Miami has gone through a lot of design eras, but there’s one that always pulls me in: the pastel, glossy, tropical-glam look of the 80s and early 90s. It’s a mix of Art Deco curves, hotel luxury, soft neon color palettes, and sun-washed tropical energy. I call it Miami Tropical Deco, and this blog documents how I’m building a modern version of that style inside a builder-grade condo.

The reasons why I fell in love with Miami and have incorporated this look into my home are for another post, but today, let’s talk about what defines the aesthetic that I am so passionate about.

These are the fundamentals of Miami Tropical Deco design.

1. Art Deco Architecture

MIAMI’s signature style begins with its Art Deco hotel district. Built in the 1920s–40s, these pastel-toned buildings used soft curves, glass block, neon trims, and coastal motifs inspired by the beach. MIAMI’s version of Deco was lighter and more playful than the darker, industrial “Gatsby Deco” found in other cities, but this is why it became the perfect foundation for the Tropical Deco look.

Think..

peach, mint, and aqua pastels
curved corners and porthole-style windows
glass block panels that glow with neon at night
sunburst and wave patterns
breeze block fencing
palm frond and seashell accents

*Glass blocks at the* ***Waldorf Towers Hotel*** *on Ocean Drive.*

This early architecture set the stage for the '80s revival that blended Deco with glamour, color, and MIAMI’s tropical atmosphere.

2. Pastel Color Stories

*The pastel color palette conceptualized by* ***Leonard Horowitz.***

Leonard Horowitz, a key figure in the preservation of MIAMI Beach’s Art Deco District, developed a 40-color pastel palette to guide the restoration of the neighborhood’s historic buildings. Although the full palette isn’t publicly available, the colors still seen on the buildings today give us a strong sense of what it included. Soft peach, mint green, coral, aqua, lavender, and pale yellows. These are the same hues you’ll during a South Beach sunrise or on the facades of the Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive.

It’s not just about being colorful. It’s about being dreamy, relaxing, and reflective of the bright weather in South Beach. These colors emulate exactly how one feels while relaxing poolside in MIAMI.

“I formulated my palette on the basis of sunset, sunrise, the summer and winter oceans and the sand on the beach, which used to be much more golden. They all are natural sources, and they are the same ones that the original designers used. Within them are an infinite variety of pastels”

— Leonard Horowitz

3. Chrome, Glass, and Lacquer

The ‘80s LOVED their reflective surfaces, but in MIAMI they were paired with art deco curves, tropical motifs, and hotel-inspired shapes.

Think..

brass or chrome coffee tables

glass or lacquer dining tables
glass block walls and accents
lacquered vanities, countertops, and tables
glossy pastel accents

Using these elements, everything feels clean, bright, and oh-so-glamorous.

4. Deco and Postmodern Shapes

MIAMI interiors have always leaned Deco, but in the ‘80s they blended it with postmodern design, using rounded edges, sculptural lamps, sculpted rugs, and statement seating.

If something has curves, shine, or personality, it fits this motif.

Love this modern vintage-style chair from Amazon.

5. Hotel-Suite Comfort

Scent can impact how your space feels. Mimic the smell of a luxury hotel with the Lobby or Suite candles from Vacation Inc. Indulgent details like silk pillowcases echo 5 star resort feelings.

The best Miami Tropical Deco interiors feel like a vacation:

soft lighting with wall sconces
silk pillowcases
crisp white towels
mini bar cart
attention to atmosphere (candles!)

It’s not minimal. It’s intentional and supposed to feel like you just checked into an oceanfront resort.

6. Tropical Elements

Not tropical in a blue and white “coastal beach” kind of way, but rather tropical in a tasteful, airy, botanical way. It gives off Golden Girls aesthetic vibes, in the most sophisticated way.

Think..

lush tropical greenery (palms & ferns)
rattan accents
bamboo moments
seashell and coral shapes
cabana stripes
ornate pieces & structures featuring flamingos and swans

Incorporating textures found in nature creates balance with the bold glam elements that make up most of the MIAMI Tropical Deco aesthetic.

Why I LOVE this Aesthetic

I’ve always been drawn to interiors that feel nostalgic and escapist. The MIAMI of the 80s and 90s was bold, colorful, and full of personality. It’s playful and fun, something I think we’re all craving more of.

I’m building this blog as I design my own home around these elements.

If you love interiors built off nostalgia, character, color, and a gust of tropical breeze, you’ll feel at home here.

What’s Coming Next

I hope you follow along, because we’re just getting started! In my next post, I’m looking back at my first trip to Miami in 2018. That trip was the moment I discovered a style I had admired for years without knowing its name…Tropical Deco.

Finding this little corner of the world that I’d never paid much attention to ended up becoming my “happy place,” and the inspiration behind designing a home that brings a bit of Miami back with me, every day.

Visiting **Lummus Park** on Ocean Drive for the first time in 2018.

In the future I’ll also be sharing:

shopping guides to find this look (vintage or new)
80s Art Deco revival influence
the history behind MIAMI’s art deco district
pop culture & 80s MIAMI aesthetics (Golden Girls, Miami Vice)
the design process for transforming my builder-grade townhome

This is the start of something I’ve wanted to build for a long time, and I’m excited you’re here. Be sure to follow me on TikTok & Instagram where I bring these blog posts to life!

- Kayla Sue

What is MIami Tropical Deco?

Discovering Miami