20 Mediterranean Décor Ideas To Inspire Your Home's Next Exterior Makeover

Most architectural designs arise from where they first originated. Mediterranean architecture, for example, is a product of houses built in the Mediterranean region. This includes any land connected to the Mediterranean Sea, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France. The architecture style isn't exclusive to Europe, though — the themes and designs have become popular all across the world, especially in the southern regions of the United States like Florida and California, and other places with heavy Spanish influence.

Each region has its own distinctions, but generally, design elements are reflective of available resources. Stucco walls, iron windows, and terracotta accents are common throughout the aesthetic. Similar architectural features include tubular roof tiles for water runoff, high arches to create sturdier walls, and lighter colored stucco exteriors and interiors to help regulate high humidity and hot temperatures. Even if you don't intend to fully transform your home into a Mediterranean villa, there are lots of elements to take inspiration from for your own exterior design.

The Mediterranean region is known for its bright, luscious foliage, including rich greenery and colorful flowers. Make use of color in your landscaping for a touch of Spanish architectural flair, especially when paired with bright accent colors on the shutters, doors, fencing, etc.

Tuscany has some of the most classic Mediterranean silhouettes, with flat roofs, grand staircases, balconies, and large columns. They don't shy away from color either, so add in some bright pops of yellow or green to get in the Tuscan spirit.

Spanish revival architecture is very popular in southern regions of the United States, especially southern California and south Florida. Terracotta roof tiles and large, wrought iron gates are some of the more eye-catching, instantly recognizable — and easily incorporated — elements.

Take inspiration from popular Greek architectural choices by opting for colorful architectural accents, such as door frames, windows, and shutters. Keep it Grecian by choosing a powder blue, or go for bolder, brighter colors.

One of the most classic elements of Greek design is the incorporation of blue in their architecture. This varies from paler, subtler blues to bright, oceanic shades, the latter of which certainly remind you of the beautiful Mediterranean coast. Bright blue pillars, door frames and doors, gates, and pergolas are all great ways to include Grecian Mediterranean influences outdoors.

For a more modern take on Spanish revival, choose a brighter white stucco exterior as opposed to classic beige, and sparingly incorporate terracotta and clay elements. Dramatically rounded and curved features, as opposed to typical square silhouettes, also help modernize the design.

A subtler way to include Tuscan influences in your exterior is through colors — natural, organically Mediterranean colors like terracotta, rust, and shades of darker yellow-gold are all commonly found all over the region, and when paired with terracotta roofing and/or brick accents, make your exterior feel that much more coastal.

While adobe-style houses aren't found in the Mediterranean region specifically, they do have a lot of the region's influence, mainly in terms of materials. Stucco exteriors with wood and terracotta accents are incredibly common, and shared between the two architectural styles. As are flat roofs and boxier silhouettes.

Even the simplest of Spanish-style exteriors have a lot to take inspiration from. Stucco exteriors are often found in bright shades like orange or peach, and complemented by either terracotta or brown-colored tube-style roofing. Arched doorframes and windows are also common.

Spain is certainly not the only region in the Mediterranean to sport brightly colored exteriors. Italy, Portugal, and Turkey are just a few that often have bold facades in colors like yellow. Lean into the bright colors by accenting them with equally rich shades, including red and bronze. 

Spanish colonial is another Mediterranean style popular in southern coasts in the United States. The style combines traditional colonial home silhouettes with Spanish finishes, like stucco walls, wrought iron balconies and gates, and terracotta shingles.

The front of the house is hardly the only important part of a Mediterranean exterior. In many parts of the region, homes share a common courtyard. Replicate that in your own exterior with a large backyard with multiple verandas and gathering areas, and one central, eye-catching feature, like a pool or firepit.

When thinking of Italian Mediterranean architecture, many immediately jump to Tuscan villas or ancient Roman structures. That's certainly not the limit, though. Italian countryside cottages are often made of stone and brick with wood features, and are much quainter in design. Add lots of trailing, vining plants and flowers to top it off.

Santorini also has lots of quaint cottages that are a bit brighter and more coastal than other Mediterranean villages. The base colors are often bright white with colorful blue and light stone, highlighted by gorgeous native foliage and flowers.

Some classic Mediterranean elements to include in your exterior are, of course, light exterior walls, terracotta tiles, shutters, and balconies. However, some more ancient elements to incorporate include not just flat roofs, but also rounded, dome-shaped features, like those found in older churches and government buildings.

Provence is also on the Mediterranean coast, though its architecture has a slightly different look. Homes are often made of stone and brick with thatched roofs instead of stucco and terracotta. Foliage is often softer, too — fields of grass and lavender that blow in the sea breeze, and all elements you can incorporate in your exterior.

Modernize some luxurious Spanish architectural elements with minor modifications, such as dark brown roof tiles and trim as opposed to terracotta, narrower arches and more cream-toned exteriors as opposed to beige. Keep it classically Mediterranean with mosaic tiles in rich blue and teal shades.

Incorporate some more general Mediterranean elements in a cottage home with a flat roof, gray roof tiles, and brighter white exterior walls, but also weave in classic terracotta and brick flooring and wooden doors. Add some potted lemon or olive trees to enhance the regional elements. 

For a Spanish-style Mediterranean cottage feel, look for rich, warm tones like orange, rust, red, and brown. Older brick and stone-front homes with tiled terracotta roofs instead of tubes, and square shapes as opposed to round, can also distinguish it as a more countryside design. 

Some more classic, ancient Grecian design elements are two story white homes with large, dramatic pillars and balconies. This is commonly found in classic United States home designs, like Georgian architecture. Add some pops of light blue for the full effect, or go for darker shades for a classic Georgian feel.