How To Decorate Your Home With Mediterranean Style

The Mediterranean is the ultimate idyllic escape, known for magical sunsets and stunning blue seas and skies. While generally used to refer to countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, the Mediterranean region is actually large and diverse, spanning from southern Europe to northern Africa and western Asia, as reported by Architectural Digest. The 21 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea all have a unique heritage and their own traditional aesthetic. Still, some key themes define Mediterranean design as a whole, such as a sense of warmth, history, and an effortless, laid-back style. 

If you've been dreaming of breezy seaside living along the Mediterranean Sea, why not bring a taste of this chic style into your home? Model your home after the Med by incorporating natural materials, encouraging indoor-outdoor living, bringing in plenty of light, and using a rustic, minimalist approach (via Elle Decor). Even if you don't have a sparkling ocean view or live in a warm and sunny climate, you can still transform your living space into a Mediterranean oasis with these simple interior design tips.

Natural materials are a staple of Mediterranean households. According to Alexandra Studio, you'll often find stone, terra cotta, wood, and fabrics like cotton or linen in a typical Mediterranean home, whether used for finishes or decoration. Natural elements like old stone walls preserve a home's rich history and character while also adding texture and visual interest.

However, you definitely don't have to live in a historic villa to incorporate natural materials in your home. By simply layering natural decorative objects in a room, you can give any living space a Mediterranean makeover. Items like jute rugs, ceramic lamps, woven baskets, rattan chairs, and wooden coffee tables instantly make rooms feel more organic and refined (via Modsy). And if you're sprucing up an outdoor space, stone benches and jute pendant lamps are both great ideas. Made from dried plants, jute is an extremely popular natural material for home decor due to its durability and versatility (via MyDomaine).

Elegant archways are synonymous with Mediterranean-style homes. According to Elle Decor, they often appear around windows, porches, and doors for ornamental and structural reasons. Even the most simple arches lend a romantic, effortless appeal to a home. This architectural element is especially common in Italian Renaissance-style dwellings from the 15th and 16th centuries (via Broke and Chic). 

If you wish to capture the essence of Mediterranean style, elevate your space with arches. This feature has the power to make any room feel larger and more open since it draws the eye upwards to take in the full height of the wall (via Livingetc). If you are lucky enough to already have arches in your home, make them pop by painting the arch in a color that contrasts with the surrounding wall, adding wallpaper around the arch, or hanging up a beautiful curtain. But don't worry if you don't have an arch. You can always have this architectural feature added (via This Old House). You can also get this look by painting an arch on a wall or incorporating a curved mirror or bookshelf.

Whether it's bougainvillea vines trailing along a wall or potted olive and lemon trees on a porch, Mediterranean greenery evokes the feeling of summer in any space. Gardenia reported that Mediterranean gardens are low-maintenance, showcase subtle colors, utilize trimmed hedges, and decorate with gravel paths. They tend to have an effortless, laid-back feel to encourage al fresco dinners and sunny afternoon naps.

While the Med is known for its beautiful gardens, lush plants, and vibrant flowers, you don't need to live in Greece or Italy to get the look of a Mediterranean garden at home. You can make your outdoor space feel like a European villa by sprucing it up with a pergola, terra cotta pots, water fountains, and mosaics. Many plants used in Med-style gardens are tolerant to drought, dry soil, and hot weather conditions. Incorporate citrus trees for lively greenery and bright color, or opt for a classic olive or cypress tree. The best zones for Med plants are 8 to 11, so if you live in a colder climate, choose species resistant to frost or transport plants to a greenhouse for the winter (via Garden Design).

Intricate mosaic tiles are a hallmark of the Mediterranean, from Morocco to Albania and beyond. According to Home Flooring Pros, there are many different tile styles from this region, including Roman-style tile patterns, hexagonal terra cotta, curvy Moroccan-style, and black-and-white checkerboard floors. There's also the popular encaustic tile, which dates back to medieval times. These eye-catching tiles are made of two to six different colors of clay or cement, and come in endless patterns and colors (via House Beautiful). 

If you are thinking about incorporating mosaic tiles within your home, the sky is the limit! Add a bold pattern to your kitchen backsplash or put a subtle mosaic tile floor in your bathroom. Mosaic tiles are available in glass, ceramic, and porcelain material, and can be added in a single color or used to create highly elaborate patterns. While these tiles used to be painstakingly installed one by one, nowadays, sheets of pre-attached tiles are used to speed up the process (via The Spruce). 

From sea to sun, Mediterranean color palettes often evoke the great outdoors. According to SFGate, neutral colors like whites and grays are the norm in Mediterranean homes and are usually complemented by warm reds and browns reminiscent of natural materials. While Spanish color palettes tend to be simple with all-whites and neutrals, certain Mediterranean hotspots like Santorini layer vibrant shades of blue to mirror the sparkling blue sea and sky. 

To create your own Mediterranean-inspired neutral color palette, don't limit yourself to shades of beige. Explore different pairings between light and dark neutrals, like a warm, deep brown with a light tan. You can also experiment by adding accent colors against a neutral backdrop (via The Spruce). White walls and furnishings pair well with some splashes of color. Maybe add some blue throw pillows, bright yellow curtains, or green tile work in the bathroom to liven things up.

It's not hard to see why homes in the Mediterranean region are often designed to emphasize the view. Overlooking some of the world's bluest waters and breathtaking sunsets, Mediterranean seaside abodes naturally let their beautiful surroundings take center stage. But you don't have to live by the sea to make the most of your view. 

According to Mansion Global, views of mountains, city skylines, or peaceful greenery can be emphasized with a few simple tricks. Floor-to-ceiling windows are a great way to highlight your view, along with arranging furniture so that as much seating as possible faces outside. Place mirrors next to windows or dim lighting at night to draw attention outside. If you have a room with no windows, you can also hang up some nature-inspired artwork. Be careful not to make your interior spaces too busy with patterns and colors, or else they could overwhelm your view.

Along with sun and sea, the Mediterranean is a place to soak up plenty of warm hospitality. According to The Spruce, a key element for Med homes is having space for entertaining family and other guests. Particular attention is paid to seating areas in common rooms, both in and outdoors, and there's often a large dining room table for enjoying meals together.

To make your home fit for hosting visitors, add plenty of seating options to your living area and stock up on cozy cushions and couches. Conversation flows best when seats are less than 10 feet apart but not so close together that people run into each other (via Houzz). It's also a good idea to incorporate side tables where guests can easily set down their drinks or snacks. If you have an outside area, set up a fire pit or outdoor table with a canopy over it to enjoy meals al fresco.