Rome To Rio: Interior Design Inspired By Central America

By Ana Zuravliova

Trend Specialist at Blinds Direct

Tue 9 Nov 2021

In October we investigated the ranch styles of the USA but today, we’re going south of the border, down Mexico way – and beyond! Central America has an incredible wealth of domestic design styles that’s perfect inspiration for lovers of colourful, energetic, and exciting interiors. Today, we’ll be celebrating the style of this amazing part of the world and giving you the knowledge to enjoy it in your home, wherever it may be!

The fundamentals of Central American interior design

Few phrases capture the essence of Central American interior design than “mi casa es tu casa”. This statement of welcome captures the spirit of homeliness and warmth which is synonymous with this region.

Cultural inspiration

Much of Central America shares its roots and many of its cultural components with Spain and while we’ve covered areas of that nation’s interior design trends, it’s important to note that in the past 500 years, Central American people have been forging a distinctly unique way of decorating their homes.

The nations that inspire Central American interiors

The nations of Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama are flanked by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. With Mexico to the north, Columbia in the south, these seven nations are a melting pot of cultures and customs. While unique and exciting in their own rights, there are certain design threads that run throughout the region which we’ll be exploring today. The first is pattern.

The patterns of Central American interior design

A mix of Mayan and Mesoamerican

Unlike decors found on the European continent, those found in Central America are a beautiful mix of indigenous native American patterns blended with Spanish influences for centuries. Utilising this unique mixture of Mayan and Mesoamerican heritage with baroque Spanish flare is an amazing way to add depth and style to your space.

Woven materials

Homes across the region make fantastic use of woven materials with exciting angular patterns. Stripes, diamonds, and triangles in vivid colours are quintessential in many Central American countries. While this may be difficult to replicate in the UK, you can pay homage to these styles by using similar patterns – say in a Roman blind, curtain or even cushions – or by using the rich bright reds, yellows, and oranges popular in the area.

Throughout the nations of Central America there are almost countless styles of regional pattern and design. The message to take from their joyful use of pattern is to be brave and pick something you love, whether that’s using contrasting colours or bold designs.

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Consider an artisanal approach

Traditional approaches to metalworking, woodworking and crafting goods are still respected and enjoyed in Central America with a focus on items being built to high standards and to last for the long term.

This is reflected in their use of quality fabrics used to showcase the aforementioned patterns, and hard materials including woods. Both these materials are often used to celebrate the bounty of nature and they are easy to enjoy in your home.

For example, the blinds, curtains and soft furnishings created at Blinds Direct are made by hand by a talented team of craftspeople here in the UK. Moreover, our wooden blinds and shutters – which certainly capture a feeling of Central America – are built using woods sourced purely from responsibly managed forests.

In the closing part of our Rome to Rio series we’ll be moving south to our final destination. Prepare for a festival of flare and design as we land in Rio de Janeiro in December!

Shop our products perfect for Central American interior design: