So why is it that we all love tiki bar decor so much? It’s really quite ridiculous. I think it’s because we Americans just lurve to dress up. Halloween, for example, seems to be so much more popular here in the U.S. than anywhere else. The rest of the world watches our Halloween craziness and just scratches its much-more-restrained head. We are an exuberant nation. And maybe there was no single time more exuberant that post-World War II America. Heck yeah, I’ll have an umbrella in that mai tai. Life is good! Above: Brad’s “Junglero Room” — his own in-house tiki paradise. Yes, you can tuck a touch of tiki bar decor in most any mid century house. Our previous photo: Chad sells his Witco tiki bar and reader Ghost of Elvis buys it.
Readers, do you have some tiki going on in your house? Let’s see it! It’s easier than pouring some pineapple over some rum, get yer cameras started –>
Did you know we have a complete category called “Tiki and Bars”?
Update: Uploader is now closed. Thanks for playing, and enjoy the photos!
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Tiki DIY: Turn ginormous tiki forks & spoons into cabinet pulls for your kitchen or tiki bar 
Tiki style fabric from Tommy Bahama 
A tiki bar for your basement — three mood boards 
Tiki decor motherlode: Oceanic Arts — established in 1956 
COMMENTS WILL RE-OPEN on MONDAY, DECEMBER 2. For the first time in, like, 13 years, I am taking a real vacation from the blog, to spend un-distracted time with family. As part of this, Commenting on the blog is paused. Meanwhile, please enjoy reading all the many stories in our archives -- and come back Monday, Dec. 2 when I will launch our annual giveaway of a vintage ornament wreath made by Georgia Peachez -- and when comments will reopen so you can enter to win! HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
Dani says
This weekend has been a perfect storm for Tiki! First this uploader and last night we ate dinner at the ever fabulous Omni Hut: http://www.omnihut.com/
(Is it strange that I want to live there? Hah!)
The good news is that my mister may have also caught the tiki fever, because now he wants to turn the guest room into a Tiki paradise, which is great, because that sounds like one of MY schemes! No arguments from me, I’m off to scour the ‘bay before he changes his mind…
pam kueber says
🙂
hannah says
There’s a great forum full of info, sales, links, events and fans of all things tiki called Tiki Central.
http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/
Brad Howland says
More pics of The Jungalero Room (or lounge as I sometimes call it) here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jungalero-Lounge/112770948583?ref=hl
Becky from Iowa says
I wish I had room for one of these, or any bar room. But with a living room, dining room, kitchen, office, and two bedrooms, our house is full up. Where do those of you who live in “mid century modest” homes locate the Tiki room? I’m curious…did you sacrifice a spare bedroom? Did you refinish the basement?
Pittsburgh Pauly says
I think it depends on your dedication (and size of the collection). In my 1950 Cape Cod it’s a 3-season room, for others it’s a spare bedroom, living room, pool house, unused dining room, etc. I think the holy grail is the original MCM basement bar that tikiphiles can convert easily.
Princee Pupule says
We found that we almost never used our dining room – it was wasted space. It was between the dining room & the basement & we opted to use the dining room, as it would be a “regular” part of the house. Of course, that meant, for resale reasons, we had to forego the wet bar & just keep it dry, but that worked OK, as the dining room was next to the kitchen. We find that we use the bar WAY more than the dining room was ever used!
Brad Howland says
Becky,
Living by the SE coast, we are required by code to have our houses elevated b/c of the possibility of surges from hurricanes. I just took the space underneath our elevated house, enclosed it, built Jungalero Lounge. If we ever do have a major hit from a hurricane….may have to start over. Keeping my fingers crossed -so far so good after 8 years.
Lisa says
Tiki. Tidbit. Tray.
mollie d says
ha ha katie, you are so busted- what a genius way to get inspiration for your tiki love!!
vegebrarian says
All of these amazing tiki bars are making me giddy! The hanging lights are the best. 🙂
Scott says
Wow, there is some amazingly creative stuff and quite a few more all-out Tiki-ittes than I would have imagined. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for anything that provides more opportunities to use colored lights!
So many to love, but gasp to Photo 74, Tiki Moderne took my breath away!