DIY Crafts & Decorations

DIY Tropical Party Decorations from Centerpieces to Place Cards

Oh, for an exotic beach ambiance for your summer soiree! Think it might be a styling challenge—especially if you’re nowhere near the ocean? You’d be pleasantly surprised. You can easily source materials online or in-store for assembling your own DIY tropical party decorations, from centerpieces to candlescapes to table numbers to place cards to chair decor! But first, we offer inspiration from some tropical decorating ideas from our own sets. (*this post contains affiliate links)

Sand-covered Table Number

For an elegant beach-inspired tablescape, we crafted a unique free-standing 3D table number. It is moulded from a styrofoam number cutout, then covered with a coating of sand. Perfectly complementing the seashell place card frames and seashell tea light dishes.

Seashell and Raffia Table Number

As part of our Jamaican-themed tablescape centerpiece (see details below), we put together a very simple table number with a casual, “castaway” feel. All it is is the number traced out using tiny seashells, then a frame made of raffia fiber glued around the border. So easy!

Coconut Tree Centerpiece

Now, for the entire centerpiece in the shape of a tabletop coconut tree! Our how-to shows all the DIY details—from the crepe paper coconut leaves to the cardboard and paper trunk to the “coconuts” made of orange fabric wraps stuffed with paper. A real wow accent piece!

Coconut Shells Table Centerpiece

Another table styling statement piece we created is a centerpiece of actual coconut shells filled with tropical leaves and flowers, then arranged in a row down the center of the table. To complete the beach vibe, we added natural pom poms made out of raffia and strands of tiny seashells.

Centerpiece of Raffia-wrapped Cylinder Vases

Want high impact with minimal effort? Consider this tropical candlescape centerpiece we assembled using just 3 elements and 3 simple steps—wind raffia fiber around giant glass cylinder vases in varied sizes, place a votive candle or tea light in each vase, then arrange them on top of a tropical print runner. To match the vibrant summer setting, we used gold carved frames as place card holders and guest favors in one!

Decor for a Tropical Drinks Station

Nothing like a station of chilled fresh fruit juices to keep guests hydrated at a tropical party! So to invite guests to grab their drinks, we displayed a drinks bar sign in a fittingly tropics-inspired abalone shell frame.

Party Chair Decor of Tropical Leaves

The lush greenery of the tropics is a ready-made source of materials for striking chair decor. The leaves come in such fabulous, exotic-looking shapes. So all we did was create bunches of them with bird-of-paradise cuttings, then tie them onto the chair backs with raffia fiber.

Tropical Place Setting and Fresh Fruit Favors

To dress up the place settings at a tropical party, we did some clever napkin folding to create “pineapples” out of printed fabric napkins and olive green fabric wraps as “leaves.” While for a truly in-theme party favor, you can give fresh tropical fruits—like golden mangoes trimmed with leaf favor tags!

Candles as Tropical Table Accents

The glow of candles lends a truly romantic air to any tablescape. For a tropical-themed dinner setting, our own rose embossed pillar candles make the loveliest accent pieces—especially with the sparkle of our pearl candle coasters amidst all the rustic beach elements.

Pineapple Place Cards in Shell Holders

For a hint of whimsy at your tropical party, plan fun place cards like these we made in the shape of pineapples. To display them in style, we used our seashell place card holders that each guest could take home afterwards as a keepsake.

Our Product Picks for Making DIY Tropical Party Decor

Ready to craft your own tropical decor elements and accent pieces? Thanks to Amazon, you have an entire array of crafting materials to do just that. Tropical party styling is just a few steps away!