Mediterranean style in the interior - 40 photos of ideas
Everyone who was looking for a style for their home came across a Mediterranean style in the interior, looked at photographs, admired. But few people understand the whole "highlight" of this style. In this article we will try to solve the mystery, to reveal the whole essence.
Mediterranean-style houses on the thousands of kilometers of the wonderful Mediterranean Sea, which is located between two continents: Africa and Eurasia. It consists of the Adriatic, Balearic, Ionian, Aegean, Cyprus, Cretan, Libyan, Levantine, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, seas, the Alboran Sea.The main feature of this area is a wonderful subtropical climate with a mild, rainy winter, quite hot, dry summers.
The entire territory considered the Mediterranean is very similar, but just as different. Greece, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, France, Turkey, northern Egypt - all these states are the territorial, historical founders of an eclectic mixture of simplicity, cordiality and friendliness called the "Mediterranean style"
Many people think that this style was invented by the Greeks or Romans, but this is not entirely true. Italy at one time conquered all these territories, and Greece gave rise to the cultural development of the region. But the style was most influenced by nature. In all elements of the interior, its influence is felt.
Features and varieties
The Mediterranean style is the interior and architecture, fanned by the sea wind, resistant to the sea sun. A feature of the interior is the widespread use of natural materials: ceramics, wood, cotton, forged products - everything is as natural as possible, and sometimes even rough. In all types of interior light, delicate tones associated with the sea and the sun predominate. If you recall, when we go to the sea, we take light clothes with us, which are made exclusively from pleasant natural materials, and being there we are pleased to look at trees and vegetation that give us a feeling of freshness and coolness.
Combination with simple, rude architecture with unique Mediterranean-style houses. Remember the photo where there are white or beige houses on the seashore, with a natural roof and a wooden door. True, it becomes pleasant to the soul? Everyone agrees that it is simple and tasteful. No pretentiousness, catchy elements. The country house merges with the landscape, internal walls with the house, walls with furniture, furniture with decor, and decor with a view from the window. The circle closes in a kind of symbiosis, and life takes on meaning.
And if you add national ornaments, then the houses in the Mediterranean style become special and unique, gain a charming charm, introduce a national way of life, traditions.
Consider the characteristic differences of the national features of the interior:
The Greek style is characterized by the maximum use of white, combining with blue or blue. The Greeks give the Mediterranean style a touch of antiquity, which is especially noticeable in the desire for large spaces. Very well suited for the design of a studio apartment, free planning, using enfilades of rooms that are separated only by arches. In addition, it allows you to evenly distribute cool air throughout the room.
Italian tastes are distinguished by the use of more saturated colors, warmer. Also, a distinctive national feature of the interior is the desire to combine various natural elements on the same interior item or plot. In Italian houses or apartments you can often find a symbiosis of wood with leather or wooden blinds, for example. They also use a lot of wood furniture (mostly dark), forging. The Roman Empire added unprocessed stone, decorative elements of the Roman style to the interior.
At one time, the Arab world had a very strong influence on Spain. This also affected the design of the dwellings of the Spaniards in the Mediterranean style. It is manifested by ornaments, mosaics on the floor, very often met thinly painted ceramic tiles, which are actually Arabic. The Spanish style is distinguished by terracotta shades, white, blue, less often green, red, which complement the range for the sake of emphasis. The Spaniards have a huge shortage of wood, so it is practically not used. But other natural materials (clay, stone, fabric) are used everywhere. The furniture is simple, strict, and the houses themselves emit rather low ceilings.
The French direction is distinguished by capes, lace napkins and other needlework.Wicker tables, chairs, as well as a wider color palette, also stand out. The interior feels French dreaminess and romanticism.
A separate group is the Arabian direction. This includes the Algerian, Moroccan, Turkish, Egyptian national directions. Almost not used in its pure form. A distinctive feature is the many pillows on the floor, low sofas, tables. A lot of national patterns in mosaics, woven fabrics, carved furniture sharply distinguishes these styles, allowing you to be easily recognizable. You can also easily recognize the presence of paintings and frescoes that are religious in nature.
Colors
All the paints that are used to decorate houses in the Mediterranean style are fresh, light, endowed with naturalness. A wide range of colors: from white to deep green or blue. Yellow, gold, beige, pink colors - all of them are used in all colors. It is important to determine the main color of the interior, then move on to complementary colors that will be present on the decor elements.
The main color should be as light as possible, but not bright, they are painted with walls. It is best to choose white for this, it does not cause aggression, irritation when decorating living quarters into it, creates a great mood. Beige, light orange, creamy white, terracotta, brick pistachio, warm gray are also suitable, the main thing is that they look natural, look relaxed, as if the material was painted in this color under the influence of wind, direct sunlight. Such colors will create such a cozy atmosphere at home that he would not want to leave. Do not forget that the Mediterranean style is, first of all, simplicity, comfort. It is not necessary to select too saturated colors, because this brings an element of luxury to a house or apartment, and such dwellings “press” on the psyche of people. And the colors of the interiors are aimed at relaxation and rest.
The possible color palette depends on the choice of the primary color. White, gray, beige or beige, yellow or pink, beige will perfectly combine. White, beige, pink, blue, brown are perfect for gray. Choosing green as the main color, you can choose several suitable ones from it: white, beige, brown, gray. Playing with shades of green will bring many benefits to the interior. For example, the study can be painted in olive color, and the bedroom is light green. They will still combine and harmonize. Orange, white, green, gray are perfect for yellow.
Wall decoration and design
The Mediterranean style of the interior should be created with one's own hand, because simplicity and economy are the cornerstone. The classic wall decoration material is stucco - a mixture of water, gypsum, lime, very small particles of marble. The wall is rough, but very pleasant to the touch, it looks very natural. Again, simply, tastefully. Sometimes you can simply roughly round inner or outer corners. This will save time, effort, it will look very stylish.
They are usually painted white, but the Greeks can add a little paint to the solution, then the wall has a light shade. Light turquoise or light blue is very pleasing to the eye, this technique is especially suitable for the bathroom. By making the wall sunny yellow, you can fill the room with body and light. Suitable for rooms on the north side or residents of northern countries who want to make repairs in this style of interior. Mills of pink shades, especially pink, similar to strawberry ice cream, will harmoniously look in the bedroom or living room. The Italian Mediterranean makes the texture of the walls more complex. This is achieved by applying layers of different shades of color or mosaics and frescoes.
It is very important that you immediately need to choose the colors of the floor, furniture, decor elements.
All efforts can be in vain if you put a closet that has plastic doors or a sofa too bright. The color scheme should be thought out in advance, strictly seasoned, otherwise instead of pleasant simplicity you can get bad taste.
Ceiling and floor decoration
The ceiling in the Mediterranean style is a constant. In all houses, the ceiling is made of wood, the beams are placed on the ceiling. But then you can already give free rein to imagination, frosting it with warm shades or giving it the appearance of very old wood, which has a blue color. Such wood has a gray appearance, as if it had spent centuries under the salty sea winds, the burning summer sun. It looks very impressive, noble. If you want to give the built house or apartment a Mediterranean look, then you can get by with cheaper materials, such as drywall. Beams visually give space to the house or room. Make at least stretch ceilings that mimic wooden beams or planks. Sometimes, of course, in the Greek or Italian direction they make a stucco ceiling in the same way as walls. But then you also need to finish the floor, it turns out very interesting.
The floor in the Mediterranean style is preferably made of natural stone, although it is a little expensive. Marble is a very practical, beautiful material that exists in various colors. It can be combined to create beautiful patterns, mosaics, or just pick a suitable warm shade and make it plain. It will last for many decades, and over the years it will acquire very beautiful noble attritions. The Greek style uses tiles, but it should be light, textured. If the ceiling and walls are made of stucco, then a very interesting option would be to make the floor of the same color out of this mixture. Then the room will look as if carved in stone. Wood is rarely used, very light wood is chosen, or simply painted white or beige.But for a terrace such material is quite suitable. Of the budget options, you can choose a laminate or high-quality linoleum, which have a picture of wood or stone. But remember that the color in this case should be perfectly matched, should not be striking.
What should furniture be made of?
It is not surprising that the simplicity, practicality inherent in the interior in general applies to furniture. It can be made with your own hands from a single piece of wood. Such a table or chest of drawers fits into the atmosphere very well. The shade of the tree does not matter, but still most often they use a grayish tree, which the sea wave “tormented”. Here it is up to the owner to decide what the piece of furniture should be: rough or elegant, the tree will definitely merge with the interior.
Very often items such as a bed, a table or chairs are made by virtuoso blacksmiths. Forged furniture will last a very long time, withstand heavy loads, and will not succumb to sunlight. It goes well with wood, natural light fabric.
Rattan furniture is quite popular among residents of the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This is the material that is dried, then peeled stalks of calamus. Wicker chairs add charm and comfort to your home or porch. Such furniture is light, practical, environmentally friendly.
Use of textiles
The Mediterranean interior, despite its simplicity, conciseness, is very rich in ornaments and textures. It affects the influence of Turkey, Morocco, other Arab and Asian countries. This is especially true for textiles. Use only natural fabrics: linen, cotton. In the bedroom, you can use handmade cotton lace on the bed or embroidery. In Morocco, they make beautiful woven carpets that add color, give a special comfort to the home, and many pillows scattered across the floor and low sofas will immediately make it clear that they will bring tea soon.
Natural fabrics can fit the soft seats of forged chairs, make bedspreads for a bed or sofa, tablecloths, towels. All this can be decorated with national motives, thereby making the house unforgettable for everyone who has visited it. Natural fabrics are very practical and easy to wash. The colors are very concise, simple: white, beige or yellow. By the way, the usual curtains and curtains made of fabric in the interiors are quite rare. Italian or Roman curtains are much more common, but they are also made of natural fabrics. True, in the modern world, preferences are increasingly given to blinds made of wood or bamboo.
The role of lighting in creating the interior
Sunlight is one of the basic concepts, so you should not save on lighting. The classic option is ceiling spots, beautiful lamps, chandeliers and spotlights that hang from wooden beams. They will make the house warm, welcoming. When choosing fixtures, you need to be guided by the size of the room, the color scheme of their design, so that they do not introduce dissonance into the overall interior. It is necessary to use so many lighting fixtures that they are enough to simulate sunlight even at night. Different wall and floor lamps that can focus light on decor items will look equally beneficial. Placing LED strips around the entire perimeter of the ceiling is another good solution. LEDs have good lighting power with minimal energy consumption.
Accessories and decor: get inspired by nature
It is jewelry and decor elements that can create a unique atmosphere from a simple house. In the Mediterranean style, accessories should reflect what this style is famous for - nature. Abundant vegetation can imitate many pots with different indoor plants and flowers.The sea is recreated from bright panels that are made of stones, shells, other fossils, inhabitants of the deep sea. Wide open shelves made of wrought iron and wood, on which most of the decorative elements stand, are very characteristic of this style. Often in their role are ceramic plates painted with national, marine, floral ornaments.
Of course, the decoration of rooms can serve as objects of art: paintings, figures, jugs. Here you can give free rein, experiment a bit by mixing Greek-Italian traditions with North African or Turkish motifs. Often there is a good symbiosis that looks great, refreshes the southern style, originally complementing the design. In the same way, you can paint the stairs to the second floor by laying out the vertical part with patterned tiles.
Moreover, each step can be laid out differently, which emphasizes the diversity of style. Windows, for example, can be decorated with shutters that can be painted, painted or just made carvings. It is a good idea to use ropes in the decor, because the style is directly related to the sea. They can be tied to the railing of the stairs or to frame something.
It is very important that you need to be careful with the decoration, to know the measure, because this way you can lose the simplicity that style is famous for.
Simplicity and ease - this is how you can characterize houses in the Mediterranean style. The main advantage is the low cost of processing rooms for styling. The second advantage is the attraction to nature, which gives such simplicity, freshness, comfort. The decision to decorate a house or apartment in this style will be great, because it circulates with warmth, comfort and ease.
Everyone who was looking for a style for their home came across a Mediterranean style in the interior, looked at photographs, admired. But few people understand the whole "highlight" of this style. In this article we will try to solve the mystery, to reveal the whole essence.
Content
How did the style come about?
Mediterranean-style houses on the thousands of kilometers of the wonderful Mediterranean Sea, which is located between two continents: Africa and Eurasia. It consists of the Adriatic, Balearic, Ionian, Aegean, Cyprus, Cretan, Libyan, Levantine, Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, seas, the Alboran Sea.The main feature of this area is a wonderful subtropical climate with a mild, rainy winter, quite hot, dry summers.
The entire territory considered the Mediterranean is very similar, but just as different. Greece, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, France, Turkey, northern Egypt - all these states are the territorial, historical founders of an eclectic mixture of simplicity, cordiality and friendliness called the "Mediterranean style"
Many people think that this style was invented by the Greeks or Romans, but this is not entirely true. Italy at one time conquered all these territories, and Greece gave rise to the cultural development of the region. But the style was most influenced by nature. In all elements of the interior, its influence is felt.
Features and varieties
The Mediterranean style is the interior and architecture, fanned by the sea wind, resistant to the sea sun. A feature of the interior is the widespread use of natural materials: ceramics, wood, cotton, forged products - everything is as natural as possible, and sometimes even rough. In all types of interior light, delicate tones associated with the sea and the sun predominate. If you recall, when we go to the sea, we take light clothes with us, which are made exclusively from pleasant natural materials, and being there we are pleased to look at trees and vegetation that give us a feeling of freshness and coolness.
Combination with simple, rude architecture with unique Mediterranean-style houses. Remember the photo where there are white or beige houses on the seashore, with a natural roof and a wooden door. True, it becomes pleasant to the soul? Everyone agrees that it is simple and tasteful. No pretentiousness, catchy elements. The country house merges with the landscape, internal walls with the house, walls with furniture, furniture with decor, and decor with a view from the window. The circle closes in a kind of symbiosis, and life takes on meaning.
Consider the characteristic differences of the national features of the interior:
Colors
All the paints that are used to decorate houses in the Mediterranean style are fresh, light, endowed with naturalness. A wide range of colors: from white to deep green or blue. Yellow, gold, beige, pink colors - all of them are used in all colors. It is important to determine the main color of the interior, then move on to complementary colors that will be present on the decor elements.
The main color should be as light as possible, but not bright, they are painted with walls. It is best to choose white for this, it does not cause aggression, irritation when decorating living quarters into it, creates a great mood. Beige, light orange, creamy white, terracotta, brick pistachio, warm gray are also suitable, the main thing is that they look natural, look relaxed, as if the material was painted in this color under the influence of wind, direct sunlight. Such colors will create such a cozy atmosphere at home that he would not want to leave. Do not forget that the Mediterranean style is, first of all, simplicity, comfort. It is not necessary to select too saturated colors, because this brings an element of luxury to a house or apartment, and such dwellings “press” on the psyche of people. And the colors of the interiors are aimed at relaxation and rest.
The possible color palette depends on the choice of the primary color. White, gray, beige or beige, yellow or pink, beige will perfectly combine. White, beige, pink, blue, brown are perfect for gray. Choosing green as the main color, you can choose several suitable ones from it: white, beige, brown, gray. Playing with shades of green will bring many benefits to the interior. For example, the study can be painted in olive color, and the bedroom is light green. They will still combine and harmonize. Orange, white, green, gray are perfect for yellow.
Wall decoration and design
The Mediterranean style of the interior should be created with one's own hand, because simplicity and economy are the cornerstone. The classic wall decoration material is stucco - a mixture of water, gypsum, lime, very small particles of marble. The wall is rough, but very pleasant to the touch, it looks very natural. Again, simply, tastefully. Sometimes you can simply roughly round inner or outer corners. This will save time, effort, it will look very stylish.
They are usually painted white, but the Greeks can add a little paint to the solution, then the wall has a light shade. Light turquoise or light blue is very pleasing to the eye, this technique is especially suitable for the bathroom. By making the wall sunny yellow, you can fill the room with body and light. Suitable for rooms on the north side or residents of northern countries who want to make repairs in this style of interior. Mills of pink shades, especially pink, similar to strawberry ice cream, will harmoniously look in the bedroom or living room. The Italian Mediterranean makes the texture of the walls more complex. This is achieved by applying layers of different shades of color or mosaics and frescoes.
All efforts can be in vain if you put a closet that has plastic doors or a sofa too bright. The color scheme should be thought out in advance, strictly seasoned, otherwise instead of pleasant simplicity you can get bad taste.
Ceiling and floor decoration
The ceiling in the Mediterranean style is a constant. In all houses, the ceiling is made of wood, the beams are placed on the ceiling. But then you can already give free rein to imagination, frosting it with warm shades or giving it the appearance of very old wood, which has a blue color. Such wood has a gray appearance, as if it had spent centuries under the salty sea winds, the burning summer sun. It looks very impressive, noble. If you want to give the built house or apartment a Mediterranean look, then you can get by with cheaper materials, such as drywall. Beams visually give space to the house or room. Make at least stretch ceilings that mimic wooden beams or planks. Sometimes, of course, in the Greek or Italian direction they make a stucco ceiling in the same way as walls. But then you also need to finish the floor, it turns out very interesting.
The floor in the Mediterranean style is preferably made of natural stone, although it is a little expensive. Marble is a very practical, beautiful material that exists in various colors. It can be combined to create beautiful patterns, mosaics, or just pick a suitable warm shade and make it plain. It will last for many decades, and over the years it will acquire very beautiful noble attritions. The Greek style uses tiles, but it should be light, textured. If the ceiling and walls are made of stucco, then a very interesting option would be to make the floor of the same color out of this mixture. Then the room will look as if carved in stone. Wood is rarely used, very light wood is chosen, or simply painted white or beige.But for a terrace such material is quite suitable. Of the budget options, you can choose a laminate or high-quality linoleum, which have a picture of wood or stone. But remember that the color in this case should be perfectly matched, should not be striking.
What should furniture be made of?
It is not surprising that the simplicity, practicality inherent in the interior in general applies to furniture. It can be made with your own hands from a single piece of wood. Such a table or chest of drawers fits into the atmosphere very well. The shade of the tree does not matter, but still most often they use a grayish tree, which the sea wave “tormented”. Here it is up to the owner to decide what the piece of furniture should be: rough or elegant, the tree will definitely merge with the interior.
Very often items such as a bed, a table or chairs are made by virtuoso blacksmiths. Forged furniture will last a very long time, withstand heavy loads, and will not succumb to sunlight. It goes well with wood, natural light fabric.
Rattan furniture is quite popular among residents of the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This is the material that is dried, then peeled stalks of calamus. Wicker chairs add charm and comfort to your home or porch. Such furniture is light, practical, environmentally friendly.
Use of textiles
The Mediterranean interior, despite its simplicity, conciseness, is very rich in ornaments and textures. It affects the influence of Turkey, Morocco, other Arab and Asian countries. This is especially true for textiles. Use only natural fabrics: linen, cotton. In the bedroom, you can use handmade cotton lace on the bed or embroidery. In Morocco, they make beautiful woven carpets that add color, give a special comfort to the home, and many pillows scattered across the floor and low sofas will immediately make it clear that they will bring tea soon.
Natural fabrics can fit the soft seats of forged chairs, make bedspreads for a bed or sofa, tablecloths, towels. All this can be decorated with national motives, thereby making the house unforgettable for everyone who has visited it. Natural fabrics are very practical and easy to wash. The colors are very concise, simple: white, beige or yellow. By the way, the usual curtains and curtains made of fabric in the interiors are quite rare. Italian or Roman curtains are much more common, but they are also made of natural fabrics. True, in the modern world, preferences are increasingly given to blinds made of wood or bamboo.
The role of lighting in creating the interior
Sunlight is one of the basic concepts, so you should not save on lighting. The classic option is ceiling spots, beautiful lamps, chandeliers and spotlights that hang from wooden beams. They will make the house warm, welcoming. When choosing fixtures, you need to be guided by the size of the room, the color scheme of their design, so that they do not introduce dissonance into the overall interior. It is necessary to use so many lighting fixtures that they are enough to simulate sunlight even at night. Different wall and floor lamps that can focus light on decor items will look equally beneficial. Placing LED strips around the entire perimeter of the ceiling is another good solution. LEDs have good lighting power with minimal energy consumption.
Accessories and decor: get inspired by nature
It is jewelry and decor elements that can create a unique atmosphere from a simple house. In the Mediterranean style, accessories should reflect what this style is famous for - nature. Abundant vegetation can imitate many pots with different indoor plants and flowers.The sea is recreated from bright panels that are made of stones, shells, other fossils, inhabitants of the deep sea. Wide open shelves made of wrought iron and wood, on which most of the decorative elements stand, are very characteristic of this style. Often in their role are ceramic plates painted with national, marine, floral ornaments.
Of course, the decoration of rooms can serve as objects of art: paintings, figures, jugs. Here you can give free rein, experiment a bit by mixing Greek-Italian traditions with North African or Turkish motifs. Often there is a good symbiosis that looks great, refreshes the southern style, originally complementing the design. In the same way, you can paint the stairs to the second floor by laying out the vertical part with patterned tiles.
Moreover, each step can be laid out differently, which emphasizes the diversity of style. Windows, for example, can be decorated with shutters that can be painted, painted or just made carvings. It is a good idea to use ropes in the decor, because the style is directly related to the sea. They can be tied to the railing of the stairs or to frame something.
Simplicity and ease - this is how you can characterize houses in the Mediterranean style. The main advantage is the low cost of processing rooms for styling. The second advantage is the attraction to nature, which gives such simplicity, freshness, comfort. The decision to decorate a house or apartment in this style will be great, because it circulates with warmth, comfort and ease.