If you've been lucky enough to spend time on the shores of the Mediterranean, you'll know just how magical and diverse the region is. The quality of the light, the meeting of land and ocean, and the breadth of style variations in the area inspire interior design and house design right across the world.
The region itself encompasses southern France, Italy, the Greek Islands, parts of the Spanish coast, and even Morocco but the beauty of Mediterranean style causes ripples many thousands of miles away from the sea that gives it its name.
There are some fine examples of 1920s homes, built in the so-called Mediterranean Revival style, along California's North Pacific coast and also where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean, in Miami, Florida. The exterior and interior architecture were designed to mimic the style that their wealthy owners had admired in southern Europe. The look has enduring appeal and contemporary builds often still borrow the aesthetic, distilling it to a Modern Mediterranean style.
Mediterranean style lends itself just as well to inland properties as it does to coastal homes. Check out the homes below for inspiration and discover how to capture the Mediterranean vibe, with or without an ocean view.
1. Set the scene with a sunbaked stone and white exterior
The home pictured above is a modern Mediterranean-style home, built in 2018 in Danville, California. The arched entrance and doorway, and baked tile roof are classic features of traditional and modern Mediterranean style. The house was recently renovated inside and out by Lauren Evans Interiors and the exterior facelift brought it closer to the rustic look of Mediterranean properties found in southern Spain.
'It was a yellow-painted, rock heavy, baroque columned, Mediterranean-style home,' says designer Lauren Evans. 'We chose to make it more contemporary while highlighting the Spanish characteristics. For the exterior this meant changing the paint color and removing some of the excess rock facade. We also changed the front door from double carved cherry wood doors to an arched glass, iron and reeded wood door with glass side panels to bring in more light while adding privacy.'
2. Balance rustic original features with simple, modern furnishings
When you're dealing with a strong architectural statement like this arched dark wood door, it pays to keep surrounding furnishings simple for the hallway ideas. The front door of this home in Ventura County, CA, is one of the Mediterranean-style home's few remaining original features. Having replaced all the interior arched doors as part of her renovation, designer Jamie King of JLK Interiors felt it was important to leave the existing front entry door as it was.
'Its rustic finish and arched top was a perfect transition from the Mediterranean exterior into the more modern interior where there's a beautiful balance of rustic and modern finishes,' she says. 'We made our intentions known the minute you walk in the house, by adding a large modern mirror in a brushed gold finish. The juxtaposition of the rustic door and the modern mirror set the tone for the rest of the house.'
3. Create a sense of arrival with Mediterranean colors and textures
Leaning into the more colorful and pattern-rich traditions of Mediterranean style, this entrance foyer evokes a Moroccan vibe. Its refreshing aqua tones and cool marble floor are ready to offer relief from the scorching sun.
It's a grand illusion, beautifully executed since the hallway space leads not to a Moroccan riad, but to a two-bedroom apartment in central London. 'We wanted to create a really impressive sense of arrival with our entryway ideas and set the tone for the delights to come,' says Sophie Ashby of Studio Ashby, who redesigned the apartment. 'It's the transition space to another world, with a 19th-century French carved wood sofa and a geometric mosaic marble floor featuring six different colors of stone.'
The dappled cloudy effect rag finish on the ceiling and wall panels, created by The Finish Effect, is the perfect backdrop for Mediterranean-inspired vases, olive trees, and an evocative artwork by Delia Hamer.
4. Blend inside and outside spaces
This dining room in a historic Mediterranean Revival home has been given a sleek, clean-lined approach that works well with the elaborate Italian-style garden room behind and doesn't detract from the period features. The dining room's original moldings and windows were retained in the recent renovation by Studio AM Architecture, whose co-founder Aaron Mollick explains the approach.
'The Mediterranean Revival aesthetic allowed a cohesive expression between the interiors and exteriors,' he says. 'It allowed flexibility to provide a cohesive appearance to spaces with varying levels of formality in a manner that works all together.'
5. Soften formal architecture with natural greenery and floral accessories
The convivial dining room scene above, from British brand Birdie Fortescue, combines the classical formality of Greek-inspired columns and elaborate moldings with the relaxed charm of floral table linen and rattan garden furniture.
Rustic plaster-colored walls, an impressive display of orangery-style potted plants, and an antique mirror are the finishing touches for the traditional Mediterranean-style space where the boundaries between inside and outside spaces are blurred.
6. Mix modern furnishings with Mediterranean-style arches
This Mediterranean Revival home in Seattle has been updated with contemporary interiors to create a comfortable family home, all the while preserving the original period detailing, such as the arched windows that can be seen in the room adjacent to this living room.
The furniture has been carefully chosen. Although these are mainly contemporary pieces, they are in keeping with the old building. The curved contours of the couches and armchairs reflect the classic Mediterranean Revival arched windows while a highly decorative cabinet in gold adds contemporary glamor to the room.
'A landmark in the neighborhood for over a century, it was an enjoyable challenge to interweave the new with the old to create a refreshed appearance and allow the home to function for a contemporary lifestyle,' says Aaron Mollick, co-founder of Studio AM who renovated the property.
7. Notice the fine details – tiled to perfection
'Nestled within the rich tapestry of architectural history lies a gem from the 1920s – a white washed Mediterranean style staircase that whispers tales of a bygone era,' says designer Julia Dempster. 'In a world captivated by modernity, this staircase stands as a testament to timeless elegance and craftsmanship.'
The staircase ideas here date back to the historic home's design by architect Paul R Williams in 1927, and are in the designer's former home in Los Angeles.
'The terracotta glazed tiles, with their warm hues reminiscent of Mediterranean sunsets, make a striking complement to the whitewashed backdrop,' adds the designer. Their rich tones infuse the staircase with a sense of vitality, adding depth and dimension to the space.'
8. Embrace the curves of rustic Mediterranean style
Take one simple whitewashed room with a truly beautiful original curved plaster fireplace and bleached wood floors, and already you have the key elements for a very special Mediterranean-style guest room. The furnishings are simple, textured and inviting. Nothing overpowers the beauty of that chimney, it's merely a question of allowing it to take center stage.
'Transforming a 1920s white-washed Mediterranean-style bedroom into a cozy haven with textiles and texture was truly inspiring. As the house is by the ocean it made sense to add coastal elements with the photograph behind the bed for a backdrop,' says its designer Julia Dempster. 'Incorporating chunky textures not only adds warmth but also creates a contrast with the reclaimed stool repurposed as a bedside table. It's a powerful blend of nostalgia and modern comfort.'
9. Add Mediterranean style and old world authenticity in a bathroom
When you've taken the trouble to source reclaimed ceiling beams for the bathroom and created an arched alcove, why not complete the look with a traditional freestanding clawfoot bathtub and hexagonal tiles? These bathroom ideas are in keeping with the new-meets-old style elsewhere in the newly built Mediterranean-style home in Sierra Nevada, and the finished look is of a rural French property in coastal Provence.
'The clay tiles in the bathroom are such a grounding element in this Mediterranean-style main bathroom,' says Nastassja Bowman of Kristen Elizabeth Designs, who created the interior design for the home (and sourced the reclaimed ceiling beams). 'An ode to the earth and the landscape, bringing the outdoors inside is a common Mediterranean practice as they are often treated as an extension of the other. Adding the authentic beams in each room brings consistency in the style throughout the space.'
10. Learn the fine art of outdoor living
'This area lets you appreciate the outdoors, which in the Mediterranean is the hallmark of the culture,' says Nastassja Bowman. 'The climate just begs you to be outside. To create an area where you can cook and eat and enjoy each other's company is a key element of Mediterranean design.'
The long table is perfect for large gatherings and outdoor dining that continues late into the summer evenings. The overhang provides shade from the sun and the rustic elements such as the rugged stone and the antique table are character pieces that have been well-loved and worn over time, adding authenticity to the newly created space.
