Ashley Coral Coast Coral Quilt Set

Courtesy of Bedding Style

To buy: beddingstyle.com, from $80

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Linen Randen Upholstered Chair in Talc

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, $530

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Round Beaded Coasters

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, $9

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Coral Esme Printed Velour Bath Towel

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, $17

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Aqua Ombre Ceramic Set

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, from $5

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Bleached Ivory Basket Weave Jute Rug

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, from $25

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Metal Peyton Barrel

Courtesy of World Market

To buy: worldmarket.com, from $50

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Cortez Coffee Table

Courtesy of Pier 1 Imports

To buy: pier1.com, $400

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Crate and Barrel Willow Sofa in Snow

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

To buy: crateandbarrel.com, $1,899

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Distressed Savannah Lounge Chair

Courtesy of Terrain

To buy: shopterrain.com, $598

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Live Edge Stool

Courtesy of Terrain

To buy: shopterrain.com, $198

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Blake Grey Wash Chair with Fabric Cushion

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

To buy: crateandbarrel.com, $799

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Edgewood Round Side Table

Courtesy of Crate & Barrel

To buy: crateandbarrel.com, $199

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Capiz Round Pendant

Courtesy of West Elm

To buy: westelm.com, $149

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Pearl Glass Vases

Courtesy of West Elm

To buy: westelm.com, from $24

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Palecek Nautilus Shadowbox

Courtesy of Horchow

To buy: horchow.com, $265

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Fluval Edge Aquarium with LED Light

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy: amazon.com, $138

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Ida Chair in Natural

Courtesy of Lulu & Georgia

To buy: luluandgeorgia.com, $449

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Rope Salt & Pepper Shakers

Courtesy of Pier 1 Imports

To buy: pier1.com, $15

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Driftwood Bowl

Courtesy of Pier 1 Imports

To buy: pier1.com, $50

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Oversize Coral on Stand

Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

To buy: williams-sonoma.com, $195

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Zara Home Turquoise Marine Vase

Courtesy of Zara Home

To buy: zarahome.com, $70

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Zara Home Sea Green Raffia Place Mat

Courtesy of Zara Home

To buy: zarahome.com, $15

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Mirror ‘Silver Beach’

Courtesy of Novica

To buy: novica.com, $192

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Capiz Round Drum Coffee Table

Courtesy of Pier 1 Imports

To buy: pier1.com, $300

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Glisan Table Lamp

Courtesy of Rejuvenation

To buy: rejuvenation.com, $499

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Fields Of Flora Candle

Courtesy of Anthropologie

To buy: anthropologie.com, $24

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Nautical Rope Mirror

Courtesy of Serena & Lily

To buy: serenaandlily.com, from $398

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'The Great Barrier Reef: A Journey Through the World's Greatest Natural Wonder' Book

Courtesy of Amazon

To buy: amazon.com, $37

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