Mediterranean Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know About This Colorful Coastal Style
By: Katherine McLaughlin
Original Article Published by Architectural Digest
Inspiring images of the rocky coastlines, salty air, and olive and fig trees, Mediterranean interior design brings the flair of European beach life to the everyday. “Mediterranean style should evoke the beauty and elegance of Southern Europe, particularly Spain, France, and Italy,” says Jeff Andrews, a Los Angeles–based interior designer, founder of Jeff Andrews Design, and member of the AD PRO Directory. “Light naturals, bold pops of saturated color, and natural materials that evoke seaside landscapes are the base of this interior design style,” he says. To better understand this laid-back, old-world aesthetic, AD spoke with Andrews as well as David and Suzie Lucas, co-founders of the interior design firm Lucas, all about the look.
What is Mediterranean interior design?
Mediterranean interior design is a design style inspired by the homes found throughout the Mediterranean region of Europe. As Andrews explains, it’s often linked to an aesthetic closely related to southern Spain, France, and Italy, though it is influenced by a host of countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Malta, Morocco, and Monaco. “The Mediterranean region is known for indoor-outdoor living, which translates to airy, breezy interiors and a heavy use of natural materials with rich moments of color, texture, and eclectic tile work,” Suzie explains. The style could be understood as a subset of broader coastal interior design; however, Mediterranean style interiors are often more colorful, rustic, and eclectic compared to other coastal design trends.
A Mediterranean-style home will often make use of organic materials and textures, and though it is overall lighter in color palette, you’ll frequently find pops of bright hues. “I would describe [the Mediterranean look] as light, eclectic, and using natural materials with pattern and texture,” David adds.
History of Mediterranean interior design
It’s likely no surprise that the history of Mediterranean design begins in the region that birthed the aesthetic: the Mediterranean. “As we began to travel and migrate from the Mediterranean region of the world to other parts of the world, the design styles favored by those people often come along with them, much like food and other cultural traditions,” Andrews explains.
In the United States, Mediterranean style flourished specifically around the 1920s, ushered in by a wave of economic prosperity. As wealth and leisure boomed, seaside resorts became popular attractions, and many were designed to replicate the architecture along Europe’s southern coast. Take St. Augustine, Florida, for example, where businessman Henry Flagler built a premier winter destination for wealthy Americans, now full of Spanish-style buildings.
This phenomenon can also be seen at other historic properties across various US coasts, although it’s particularly common in California. As Andrews adds, due to the climate and geographic similarities between the Mediterranean region and the Golden State, the style is particularly popular there. However, as David explains, the aesthetic could work well in many places across the globe. “I think that much of what we refer to as the Mediterranean style translates well to any part of the world where the weather is conducive to indoor-outdoor living, a connection to the land and sea, and where natural and organic materials and forms feel at home,” he says.
Defining elements and characteristics of Mediterranean interior design
Mediterranean interior design is often defined by white, minimalist backdrops that are complemented by a lush layering of textures, colors, and materials. “There is such a rich history of trade between all regions on the Mediterranean connecting east and west as well as north and south,” David add. “This mixing of cultures has created an eclectic aesthetic with patterns that feel inspired by so many different hands.”
Generally, homes in the style are airy and light, and they put a large emphasis on indoor-outdoor living spaces. “Some of the characteristics that evoke Mediterranean style include terra-cotta tile roofs, arched doorways, decorative ironwork and painting, carved wood, and natural stone,” Andrews says.
What colors are considered Mediterranean?
“Because Mediterranean style homes are often found in warm, seaside locales, colors include sandy neutrals, striking blues, bright whites, and pops of vivid yellow, pink, orange, and green,” Andrews explains. In addition to the hues Andrews outlined, Suzie notes another important aspect of a Mediterranean color palette that can’t be overlooked: the crisp white walls.“This is strategically done in areas with a hot climate, as the white absorbs less heat, keeping the house cooler,” she explains. Not only does this serve as a functional tool, but is the perfect clean slate for layering, she adds. “You’ll often find warm terra-cotta colors, lush greens, sunny yellows, and hues of blue that relate to the nearby sea,” she adds.
What are the characteristics of Mediterranean interiors?
Though not exhaustive, many Mediterranean-style homes will make use of the following design motifs:
Textured walls, often stucco on the exterior with plaster walls or stone walls on the interior
Red terra-cotta roofs
Archways
Decorative ironwork, often wrought iron
Eclectic tiles
A color scheme inspired by the sea including blue, green, yellow, red, orange, and other earthy tones
Exposed beams
Outdoor spaces to emphasize indoor-outdoor living
Plenty of natural light
Displayed Mediterranean decor, like ceramics and textiles
Is Mediterranean style out of style?
All three designers agreed that questioning whether a style is in or not doesn’t matter much in interior design. “As a designer, I don’t pay attention to whether an interior style is considered ‘in’ or ‘out,’” Andrews says. “The most important factors are the taste of the homeowners, the location of the project, and of course, the architectural style of the home.”
Still, if you find yourself questioning the longevity of Mediterranean interiors, rest assured that they’ll be beautiful and in-demand for years to come. “This is a style that has been evolving for centuries; I don't see it being undone by trend,” David says. “I think that at its core, people relate to the lifestyle. Who doesn't want to feel like their home is a relaxing sanctuary filled with rich texture, bold color, and elements that collectively tell a unique story?”
