A Mediterranean house is a type of home that is inspired by the Mediterranean Sea and its culture. Mediterranean style homes can often be identified by their stucco exterior walls, arched patios and terraces, strong geometric shapes, heavy use of tiles, and often a red-tiled roof.
The architecture emphasizes outdoor living by featuring inviting patios surrounded by lush gardens, ledges, and terraces. These architectural elements are seen throughout the house, from the curved arched windows and doorways, to the open floor plans that connect indoor and outdoor spaces.
Inside, the house may feature high beamed ceilings, tall windows, and wide open floor plans that further emphasize the connection between indoors and out. Architectural details, such as the beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and tile mosaics, can be seen in many Mediterranean homes.
The interior may be decorated with textiles, paintings, and prints that are characteristic of Mediterranean countries. A Mediterranean style house typically has a warm, inviting feel that is well-suited to warmer climates.
What is Mediterranean style look like?
The Mediterranean style of decorating can be defined as an eclectic mix of several Mediterranean cultures, including Spanish, Italian, and French styles. The style often incorporates rich, warm colors, soft textures, and handmade furniture.
It draws from the architectural and design elements of Mediterranean style homes, characterized by stucco and tile roofs, terracotta floors, and thick walls. Rooms often have rustic furniture, ornamental iron gates, bright rugs, and hand painted tiles.
Common Mediterranean style elements include terracotta pottery, art, and clean white walls. Interiors are often accented by fresh plants and colorful artwork, with a focus on creating a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
This Mediterranean look is perfect for creating a happy, relaxed space.
What are the characteristics of Mediterranean interiors?
Mediterranean interiors typically feature an open floor plan that is colorful, full of texture, and inviting. Typically walls are finished with a warm stucco or plaster, while hardwood floors, terra cotta tiles, or stone replace the traditional carpet.
Windows are often covered with shutters or wrought iron bars, and archways–often lined with tile–are used throughout. Furnishings are often inspired by the classic Spanish style featuring beautiful iron accents, hand carved wood pieces, and bold fabrics with bright colors.
A typical Mediterranean interior also includes pops of vibrant color, as well as bright, sunny accents like blues and yellows. Gorgeous handmade artwork and impressive wall displays are also common, giving the interior a unique character.
What is the difference between Mediterranean and Spanish style homes?
The main difference between Mediterranean and Spanish style homes is the overall look and feel of the architecture. Mediterranean style homes are often more ornate, elaborate, and eye-catching than traditional Spanish styles, which are more simple and subdued.
Mediterranean style homes often feature terracotta roofs, arched entrances, stucco exteriors, balconies, and stone or tile accents, while Spanish style homes are characterized more by flat roofs, simple façades, and small, narrow windows.
Mediterranean homes also tend to incorporate more outdoor living space, with outdoor courtyards and verandas, while Spanish homes often feature heavy use of wooden or wrought iron interior and exterior details, such as balconies or railings.
Ultimately, the style of a home often depends on the region or locale it exists in, and both styles are quite adaptable to a range of climates, locations, and personal tastes.
How do I make my house look like the Mediterranean?
To make your house look like the Mediterranean, you’ll want to start by researching the architecture and interior design styles of the area. You can do this by looking up images of Mediterranean-style homes, researching the typical architectural materials used, and studying the historical roots of the style.
After you have a better understanding of how these houses are styled, you will be able to make more informed decisions when decorating your own home.
When it comes to color, you’ll want to focus on warm, earthy tones for the walls, floors, furniture, and other decor. For example, creamy whites, terracotta reds, and sage greens are all great options.
Additionally, brick and stone are common architectural choices for the exterior, as well as wood and tile for the interior. Adding asymmetrical arches and decorative accents such as hand-painted tiles, terra cotta pots, and woven baskets can also help to capture the Mediterranean look.
Finally, don’t forget to consider what plants and trees are typically seen in the area. For example, oleander and bougainvillea are both flowering plants that are often associated with the Mediterranean.
Similarly, olive, lemon, and palm trees will help to bring the landscape to life and make your house look truly unique.
What color are Spanish style homes?
Spanish style homes typically feature a distinct color scheme, with stuccoed exterior walls in earthy tones or bright, vibrant colors. Popular exterior colors include terracotta, yellow ochre, olive green, pink, and sky blue.
The trim of windows, doorways, and other architectural details, often painted in white, cream, or other bright shades, provides a striking contrast. Roof tiles are often painted in shades of black or brown to match the decorative tile designs.
What is the difference between Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean?
Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean architectures are both styles that are commonly seen in warm climates and incorporate many cultural influences including Moorish, Medieval Spanish, Native American, and Italianate details.
The main difference between Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean styles is the level of ornamentation used. Spanish Colonial architecture has a much more ornate and decorative style, with baroque details and dramatic architectural elements while Mediterranean architecture is more restrained and streamlined with simple lines and low-profile surfaces.
Spanish Colonial architecture often uses stucco walls which can be painted, and features window trim, shutters and doors that are elaborate, with wrought iron detailing. Mediterranean architecture often features thick adobe walls and flat-roofed structures and is much more plain and simple.
In addition, Spanish Colonial is often bright and airy and uses white or pastel colors to paint the walls, while Mediterranean architecture is mostly dark and utilizes dark terra cotta and bold colors to add drama to the walls.
Furthermore, the interiors of both styles are very different as well. Spanish Colonial usually incorporates open floor plans, courtyards, and patios, with tall windows and doors to allow for the maximum amount of light and air.
Mediterranean homes, on the other hand, typically feature a more compartmentalized or maze-like layout to maximize energy efficiency as well as privacy.
Is Spanish Mediterranean?
Yes, Spanish is considered a Mediterranean language. It belongs to the Romance language family and its closest relatives are Italian, French, Portuguese, and Catalan. The Romance language family evolved from the Latin language that was spoken in the Roman Empire.
This empire extensively colonized many Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy, and France. This is why Spanish is classified as a Mediterranean language. Additionally, Spanish is spoken in many other Mediterranean countries, such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
It is important to note that Spanish is heavily influenced by Arabic due to its history with Arabic-speaking cultures in regions of modern-day Spain such as Andalusia. Furthermore, many Spanish words are derived from Arabic words and hold a strong influence in Spanish vocabulary.
These words include olé, azúcar, and almíbar. All in all, Spanish is an example of a Mediterranean language that is spoken in many Mediterranean countries.
What style houses are used in the Mediterranean due to their climate?
Due to the warm climate found in the Mediterranean regions, many traditional house styles are designed to take advantage of this and capitalize on natural resources. Common styles of Mediterranean house designs include Spanish, Italianate, Tuscan, Provencal, and Moorish.
These homes often feature one-story house plans, which take advantage of the year-round warm temperatures and can be easily cooled through cross-ventilation. Other features of Mediterranean homes include stucco exteriors, red tile roofs, archways, courtyards, and large outdoor living spaces.
Roof lines may include domes, turrets, and arches, which provide natural shade and direct rainfall away from the house. Balconies are also common, providing outdoor living space even in hot climates.
Windows are often large and often rounded or arched and may offer intricate ironwork. Inside, many Mediterranean-style homes feature high ceilings, bold colors, and tiled floors. The decor often includes antiques, wrought iron, chandeliers, and colorful murals.
These design features reflect the culture and charisma of the Mediterranean regions.