Video Top 10 Insider Design Tips for Decorating Mediterranean-Inspired Interiors
Top 10 Insider Design Tips for Decorating Mediterranean-Inspired Interiors
Welcome back to Susie Anderson's Home! In this article, we will share our expert ideas for decorating Mediterranean-inspired interiors. The Mediterranean style embraces the essence of relaxed coastal living, focusing on natural materials, warm minimalism, and seamless indoor-outdoor living.
With influences from countries like Spain and Italy, this timeless and airy aesthetic has found its way into the United States, especially in states such as California and Florida, where it is well-suited to warmer climates.
The Color Palette
The Mediterranean region offers diverse color influences, with each part having its own unique charm. However, the main color palette revolves around chalky whites, ivory stone, ochre, terracotta, burnt umber, and soft grays. These soothing tones are complemented by oceanic shades of sky cerulean, navy blues, sage celadon, seafoam greens, and pops of yellow, coral, and red. To add depth and contrast, incorporate dark browns and black accents into your design.
Architectural Styles
Mediterranean architecture features two primary styles: Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival. Both styles share common elements such as white stucco walls, lime wash finishes, raw stone windows, balcony balustrades, gates, arched doors, and windows that open to generous balconies, patios, and courtyards. The signature low-pitched roof, adorned with thick red or terracotta tiles, completes the distinctive Mediterranean look.
Interior Elements
When it comes to interior elements, Mediterranean-inspired homes boast frescoed plaster walls, dome and arched ceilings, stone columns, exposed wood ceiling beams, and sculptural staircases with steel or wooden balustrades. The flooring choices often include wide plank wooden floorboards, terracotta tiles, and limestone, creating a sense of warmth and timeless elegance.
To add personality and flair, consider incorporating colorful ceramic Moroccan or Talavera tiles in geometric and mosaic patterns. These can be layered with vintage Turkish or Persian rugs and natural flat weave rugs made of jute and sisal for added warmth and texture.
Lighting Fixtures
Ceiling lights play a crucial role in Mediterranean interiors, setting the right ambiance. Opt for wagon wheel chandeliers with curled ironwork or Spanish-style lanterns. Decorative fixtures, such as painted white plaster and metal chandeliers or clear and frosted glass star or octagonal-shaped lanterns, also add a touch of elegance.
Accent lighting can be achieved through up-and-down porcelain wall lights, rattan or terracotta ceramic wall lamps, and iron wall sconces with fabric linen shades. Task lighting can be provided by heavy iron table candelabras, floor lanterns, and metallic floor and table lamps with natural linen or shades featuring Shinwasuri or trellis designs.
Embracing Natural Light
Maximizing natural light and outdoor views is a key aspect of Mediterranean design. Window treatments are kept to a minimum, often featuring sheer or lightweight linen curtains and fabric Roman blinds in natural colors or muted patterns. This allows the beauty of natural light to flood the space, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.
Furniture and Furnishings
Mediterranean interiors feature oversized, relaxed, and classic furniture pieces with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship. In the living room, consider incorporating low-sitting slipcovered sofas, cane or leather-back chairs, a Malawi chair, and a pair of slipper or swivel-style chairs. Coffee tables, consoles, and side tables should be crafted from natural timbers, showcasing a mix of different wood tones, finishes, and grains.
Limestone consoles, stump stools, glossy ceramic side tables, and upholstered ottomans add variety in terms of height and texture. Rattan and wicker furniture, known for their lightweight nature, are perfect for both indoor and alfresco spaces. They can be used for armchairs, drum stools, bar carts, and synthetic outdoor furniture.
Material Selection
Mediterranean style celebrates an interplay of dark and natural woods, terracotta, stone, wrought iron, leather, and rattan. Wrought iron is particularly essential for capturing the Mediterranean look, as it is versatile, durable, and adds a streamlined touch to both traditional and contemporary environments. To introduce a touch of luster, incorporate complementary metals like burnished or hammered copper and rustic brass.
The neutral color palette of Mediterranean design allows for easy personalization through colorful textures and prints. Mix natural linens, kinds of cotton, and wool with touches of lush brocade and velvet. Consider using throw blankets with frayed hems, richly textured upholstery, solid-colored decorative cushions, and table linens with hand-blocked prints.
Art and Decor
Mediterranean interiors embrace a wide range of artwork choices, including paintings, sculptures, and religious motives designed to uplift the spirit. The art style can vary, but woven wall-mounted baskets, stone, marble, or iron sculptures, framed tapestries, and textural abstract art are commonly found in modern Mediterranean homes. Large statement mirrors crafted from materials such as mango wood, inlaid bone, mother of pearl, bamboo, or wrought iron, add a touch of dimension and luster to living, dining, and entryway spaces.
Styling and Accents
Less is more when it comes to styling Mediterranean interiors. Display a curated selection of heirlooms, second-hand finds, natural objects, and handcrafted items that tell a story. Incorporate textual and unglazed terracotta stoneware, hand-painted Spanish-style ceramics, vintage Italian Corso di Fiori ceramics, chalky white ceramic vases, and tinted glassware.
Woven rattan baskets, placemats, and decorative trays, along with mother-of-pearl boxes, decorative coral, and seashells, enhance the coastal vibe. Moorish accents like hammered charger plates and trays, blue and white ginger jars, storage canisters, and vintage carved wooden bowls add a touch of exotic allure.
Embracing Nature
To infuse your Mediterranean-inspired home with freshness and vitality, incorporate an abundance of lush foliage, dried pampas grass and leaves, succulents, and tall reaching palm leaves. Externally, olive trees, fragrant herb gardens, vibrant pink bougainvillea, palm trees, perennials, agave, and climbing plants can be found covering generous pergolas. Entryways can be framed by oversized terracotta pots, while water features not only cool the air but also add a decorative touch to alfresco spaces.
Incorporating these top 10 insider design tips for Mediterranean-inspired interiors will help you create a home that exudes the charm and relaxed atmosphere of coastal living. Remember, when it comes to designing a home you love, the beauty lies in the details.