Ask most homeowners, and they’ll tell you that choosing any home décor is never easy.
And although the various options on the market may leave you spoilt for choice (and maybe a little confused), it does help to have choices. Mediterranean design is one such option, and it has been the go-to choice for most homeowners for various reasons.
So, what is the Mediterranean design, and what is cool about it that has made it stand the test of time through the years?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. You’re going to find all the answers to these questions right here. Read on.
Essential Elements of Mediterranean Design
The thing about Mediterranean design that makes it stand out is that it is more about merging natural beauty and home decor.
This includes everything from natural materials, a strong emphasis on texture, a warm color palette… etc. This design is all about keeping it rustic, earthy, and welcoming.
Some of the most popular materials that Mediterranean design embraces include wrought iron, terra cotta tiles, and stone accents. These give any living space a natural, authentic, and inviting feel.
Another key element of Mediterranean design is color. Here, as well, Mediterranean design seeks to mirror the natural surroundings as much as possible. Warm earthy tones such as ochre, terracotta, and sandy beige are all great choices.
While at it, incorporating some distressed finishes, rough-hewn wood, and some natural fibers are also very helpful elements for bringing out an impressive depth and visual appeal.
Again, the goal is to achieve a cozy, inviting ambiance that has been the hallmark of Mediterranean design. Now you understand the scope of elements that go into this style. Well, it’s time to dive into the different Mediterranean-style ideas for different parts of your home.
Materials
This is one element that stands at the core of any design. It not only helps bring out the essence of the design, it also doubles as the backbone of any structure.
With Mediterranean design, the idea is to go with natural materials. As mentioned earlier, this will mostly revolve around options such as terracotta, stone, and wood. A well-balanced combination of these turns out great, especially in your living area or bedroom.
For the kitchen, consider going with wooden cabinets, and have sandy beige, ochre, or burnt sienna for the kitchen walls for that warm, welcoming atmosphere.
For instance, you can have terracotta tiles, and a stone fireplace, or if there are any wooden beams, leave them exposed to bring out that Mediterranean feel.
The beauty of these materials is not only in their natural look, and welcoming touch but also in how durable they are.
Furniture
When it comes to furniture in Mediterranean design, keep it rustic, and more importantly, with a weathered look. Options such as distressed wood coffee tables, upholstered sofas, rustic wooden tables, and chairs work great.
Textures make a big difference here. Look for furniture with interesting details like carved wood patterns or rough finishes that you can really feel. Also, don’t forget about accessories. Things like handwoven blankets, colorful pottery, or iron candle holders can tie everything together.
Remember to have enough cushioning for comfort, and maintain warm earthy tones for the colors for a relaxed atmosphere. The idea here is to get the best of comfort and style.
Mediterranean Accents
Mediterranean accents are a big part of this design. Options like mosaic tiles, wrought iron pieces, and arches apply.
You can tweak these around with anything from vases to pottery; handmade ceramic bowls, hanging plates, or a large wrought iron mirror on a wall somewhere.
Some Mediterranean-inspired accents that you can add in your kitchen include wrought iron fixtures for the lighting. But open shelves for different ceramics and other utensils are also a good idea.
Vibrant Textiles
A bit of color and pattern, with the right combination, can truly bring out that Mediterranean touch into your home.
Everything goes, be it intricate designs or geometric prints on your curtains, area rugs, and throw pillows.
Another area where you can add a bit of design and patterns is in the tiles. Although these might not be very fitting in the living room or the bedroom where you have a carpet, you can still incorporate them in other areas of your home.
Having the right tile work works particularly well in the kitchen and bathroom.
Open Layouts
Another Mediterranean-inspired design that will add a touch of beauty to your home is maintaining an open and airy layout.
Start by arranging your furniture in a way that encourages natural light to flow through your rooms. Pull sofas and chairs away from windows and let the sunlight flood in. This not only brightens the space but also gives it an inviting warmth that’s key to the Mediterranean style.
With an open plan, you are also going to achieve an even better connection for different areas in your home.
Color Palette
Going with Mediterranean-style colors is important for accentuating the other aspects of this design. Consider going for soothing options that match the Mediterranean landscape.
A soft blue like the sea, sandy beige for that beach look… it would help if you were shooting for a tranquil, relaxing, inviting atmosphere.
Whether you’re going for one or a combination of these, the idea is to have them blend in seamlessly to bring out the intended look.
Be it painting the walls, adding colorful cushions and throw pillows, or getting curtains with the desired hues… the choice is all yours here.
Indoor-Outdoor Connection
Another aspect of this design you can’t overlook is keeping that interior and outdoor connection.
This doesn’t have to be complicated though. And can be easily achieved with the use of large windows and glass doors that let in natural light. Also, these offer a great view of the outside, such as your balcony, garden, or courtyard.
Another trick here is to have outdoor sitting areas. Add some plush cushions to these for comfort. By ensuring that your windows have flowing curtains, you will blend your indoors with the natural surroundings effortlessly. This makes your outdoor area an extension of your living space, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee or an evening chat.
For the kitchen, incorporate some sheer curtains, or leave the windows uncovered to bring out that naturally bright, airy feeling that is reminiscent of Mediterranean kitchens.
Lighting
Speaking of lighting, the tips above should give your interior enough natural lighting. But for the natural lighting, you need to still maintain that Mediterranean look.
This is where such aspects as wrought iron lanterns and wall sconces come in. Don’t hesitate to mix and match different styles to see what fits best with your existing decor. These will provide your home with an ambient light while still maintaining a lovely rustic look.
You can vary this from one room to the other, or just go with what looks perfect with the existing interior design. In the kitchen, for example, you might choose simpler fixtures to keep the space functional and bright. In contrast, the living room could feature more ornate lanterns for a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Throw in some Natural Elements
A bit of greenery will take that natural appeal of your home to a whole new level. To keep it in this style, consider going for potted plants, or some fresh flowers.
Different tree and flower species like lavender, olive trees, or bougainvillea are all viable choices that you can go with for this. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to have these only outdoors or add some greenery inside your living room.
Unless you have a lot of furniture, you should have more than enough room for some indoor greenery. After all, most Mediterranean designs feature large, spacious indoors.
The beauty of indoor greenery is that it adds a vibrant touch to your home, making it feel fresh and lively. Whether you choose a few small potted plants or go all out with larger ones, incorporating natural elements is a simple yet effective way to enhance the overall look and feel of your Mediterranean-inspired home.
Textured Walls
Here comes another one that is a true hallmark of most Mediterranean homes. Several techniques can be used to achieve this design.
Take plaster or stucco, for instance, which gives your walls that aged, rustic look. It also adds another level of depth and character to the room. Luckily, this is not a set-in-stone rule, you can always switch around to figure out what technique best suits your home.
You can even consider going the DIY way with projects aimed at adding texture to any focal wall in one or several of the rooms.
However, unless you are an expert in this field, it’s best to leave this to the professionals to avoid any costly mistakes.
Final Words
Take your time and choose the right Mediterranean decor idea that suits your style. You might even want to discuss with your loved ones who are living together with you and see what they like as well when it comes to Mediterranean design. Just to inform you that the images posted here are for illustration purposes only.