The palm tree is one of the most beautiful objects in the natural world, in my opinion. It's positively sculptural: stately trunk, shapely leaves, sharp lines.
And then there are the associations we have: warmth, relaxation, calm, fantasy. When a movie opens with a shot of palm trees, we immediately assume we are in a place of luxury and ease.
Of course, not all palm trees are tall and statuesque. There are more than 2,600 species of palms. Many are squat or shaggy or stiff. But all of them posses a certain iconic presence. They are sophisticated, they are sculptural, they are green and they are lovely as part of the interior landscape.
Actual trees, or even images of palm trees, add an elegant wildness to a room. They add a touch of green, a touch of romance and a touch of tranquility to any style. Check them out.
Incorporated
You can get a majesty palm like this at Ikea or any garden center and bring a little organic shagginess into your room.
WXY architecture + urban design
A ponytail palm adds color, height and even a little humor to this modern room.
Mauricio Nava Design, LLC
This spiky, desert palm is actually a fake. But it brings some much-needed green and maintains the clean, modern lines of the room.
The Twelve Oaks Group
If you can grow palm trees out of holes in your floor, I say go for it. Any interior feels like a tropical paradise with palms. (This one actually is a tropical paradise, but you know what I mean.)
Design-OD
Palm-pattered wallpaper adds a hint of tropical colonial but without creating an overly themed room. Mixing styles is an important way to keep things from going overboard.
Even these spare, modern photographs of palm trees add a warm-weather vibe to this beautifully simple room. All these natural colors and textures — wood, cream, sisal — look great together.
The more modern, less organic way to incorporate palms into your decor.
Studio Marcelo Brito
These miniature wide-leaf palms are the perfect plants for this beachy room. Can anyone tell me what they are?
Ashford Associates
A palm tree is the most perfect touch of green for a large, white modern room. It's like a piece of art growing there.
A banana palm has wide, fan-like leaves. This room could be pretty sterile without this unruly bit of nature.
Palm trees are right for even the most traditional and symmetrical rooms.
Dreamstar Custom Homes
A fan palm in this bedroom acts as a window screen and brings the tropical to this colonial room.
Everything except the palm in this lovely, light-filled room is either a straight horizontal line or a straight vertical line. The bushy parlor palm tree breaks that up by bringing the natural world in.
Constantine D. Vasilios & Associates Ltd
I love this sago palm in this bright green egg-shaped planter.
Margaret Donaldson Interiors
When in doubt, there are always vases. Palm fronds are so sculptural and bright, they can stand alone.
Incorporated
You can get a majesty palm like this at Ikea or any garden center and bring a little organic shagginess into your room.
WXY architecture + urban design
A ponytail palm adds color, height and even a little humor to this modern room.
Mauricio Nava Design, LLC
This spiky, desert palm is actually a fake. But it brings some much-needed green and maintains the clean, modern lines of the room.
The Twelve Oaks Group
If you can grow palm trees out of holes in your floor, I say go for it. Any interior feels like a tropical paradise with palms. (This one actually is a tropical paradise, but you know what I mean.)
Design-OD
Palm-pattered wallpaper adds a hint of tropical colonial but without creating an overly themed room. Mixing styles is an important way to keep things from going overboard.
Even these spare, modern photographs of palm trees add a warm-weather vibe to this beautifully simple room. All these natural colors and textures — wood, cream, sisal — look great together.
The more modern, less organic way to incorporate palms into your decor.
Studio Marcelo Brito
These miniature wide-leaf palms are the perfect plants for this beachy room. Can anyone tell me what they are?
Ashford Associates
A palm tree is the most perfect touch of green for a large, white modern room. It's like a piece of art growing there.
A banana palm has wide, fan-like leaves. This room could be pretty sterile without this unruly bit of nature.
Palm trees are right for even the most traditional and symmetrical rooms.
Dreamstar Custom Homes
A fan palm in this bedroom acts as a window screen and brings the tropical to this colonial room.
Everything except the palm in this lovely, light-filled room is either a straight horizontal line or a straight vertical line. The bushy parlor palm tree breaks that up by bringing the natural world in.
Constantine D. Vasilios & Associates Ltd
I love this sago palm in this bright green egg-shaped planter.
Margaret Donaldson Interiors
When in doubt, there are always vases. Palm fronds are so sculptural and bright, they can stand alone.