A Guide to Mediterranean Interior Design
From the exotic coast of Spain to magnificent Italian cities, the Mediterranean is brimming with design inspiration. Thoughtful, evocative colour choices can transport your home either to mystic Greek islands or to the sophisticated French Riviera.
Here, we explore ways to incorporate Mediterranean warmth into your home.
What is the Mediterranean design style?
The Mediterranean is a place of contrasting colours and invigorating hues. Whether your style is contemporary or if you prefer something more traditional, the Mediterranean provides inspiration for all tastes.
The unique Mediterranean style has had many enduring influences. Global trade routes which connect the region to Asia and Africa have inspired many aspects of Mediterranean interior design. But perhaps the most palpable source of inspiration is that of its namesake: the Mediterranean Sea.
Rooted in stunning coastal locations, the countries surrounding the Mediterranean boast hot summers with dappled evening light and glistening waters. The eclecticism of the region creates a beguiling aesthetic that is simple to incorporate into your home.
Arch and Floor: Bassoon
Panelling: Nether Red
Table: Jack Black
Mediterranean colours: a touch of sunshine yellow
Let the Mediterranean sunlight linger all year long by featuring yellow in your home. Joyful, warming yellows sit comfortably in both contemporary and classic settings. Choose vibrant hues such as Giallo on walls, woodwork and ceiling in the same colour for an uplifting feel.
Alternatively, an earthy yellow like Bassoon teams well with the muted Nether Red. Contrast blue tiles with Indian Yellow and the vibrant Hopper on skirting boards and freshen the scheme with Flint on the ceilings, used here alongside wood beams.
Explore our yellow paint collection.
Ceiling, Walls and Cupboard: Giallo
Left Wall: Bone China Blue – Faint
Oceanic hues: Blue Mediterranean Tones
Dip your toe into the Mediterranean home design trend by choosing blues that are fresh and cool. Use green-blues such as Mid Azure in courtyard gardens, pairing with terracotta pots and Jack Black to ground the scheme.
Mazarine has an irresistible depth without being too green or violet, ideal for use in dining rooms. Authentic ceramic pieces team well with this vivid blue.
For something truly exquisite, consider Ultra Blue. This shade was extracted from Lapis Lazuli by 14th-century Venetians and was originally reserved for depictions of the Virgin Mary.
For more on Ultra Blue: The Beauty of Ultra Blue.
Wall: Smalt
Chair: French Grey – Mid
Verdant shades: Rich Green Shades
Evoke the vineyards of Italy and Greece with resonant greens. The green hues found in the Mediterranean have an incredible depth of colour which is heightened by the contrasting, cloudless skies.
Add gravitas to your outdoor spaces with Invisible Green. Pair with terracotta pots and large-leaved plants for a relaxed, Mediterranean feel. Inside, create an inviting scheme with a combination of Garden, Scullery and Pea Green. Or take inspiration from Italian Old Master paintings, by painting walls in the sumptuous Jewel Beetle.
Wall: Jewel Beetle
Dresser: Chocolate Colour
Ceiling: Pique
Earth tones: Deep Red Paint Colours
Look to the rich earth of the Mediterranean with deep reds. Tuscan Red is a chalky shade which replicates the colour of Italian terracotta tiles. Here it is painted on panelled walls and contrasted with French Grey, for a serene finish.
For an energetic combination, pair Drummond with the fresh Apple and deep Dock Blue in open-plan kitchens. For a darker shade, consider Pompeian Ash, which is inspired by the Villa Negroni in Rome. Break up the intense colour palette with a splash of Heat, a burnt orange with warmth, depth and optimism.
Lower Wall: Tuscan Red
Upper Wall: French Grey
Ceiling: French Grey – Pale
Mediterranean house design: finishing touches
For an authentic finish, accessorise with distinctive Mediterranean ornaments and furnishings made from natural materials. From geometric soft furnishings to rustic, hand-painted ceramic jugs and vases, there are many ways to enhance your scheme.
Introduce ornate, artisan tiles to bathrooms and kitchens, and terracotta floor tiles in hallways, utility rooms and boot rooms. Emulate the peaceful living style of the region by decluttering your home, opening the windows and letting in natural light.
Wall: Pompeian Ash
Dado Stripe: Heat
Browse our inspiration gallery or order a free colour card.