Inside an Expat Home – A Design Journey in Bali.
Discover the unique challenges and creative solutions behind designing an expat home in Bali. From blending local craftsmanship with modern aesthetics to adapting to a tropical climate, here’s how to make a house feel like home abroad.
Inside an Expat Home: Crafting Comfort in Bali
Every expat home has its challenges, but this project in Bali is a story of transition, dreams, and creating a space that finally feels like home. I’m working with a family who, for the first time in their expat journey, is investing in their home decor. With their children now older and life feeling more settled, they’re shifting from a temporary mindset to designing a space that reflects who they are. And in Bali, that means one exciting thing: everything can be tailor-made.
At the heart of my vision for this home is Coffee. The family owns a coffee brand that is originated in the Vietnamese countryside. This family is very connected to nature in other ways such as their love for horses and country side living and wanted their home to embody this love for nature, creating a sanctuary that seamlessly blends the indoors and outdoors while honoring their values of a simple, down to earth way of living. We wanted their home to embody this love for nature, creating a sanctuary that seamlessly blends the indoors and outdoors while honoring their family dynamics.
The Challenges: Adapting to a New Design Landscape
Bali offers an abundance of natural beauty and incredible local craftsmanship, but designing a home here means embracing different materials, layouts, and cultural influences. Some common challenges include:
Tropical Climate Considerations: High humidity and heat require thoughtful choices in furniture, textiles, and ventilation.
Sourcing Quality Pieces: Finding well-made furniture that lasts can be tricky, especially when balancing affordability with durability.
Blending Cultures: How do you merge modern design sensibilities with the rich textures and traditions of Balinese style?
Solutions & Styling Tips for a Bali-Inspired Expat Home
Here’s how we are tackling these design challenges to create a welcoming and stylish expat home:
1. Embrace Natural Materials
Bali’s craftsmanship shines through in its use of teak wood, rattan, and bamboo. Incorporating locally made furniture not only adds authenticity but also ensures durability in the humid climate. I love this rattan lounge chair from —it’s both lightweight and breathable, perfect for an open-air living space.
2. Prioritize Indoor-Outdoor Living
Balinese homes are designed to embrace nature, with open layouts and lush gardens. Opting for sheer curtains, large sliding doors, and woven textures helps maintain a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors. Adding tropical plants like monstera or palm trees enhances the relaxed island vibe. As you can see here- this tropical garden is perfect to create
3. Reflect Personal Values Through Design
For this family, their home is more than just a living space—it’s a reflection of their love for the environment and their countryside roots. To honor this, we incorporated reclaimed wood, organic fabrics, and rustic, handmade decor. Thoughtful touches, like a handwoven jute rug and ceramic dinnerware crafted by local artisans, ensure that every detail aligns with their appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.
4. Mix Modern with Traditional
To create a balanced aesthetic, we’re blending the family's countryside roots with the lush, tropical energy of Bali. Contemporary neutral tones pair beautifully with handcrafted Balinese carvings and batik textiles. A carved wooden mirror from [Supplier Name] became a statement piece in their entryway, merging modern simplicity with local artistry.
Bringing It All Together
Stay tuned as I will share updates on this design. If you are getting inspired and want to work together on your home, you can schedule a free discovery call here.
