Mediterranean Decor and Interior Design

Mediterranean Design Basics

The roots of Mediterranean decor and interior design reach back to the countries lining the Mediterranean Sea including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, and Morocco. Because of the closeness to the ocean, the dominant colors seen in a Mediterranean decorating style are blue and white. Other commonly seen color schemes of this style utilize warm oranges and reds inspired by terracotta tiles and pottery. The remaining Mediterranean colors like yellow, green, lavender, and brown are inspired by nature and the hilly landscapes and countryside of southern coastal Europe.

Since the Mediterranean region includes an eclectic mix of countries and cultures, furniture styles can vary from rustic to formal designs. Many pieces are made of chunky pine and finished simply with natural tone stains and iron hardware. A formal traditional approach may include more elaborate furniture styles with carved details, turned legs, polished hardware, and darker stain finishes. Whether the pieces are casually sturdy or formally elegant, they are generally substantial in feel and scale.

Mediterranean Decor and Interior Design Details

Walls in Mediterranean style homes often feature deep, rich texture from hand-troweled stucco, mud, or plaster applications. This surface is brought to life with color glazes or tinted washes which highlight the ridges and pittings in the textured wall finish. The effect can be subtle or dramatic depending on the base paint color and glaze chosen.

Another key component of Mediterranean design is the use of mosaics. Typically crafted out of tile or glass fragments, mosaics are works of art that can embellish furniture, backsplashes, floors, or accessories. The pattern of a mosaic can be random, or the fragmented pieces can recreate the imagery of a landscape, still-life, or portrait. You can replicate this look with stencil paint sets or wallpaper borders featuring mosaic designs.

The accessories used in Mediterranean decor and interior design echo the simple, clean architectural details of this style. Large-scale pottery and stone pieces can make a bold statement without creating clutter. Urns and containers made of bronze or copper also fit nicely in a Mediterranean room. Colorful ceramic accessories and earthenware objects are often displayed on mantles, shelving units, or above kitchen cabinetry. The use of wrought iron is also popular, and this material can be used in scrolled light fixtures, stairway banisters, fireplace screens, and decorative wall grilles. Oceanic themes are sometimes found in the accessories and art of this style including shell patterns and sea life.

Flooring in Mediterranean decor and interior design is generally a hard surface like wood or tile. The current trend towards hand-scraped, dark stained wood floors is perfect for this design motif because the rustic textures are a nice complement to neutral stucco or plaster walls. The other top choice for Mediterranean style flooring is to use ceramic, stone, or terracotta tile. Rugs are usually added for coziness and for a burst of rich color.

Mediterranean Decor Resources

HGTV – A gallery of over twenty-five room designs inspired by Mediterranean design.

Just Morocco - Lanterns, ceramics, wall hangings, mosaics, wrought iron, and more.

Designers Portfolio – Indoor and outdoor living spaces with Mediterranean flair.