How to create a Mediterranean Interior

It’s that time of year again, where we banish the dark wintery tones and accessories and start to fill our homes with colourful and uplifting spring and summer decor that brings a warm and cosy ambiance into any room of the home.

Mediterranean interior design is the perfect way to bring that laid back holiday feeling into the home using simple colour schemes, furniture items and accessories for a rich coastal atmosphere. Roughly used to describe the coastal homes of Greece, Spain and Italy; Mediterranean interior design brings together rugged rustic materials and bright and cheerful colour schemes for a perfect combination of cultural history and relaxed beach side living.

When selecting a colour palette for your Mediterranean interior there are a vast range of choices to suit your tastes and requirements. Traditional cool white, azure and baby blue will give a classic Greek style colour palette that is clean and bright and perfect for smaller home interiors. For a more bold Spanish style interior design then select rich red, pastel pink, purple and yellow to give a bright and cheerful look that is perfect for the summer months. If you prefer a more refined and sophisticated Italian look then select natural terracotta, cream and gold accents for a luxurious and opulent interior design.

Cushions and fabrics will transform even the plainest interior into a cosy and colourful space in which to curl up and relax. When selecting upholstery for your Mediterranean inspired home then try to match the theme of your fabric to the rest of your furniture and accessories. If your room features an overly Spanish interior look then select Spanish mosaic designs and tribal festival prints that feature a combination of natural cream linen and bold coloured embroidery for an eye-catching appearance that looks great on a day bed or hammock

area. For a Greek inspired look then select simple crisp white and blue cushions in a selection of ‘ombre’ colour tones or in classic Greek key, column or urn motifs for a nod to historical interior design. In Italian Mediterranean homes then choose warm cream, burnt orange, peach and gold with metallic accents that will compliment the natural undertones of the decor and the elegant refinement of Italian architecture.

Mediterranean furniture items can vary from stripped back natural designs to elegant and ornate statement items that create a focal point within the interior space. Greek furniture items are more often than not crafted from solid wood in chunky and rugged designs and are coated in a plain or white washed, paint effect for added light and illumination. The edges of drawers and door fronts can feature a single Greek key design for a hint of classic beauty and elegance. Italian furniture is more elegant and feminine in appearance with inlays of filigree metal on legs and doors. Items are crafted from light golden oak and can be painted in rich cream and ivory with metallic accents and slightly distressed, antique style edges. Many items take inspiration from classic baroque

and rococo interior design. Spanish interiors stick to more rustic and country style furniture items that are perfectly practical in their design. Large family dining tables are a key item within the home and are crafted from rough pine with exposed edges and thick chunky bases that create a centrepiece within the dining room area. This style of table should be partnered with a matching dresser for the display of traditional and colourful accessories and crockery.

When selecting accessories for your Mediterranean home interior then you can take inspiration from a single country or mix and match key items for a more diverse interior look. Italian interiors almost always feature a statement mirror hung directly above a mantelpiece, head board or sideboard creating a sense of space and light within your chosen room, Mediterranean style mirrors tend to feature chunky wooden frames with elegant carvings and patterns and can be left in their natural state or painted with a soft cream or white for a more laid back coastal look.

No Greek interior would be complete without a selection of urns and amphorae which look perfect scattered along a long dining table, sideboard or kitchen area for an area of visual detail. Select urns in classic terracotta for a natural look and finish or choose more ornate glazed designs in black and orange or white and blue with mythological or historical images. Spanish style ceiling lights are a key feature in Mediterranean home design and are typically crafted from pewter, iron and copper. They are crafted into filigree style designs or more rustic open ended candelabras that can be painted in a black metal paint for a more distinctive statement look that looks particularly striking in a dining room or hallway area.

For more ideas on creating a bright and uplifting Mediterranean style interior, take a look at this week’s latest Pinterest board - Pinterest - Mediterranean Interiors