A Guide to Decorating a Florida Home

Decorating a home in Central Florida is a unique challenge. You're not just creating a beautiful retreat; you're building a practical haven that can stand up to our climate's one-two punch of brilliant sunshine and relentless humidity. As your local design experts in Longwood, we've crafted this guide to move beyond generic advice and give you actionable, Orlando-specific tips for a home that truly thrives.

Embracing The Central Florida Lifestyle In Your Home

Living here means embracing a lifestyle where sunny days and lush landscapes are just part of the package. Decorating your home isn't just about picking a style; it's about making smart choices that hold up to our distinct environment. From the intense summer sun in Lake Mary to the persistent humidity in Sanford, your furniture and decor need to be as resilient as they are beautiful.

Generic design advice from national chains often falls short for Orlando homeowners. What works in a dry, northern climate simply won’t last here. We know this because we’ve been helping Central Florida families furnish their homes since 1980. As a local, family-owned business in Longwood, we've seen firsthand what works and what doesn't.

Creating A Home That Thrives

Our approach to decorating a Florida home is built on a few core principles that blend practicality with your personal style. Think of these as the foundation for creating a space that feels authentic and is truly built to last.

• Climate-Smart Selections: Prioritize materials like performance fabrics that resist sun-fading and solid wood furniture that can withstand humidity without warping.
• Light and Airy Palettes: Choose colors that create a cool, serene feeling. This reflects the natural beauty outside your window without absorbing all that heat.
• Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living: Design your spaces to flow naturally from the living room to the lanai. This is key to maximizing your enjoyment of our year-round pleasant weather.

At Slone Brothers Furniture, we believe your home should be a reflection of the wonderful Central Florida lifestyle. It’s about creating a personal sanctuary that is comfortable, functional, and perfectly suited to our unique corner of the world.

Consider this guide your partner in the process. We’ll move beyond the basics to give you expert insights and practical solutions for your home. Whether you're furnishing a new build or refreshing a space you've loved for years, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to make confident decisions. We'll show you how to select pieces that not only capture your vision but also represent a wise, long-term investment.

For a deeper look into our philosophy, you can explore our approach to creating stunning interior designs for Florida homes. Now, let’s get started on your perfect Florida oasis.

Choosing Durable Materials for Decorating a Florida Home

Here in Central Florida, our furniture does more than just fill a room—it has to stand up to a daily fight against intense sunlight and relentless humidity. Picking the right materials isn't just a small detail; it's one of the most important investments you can make in your home's future. Think about a beautiful sofa in your Lake Mary living room that won't fade after just one summer, or a dining set in Sanford that won't warp from the moisture in the air. This is what smart material selection is all about.

This quick guide helps you visualize how to strike the perfect balance between practical needs, like sun resistance, and your personal style.

As you can see, every choice—whether it's driven by practicality or pure aesthetics—comes together to create a home that truly fits the Florida lifestyle.

Performance Fabrics: Your First Line Of Defense

The fabric on your sofas, chairs, and cushions is the first thing people see, but it's also the most vulnerable to sun and moisture. This is where performance fabrics become a non-negotiable for any home in the Orlando area. These aren't your grandmother's upholstery fabrics; they're textiles engineered from the ground up to handle our climate.

Performance fabrics like Sunbrella®, Crypton®, and other solution-dyed acrylics are game-changers because they are:

• Fade-Resistant: The color isn't just on the surface; it’s locked into the very core of each fiber. This means the brilliant Florida sun won't bleach your vibrant colors out in a single season.
• Moisture-Resistant: They naturally repel water, which stops moisture from soaking into your cushions and creating that dreaded mildew smell.
• Easy to Clean: Spills from a summer cookout or a smear of sunscreen often wipe away with just a little soap and water. They're built for real life.

This is where our Custom-Order Program at Slone Brothers really shines for local homeowners. We give you access to a huge collection of these durable fabrics, so your furniture not only looks exactly how you want but is also built to last for years to come.

Solid Wood Over Veneers For Lasting Stability

Humidity is the silent enemy of wood furniture. It makes wood swell and shrink, which can lead to cracking, warping, and wobbly joints over time. That’s why we almost always steer our clients toward solid wood furniture instead of pieces made with a thin wood veneer glued over particleboard.

The superior craftsmanship found in American-made and Amish furniture is specifically designed to handle environmental changes. Techniques like floating panel construction and time-tested joinery allow the wood to breathe without compromising its structural integrity.

Certain woods are naturally better suited for our humid climate:

• Teak: It's the champion for both indoor and outdoor use. Teak produces its own natural oils that make it incredibly resistant to moisture and rot.
• Acacia: Known for being tough and water-resistant, acacia is another fantastic choice for Florida homes.
• White Oak: This is a dense hardwood that’s less porous than many others, making it much less likely to absorb moisture and warp.

To help you get the most out of your furniture, we've put together a handy guide on how to care for wood furniture.

Choosing the right materials is the first step, but we can also proactively protect our furniture from the elements. Installing energy-efficient window coverings is a smart move. They block harsh UV rays that cause fading and help keep your home cooler, which can even lower your energy bills during those long Orlando summers. By making these thoughtful choices, you ensure your furniture not only looks stunning today but remains a cherished part of your home for years to come.

Crafting Your Perfect Florida Color Palette

Color is the very soul of a home, and here in Florida, it does more than just set a mood. The right palette can make a room feel cool, airy, and deeply connected to the lush, tropical world just outside your window. Think of it as your secret weapon against our warm climate, creating a visual escape that feels instantly refreshing.

Sure, the classic coastal combo of white and navy will always have its place, but the design scene here in the Greater Orlando area has blossomed. We're seeing homeowners lean into more sophisticated palettes that feel both modern and timeless—colors pulled directly from our local landscape, from the deep greens of the wetlands to the soft glow of a Gulf Coast sunset.

Beyond The Beach-Inspired Palettes

Think about the calming effect of nature-inspired greens. Colors like sage, olive, and eucalyptus are surging in popularity for their grounding effect, which works beautifully in our sun-drenched rooms. These shades help bridge the gap between your interior spaces and the vibrant greenery of a Central Florida backyard, creating a seamless, peaceful flow.

Warm, earthy tones are also making a huge comeback. Muted pastels, creamy beiges, and soft terracotta manage to capture the gentle light of a Florida evening without ever feeling too heavy. These hues provide a welcoming warmth that beautifully balances the intensity of our midday sun.

Here’s a quick look at some of the trending color families we're seeing:

• Soothing Greens: Sage, olive, and seafoam bring a sense of calm and invite the outdoors in. They pair stunningly with natural wood tones.
• Earthy Neutrals: Creamy off-whites, warm taupe, and muted sand create a sophisticated, inviting base that feels much richer than a stark, flat white.
• Sunset Hues: Think dusty rose, soft coral, and buttery yellows. When used as accents, these colors add a cheerful warmth that feels uniquely Floridian.

A recent design report confirms this shift, noting that homeowners are moving away from cool grays and toward colors with more depth and personality. In sunny markets like Greater Orlando, shades like terra cotta, sage, olive green, and dusty blue are trending as people crave richness in their homes. At Slone Brothers Furniture, we see this trend come to life every day when we help pair these wall colors with the rich, warm tones of our Amish-crafted wood furniture.

Testing Colors In The Florida Sun

One of the most critical—and often overlooked—factors when decorating a Florida home is our intense, ever-changing sunlight. A color that looks perfect in a Longwood showroom can look completely different in your Lake Mary living room. Our light shifts dramatically from a soft morning glow to the bright, direct light of midday and the warm, golden tones of the evening.

Because our sunlight is so powerful, it’s absolutely essential to test paint samples directly on your walls. Watch them at different times of day to see how the color transforms before you commit to painting an entire room.

This simple step ensures you’ll love the final result, no matter what time it is. Once you’ve landed on that perfect shade, you can start building the rest of the room around it. Our in-house design team can offer complimentary advice on how to pair these modern palettes with the rich wood tones and versatile fabrics in our collections. We’ll help you create a home that feels both timeless and deeply personal, perfectly suited for the Central Florida lifestyle. For more ideas on how to get started, check out our expert’s guide to the perfect color palette.

Defining Your Style, From Coastal to Modern Florida

When you picture decorating a Florida home, it's easy to jump straight to a classic beach house vibe. But that’s just scratching the surface. Your home here in Orlando can be a breezy coastal retreat, a sharp modern tropical escape, or even a comforting traditional haven. The real trick is landing on a style that feels genuinely you and stands up to our unique Central Florida lifestyle.

At Slone Brothers Furniture, we've spent decades helping families figure out that exact puzzle. We've always believed a home should tell your story, and that starts with understanding the building blocks of the most popular looks in our area. Let's walk through how to bring these styles to life, creating a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

The Enduring Appeal of Coastal Elegance

Coastal design is a natural fit for Florida, but the modern take is far more sophisticated than just seashells and anchors. It’s all about capturing the feeling of being by the water—light, airy, and utterly serene.

To nail this look, you’ll want to focus on a few key elements:

• Light Fabrics and Textures: Think breathable materials like cotton and linen for sofas, chairs, and curtains. Layer in some natural texture with a jute or sisal rug to add warmth and ground the space.
• Weathered and Light Woods: Furniture with a gently distressed or light wood finish—like whitewashed oak—brings to mind the image of sun-bleached driftwood. It immediately creates a relaxed, lived-in atmosphere.
• A Soothing Color Palette: Build your room around soft whites, sandy beiges, and gentle shades of blue and green. This palette is a direct nod to the colors of the coast and makes any room feel cooler and more open.

This style is less about a literal beach theme and more about channeling a calm, effortless vibe where you can truly unwind.

Sleek and Lush: Modern Tropical

For those who lean towards a bolder, more contemporary look, modern tropical is a fantastic choice. This style is a brilliant mix, blending the clean lines of modern design with the vibrant, wild energy of a tropical landscape. It’s sophisticated, a little dramatic, and packed with personality, which is why we see it so often in new homes around Lake Mary and Sanford.

Here’s what makes the modern tropical look tick:

• Bold Patterns and Colors: This is your chance to play with large-scale botanical prints on accent pillows or a statement piece of art. Strategic pops of deep green, vibrant coral, or sunny yellow against a neutral backdrop look incredible.
• Sleek Furniture: Look for pieces with clean, simple silhouettes. Brands like Stressless are a perfect fit here, offering recliners and sofas that merge modern Scandinavian design with serious comfort.
• Lush Greenery: This is non-negotiable. Filling your space with abundant indoor plants is essential. Not only do they purify the air, but they also bring the vibrant life of the outdoors right into your living room, blurring the lines between your home and your lanai.

The Resurgence of Timeless Traditional Design

While coastal and modern styles get a lot of attention, we’ve noticed a major trend in our Longwood showroom: a return to classic, traditional design. This style is all about comfort, solid craftsmanship, and enduring details that simply never go out of style.

In Florida homes, especially around the Greater Orlando area, traditional design details are making a huge comeback, with this style rising 5 percentage points among homeowners who are renovating. It’s a clear signal that people are craving comfort, craftsmanship, and classic elements that stand the test of time. You'll see it in the use of earthy tones, stained woods, and detailed millwork that add character and depth. As a family-owned business in Longwood since 1980, we’ve seen this trend firsthand. Our showroom is filled with top brands like Stickley and Canadel, which specialize in high-quality, American-made and Amish-crafted pieces built to last—a perfect match for this revival of craftsmanship. You can read more about these emerging design trends and their impact on local homes.

Traditional design is about creating a warm, inviting space with pieces that feel like they have a sense of history and permanence. It’s a perfect match for those who value quality craftsmanship and timeless appeal.

No matter which direction you're leaning, the goal is always to create a home that feels uniquely yours. Truthfully, the most interesting spaces often blend elements from different styles. For a deeper dive, you can explore our guide to furniture styles explained. And remember, our in-house design team is always here to help you mix and match until you find your perfect balance.

Designing A Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow

One of the best parts of living in the Orlando area is being able to step outside and enjoy the beautiful weather almost any day of the year. A truly well-designed Florida home blurs the line between inside and out, making your entire property feel like one large, cohesive living space.

Getting that coveted indoor-outdoor flow is about more than just having a sliding glass door. It’s a deliberate design choice that makes your lanai, patio, or deck feel like a natural extension of your living room. At Slone Brothers Furniture, we've helped countless Central Florida families achieve this, whether they have a sprawling poolside deck in Lake Mary or a cozy balcony in downtown Orlando.

Unifying Your Spaces With Cohesive Furniture

The most effective way to nail that seamless transition is to choose outdoor furniture that echoes the style you have inside. If your living room has a clean, modern vibe, carry that feeling onto your patio with sleek, minimalist pieces. If you lean more traditional indoors, look for outdoor furniture with classic lines and deep, comfortable cushions.

This doesn't mean you need an exact outdoor replica of your indoor sofa. It's more about creating a consistent visual story between the two areas.

• Complementary Colors: Pull accent colors from your indoor palette. That specific shade of blue from a throw pillow or the green from a piece of art can be used for your outdoor cushions or umbrella to tie everything together.
• Similar Materials: Echo the materials you've used inside. If you have beautiful, warm Amish-crafted wood in your dining room, consider an outdoor dining set with a similar wood-look finish, made from durable materials like teak or acacia.
• Consistent Style: Keep the overall design theme going. A rustic farmhouse interior flows naturally into an outdoor space with comfortable, sturdy furniture, not ultra-modern metal chairs that feel disconnected.

When your indoor and outdoor pieces speak the same design language, you trick the eye into seeing one large, unified space rather than two distinct zones.

Creating A Bridge Between Indoors And Out

Beyond the furniture, a few key elements can help completely erase the boundary between inside and outside. Think of these as the finishing touches that make the illusion of a single, expansive room feel real.

An indoor-outdoor rug is one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Placing a durable, weather-resistant rug on your lanai that shares a color or pattern with your living room rug creates an immediate, powerful visual link. It defines the outdoor "room" while anchoring it to the interior.

Your outdoor area shouldn't feel like an afterthought. Treat it with the same design attention you give your living room, complete with comfortable seating, proper lighting, and personal touches. This approach turns a simple patio into a valuable, functional living space.

Don't underestimate the power of plants, either. Bringing a few large potted plants from your lanai just inside your sliding glass doors—and vice versa—helps soften that hard architectural line. This little touch of greenery creates an organic transition that feels quintessentially Floridian.

Of course, choosing the right pieces is crucial for an outdoor living area that's not only stylish but also built to last. For a deeper dive, check out our complete guide on how to choose outdoor furniture that can stand up to our climate for years. Stop by our Longwood showroom to see a fantastic selection of coordinating indoor and outdoor pieces to help you create that perfect, seamless flow.

Your Local Partner For Central Florida Home Design

Bringing a complete vision for your home to life can feel overwhelming, especially when you just can't find that perfect piece in a big-box store. Decorating your Florida home should be exciting, not a source of frustration. As a local, family-owned business right here in Longwood since 1980, we're more than just a furniture showroom—we're your design partners, and we're deeply invested in our Central Florida community.

We get it. We live here too, so we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with designing a home in the Orlando area. That’s exactly why we’ve built our services to solve the common headaches homeowners face, offering a personal touch and real solutions that the national chains simply can't.

Our Custom Order Program

Ever find a sofa with the perfect shape, but it's in completely the wrong fabric? Our Custom-Order Program is the answer. It gives you the power to handpick the fabrics, finishes, and configurations to match your exact vision. This is how you get that specific shade of coastal blue for your living room sectional or choose a high-performance fabric that can actually stand up to the Sanford sun.

Our In-House Design Team

You don’t have to go it alone. Our expert in-house Design Team offers complimentary consultations for everything from figuring out a tricky floor plan to a complete room makeover. They bring years of local experience, helping you choose pieces that are not only beautiful but also perfectly suited for the Florida climate and your lifestyle.

We believe that exceptional design and lasting quality should be accessible. Our goal is to help you create a home you love without the stress and guesswork that often comes with decorating.

Unbeatable Value and Quality

For those who love finding a great deal without sacrificing quality, our Low Price Promise ensures you're getting the absolute best value. And for the treasure hunters, our expansive Clearance Outlet is another fantastic resource, offering incredible savings on well-crafted pieces every single day.

When it comes to flooring that ties your whole look together, options that are both durable and stylish are key. Exploring resources like local Florida cement tile suppliers can introduce you to beautiful, long-lasting choices that are practically made for our environment.

Feeling inspired? Stop by our showroom and chat with our Design Team for a complimentary consultation.

Common Questions We Hear in the Showroom

Decorating for the unique Central Florida climate comes with its own set of questions. Here are a few of the most common ones our design team gets asked every day in our Longwood showroom, along with some expert advice to help you get it right.

What Is The Best Type Of Rug For A Humid Florida Home?

In Florida, humidity is a constant battle. The last thing you want is a rug that traps moisture and gives off that musty smell. The key is to choose rugs made from natural, breathable fibers that let the air flow.

We almost always point our clients toward materials like:

• Jute, Sisal, or Seagrass: These natural plant-based fibers are incredibly durable and don’t trap moisture, making them perfect for our climate.
• Wool: This one surprises people, but wool is naturally moisture-wicking. It actively pulls dampness out of the air instead of holding onto it.
• Indoor-Outdoor Rugs: For high-traffic, high-humidity zones like a lanai, covered patio, or entryway, polypropylene rugs are a lifesaver. They’re specifically built to resist mildew, sun-fading, and moisture.

How Can I Protect My Wood Furniture From The Florida Climate?

Keeping your beautiful wood furniture looking its best in our environment is all about making smart choices from the start and being a little proactive. The first step? Choose high-quality, solid wood pieces. We specialize in American-made and Amish-crafted furniture at Slone Brothers for a reason—it's built to last and can handle the temperature swings far better than furniture made with flimsy veneers.

Beyond that, a few simple habits can make all the difference:

• Use blinds, curtains, or UV-blocking window film to shield your furniture from the harsh afternoon sun that can bleach and dry out the finish.
• Keep your home's temperature consistent with your air conditioning. This minimizes the expansion and contraction of the wood caused by big humidity shifts.
• Dust and polish regularly with a quality wood care product. Think of it as moisturizing the wood to protect it from the air.

"Probably the biggest decorating mistake we see in Florida is when someone buys a beautiful piece of furniture that just wasn’t made for this climate. That gorgeous velvet sofa might look amazing in a magazine, but it will feel sticky and trap moisture in August. Those delicate wood veneers will inevitably start to warp and peel in the humidity."

Here at Slone Brothers, our Design Team always guides clients toward performance fabrics and solid wood construction. It’s about making sure the investment you make in your home not only looks stunning when it arrives but continues to look and feel great for years to come.

Ready to find the perfect piece for your home? Visit the Slone Brothers Furniture showroom in Longwood, FL, and let our design experts help you get started!

https://slonebrothers.com