Mediterranean pink color. Magnificent Mediterranean style in the interior

The very name of the Mediterranean style in interior design suggests that it is characterized by an abundance of sun and air, marine decorative elements and plant motifs. The style originally originated in Greece and Italy, and later became popular in Turkey and Egypt.

Following them, the Mediterranean style became widely known in many European countries. Many stylistic features are similar to those in the interior. It also combines simplicity and sophistication of all details, as well as practicality and the calming comfort of the environment.

Characteristic features of the style.

To create a harmonious interior design in a Mediterranean style, natural materials are used: natural stone, natural marble and wood. This makes it possible to create light and environmentally friendly.

The most commonly used durable and high-quality wood is oak and pine. These types of wood are distinguished by their high density and long service life. Furniture is made from bog oak and pine - most often it self made, made in a single copy, and therefore very high quality and unique.

Style color scheme.

The color palette of the Mediterranean style in each country also has its own characteristics. Temperamental Italians prefer bright and sunny shades, including the following:

• coral;
• red;
• pink;
• cream;
• mustard color;
• ocher shades;
• brick red.

But the design of a Greek house in the Mediterranean style is characterized by a cool color scheme, in which the following colors and shades are most often used:

• turquoise;
• blue;
• emerald - green;

Finishing features.

Mediterranean style In the interior, each country has its own characteristic features associated with local traditions. So, in Greece they prefer to paint walls and ceilings white. water-based paint. At the same time, the walls are not necessarily leveled to a perfectly smooth state, and often remain uneven. Therefore, the finish gives a rough feeling, but at the same time looks very natural.

Wooden beams can often be seen on the ceiling. They are not painted, but only covered with a transparent varnish, which protects the wood from damage and fungal infections. Similar ceiling decoration can be found in many styles - in particular, in the design of a chalet house.

For interior Italian house or apartments interior decoration has slightly different features. The walls are decorated with materials of different textures, creating separate zones. The walls of the room can be decorated with luxurious panels of mosaic tiles. Another option for wall decoration is painting on the walls, imitating frescoes.

As flooring tiles are most often used. The depiction of scenes from ancient greek mythology, laid out with marble mosaics. But in this case, it should immediately be noted that such mosaic paintings look best on the floor in the rooms large area. In small rooms, you can use mosaics to lay out stylized Greek ornaments on the floor.

Very popular in the Mediterranean style are mats woven from reeds or seaweed. They are laid on the tiles to avoid slipping on its smooth and glossy surface. In addition, they bring an environmentally friendly atmosphere into the room and emphasize the closeness to nature.

In addition to tiles, you can also consider natural wood. However, its color should be neutral, not too bright, so as not to distract attention.

Bedroom design.

Traditional Mediterranean style bedroom interior design involves minimal amount furnishings and decorative elements. The main idea of ​​the design is to leave as much free space, space and air in the room as possible.

Only the most necessary pieces of furniture are used - a large comfortable bed, a bedside table near the bed and a closet for storing linen. In Greece, a small sideboard is sometimes placed in the bedroom for various souvenirs, figurines, trinkets and things dear to the heart.

Alternatively, the bedroom can also have a chest of drawers instead of a wardrobe, and also a small coffee table and comfortable chairs. Also suitable for decorating a bedroom in the Greek version of the Mediterranean style is one made from natural pine wood.

Bedroom furniture items are colored in light, delicate, pastel colors. The main shades for furniture can be called the following:

• White color;
• milky shade;
• caramel color;
• beige color;
• pearly - gray;
• cream.

Window curtains are most often made from natural materials- cotton or linen. They have the property of sufficiently shading the room from the scorching rays of the sun, and at the same time letting a sufficient amount of daylight into the room.

But for an Italian bedroom, the style of the Mediterranean interior will be somewhat different. An elegant bed made of black metal, which has beautifully curved legs, and the backs are decorated with beautiful decorations.

Living room interior.

Decorating a living room in a Mediterranean style has its own characteristics. In Greece and Italy, it is in the living room that the whole family gathers in the evenings, where they spend festive evenings and meetings with friends. Therefore, the living room is often connected to the dining room or separated by a light decorative partition.

A mandatory element of a living room in Mediterranean countries is a table. As a rule, it is located in the central part of the room, and soft comfortable sofas are located around it. In a Greek house, a characteristic element of the interior design of the living room is wicker furniture. The Italian version of the style is characterized by forged furniture with wooden seats.

Except large quantity furniture designed for seating guests; the living room may have a shelf for various small items and souvenirs, bookshelves made of oak wood, as well as a low coffee table. In this case, most of the space in the room should be free.

Bathroom decoration.

The interior of a bathroom in a Mediterranean style also has its own characteristic features. Most often, ceramic tiles are used for wall cladding and flooring. In this case, it is possible to combine two or more colors and shades. Sometimes the finishing is done with tiles of two contrasting colors (for example, terracotta and turquoise).

All plumbing is wall-mounted, and communications are hidden. This creates the impression of freedom and spaciousness in the room. There is not much furniture in the bathroom. As a rule, these are closed cabinets for toiletries and towels.

Particular attention should be paid to bathroom lighting. For this purpose, built-in ceiling lamps. With their light diffused light, they illuminate only certain areas - the mirror, sink and bathroom. In all individual zones there is a pleasant soft twilight that does not tire the eyesight.

Kitchen interier.

Decorating a kitchen in a Mediterranean style is perhaps the most important task of the entire style. Greece and Italy have always been famous for their exquisite cuisine, so housewives spend most of your time in the kitchen. This means that the room must be spacious and comfortable, and every detail must be thought out in its layout.

Mediterranean style in the kitchen interior involves the use of furniture made of natural oak or pine, stylized in an antique style. The kitchen should be designed as comfortably as possible, so light wicker furniture is welcome in the setting. Baskets made of wicker are used to store vegetables and fruits, which also add a certain zest to the interior design.

Most often, the kitchen area is combined with the dining room. The main element of the dining room setting is a large dining table, which can accommodate not only family members, but also numerous guests.

All other pieces of furniture should be simple in design, but at the same time high-quality, made of natural wood. In some details, Mediterranean cuisine resembles cozy and original, but in the Mediterranean style the whole atmosphere is more elegant and sophisticated.

The Mediterranean style in the interior of living rooms and other premises has become one of the leading trends relatively recently. Combining some trends from past centuries with modern design principles, the updated style has gained mass popularity. It was loved for its unique southern charm, sunny warmth, soft colors and varied decor.

The style has absorbed the cultures of several countries. They crossed paths in it details of several civilizations, fragments of different interior genres are imprinted. The result was a unique mix with elements of country, Provence and shabby chic.

At the same time, there is still room for innovative ideas, be it an image of an elegant butterfly on a wall painting, a pair of Byzantine arches in the hallway, a tiled countertop in the living room, or forged furniture parts in the bedroom interior.

As the name suggests, the style originated on the banks of south sea. Some of the ideas came from Turkey, France, Spain. The other is from the African coast of Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia. But still the main influence was from Italy and Greece. It was they who played the first violin in defining the style, giving birth to two directions: Italian Mediterranean and Greek.

Features of the Mediterranean interior

The main distinguishing features of the style are open space and plenty of light. Even in small room light and other accents are arranged to create the illusion of volume. Here are just a few of the design hacks for a Mediterranean-style living room that help achieve this effect:

• arches, wide doorways and big windows to the floor;
• lighting with several switching modes;
• tulles, curtains, light awnings air materials and fabrics;
• absence of bulky furniture in the interior;
• simplicity of finishing with natural materials without pretentiousness and pomp.

At the same time, elements of unpretentious mannerism are almost obligatory, which emphasize the uniqueness of the home's furnishings. Among them:

• ceramics, be it a couple of clay jugs in the room, a fireplace with tiles, or tiles in soothing colors on the walls or floor;
• ethnic accents, for example, in the pattern of pillows or curtains;
• decorative components: from sewing and lace to forged armrests, grilles, chandeliers;
• wooden or wicker furniture, including chests of drawers, open shelving, cabinets, chests, rocking chairs;
• natural vegetation, incl. in the kitchen and bathroom;
• the absence of pathos and pomp, and with them - carpets, tapestries, bright colored prints on the walls and in the upholstery.

The color scheme of a Mediterranean-style apartment differs slightly in the Italian and Greek versions, but there are no clear criteria for distinguishing them. So, Italian prefers the whole range of warm tones with its tints from sand to yellow, from creme brulee to coffee, from cream to chocolate, from terracotta to chestnut. Their combinations with different shades of white will create not only warmth and comfort in the interior, but also an atmosphere of hospitality and southern charm.

The Greek version presents and accentuates the entire palette of the white and blue sea. This is turquoise, and blue, and emerald, and aquamarine, and beige, and Ivory, and a sea wave, and gray clouds. You can choose the color scheme and decor so that in the living room you will feel the splash of the waves of the Attica coast, and in the bedroom you will feel the peaceful sand of the beaches of Thessaly.

Mediterranean style house

The Mediterranean style façade is in keeping with its overall concept. But since this housing option is more common on the south coast, all architectural details are aimed at keeping the house cool.

House facade

The façade is characterized by bright hues in the exterior, flat tiled roof, the presence of large open balconies or terraces, shutters or awnings, natural stone or finished. The interior spaces of Mediterranean villas range from simple one-story and small spaces to luxury mansions with their own swimming pools, cypress courtyards and hanging gardens.

Mediterranean style in landscape design

Arrangement of the patio, at the same time, is considered a key element landscape design. The patio area can be small, but at the same time cozy and stylish, with views of the sea, a mountain range or simply the emerald slope of a rural pasture.

In design patio there should be a place for a small lawn, a stone frame around flower beds or a simple fountain, and a bench with forged legs. Flowerbed decor made from clay flowerpots, amphorae, and vases with stylized cracks and chips will highlight the southern flavor well. In combination with hanging plants they will become a real highlight of landscape design. And paths paved with natural stone or wooden roundels will create a rustic mood.

Mediterranean style in the living room and bedroom

The romance of the Mediterranean style extends to its interior. Anyone entering the house should feel its warmth and light, comfort and practicality, lightness and freedom. Therefore, the main rule of interior design is considered prohibition on overloading it with pretentious details and monumentality. So, if a design is created with zoning of a common space, then plasticity of the transition between zones is required. If a pair of columns in the hallway is selected, then only in the simplest Doric design.

Mediterranean style living room lighting

Since the living room is the place where the whole family usually gathers to discuss news, the design should entirely contribute to the gentle flow of relaxation and conversation. And here the light factor is very important. A floor-to-ceiling window or even its imitation due to long light tulle will create the illusion of the height of the day in the evening. Wide arches in the design will not allow the space to become enclosed and turn into a small patch of light. The same principles apply to the bedroom.

A special place is given to the chandelier in the Mediterranean style. Let it be multi-horned forged, or strict classical, or in the shape of a polyhedron, the main thing is that it is completely in harmony with the space. Like a sheaf of bright sparks turned on at the same time, the chandelier should resemble the sun's rays. That's why mainly fluorescent lamps are used. Modes for changing the brightness of the light to create a particular atmosphere are very welcome. If the room is divided into zones, then there should be a light source in every corner, without leaving dark spots in the interior.

Walls, floor, ceiling

When planning to decorate a living room or bedroom in a Mediterranean style, even at the project development stage you need to choose your stylistic genre: Italian warm or Greek cool. After all, you will have to start from this.

1. If preference is given to Italian, then, in addition to choosing the appropriate range of colors, you need to take care of decent finishing materials. Rough plaster is suitable for walls, and it is better if it has simulated creases, roughness, and unevenness. Contrasting decoration of one of the four walls with an ornamental pattern of the Mediterranean is not prohibited. The ceiling, complemented by wooden beams, will only decorate the interior. The beams can be placed parallel to each other, in a herringbone pattern, in a diamond shape or in a voluminous triangle, have a contrasting color or one that matches the ceiling, but do not create the impression of something hanging over your head.
2. When choosing a Greek profile for finishing part of the walls, you should give preference to ceramic tiles and polyurethane blanks. With their help, you can finish both the surface of the fireplace and the edges of small niches, and lay out a pattern on the floor or the space between open shelves. Beams made of polyurethane are perfect for finishing arched lines, creating a border on the ceiling or an elegant relief strip in part of the room. It’s not scary if the Greek motif is partially intertwined with the Italian one.

The floor should be in harmony with the overall appearance of the room, be it just a living room or a kitchen-living room. It will look good in Mediterranean style quality laminate with a discreet texture, or linoleum with imitation of wood veins, and even stone or stone-like material, especially near the fireplace area or bar counter. A mat made of coarse fiber or straw, thrown carelessly on the floor, will perfectly complement the interior.

Furniture and decor

Mediterranean style gives preference to upholstered furniture. These include sofas, armchairs, and poufs. Colors range from delicate monochromatic and slightly pockmarked to striped and geometric. An abundance of pillows of different sizes will give the interior even more comfort and practicality.

From cabinet wooden furniture, any chest of drawers, cabinets, open cabinets, shelves, tables with both smooth and rough top finishes like aged wood or with a deliberate chip in the most visible place.

It's kind of Mediterranean chic. It would be appropriate rattan or wicker furniture. This can be either a separate item, for example, a rocking chair, or a series of decorative elements: slats on a coffee table, armrests soft sofa, baskets with small change on the shelf.

A special role in interior decoration is played by the presence of color spots on the walls and floor. Do you like still life or landscape paintings? So hang it up. Are you a fan of different wall displays? So organize a display of ethnic plates, stylish Southern hats or beautifully shaped shells. Do you like edgings? Then make a mosaic frame around a window or mirror, a rattan edge around a dial, or a tile pattern on the steps. Anything will do if it is pleasant and desirable.

The Mediterranean style in the kitchen interior is subject to the general principles of the direction. Therefore, everything regarding lighting, curtains, furniture remains in effect. But you can get creative with wall decoration. It would be very appropriate to use Mediterranean-style tiles in the kitchen. Patterned ceramics on a countertop or on a wall called an “apron” will not only become a beautiful part of the interior, but will also serve well for many years.

Kitchen furniture is selected to be as functional as possible, but not bulky. If the kitchen is combined with a dining room, then a small sofa and a pair of chairs to match will be in place. If you want a lot of cabinets, then let them have a matte surface and smooth lines. Minimalism in the interior is also possible, when one vintage sideboard will replace all the furniture, and dinette will consist of a pair of chairs and a miniature table.

Mediterranean style bathroom

It, of course, should not only be beautiful in a Mediterranean way, but also functional. Ceramic tiles, this time glazed, will help accomplish this task again. It will protect the surface of the walls in the bathroom from high level humidity. Embossed or smooth, the color of sea wave or coastal sand - any tile model will do. It can be used to decorate not only part of the wall, but also to lay out the floor ornamentally, like a bath or shower mat, to make a frame for a mirror from it, or to decorate built-in niches or shelves with it. The main thing is that all these details create harmony and unity of style.

In bathroom windows made of opaque glass blocks are allowed. Stylized as a sea wave or white-green foam, they will give the room additional illumination and airiness.

Mediterranean style is varied and unpretentious. He accepts everything that is beautiful, practical and down to earth. But this apparent simplicity can become that gloss that you won’t want to leave.

The furnishings of the house in Mediterranean design are imbued with the lightness and charm of the sea. The genre does not provide for luxury, elaborate accessories, decor and intricate furniture. Every detail in the decor is thought out, simple and functional. Due to these features, the genre is a bit similar to country and classical.

The furnished interiors display a marine theme, associated with warm summers, vacations, healthy eating and relaxation on a comfortable yacht. Tones, decor, shapes - reminiscent of the beauty of nature with notes of the sea.

History of the style

In many interiors, the influence of nature and climatic features, and Mediterranean interiors are no exception. Moreover, along with Art Nouveau, this trend occupies a leading position in borrowing features from the beauty of nature.

Since ancient times, the Mediterranean region was ruled by strong states - Rome and Greece. The Greeks were famous for their handicrafts and various crafts, and the Romans were famous for their conquests and colonizations. Spain, having trade and military influence, also made a significant contribution to the formation of the Mediterranean direction in the interior. The culture of North Africa and Turkey introduced some trends into the genre.

As a result, the culture was constantly supplemented with new trends and original characteristics of other peoples. The sea only contributed to this trend, since it covers several continents at once - Africa, Europe, and also Asia.

One more turn active development direction occurred after World War II. Residents of villages living near the sea began to actively look for work in cities; at the same time, they introduced elements country houses to city apartments.

Despite the emergence of new building materials and interior design trends, the Mediterranean interior in apartments and houses retains its main features, which can be considered original.

Main components

Let us list the main elements that make up the flow:

• Spacious and bright rooms with large windows.
• Plaster, paint, wood, and natural stone are used as finishing materials.
• Warm colors of moderate saturation predominate, as well as all shades of blue and dark blue.
• There is no overload of details.
• Marine theme - colors, images, decor in the form of shells, corals, elements of sea vessels.
• Natural textiles are used - airy white tulle, a canopy over the bed reminiscent of a mast ship, decorative pillows in colors characteristic of the genre, low-pile carpets and home roll runners.
• Patterns can be floral, reminiscent of the Arabic style, associated with sea waves; The lines of the patterns are most often smoothed. Stripes are also used as an integral part of the marine theme.
• Furniture is only functional and essential. The center of the room is left free of it.
• Lots of light in the rooms. Lighting fixtures with forged, striped or cream lampshades, lampshades with frosted glass white or cream tone.

Key varieties

Let's look at the main varieties into which the Mediterranean direction is divided.

Italian motives

The genre combines soft and warm tones - sunny yellow, orange, beige, shades of green, olive (can be rich), light golden, all shades of brown. The colors combine effectively with the stonework, which is made from smoothed stones that typically lie on the seabed.

This type of design involves surfaces complemented by handwork - painting, mosaic, plaster with patterns with specially made roughness.

Such decor is often combined in one room - mosaics are adjacent to paintings, and patterns on tiles are combined with plastered surfaces, complemented by patterns. With such a combination, it is important to avoid a clutter of accents, since the direction provides for naturalness and even airiness.

The furniture in the rooms is distinguished by functionality and comfort. Most often it is wooden or forged; Massive elements are allowed, but without elaborate decor.

An important nuance in rooms with Italian motifs is a lot of light and large windows. Even in the bathroom, you should have a large window that provides enough natural light.

Greek motifs

Unlike the Italian variety, the Greek variety includes not only warm, but also cold tones - all shades of blue and light blue. Other main colors are lemon, yellow, emerald, green, beige, white. Despite the presence of cold tones, the rooms are sunny and covered in the summer sea. When decorating rooms, designers also use a black tone, but it never dominates. Decorative elements or framing images on a light wall can be black.

This species is characterized by alternating several colors. White and blue shades are especially often alternated, since such a duet symbolizes the flag of Greece.

Blotches of red and pink are acceptable, most often in the form of textiles, ceramics and decor. Since Greece is characterized by developed handicrafts and various crafts, be sure to complement the decor with ceramics and handmade items in the Greek tradition.

The style is characterized by orderliness and functionality, while different colors are boldly combined and decor is displayed - the result is a “golden mean”. The design is not associated with pedantry, but it cannot be called daring either.

An important nuance of the Greek type of Mediterranean interior design is the space and abundance of light, both natural and artificial.

Arabic elements in the setting

As already mentioned in the first section, some features of the interior in question originate from North Africa and Turkey.

Arabic motifs are expressed in the form of window and doorways-arches, white smooth walls, ceramic products in oriental style. Ceramic tiles with Arabic patterns are also used; and not just in the kitchen or bathroom. Its inclusions can also be seen in the bedrooms.

European sofas with leather covering light color are complemented by decorative pillows with an Arabic print, and carpets (or carpet runners) are designed in the same style.

Home improvement options

We invite you to consider interesting options for home improvement, shrouded in charm. warm sea and summer.

Living room

To decorate your living room, choose a spacious and bright room with large windows. It should become the hallmark of the house and embody the intended environment as effectively as possible.
Blue and blue colors against the background of the main white color will help to reveal the Greek look of the direction.

• Paint the ceiling and walls white, adding vertical stripes of ultramarine color to one or two of them. This solution will visually “raise” the ceiling.
• Finish the floor wooden board in the manner of a ship’s deck, and lay a striped carpet with minimal pile on top.
• Arrange the sofa area - beige sofas and soft chairs with a fabric surface, complemented by decorative pillows in yellow, blue and of blue color.
• Place a coffee table made of cream-colored wood near the upholstered furniture.
• Place decor on the table, for example, corals in a decorative vase with a wide neck, more like a plate.

The decoration of the living room design in the Mediterranean genre will be plants - for the living room one large (or several) palm tree in a pot with wicker wood will be enough.

You can hang oil paintings on the walls depicting the southern coasts of Italy, Greece or Spain. Most often it is a calm sea, a sandy beach, sailing yachts, bushes and low trees against the backdrop of small houses.

Bedroom

Since the Mediterranean bedroom decor includes many summer elements, do not be afraid to use shades of blue and blue - the room will not become “cold”.
If you arrange your bedroom correctly, its furnishings will be saturated with the sea breeze, sunlight and the soothing breath of warm summer.

• Plaster the walls with beige plaster, make the surface intentionally rough or apply patterns with smoothed lines.
• Make the ceiling several shades lighter.
• It is advisable to make the floor from balsa wood, which perfectly dampens noise while walking and is pleasant to the touch.
• Lay a small blue or white-blue carpet on the floor.
• Make the doors to the bedroom wooden and paint them in a light blue tone.
• Complete the double bed with a canopy made of light translucent white fabric.
• Attach the canopy to the blue metal frame.
• Lay down a blue and white throw and accessorize the bed with lemon, olive and yellow throw pillows.

A low wooden chest of drawers and bedside tables blue or cream shades. The bedroom walls can be decorated with photographs in marine frames or paintings with seascapes and sailing yachts.

Kitchen

The Mediterranean setting in the kitchen interior should be associated not only with the warm sea breeze, but also with Mediterranean cuisine - olives, fresh vegetables and fruits, fish and seafood, olive oil. The environment should awaken the appetite and evoke positive emotions.

• Decorate the walls with ceramic tiles printed with flowers or floral patterns in an Arabic style.
• The main colors of the tiles are blue, white, blue and gold.
• Paint the ceiling white and complement it with blue wood cross beams.
• Finish the floor with brown or wood-look tiles.
• The kitchen set can be placed in white, and the dining table can have blue legs and a natural wood-colored surface.
• Choose wooden chairs, preferably olive.
• Complement large, bright windows with light olive tulle.

As decoration, use ceramic dishes and vases with patterns characteristic of the direction.

Everyone who was looking for a style for their home came across the Mediterranean style in the interior, looked at the photographs, and admired it. But few people understand the whole “zest” of this style. In this article we will try to unravel the mystery and reveal the whole essence.

How did the style come about?

Mediterranean-style houses along the thousand-kilometer shores 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, Alboran Sea. The main feature of this area is its wonderful subtropical climate with mild, rainy in winter, quite hot, dry summer.

The entire territory considered to be the Mediterranean is very similar, but just as different. Greece, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Morocco, France, Turkey, northern Egypt - all these states are territorial, historical ancestors of an eclectic mixture of simplicity, hospitality and friendliness called “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 cultural development region. But the style was most influenced by nature. Its influence is felt in all elements of the interior.

Features and varieties

Mediterranean style is an interior and architecture blown by the sea wind and resistant to the sea sun. A feature of the interior is the widespread use natural materials: ceramics, wood, cotton, forged products - everything is as natural as possible, and sometimes even rough. In all types of interior, light, gentle colors associated with the sea and sun predominate. If you remember, when we go to the sea, we take light-colored clothes with us, which are made exclusively from pleasant natural materials, and while there we enjoy looking at the trees and vegetation, which give us a feeling of freshness and coolness.

Combination with simple, rough architecture and unique Mediterranean style houses. Remember the photo where there are white or beige houses on the seashore, with a natural roof, wooden door. Really, it makes your soul feel good? Everyone agrees that it is simple and tasteful. No pretentiousness or flashy elements. Vacation home merges with the landscape, interior walls with the house, walls with furniture, furniture with decor, and decor with the view from the window. The circle closes into a kind of symbiosis, and life takes on meaning.

And if you add national ornaments, then houses in the Mediterranean style become special and unique, acquire a charming charm, and introduce national life and traditions.

Let's consider the characteristic differences between national interior features:

• 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 tendency towards large spaces. Very well suited for decorating a studio apartment with an open plan, using enfilades of rooms that are separated only by arches. In addition, this allows cool air to be evenly distributed throughout the room.
• Italian tastes are distinguished by the use of richer, warmer colors. Also distinctive national peculiarity interior design is the desire to combine various natural elements on one piece of furniture or area. 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 furniture made of wood (mostly dark) and forging. The Roman Empire added raw stone and decorative elements of the Roman style to the interior.
• Spain was once very strongly influenced by the Arab world. This also affected the design of Spanish homes in the Mediterranean style. It manifests itself in ornaments, mosaics on the floor, very often there are finely painted ceramic tiles, which are actually Arabic. The Spanish style is distinguished by terracotta shades, white, blue, less often green, red, which are used to complement the range for 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, austere, and the houses themselves have rather low ceilings.
• The French trend is distinguished by capes, lace napkins and other handicrafts. Wicker tables and chairs, as well as a wider color palette, also stand out. The interior has a feeling of French dreaminess and romanticism.
• We will highlight the Arab direction as a separate group. This includes Algerian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Egyptian national directions. Practically not used in its pure form. A distinctive feature is the many pillows on the floor, low sofas, and tables. Many national patterns in mosaics, woven fabrics, and carved furniture sharply highlight these styles and make them easily recognizable. It can also be easily recognized by the presence of paintings and frescoes that are of a religious nature.

Colors

All paints that are used to decorate Mediterranean-style houses are fresh, light, and natural. Wide range of colors: from white to deep green or blue. Yellow, gold, beige, pink colors - they are all used in all tones. It is important to decide on the main color of the interior, then move on to complementary colors that will be present on the decorative elements.

The main color should be as light as possible, but not bright; the walls are painted with it. It is best to choose white for this; it does not cause aggression or irritation when decorating residential premises, and creates a wonderful mood. Beige, light orange, creamy white, terracotta, brick pistachio, warm gray are also suitable, the main thing is that they look natural, look at ease, as if the material was painted this color under the influence of wind or direct sunlight. These colors will create such a cozy atmosphere at home that you won’t want to leave it. Don’t forget that the Mediterranean style is, above all, simplicity and comfort. There is no need to choose too saturated colors, because this introduces an element of luxury into a house or apartment, and such dwellings “put pressure” on the people’s psyche. And the colors of the interiors are aimed at relaxation and rest.

The further possible palette of colors depends on the choice of the main color. Gray, beige or beige, yellow or pink, beige will go well with white. White, beige, pink, blue, and brown go well with gray. Having chosen green as the main color, you can choose several suitable ones for it: white, beige, brown, gray. Playing with shades of green will bring many benefits to your interior. For example, the office can be painted olive green, and the bedroom light green. They will still combine and harmonize. Orange, white, green, and gray are perfect for yellow.

Wall decoration and design

The Mediterranean interior style should be created with your own hands, because the basis is simplicity and economy. Classic finishing material for walls is stucco - a mixture of water, gypsum, lime, and very small particles of marble. The wall turns out to be rough, but very pleasant to the touch and looks very natural. Again, simple, tasteful. Sometimes you can just roughly round the inside or outside corners. This will save time, effort, and 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 tint. 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 north facing rooms or residents northern countries who want to make renovations in this interior style. Pink shades, especially strawberry ice cream pink, will look harmonious in a 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 select the colors of the floor, furniture, and decorative elements.

All efforts may be in vain if you install a cabinet that has plastic doors or too bright sofa. The color scheme must be thought out in advance and strictly adhered to, otherwise instead of pleasant simplicity you may end up with bad taste.

Ceiling and floor decoration

The Mediterranean style ceiling is a constant. In all houses, the floors are made of wood, the beams are placed on the ceiling. But then you can give free rein to your imagination by painting it with warm shades or giving it the appearance of very old wood, which has a bluish color. This wood has a gray appearance, as if it has spent centuries under the salty sea winds and the burning summer sun. It looks very impressive, noble. If you need to give a built house or apartment a Mediterranean look, then you can get by with more cheap materials, such as drywall. Beams will visually add space to a house or room. Do at least stretch ceiling that imitate wooden beams or planks. Sometimes, of course, in the Greek or Italian style, the ceiling is made of stucco in the same way as the walls. But then you also need to finish the floor, it turns out very interesting.

It is advisable to make a Mediterranean-style floor from natural stone, although it is a bit expensive. Marble is very practical, beautiful material, existing in various colors. It can be combined to create beautiful patterns, mosaics, or simply choose a suitable warm shade and make it monochromatic. It will last for many decades, and over the years it will acquire very beautiful noble abrasions. The Greek style uses tiles, but they should be light and 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 from this mixture. Then the room will look as if it was carved out of 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. From budget options, you can choose laminate or high-quality linoleum, which have a wood or stone pattern. But remember that the color in this case should be perfectly chosen and should not be conspicuous.

What should the furniture be made of?

It is not surprising that the simplicity and practicality inherent in the interior in general extends to pieces of furniture. It can be made with your own hands from whole piece tree. Such a table or chest of drawers will fit very well into the atmosphere. The shade of the tree does not matter, but most often they use a grayish tree that has been “tormented” by the sea wave. Here it’s up to the owner to decide what the piece of furniture should be: rough or elegant; the wood will definitely merge with the interior.

Very often, objects such as a bed, table or chairs are made by virtuoso blacksmiths. Forged furniture will last a very long time, withstand heavy loads, and will not give in sun rays. Goes well with wood and natural light fabric.

Rattan furniture is quite popular among residents of the Mediterranean coast. This is material that consists of dried and then peeled calamus stems. Wicker chairs add charm and comfort to your home or veranda. Such furniture is light, practical, and environmentally friendly.

Use of textiles

The Mediterranean interior, despite its simplicity and laconism, is very rich in ornaments and textures. This is where the influence of Turkey, Morocco and other Arab and Asian countries comes into play. This is especially true for textiles. You need to 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 will add color and give a special coziness to the home, and a lot of pillows scattered on the floor and low sofas will immediately make it clear that tea will be brought soon.

Natural fabrics can be used to cover the soft seats of forged chairs, make bedspreads or sofa bedspreads, tablecloths, and towels from them. All this can be decorated with national motifs, thereby making the house unforgettable for everyone who has visited it. Natural fabrics are very practical and easy to wash. The colors are very laconic, simple: white, beige or yellow. By the way, the usual curtains and drapes made of fabric are quite rare in interiors. Italian or Roman curtains are much more common, but they are also made from natural fabrics. True, in modern world preference is increasingly given to blinds made of wood or bamboo.

The role of lighting in creating an interior

Sunlight is one of the main concepts, so you should not skimp on lighting. The classic option is ceiling spotlights, beautiful lamps, chandeliers and spotlights that hang from wooden beams. They will make the house warm and welcoming. When choosing lamps, you need to be guided by the size of the room, color scheme their design so that they do not introduce dissonance into the overall interior. You need to use so many lighting fixtures that there are enough of them to simulate sunlight even at night. Different wall hangings will look no less advantageous, floor lamps, which can focus light on decorative items. Placing LED strips around the entire perimeter of the ceiling is another good decision. LEDs have good lighting power at minimum costs energy.

Accessories and decor: be inspired by nature

It is decorations and decorative elements that can create a unique atmosphere from simple house. In the Mediterranean style, accessories should reflect what this style is famous for - nature. Abundant vegetation can be imitated by many pots with different indoor plants and flowers. The sea is recreated from bright panels that are made of stones, shells, other fossils, inhabitants depths of the sea. Very characteristic of this style are wide open shelves, made of wrought iron and wood, on which the bulk of the decorative elements stand. Often their role is played by ceramic plates painted with national, marine, and plant patterns.

Of course, the rooms can be decorated with objects of art: paintings, figurines, jugs. Here you can give free rein, experiment a little, mixing Greek-Italian traditions with North African or Turkish motifs. Often a good symbiosis comes out, which looks great, refreshes the southern style, complementing the design in an original way. 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 will emphasize the variety of style. Windows, for example, can be decorated with shutters, which can be painted, painted or simply carved. It would be a good idea to use ropes in decoration, because the style is directly related to the sea. You can use them to tie a staircase railing or frame something.

It is very important that you need to be careful with decoration, know when to stop, because this way you can lose the simplicity for which the style is famous.

Simplicity and ease - this is how you can characterize Mediterranean-style houses. The most important advantage is the low cost of processing rooms for styling. The second advantage is the attraction to nature, which gives such simplicity, freshness, and comfort. The decision to decorate a house or apartment in this style will be excellent, because it exudes warmth, comfort and ease.

The Mediterranean style originated in the countries north of the Mediterranean Sea - Greece, Spain, Italy, Turkey - and brought together the abundance of colors and tastes of the southern coast of Europe. And even the difference in the mentality of the regions is not a hindrance to him at all.

Features of the Mediterranean style

A big feature of the style is the harmonious borrowing of nature in the house: a lot of wood, organic fabrics, fresh and bright natural colors. Terracotta tiles, stucco figurines, wooden beams are just a few of the things that make the atmosphere so cozy. Let's take a closer look at the details?

Let's start with the structure of the house: ceilings, floors and walls

White textured walls with huge windows are a must Mediterranean home. They are rarely even - most often they are plastered and covered with several layers of paint. They can be decorated with mosaics or natural materials - stone or wood.

A separate type of art is ceilings. carved, irregular shape, domed, with wooden beams. The more unusual the better:

Large patterned windows are sometimes left on the ceilings.

If your budget allows, use natural floors. The rooms are often parquet, and the common areas are stone, in a classic terracotta color. In some places there are bright hand-painted tiles. Arabesque and Moroccan patterns are popular.

Color spectrum

Be inspired by nature, imitate its natural shades. Do you want bright ones: blue sky in spring, dark green ocean, tender May greens, red poppies, warm yellow forget-me-nots. Do you want gentle, muted ones: terracotta clay, lavender fields, rusty earthy shades. Take a white background as a basis, dilute it with painted wood - it’s more harmonious.

Furniture

There are different types of furniture in the Mediterranean style, but most often it is heavy, durable, made of dark wood, and huge in a rustic way. In some places it is shabby, in others it is roughly put together, in others it is extremely elegant: many objects are decorated with carvings and inlaid mosaics. There are covers and many colored pillows on the sofas and armchairs. Wicker furniture is sometimes found.

Textile

The most frequent guests are bright colored pillows on dark furniture and carpets on a cold floor. Patterns greatly depend on the region - in Greece they prefer plain fabrics without a pattern, in Spain you can find Moroccan motifs.

Curtains are optional, but if you want, light and modest fabrics give the interior an airiness, enjoying every ray of sunshine.

Materials

Mediterranean style is a story about textures. Plaster and several layers of paint on the walls, warm and soft textiles, bronze and iron lamps, durable wooden furniture and beams on the ceiling. But the whole soul is in the tiles. It can be found in furniture, decorative inserts on the floor, and even in frames on the walls.

Varieties of Mediterranean style

No matter how much there is in common between the regions, the style still varies greatly depending on the country. How? Let's talk.

Greek style

The calmest image of all. White walls and white wood floors with accents of wrought iron and every shade of blue. Greek motifs in textures and fabrics, majestic columns and arches, modern furniture.

Italian style

Italian Mediterranean design is close to Tuscan - carefree, slightly chaotic, especially highlighting the colors and textures found in the surrounding landscape. Cast iron objects, natural colors - orange, red, yellow, lots of earth and beige, along with wooden floors and furniture, textured walls.

Spanish version

Moroccan furniture, vibrant textures and mosaic murals with blues, yellows and deep reds. Mosaics are found in mirror frames, tabletops, accessories - lamps, ceramics, vases. Terracotta floors, accent patterns.

Style features in different rooms

Kitchen

A kitchen is needed to welcome guests - a comfortable spacious room with a huge table for 10-12 people for all friends and neighbors. The decoration is simple, as everywhere else, nothing pretentious, bright, or conspicuous. The exception is the kitchen apron; it can be as bright as you like. Accessories include useful utensils, copper utensils, braids of garlic, peppers and onions, a lot of dried and fresh flowers.

Living room

In this style, living rooms are often connected to the kitchen, dining room and… garden. IN original houses in southern Europe, large windows and doors occupy all the walls. The rooms have comfortable upholstered furniture and often have a fireplace. The objects are stocky, stable, with plenty of space between them. Practical accessories - frames, lamps, vases, books and of course flowers.

Bedroom

The bedroom should have a lot of light - large windows, light curtains. A massive comfortable bed (sometimes with a canopy), white walls, always natural materials. Even in a small bedroom there are bedside tables And wardrobes for clothes.

Bathroom

IN toilet rooms There are windows that span an entire wall and everything around is made of natural materials. Fresh flowers are very popular, as are spacious bathrooms. There is stone or plaster on the walls, stone tiles on the floor. The walls and ceiling can be decorated with tiles with ancient Roman or Greek patterns.

Well, that's all, do you remember what the Mediterranean style is?

Let's repeat:

Natural colors;

Natural materials;

Creative ceilings;

No rectangular doors or windows;

Light curtains and soft rugs;

Tile, tile, tile;

Plaster on the wall.

And if you want more details, write to us at or take the light test – our test of preferences in the interior.