The Characteristics That Define Peruvian Interior Design

One source of inspiration that people use when choosing the interior design for their home is locations. Either they have traveled to a place and admired the style in that country, or a country is on their travel wishlist and they want to recreate the look at home. Which location a person chooses for their design inspiration is a matter of personal preference as there are vast differences in the styles of different countries. While some are sleek, sophisticated, and minimalist, others are bright, eclectic, and filled with objects. If your preference leans more towards the latter than the former, then one country’s style that you could replicate is Peru’s. Here is an overview of the characteristics that define Peruvian interior design and some tips for creating this style in the various rooms in your home.

What is Peruvian Interior Design

Peruvian interior design refers to a style that is influenced by the style of homes in Peru and objects that you would find in this South American country, says KaSa Global Interiors. There are many factors that influence Peruvian styles, such as the diversity of the landscape in Peru, the Peruvian culture, the country’s history, the materials that are available, and religion. There is also a strong Spanish influence in Peru, and this is reflected in the interior design. For this reason, there are some similarities between Peruvian design and the characteristics of Mediterranean houses. The Peruvian style is very similar to a style called ‘Globe-Trotter’, and it features the use of natural materials, bright colors, patterns, and textiles.

Peruvian Architecture

There are three main styles of architecture in Peru, says Canin Associates. Each of these has different features inside properties that you can add to your home or use to inspire your Peruvian interior design choices.

• Pre-Columbian – Incan architecture features in the pre-Columbian period. Important structures were made form large, cut stones. Regular homes and agricultural buildings were made from smaller stones bound together with mortar. Inside the houses, the rocks or stone were left exposed.
• Colonial – The Spanish influence in Peru arrived when the Spanish conquered the last Inca stronghold back in 1572. Buildings from this period have a very Mediterranean feel about them. The exterior of important buildings often have baroque facades, which gives them a distinctly European look. The window and door surrounds have exposed stone surrounds. Inside, the buildings have white stucco walls. The doorways are often arched, and doors are wooden. Both windows and doorways are fitted with cast-iron grilles.
• Vernacular and contemporary – While urban properties display grandeur, rural properties have remained largely unchanged. Rural homes are built by hand using natural ingredients, such as clay-tiled for the roofs. The walls are whitewashed adobe bricks, with the white brickwork exposed on the interior. The rooms have only small windows.

The Characteristics of Peruvian Interior Design

There are some characteristics of Peruvian interior design that set it apart from other styles of interior design. Some of these characteristics are as follows:

• Colors – The walls of homes decorated in a Peruvian interior design style are often painted white and kept very simple. However, the walls are the only element of the rooms that you will see featuring white, as bright, bold colors are an important element of Peruvian interior design. Bright reds, oranges, and yellows are the main colors used. However, you can also use splashes of greens, blues, and purples if you wish. In fact, as long as the color is vibrant, just about any color is acceptable for this style.
• Materials – The materials used in Peruvian interior design are all-natural materials. Some of the materials that you will see in Peruvian interior design include woven wool, wood, stone, clay, and brick.
• Textiles – One of the most prominent features of Peruvian design is textiles, and Peruvian textiles have become increasingly popular in many styles of interior design and also in fashion, says Aracari. The textiles are usually made from woven wool that is dyed bright colors using natural pigments. They feature typical Peruvian patterns. Textiles feature in cushions, curtains, wall hangings, throws, bedding, and rugs.
• Patterns – Not only do patterns feature on textiles, but they are also used on hand-painted tiles and accessories. Typical Peruvian patterns include stripes, zigzags, and other geometric shapes in bright colors. The designs of the shipobo-konibo people from the Peruvian jungle use intricate geometric shapes with bright colors, says La Casade Freja. These are used in ceramics, textiles, clothing, wood, and even on their bodies.
• Furniture – Most of the furniture used for Peruvian interior design is natural wood that is not stained or dyed. Handcrafted and artisan pieces work better than mass-manufactured furniture. Comfort is added to furniture by adding textiles and soft furnishings.
• Floors – Peruvian homes generally feature stone floors or floors that are tiled in materials that are readily available. These are a practical option for many rooms in the home. Woven rugs are added for warmth and color.
• Accessories – Accessories can make a big difference to the overall look of Peruvian interior design. Some accessories you should consider using are colorful paper lampshades, pottery that is hand-painted with colorful Incan designs, woven rugs, textile wall hangings, cushions, and throws. The most important things is that you use an array of colors, and you can even mix and match accessories rather than having everything matching, says The Telegraph. If you are creative, you can try your hand at making your own Peruvian-inspired accessories. Traditional Peruvian homes will often display religious artifacts, but this is not something you necessarily need to include in your designs if you are not religious.

Peruvian Interior Design by Room

You can use Peruvian interior design styles to inspire the décor in any room of your home. The following are some tips for recreating the Peruvian look or adding elements of Peruvian style to the various rooms around your home.

• Living Room – If you are choosing only one room in which you want to implement a Peruvian interior design style, then the living room is the room you should choose as this room gives you the greatest scope for creativity. Paint the walls white as this creates the feeling of light and space in the room. It also acts as a backdrop for the array of colors that you will use around the room. Choose wooden furniture that you can accessorize with bright, patterned cushions and throws. Add a textile wall hanging in a position where it will act as a focal point of the room. Over a flagged stone floor, add colorful woven rugs.
• Kitchen – Choose painted wooden units with a matte finish. You can choose almost any color for a Peruvian theme in your kitchen. Keep the walls simple by painting them white. Wood or polished stone countertops will work well. Add some colorful accessories around the room, such as painted vases, potted plants, and plants with Incan designs hung on the wall. Stone flagging works well as a kitchen, as it is a practical and aesthetically pleasing option.
• Dining Room – A larger, rectangular, wooden table is the centerpiece of a Peruvian-style dining room. Like the living room, you should keep the walls white and simple. This is another room where you can add a textile wall hanging featuring bright colors and Incan patterns as a feature of the room. The accessories you use in the dining room are what will give it its Peruvian style. Choose colorful, woven placemats and a table runner to dress your table. Add a hand-painted vase as a centerpiece.
• Bedrooms – Most people want their bedroom to become a space where they can relax and unwind. The first step to creating this look is to paint the walls white. Not only is this typical of Peruvian homes, but it is also a calm and relaxing color. Of course, bright colors are also important to Peruvian interior design, but you can add these to your bedroom with patterned cushions and throws. A rug on either side of the bed is another way of adding color, and it is also nice to step onto when you wake in the morning. In terms of furniture, wood is always the best option for this style. A Peruvian-inspired theme also works well in children’s bedrooms as they love the shapes and colors that feature in this style of interior design.
• Hallway – Although a hallway is often one of the smallest rooms in the house and may seem insignificant. However, it is often the first room that people will see when they walk into your home. Therefore, you should add some interesting accessories that catch your eye when you walk through the hallway to access the rest of your home. Add a hand-painted ceramic vase to an occasional table and choose an eye-catching textile wall hanging to add color to this small space.
• Bathroom – The bathroom is another room that you can create a Peruvian interior design style with the use of accessories. A freestanding back will give the bathroom a rustic and traditional look, and white tiling will keep things simple and fresh. While towels are a practical item, they are also items that you can use to create an interesting and colourful feature in the room. Buy bright towels in different colors and then stack them to create a striped effect. Add potted plants and painted ceramics to the window ledge. A geometric print on the wall is another way of adding color to the bathroom.

Creating a Peruvian Style Garden

If you wish to extend the Peruvian style of your interior décor to your garden, this is something that you can easily achieve, even if you are not particularly green-fingered. You can take inspiration from the Incas and also from the diverse landscape of the Peruvian countryside. According to Journey Latin America, stone and tropical flowers should feature in a Peruvian-style garden. If you have a larger garden, then you can plant tropical foliage around the perimeter of your garden. Those who have only a small garden, a terrace, or a yard should opt for potted tropical plants.

Stone is a material that you can use in many ways around the garden. First, you can create a stone terrace and pathways. Second, you can have a stone wall across the end of your garden. If you already have a brick wall in place, consider whitewashing it. Third, you can add a rockery section to your garden. Finally, you can add some stone features, such as a birdbath or sundial. There are many Incan-inspired stone garden statues available from garden centers, and you may consider adding these as a feature in your garden.

Peruvian Interior Design – The Final Verdict

Peruvian interior design style is inspired by the history, culture, and landscape of Peru. Color and textiles are two of the main features of this design style. While walls are predominantly white, color is widely used for patterned textiles and painted ceramics. The use of natural materials whenever possible is another important element of Peruvian design. Peruvian interior design is a fun and vibrant style option that is suitable for use in any room of your home. If you are a true fan of this style, you can decorate your entire home using Peruvian interior design. On the other hand, you can choose just a few elements that are Peruvian inspired to add to select rooms in your home for a more understated look. It is also possible to interpret this interior design style in several ways as the style has changed throughout history and there are differences between urban and rural Peruvian interior design.