Spanish Style Decorating Ideas to Create a Villa-Like Home
How to achieve a Spanish style home.
Spanish style homes have a certain charm that conjures up images of warm Mediterranean summers, sprawling villas, and inviting interiors that are designed to host family and friends. Read on for doable ideas on how you can use Spanish style decorating to turn your home into a rustic oasis.
1. Select Mediterranean-Patterned Tiles
Tiles are designed to keep homes cooler in warm weather and they embrace the mediterranean concept of indoor-outdoor living. Spanish-style color palettes feature warm earthy tones and neutral backdrops decorated with bright pops of jewel-toned colors such as orange, red, yellow, and blue – keep this in mind while choosing tiles. Pair boldly patterned floor tiles and wall tiles together to create a bold Spanish style aesthetic, but be sure to complement them with more neutral and earthy colors to prevent them from becoming overwhelming.
Textured walls are a favorite in Spanish style homes, as true Spanish architecture often consists of natural materials and stucco walls. Go for a stone style wallpaper to easily achieve a stucco look and stick to neutral or muted tones to stick with the rustic spanish vibes. Make the job even easier by choosing a peel-and-stick wallpaper.
If your home features any arched doorways or alcoves, you can use them to enhance your Spanish interior design style. Keep them uncluttered and spacious to create a feeling of large open spaces that Spanish styles are known for. Hang a pendant light or chandelier to create interesting room transitions, and be sure to use warm wooden furniture throughout to highlight the spanish aesthetic throughout your home.
Add Mediterranean flair to your kitchen by installing a tile backsplash. Pairing a backsplash with natural wood countertops and shelves, and copper accents like storage jars or a tea kettle can help elevate this aesthetic.
Pair a vintage-feel metal bed frame with white crisp white linens and light walls for a clean mediterranean feel. Be sure to include some wooden accents – a nightstand or a pendant light will work as natural accents. Keep the space bright with patterned wallpaper or a colorful rug for visual interest.
Spanish interior design emphasizes dark and heavy duty furniture that will last for years to come. Invest in a deep wood dining table for the family to gather around, or include warm wood toned dressers, coffee tables, or accent tables around your home. Add pops of muted colors, with upholstered furniture, or decor, to your dark wood designs to keep things looking lively and bright.
Extend your Spanish style design to your outdoor living areas. If you have a courtyard or small outdoor space, you can turn it into a cozy mediterranean retreat with a few key elements. Start with a gorgeous patterned floor tile, or simple terracotta tiles topped with comfortable seating and a firepit for those evening get-togethers under the stars. string lights will add the ambience you're looking for.
Tip!
Learn more about creating a cozy outdoor space with our Fire Pit Buying Guide.
8. Use Pottery-Style Planters
Natural clay pottery is a staple of Spanish style design. Select planters made from these materials in muted beige, browns, and earthy tones and place them around your home – anywhere from the living room to the bathroom. Gather a collection of planters around a wooden outdoor bench to create a relaxing seating nook.
Create a relaxing space with Spanish style decorative elements. Focus on textiles and accessories for decor, boho wall accents and decorative objects fit well with a mediterranean aesthetic. Choose relaxing seating such as a woven hammock, or a comfy lounge chair with throws and colored pillows to ensure maximum comfort.
Turn your pantry into a Spanish store room with wicker and wire baskets. Adding these rustic elements to your kitchen counter will help to create a warm and welcoming space that Spanish style interior design is renowned for. Try painting your wall a solid brown, tan, or beige color and hang wooden shelving where you can display your provincial storage collection.
When it comes to decorative accents, Spanish style decorating has a strong focus on curved lines and ornate details – particularly with wood. Combine a mirror with an intricate design, a wooden cabinet with a herringbone detail, and a textured pouf, and place them against a muted wall to create clean lines while still maintaining visual intrigue.
As much as the Spanish style decorating focuses on the softer and more muted tones, the bright pops of color are just as imperative. Don't be afraid to go bright, but try to keep your decor to a minimum or as uncluttered as possible. A few statement pieces such a sunburst mirror, a beaded chandelier, and a large wooden dining table paired with a vividly upholstered dining set speaks to that stunning Spanish style. Be sure to get a wine decanter so you can share a bottle of your favorite Spanish wine with friends.
To recreate a Spanish look in your bathroom, try for a monochromatic color scheme in those natural hues and textures. A plastered wall and distressed wood floor sets a fantastic Spanish style backdrop. For a show-stopping element, choose a freestanding bath and freestanding faucet to give that Mediterranean feel. You would do well to keep your decorative accents to natural wood items like a ladder, bath caddy, and stool.
Spanish-style homes feature plenty of white details – anything from the walls to the floors, and even extending to the furniture. White not only provides a blank canvas to work from, but also literally helps to keep your space cool in the warm weather. If you want to use large amounts of white, experiment with one or two colors by way of accent furniture or softly patterned tiles to avoid a clinical look. That way you can keep your home looking fresh but not stark.
Use a pergola to create a sheltered outdoor space. These structures combine style and functionality, giving you a comfortable location to gather outdoors and spend time with family and friends. Achieve a Spanish style aesthetic with a light colored patio conversation set, covered in bright outdoor pillows, a low wooden coffee table, an outdoor rug, and some planters filled with local greenery.
No Spanish style home is complete without at least one elaborate rug. These woven textiles help to add a colorful accent to otherwise more muted decor, thus mimicking Spanish style. Choose a large ornamental rug as the centerpiece of your room. TO even things out keep the walls plain, adding only a decorative mirror and some neutral artwork.
Painted fireplace tiles are another one of those quintessential Spanish interior design style features. Blue and white ceramic surrounding tiles with a Mediterranean pattern will help create a show stopping focal point. Try using additional white arabesque tiles to line recessed shelves or the space on either side of the fireplace for the ideal spot to display lovely lanterns and your favorite family heirlooms.
If you prefer not to tile your fireplace, remember that bricks are also a part of Spanish style decorating. Paint bricks white to create that textured feel, or leave them in their natural red and brown hues. Extend that color scheme to your furniture with leather armchairs and rich wood tables. Finally – a bold and heavy draped curtain will add a striking touch.
For a Spanish style home, you can't go wrong with brown. Try deep rich wood tones in cabinets, floors, bookcases, and tables, paired with exposed beams and brick walls for that classic look. Add leather armchairs and decorate with curated Spanish style objects for a living room that belongs on a magazine cover.
To create a Spanish style bedroom, opt for linens in those natural earthy reds and oranges paired with a wood bed frame or headboard. Choose a nightstand with an interesting pattern and top it with a ceramic table lamp to recreate a Spanish style. Be sure to choose a vibrant patterned rug to bring the whole look together.
