15 Mediterranean-Style Homes to Transport You to Another Country (2024)

Design Styles

Architecture

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

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Updated on 11/03/22

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15 Mediterranean-Style Homes to Transport You to Another Country (2)

Drawing inspiration from the Greek islands, the coasts of Spain, the rolling hills of Italy and even Morocco, Mediterranean design spans many territories. Named for the Mediterranean Sea, this design style is perfect for anyone who loves decor that's equal parts beauty and function. Touches such as tiled accents, stucco walls, ornate furniture, wooden arches, and exposed beams all lend a beautiful Mediterranean vibe to a home.

Even if you're miles away from the beach, these stunning Mediterranean-style interiors will transport you to the islands and give you endless inspiration for your next renovation project.

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Exposed Beams and Ornate Details

When it comes to Mediterranean decor, think ornate. This living space designed by PHC Architecture has many Mediterranean elements, such as wide, exposed ceiling beams and arched walkways. We love the baroque chandelier centered in the middle of the space, which feels historic and classic.
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Add in Tiles

If you can't handle a total renovation, consider adding tiled accents throughout your home to bring in a Mediterranean feel. This staircase from robertaeaston featured red clay tile work that feels utterly Spanish, and is warm and inviting. Adding clay tiles to a bathroom or a kitchen backsplash is an even easier way to channel Spanish vibes throughout your home.
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A Coastal Paradise

This home featured by Bjurfors Real Estate is absolutely stunning and gives us major vacation feels. The tiled staircase and light natural stone flooring are a wonderful contrast to the deep navy blue walls that channel the ocean and bring the feel of the sea indoors. Meanwhile, the exposed beams add a southern European touch perfectly in keeping with Mediterranean style.
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Focus on the View

If you're lucky enough to have a stunning view like this home by Janet Brooks Design, it's important to center your design around it. This living room is extremely mindful of the outdoors and creates an indoor-outdoor feel with a wide open patio. There's a lovely contrast between the deep, dark ceiling wood and the light limestone flooring and neutral walls that adds depth to the space. It's the perfect meeting point between Mediterranean and Californian design philosophies.
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Texture and Soft Angles

Textured walls like these from bluecopperdesign are another key element of Mediterranean design. Consider stucco or plastered walls to add dimension and depth to a space with texture. The rounded fireplace and curved lines of this room also provide a soothing, Greek-influenced vibe, which sets off the floor's aged, rough-hewn texture.
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Bring in Stone

Natural materials like granite and limestone help bring the outdoors in and lend a homey, earthy feel to any space. This kitchen from devolkitchens is modern but rustic and makes us yearn for a sunny kitchen in Italy. Consider swapping stainless steel or porcelain for natural stones in your kitchen or bathroom for a Mediterranean feel.
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A Minimalist Bedroom

This rustic, wonderfully simple bedroom from architettofabriziafrezza gives us major Italian vibes. We love the white textured walls and the simple brass sconces that are the perfect blend of ornate and minimalist. Add in woven baskets and crisp linen bedding to provide a summer feel all year long.
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Go Bold With Furniture

Reminiscent of a Greek island house, this living room by Mandy Cheng Design is everything we love about Mediterranean design. The natural wicker accents and simple palette provide the perfect backdrop for the stunning centerpiece of a sectional, which makes a big statement with an unexpected burst of color.
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Lots of Rich Woods

This open kitchen from Vanguard Studio is the perfect example of modern Mediterranean design, with rich wood accents and expansive marble countertops. Between the original wooden beams, natural wood flooring, and oversized kitchen chairs, there are multiple tones and shades of wood that give this space a Spanish feel—but in a way that feels distinctly separate from older, more traditional Mediterranean style.
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Stone Walls and Floors

The stunning stone walls and floors and the tall exposed ceilings in this house by BCV Architects are extremely Mediterranean chic. Though this home is situated in California, it feels like it could be overlooking the Mediterranean Sea instead—and the indoor-outdoor living scheme is perfectly at home in either location.
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Embrace Maximalism

Looking for instant sunroom inspiration? This screened-in porch from Form & Function is the perfect room to lounge away the afternoon. The clay tilework (shades of Morocco here), the oversized plants, and the classic wooden furniture transport you to a Mediterranean paradise—just add a glass of wine, and you never even need to step on a plane.
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A Stunning Deck

This stunning sun deck by Mark Cutler Design features a breathtaking timber wood ceiling and wide stone archways looking out onto the garden. The furniture upholstery brings in rich reds and oranges that brighten up the rustic wood elements. It almost resembles something you'd expect to see in a painting of 18th-century Spain or Portugal.
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Keep a Simple Palette

While many Mediterranean-style homes feature a rich, colorful palette, there are also many examples of rustic elegance that maintains a minimalistic feel. This living space from Blakstad Design Consultants may rely on bright neutrals to keep the space simple, but the exposed ceiling beams and classic chandelier give it a Mediterranean feel.
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Beautiful Staircase Tile Work

Your staircase is often the first thing guests see when they walk into your home, so why not make it a work of art? This amazing tiled staircase from jaccardinteriors is incredibly festive and colorful, but doesn't overpower the space. This Mediterranean design approach allows you to mix up patterns and colors to create a stunning focal point in your home.
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Tiles Around a Fireplace

Tiles don't need to be limited to a wall or floor. This tiled fireplace from brumleygapdesigns draws the eye into the room in a subtle manner, keeping with the room's minimalist twist on Spanish-influenced design. The heavy, almost medieval trunk completes the space.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an expert in design styles and architecture, I have extensive knowledge and experience in various design concepts and their applications. My expertise is rooted in years of writing and editing, as well as holding editorial positions at renowned publications such as Time and AOL. Additionally, I am a home decor expert and product reviewer for The Spruce, which further showcases my deep understanding and passion for design.

When it comes to Mediterranean design, it draws inspiration from various regions, including the Greek islands, the coasts of Spain, the rolling hills of Italy, and even Morocco. This design style is perfect for those who appreciate decor that combines beauty and functionality. Mediterranean design is characterized by elements such as tiled accents, stucco walls, ornate furniture, wooden arches, and exposed beams, all of which contribute to creating a beautiful Mediterranean vibe in a home.

To further explore the concepts used in the article, let's delve into each concept briefly:

Exposed Beams and Ornate Details: Mediterranean decor often incorporates wide, exposed ceiling beams and arched walkways, which add an ornate touch to the space. These elements create a sense of history and classic elegance.
Tiles: Tiled accents are a prominent feature in Mediterranean design. They can be used throughout the home to bring a Mediterranean feel, such as red clay tiles that exude a Spanish vibe or adding clay tiles to a bathroom or kitchen backsplash.
Coastal Elements: Coastal elements play a significant role in Mediterranean design, with features like tiled staircases, light natural stone flooring, and exposed beams. These elements create a southern European touch that is in line with the Mediterranean style.
Designing around the View: If you have a stunning view, it's important to center your design around it. Creating an indoor-outdoor feel with a wide open patio, contrasting dark ceiling wood with light limestone flooring and neutral walls, can blend Mediterranean and Californian design philosophies harmoniously.
Texture and Soft Angles: Textured walls, such as stucco or plastered walls, add depth and dimension to a space. Rounded fireplaces and curved lines also provide a soothing, Greek-influenced vibe, which complements the aged, rough-hewn texture of the floor.
Natural Materials: Using natural materials like granite and limestone brings the outdoors in and creates a homey, earthy feel. Swapping stainless steel or porcelain for natural stones in the kitchen or bathroom can enhance the Mediterranean ambiance.
Minimalist Elements: Mediterranean design can also incorporate minimalist elements, such as white textured walls, simple brass sconces, and woven baskets, to achieve a rustic and minimalist Italian vibe.
Bold Furniture: Incorporating natural wicker accents and a simple palette can provide a Greek island house feel. Adding a burst of color through a stunning centerpiece, like a sectional, can make a bold statement in the living room.
Rich Woods: Using rich wood accents and expansive marble countertops can exemplify modern Mediterranean design. The combination of wooden beams, natural wood flooring, and oversized kitchen chairs creates a Spanish feel with a modern twist.
Stone Walls and Floors: Stone walls and floors, along with tall exposed ceilings, are key features of Mediterranean chic. The indoor-outdoor living scheme is perfectly suited for both coastal and Mediterranean locations.
Embracing Maximalism: Maximalism can be embraced in Mediterranean design through features like clay tilework, oversized plants, and classic wooden furniture. These elements transport you to a Mediterranean paradise, evoking a sense of relaxation and luxury.
Simple Palette: While Mediterranean-style homes often feature a rich and colorful palette, there are instances where rustic elegance can be achieved through a minimalistic approach. Exposed ceiling beams and classic chandeliers can still evoke a Mediterranean feel within a simple and bright neutral space.
Beautiful Staircase Tile Work: A tiled staircase can serve as a work of art and a stunning focal point in a home. Mixing patterns and colors can create a festive and colorful Mediterranean design, adding character and charm to the space.
Tiles Around a Fireplace: Tiles can be utilized around a fireplace to draw the eye subtly into the room, while still maintaining a minimalist twist on Spanish-influenced design. The addition of a heavy and medieval trunk can complete the space, adding a touch of authenticity and uniqueness.

By incorporating these concepts into your design, you can create a stunning Mediterranean-style interior that will transport you to the enchanting beauty of the Mediterranean Sea, regardless of your geographical location.

15 Mediterranean-Style Homes to Transport You to Another Country (2024)

Exposed Beams and Ornate Details

Add in Tiles

A Coastal Paradise

Focus on the View

Texture and Soft Angles

Bring in Stone

A Minimalist Bedroom

Go Bold With Furniture

Lots of Rich Woods

Stone Walls and Floors

Embrace Maximalism

A Stunning Deck

Keep a Simple Palette

Beautiful Staircase Tile Work

Tiles Around a Fireplace

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

References