The ethnic style brings a nomadic feeling into the apartment. Exotic patterns, animal prints and interesting art are typical for this unique look. Depending on the colors chosen, tribal chic can look anything from slightly rustic to sophisticated. Today we present you three furnishing concepts that incorporate the spirit of ethnic chic into modern interiors.
What is ethnic?
“Ethno” is an abbreviation for ethnology and describes the folklore that deals with the cultures of ethnic groups. Ethnic style means a mix of Indian, Arabic and African elements. Anyone who lives in this style feels like traveling to distant countries all year round. The traditions of tribes from all over the world come together in an ethnic look. Furniture, accessories and works of art typical of the country make up the living style. However, this has been on the rise for a few years nownot only conquers the fashion world, but is finding its way into our own four walls. Join the fashion trend and get inspired by these ideas!
These fascinating apartments show us that the simple design and the Scandi look can be the perfect companions of the ethnic style. Natural colors dominate in every interior and create a calming ambience. TheColor duo black and whiteis used skillfully and creates a perfect backdrop for the decoration.
This is how modern ethnic chic is styled
The first apartment is in Odessa, Ukraine and impresses with a harmonious mix of ethnic decoration and Scandinavian cosiness. It is actually a one-room apartment that looks very airy and spacious thanks to the use of light colors.
In the one-room room there is everything you need - a kitchen, a double bed and a small bathroom with a bathtub. The real eye-catcher is actually the walk-in closet, which makes every woman's heart beat faster. In most studio apartments, storage space is a major challenge. But here, the walk-in wardrobe offers a variety of practical storage solutions. But let's start our tour from the living area.
A white sofa is the focus of the open living area. A low wooden coffee table and decorative fruit bowl continue the natural, warm color palette. Between the sofa and the kitchenette there is a small dining area with space for two people. Two beautiful, large basket lights hang above the counter, creating a warm, cozy ambience.
The breakfast bar has a naturally curved edge and looks very natural. The black bar stools create a beautiful contrast to the wood and also have a backrest woven with rope.
The kitchen is decorated in light wood and white. The kitchen cabinets are arranged in such a way that they form a frame and in this way highlight the white plastered wall. Walls and floors throughout the apartment are whitewashed.
The double bed is separated from the open living area with linen curtains. Classic white folding blinds match the simple ambience and offer versatile sun protection. They allow daylight to flow into the entire apartment and discreetly and elegantly protect against unwanted views in the evening.
Decoration is used sparingly. As soon as you enter the apartment you see something strikingArtwork in XXL format. It is a black and white photograph of an African nomad that immediately attracts attention.
A series of large ceramic pots in deep earthy brown tones add accents to the bright, open space. The skull of a North African Nubian ibex with long, backwards-curving horns adorns an ice-white wall.
A niche in the entrance area is optimally used as storage space. Storage baskets and decorative objects find their place on open wooden shelves. A particular highlight is the ethnic set with feathered arrows. The wicker baskets can be used to store various things and small items such as gloves. A round mirror with a brown leather strap is hung on a wooden hook. A look in the mirror is always on the agenda before going out.
There is a walk-in closet behind the folding doors in the hallway. In addition, a black coat rack offers everything you need in the hallway and also impresses with its simple look. The spacious wardrobe continues the natural color palette that characterizes the rest of the apartment. In here, the white laminate is also used as wall paneling.
In front of the cross wall on the right there is a wardrobe with drawers where you can store scarves or jewelry. The coat hooks provide a place to hang the next day's outfit to speed up the morning routine. The floor-to-ceiling, frameless mirror on the opposite wall creates a feeling of space.
The wall shelves use the space vertically. Out-of-season clothing is stored in baskets on the shelves at the top to save space. A round sisal carpet can be perfectly combined with the baskets.
Other clothes are easily accessible on individual hangers. At first glance it looks like this is a standard closet system with a clothes rail and shelves, but it is actually a freestanding clothes rack that can be moved if necessary.
The design in the bathroom is kept in white, with the ethnic decoration adding subtle accents. The narrow wall tiles are laid vertically and create the impression of height. The sink is reminiscent of a half-formed clay bowl on a potter's wheel.
Particularly clever in black and white
The second modern tribal inspired apartment is not as puristic as the first because more ethnic decorations are used. However, they have something in common and that is the neutral backdrop in black and white. This way the overall picture doesn't look kitschy or overloaded at all.
A wall hanging, two murals and a bull skull decoration form a perfect gallery wall with an ethnic look. The sofa with a wooden frame combines many patterned cushions and a blanket. The two low tables and the fringed carpet complete the design perfectly.
In the dining area there is a wooden dining table that can accommodate four people. What is interesting is that twoWicker chairs mixed with black wooden chairsare. Another basket lamp hangs above the dining table. The wall hangings depict geometric patterns and have a mysterious charm.
The kitchen exudes a French-chic vibe, but a small rug ties it into the monochrome boho style. Wall shelves and a wooden worktop give the white kitchen a warm look. The trio of black pendant lights above the breakfast bar look modern, but are reminiscent of wickerwork.
Different patterns are cleverly combined in the master bedroom! Here too, gray and white dominate the appearance of the room. However, natural wood tones are used through the rustic headboard and storage baskets. The gray modern upholstered armchair has a handmade wooden frame. The carpet with fringes also exudes a certain character.
An ethnic carpet is a carpet woven by nomads for their own use. It can be antique or modern. They are usually small because nomads carried their half-life with them as they moved from camp to camp. They did not grow cotton, but kept sheep. Therefore, many carpets are made exclusively of wool. For similar reasons, tribal rugs are typically woven in a limited color palette. The designs are typically geometric. A large rug with twenty different colors and many intricate motifs is very unlikely to be a true ethnic rug, no matter what the seller says. For many years these were underestimated. Western buyers preferred plush and floral Persian carpets. Today tribal carpets are very popular again.
With a jungle feeling
The third furnishing concept is extremely stylish and conveys a resort character. Dark solid wood furniture, woven poufs, storage baskets and armchairs made of rattan harmonize visually with the sofa, walls and curtains in white. Indoor palms and palm prints also create a tropical feeling. Large clay vases and African-inspired vessels fit perfectly.
However, you can implement the tropical furnishing style with less opulent furniture and opt for more reduced furniture. The round dining table and the matching wicker chairs have a rather puristic design, but are perfect for a tropical-style interior. The basket lamp in XXL format is also a real eye-catcher.
The dark kitchen contrasts with the warm wicker furniture. The light wooden floor contrasts well with the black wooden fronts and allows the kitchen island to act as an accent. The area above the kitchen island is used to store attractive bowls and utensils.
An African dream awaits us in the master bedroom. A suspended frame above the bed supports a floating canopy with sheer white curtains. The wicker pendant lights hang low over the tree trunk nightstands. The patterned cushions harmonize wonderfully in color and create a homely atmosphere.
An owl decorative figure decorates the bedside tables in a friendly way. A round jute carpet in the middle of the room gives the concrete-look floor a feel-good feel. The built-in wardrobe has doors with rattan inserts, which will acquire a beautiful patina over time.
A flat-screen television hangs opposite the bed. There is space for very different decorative objects on the wooden shelf below. A rustic-looking dressing table is placed in the corner. The round wall mirror with a carved wooden frame and the rattan armchair fit perfectly.
The bathroom is a magnificent mix of natural materials. The wooden vanity is combined with a countertop washbasin made of natural stone. There is space for storage baskets and towels on the shelf below. The bronze fittings ideally complement the bathroom concept. The freestanding bathtub is surrounded by a gravel bed that serves as an overflow.
