Inspired By Travel | The Mediterranean

When we interview interior designers, Style Makers, stylists, and creators, one question we love to ask is ‘Where does your inspiration come from?’. There’s always one answer that we’re sure everyone agrees on, which is travel. Traveling is such an invigorating way to gain inspiration and motivation. It's not always a requirement to travel far from home, but with summer fast approaching the Northern Hemisphere, we thought it was only appropriate to dive (we wish literally) into the Mediterranean to discover all the inspiration you can gain from this breathtaking location and how you can achieve it within your own home.

Image credit: Grèce | Brock Beazley Photography

The Mediterranean Interior Design Trend Explained 

Mediterranean interior design is a harmonious blend of style and comfort, inspired by the rich cultures found along the Mediterranean Sea. You’ll often find a palette of earthy, natural colours, such as warm whites, terracotta, and ocean blues, contrasted with both rough and smooth textures and a huge focus on indoor-outdoor connection. Natural materials and textiles, rustic furniture, and décor, such as pottery, are also essential to this style. 

Although Mediterranean interior design has seen a few changes over the years, which we’ll get into shortly, it remains a style that exudes sophistication and relaxation, reflecting the Mediterranean’s rich heritage and laid-back lifestyle. 

Image credit: Casablanca Creative | Kristian van der Beek 

Image credit: Casablanca Creative | Kristian van der Beek 

Mediterranean Interior Design in 2024

Mediterranean interior design began as a variation of the iconic coastal style to exclusively focus on influences from the coastline of Spain, France, Italy, and Greece. Its ‘holiday at home’ feel became increasingly popular for obvious reasons, and we began to see the rise of Villa-inspired homes. A strong emphasis was placed on those Santorini whites that worked to instantly transport you to Europe. 

As this style began to grow, the interior design industry also saw the evolution of minimalism, which eventually combined with various other styles and trends. When the two styles finally collided, Modern Mediterranean Interior Design was born and gave a whole new illustration to the concept of Mediterranean interiors. We recently released our Interior Design Predictions for 2024, where we forecasted that Refined Modernism and European Luxe would be much-loved trends this year. Fusing these two individual trends combines the best of both worlds to achieve the Mediterranean interior design we’re sure you’re familiar with today. 

It’s organic, sophisticated, functional, rich, and relaxed, all at the same time. 

Image credit: AM Interior Studio | Mitchell Guy Kemp Photographer  

Why We’re Inspired by the Mediterranean

We’re completely inspired by the Mediterranean because of its relaxed atmosphere and grounding features, everything we think a home should be. It’s chic, yet inviting, visually interesting, yet warm. It’s the perfect combination of functionality and aesthetics. And who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re on a dreamy European holiday without ever leaving their home?

Mood board created by Style Sourcebook. For product details, view the mood board.

Mood board created by Style Sourcebook. For product details, view the mood board.

Bringing Mediterranean Interior Design into Your Home

There are a few ways you can bring the inspiration from the Mediterranean into your home: 

Colour Palette 

Use warm, earthy tones, such as terracotta, light greys, beiges, and off-whites as your base. This will create a subtle, organic palette that you can add to depending on the direction you want your interiors to take. If you’re after more of an organic Mediterranean aesthetic, stick with browns, blacks, and olive greens as your accent colours. If you want a Greek island-inspired home, opt for sea-inspired blues and brighter whites. 

Tip: Just because this is a laid-back trend, doesn’t mean you have to shy away from colour! We love understated pinks, and lemon yellows to complete the look.

Image credit: Casablanca Creative | Kristian van der Beek 

Natural Materials

Incorporating natural materials is just as important as the colours you choose. Wood, stone, and linen are a few of our favourites that are perfect for achieving a Mediterranean look. Featuring natural material can also go beyond your furniture and décor to form part of your architecture. Timber beams are a gorgeous feature within any home, particularly Modern Mediterranean ones. 

We’re also currently swooning over kitchens and bathrooms that feature an abundance of natural stone. These opulent spaces are the epitome of European luxury style, and we can’t wait to see more as the year goes on.

Image credit: Grèce | Brock Beazley Photography

Curves

It might be the curved roofs of the homes in Santorini, the arches found within the architecture along the Amalfi Coast or maybe it’s just their soft demeanour, but curves just complete Mediterranean interior design. We recommend bringing curves into your home in any way possible, such as arched doorways, rounded furniture, or organically shaped décor. Curves aim to connect your home with the outdoors while softening the space, aiding in relaxation and tranquility. 

Image credit: Zou Build | Villa Styling 

Image credit: Zou Build | Villa Styling 

Flooring Choices

One of the best things about Mediterranean interior design is that it's a style that is versatile and you can have fun with, this includes your flooring. Most flooring solutions will suit this trend, especially large tiles, and wide timber planks in lighter tones. But a flooring solution we love that we will never tire of is Crazy Pave. Each piece works together in an organic pattern that immediately mimics the ground found along the Mediterranean coastline. 

Image credit: AM Interior Studio | Jacob Jon Photographer 

Image credit: AM Interior Studio | Jacob Jon Photographer 

Décor 

Another essential element within any Mediterranean-inspired home is décor. Even with its minimalist characteristics, you’ll notice that this style is rich in décor, but it’s strategic. For example, pots and ceramics are ideal accessories, but they’re often utilised for functionality. Large pots are filled with olive trees that connect the indoors with the outdoors. Ceramics come in the form of mugs and plates but are styled on open shelves to form part of the décor. Wooden bowls on dining tables host citrus fruit and lamps are used to create a warm, cosy atmosphere. Even the mosaic tiles add to the décor without overwhelming the space.

Image credit: Sage & Cove | Villa Styling  

Image credit: Sage & Cove | Villa Styling  

We hope you’re feeling just as inspired by the Mediterranean as we are. If you’re looking to create your own Mediterranean dream home, why not start by using our mood board tool?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mediterranean-style in interior design?

Mediterranean-style interior design draws inspiration from the coastal regions of countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. It blends comfort and sophistication, with natural materials, a focus on indoor-outdoor connection, and earthy, sun-kissed colours. The style often incorporates rustic furniture, curves, and textured finishes, creating an inviting, relaxing space that reflects the laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle while still maintaining a refined aesthetic.

What are the colours for Mediterranean interior design?

Mediterranean interior design features warm, earthy tones like terracotta, light greys, and off-whites, complemented by sea-inspired blues and brighter whites for a Greek island aesthetic. To create an organic look, you can also use olive greens, browns, and blacks. Pops of colour, such as understated pinks or lemon yellows, can be introduced to add a fresh, vibrant feel to the space without compromising its relaxed charm.

What are the key features in a Mediterranean-style room?

Key features of a Mediterranean-style room include:

Natural materials: Use wood, stone, and linen for an authentic feel.

Curved elements: Arched doorways, rounded furniture, or organically shaped décor soften the space and evoke Mediterranean architecture.

Indoor-outdoor connection: Large windows and natural light enhance the style’s breezy, open feel.

Rustic décor: Pottery, ceramics, and wooden bowls that blend functionality with style.