Designing the Filipino home

Interior design for Filipino homes emphasizes comfort, functionality, and a strong connection to nature. Based on this, several design styles are especially suited to our spaces. Here are some of those styles designers recommend for Filipino interiors.

JAPANDI

The Japandi style combines Japanese and Scandinavian influences, incorporating principles of minimalism, imperfection, and a cozy yet functional design. Often reflected through a natural yet rich color palette, Japandi uses natural materials such as stone, wood, and paper.

Key to implementing this style in any Filipino home is the subtlety in colors, with beiges, soft whites and a little splash of black; and the richness in textures that embrace imperfections like the use of light wood materials, rustic ceramics, and handmade potteries.

TRANSITIONAL

A design style fit for our colonial roots, the Transitional style incorporates classical principles of symmetry and elegance, and lavish ornamentations with clean and modern aesthetics.

Think of a contemporary bahay na bato rich with beautiful architectural elements such as cornices and pediments and accentuated by wood carvings inspired by our local flora and fauna. Luxurious fabrics and embroideries draped on windows and canopy beds also add a touch of elegance to the space.

INDUSTRIAL

Casual yet highly functional, the Industrial style emphasizes the human factor in design, ensuring that spaces will offer maximum utility balanced with comfort.

Perfect for Filipinos who love do-it-yourself projects, the style is produced through layering various exposed materials such as bricks, concrete, and metals that give a worn-out and masculine appeal on an open floor plan.

COASTAL

Inspired by the beach, the Coastal style creates a serene, breezy, and relaxing atmosphere through a light, neutral palette and natural materials such as jute and rattan, with some soft blue hues.

See Also

Why living in the South feels thoughtful, connected, and future-ready

Suitable for Filipinos who want to wax nostalgic about their childhood vacations, the style also opens the space to natural lighting and the incorporation of organic décor using driftwood, seashells, and pebbles.

BOHO

The Boho or Bohemian style, which traces its roots from nomadic and artistic cultures, meanwhile uses flowing silhouettes, natural fabrics, and rich colors to emphasize individuality, comfort, and connection to nature.

This style suits the Filipino taste as it offers the inclusion of nature in spaces through plants, and the use of handmade and local décor such as baskets and embroideries.