Mediterranean Style Decor

Furniture

• In Mediterranean homes, the main role of furniture is to provide comfort. The furniture is always handy, but it contains fanciful ornaments, often with metal accents. Use heavy wood pieces in dark colors and brighten up the room with upholstered elements in light colors. A sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table are just enough to fill the room. If you are used to having a TV set, you can hide it in a small cabinet or use a closet incised in the wall. Texture plays an important role, so use rugs and tapestries for floors and furniture. For the kitchen, choose stylish furniture that combine wood, glass and stainless steel, which are synonymous with warmth, friendliness and efficiency. Mediterranean-style bathrooms have generous space and a large tub that encourages relaxation. A full-size wall mirror gives the impression of a much bigger room.

Tiles

• You cannot decorate a house in Mediterranean style without using tiles. Use tile accents on the kitchen and bathroom walls and floors or even better, have them completely tiled. In Mediterranean cultures, tiles are not only building materials, but art. They reflect different themes and employ the typical colors of the Mediterranean, including rust, tan and green. For a special effect, re-create a mosaic in your bathroom.

Fireplaces

• A fireplace is both an ornament and a necessity for most Mediterranean homes. If you want to re-create the authentic feeling of a Mediterranean home, choose a conventional fireplace. For a contemporary twist, use fireplaces embedded in the wall or even suspended ones.

Accessories

• For creating an authentic Mediterranean decor in your home, you need the right accessories. Ideally, they will be imported from Mediterranean countries. You may use pieces of pottery with olive themes, representations of vineyards and wine or religious decorative objects that look like they came from Siena or Assisi. For a sense of authentic Italian style, use wine racks as decorative elements.