Mediterranean Decor Style Guide – What is Mediterranean Style Design?

Here's a massive guide all about Mediterranean decor style for home architecture. Includes massive Mediterranean home interior design photo gallery.

Welcome to the Mediterranean home decor style guide where you can see photos of all interiors in the Mediterranean style including kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, foyers and more.

Related: All interior design styles | All residential architectural styles | Mediterranean Style Homes | Mediterranean Floor Plans

Distinguishing Mediterranean Decor Features

Exterior

Below is a diagram pointing out some of the elements that in totality create a Mediterranean style. Keep in mind that not all elements are unique to the Mediterranean. They are also found in other styles; however, it’s when used in unison the design becomes the Mediterranean.

• Stucco or brick exterior
• Ornate eaves and decorative elements
• Plenty of brick, especially on walkways and driveways.
• Use of arches for windows, doors and entry-points.
• Earth tones.
• Tile roof.
• Juliet balconies.
• Plenty of curves.

Interior

Below is a photo pointing out some classic Mediterranean interior design features.

Many interior features echo exterior features.

Here are key Mediterranean interior style features:

• Arches
• Columns
• Ornate features including furniture
• Tile and brick
• Earth tones
• Large furniture
• interior balconies
• Tall ceilings (not always, but it’s not uncommon)
• Curves.

Related Styles

• Tuscan
• Spanish
• Southwestern

Mediterranean Interior Decor Examples (by Room)

The following are photo examples of Mediterranean style interiors (room-by-room). Below each photo are links that take you to extensive Mediterranean style photo galleries for each room.

The following examples are from this house.

Living Rooms

 

See more Mediterranean style living rooms here.

Kitchens

 

See more Mediterranean style kitchens here.

Dining Rooms

 

See more Mediterranean style dining rooms here.

Bedrooms

 

See more Mediterranean style bedrooms here.

Bathrooms

 

See more Mediterranean style bathrooms here.

Entry Halls

 

See more Mediterranean style foyers here.

Mediterranean Style Home Landscaping

 

See more Mediterranean style home landscaping ideas here.

Mediterranean Exterior Design

Check out these spectacular homes showcasing the Mediterranean style architecture.

1. Old World Tuscan Style Custom Built Home

This charming Mediterranean-style home has distressed beige walls to give it that old-world vibe that pairs well with the wide brown clay roofing. This is given a nice foreground of a hedge garden that lines the walkway toward the wooden main doors.

See more. Source: Zillow Digs^TM

This backyard view of the house showcases a firepit surrounded by comfortable wooden chairs on a circular plot of land that has gray stone blocks on the borders that contrast the carpet of grass surrounding the area. This serves as a nice view for the large glass walls and glass windows of the Mediterranean-style home.

2. Grand Contemporary Mediterranean Style Home on the Lake

This Mediterranean-style home has a dark clay roof that has several chimneys sticking out along with a large circular viewing deck in the middle. This view shows the many arches and columns that support the sides of the of the balconies that are glowing with warm yellow lights.

See more. Designed by LotPlans.com.

This gorgeous home has a central cylindrical hall in the middle that is dominated by glass walls showing glimpses of the warm interiors. The main light source is the majestic chandelier hanging in the middle of the large spiral stairway.

3. Exquisite Italianate Home

This Mediterranean-style home’s exterior walls glow with the white lights of the wall lamps that flank the garage doors and the main entry way that has a high arch leading to a frosted glass door. This brightness accentuates the lovely line and angles of the exterior as well as the lines of the walkway and driveway.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

This closer view features the wide modern glass windows and the two garage doors. The left one is smaller than the right garage door that could fit two vehicles. This closer look also shows that the exterior walls have a light gray tone to it and is adorned with low shrubs and small trees by the entrance and those lining the walls at intervals.

4. Modern Mediterranean Primarypiece

This modern Mediterranean-style home has dark flat roofs that complement the beige exterior walls and the various sizes of the windows. The middle section of the home has rough stone accents that go well with the smooth beige walls as well as the lush landscaping.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

This backyard view showcases an irregular-shaped pool that seem to follow the lay of the home making way for an outdoor dining area beside the pool. There is also a comfortable sitting area with open walls on the far side near the pool entrance.

5. Super-Luxurious Mediterranean House

The terracotta walkway leading to the white exterior walls of the Mediterranean-style home is flanked with beautiful palm trees and colorful shrubs that stand out against the bright white exteriors and glowing windows. This presents a welcoming embrace for the guests that walk up to the glass main door under the arched entryway.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

The unique blue textured roof of this Mediterranean-style home blends with the blue sky. This is paired with bright exterior walls that seem to blend with the bleached concrete flooring of the backyard. This makes the irregular-shaped pool to stand out as well as the large windows and glass walls.

6. Hill Country House with Upstairs Game Room

This simple Mediterranean-style home is given a nice and charming front lawn that complements the exterior walls and contrasting dark roofs. The concrete walkway and driveway toward this home is adorned with carpets of well-manicured grass.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

The driveway leads to this area with two garage doors standing across from each other. The left one is large than the right. The dark brown tone of these garage doors stand out against the light exterior walls that blend with the driveway. This also sets a contrast for the arched wrought iron main door.

7. Mediterranean Dreamscape

The beige exterior walls of this Mediterranean-style home is complemented by the glowing yellow lights of the wall lamps and the terracotta-colored roofs with a single chimney jutting out. The walls are dominated by multiple glass walls and balconies that all direct to the beautiful infinity pool surrounded by gorgeous landscaping.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

The palm trees on the front yard are all lit with yellow spotlights making them stand out against the surrounding grass and shrubs of the landscaping. This matches with the dream-like glow of the home that has tall arched windows and three garage doors with the same spotlights.

8. 2-story Luxury Home with a Residential Elevator

A pair of tall palm trees stand guard on the side of the driveway and walkway of this Mediterranean-style home. This leads to a dark brown garage door that has wall lamps on either side. This is mirrored by the main entryway leading to the glass main doors.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

This large pool gives an ethereal bluish glow to the exterior walls of the house. This makes the open areas stand out with their comfortable sitting area that has warm yellow lights coming form the interiors that shares its light with the various windows and the second floor balcony overlooking the pool.

9. Mediterranean Home With Circular Dining Room

The main driveway and walkway has an earthy terracotta hue that works well with the bright exterior walls and also matches the unique roofs where there is a small viewing deck towering over the rest. The arched windows and entryway of this Mediterranean-style home glows with yellow lights from the interiors.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

There is a small firepit by the entrance of this charming pool that is surrounded by terracotta flooring blocks as well as a couple of white stone pillars that support the dark roof over the sitting area that has comfortable outdoor sofas and an outdoor dining area beside it.

10. Luxury Tuscan House with Finished Walkout Basement

The dark roofs of this home has different styles coming together into this unique look that complements the beige exterior walls and the charming stone walls of the arched entryway and the chimney. These are all given a nice foreground of a wide carpet of grass.

See more. Source: Architectural Designs

This amazing carpet of grass is freshly cut with the tracks of the lawnmower still visible. This serves as a nice contrast to the beige walls of the left section that has dominating glass walls and windows unlike the right section that has stone walls and small windows but has a balcony and a patio underneath.

The best features of the Mediterranean design are the tiles. These are one of the most iconic aspects of the style and they’re the piece that most people really think of with anything Mediterranean and it’s extremely important.

They come in with a range of different colors and styles, as well as patterns that will create a unique look that you can do anything you like with. Other design features include the textured walls and the rounded doorways contrary to the more standard rectangular forms of other styles.

Other distinguishing features include arches, columns and earth tones such as beige, mustard yellow, brown mixed with splashes of bright colors (via tiles).

It’s all influenced by some Moroccan style and it does this with the bold colors and the filigree styling of lights. Everything is going to be textured and layered to provide even more texture or to showcase the spaces, which are generally large in this style.

Materials

When it comes to the materials associated with this style you’re going to find a whole lot of texture. You’ll see layered paint on the walls and a whole lot of bronze, iron, and lighting.

All of this is going to create a unique look that really showcases the Spanish and southwestern influences. It has warm and earth tones throughout the patterns and different materials.

You’ll find terra cotta tiles, stucco accents, wood beams in rustic styles and tones, and much more. All of this can be in a range of different colors that sometimes flare out in a bold flash in one area or another or even in shimmery styles from the metals that are popular as accent pieces.

Furniture

The furniture in this style of home is going to be ornamental and styled. You may get some basic aspects to the furniture but there are always going to be accents throughout that feature intricate and beautiful carvings.

You’ll see some bolder and more neutral colors accompanying each other and you’ll even have some more plush fabrics and padding. This translates to some formal but still somewhat comfortable furniture. Furniture is generally very solid and long-lasting as well, in materials like wood, wrought iron a whole lot more.

You’ll find some furniture pieces that feature bronze to provide an accent and you’ll definitely see pieces that feature arches coming from the doorways and even the windows that are already in these accented styles.

Décor Accessories

If you want some accessories you’re definitely going to want to look at bolder and more fun colors.

The Mediterranean style has influences with a lot of layers. You will find burnished bronze accent pieces along with all the tiles that can be inlaid into the furniture, decorative on the floors or even on the walls in frames or just alone.

The biggest accessories are really the exposed beams in the ceiling and the shaped doorways and windows. You’ll find gold accents as well as flowy curtains, wrought iron and some filigree fixtures for lights. You’re also going to have a whole lot of heavy pieces of furniture.

When it comes to the accent tables you’ll find heavy pieces but the flowy accents that go along with them help to balance this out. The walls and everything around you will have texture or layers and you’ll find some stenciled patterns that are developed throughout the room and on everything in it.

You’ll have things like mirrors with bold wooden frames or a large table with heavy carving countered with light and gauzy curtains or tile work laid into the floor.

Why it Looks Great

The Mediterranean style is most definitely something you want to put in your home and that’s because of the colors and textures that get mixed together.

The influences of a variety of different aspects like Moroccan and Spanish will create something unique. You’re also going to have more freedom to get a little bit random and a little bit eclectic. That’s because of the bold colors and the varied styles that all come together or can be pulled together at the same time. It’s definitely something you won’t want to miss.

If you like a bold and bright color palette with Spanish and Tuscan décor and a stunning Mediterranean kitchen or dining room, this is somewhere you can get that without feeling like you’re too overwhelmed with clutter and belongings.

Related Styles

Often interior designs are a mix of styles in which case it can difficult to classify the design. Common combinations that include Mediterranean are rustic, farmhouse and Spanish.