Mediterranean decor is a brilliant way to bring a relaxed, holiday feel into your home. Influenced by a melting pot of cultures from North African and Spanish to Tuscan and Greek, the Mediterranean style encompasses a huge array of different looks, from cool and coastal to rich and textured.  

Relating to a huge geographic area, Mediterranean decor can conjure all sorts of different looks, from a Tuscan farmhouse to a Greek coastal villa and offers a wealth of inspiring decorating ideas. 

Alongside the classic whitewashed look, characteristic colors range from rich, earthy tones through to deep ocean blues. 

There's also a huge focus on texture with rustic surfaces celebrated wherever possible, from warm terracotta floors to raw plaster walls. Indeed, if you're lucky enough to have beautiful original features like exposed stone walls and weathered ceiling beams, then be sure to showcase these as part of the interior design as this is guaranteed to bring the sought after rustic character that Mediterranean decor is prized for.

Last but not least, Mediterranean decor blurs the boundaries between outside and in, so be sure to factor in plenty of houseplants such as palms, cacti and scented geraniums.

To get you inspired we've gathered an array of characterful home ideas perfect for bringing a Mediterranean feel to every room, from color palettes for living rooms to beautiful kitchen tile ideas.  

 By Pippa Blenkinsop 

Make an impression in an entryway by tiling with Portuguese-style blue and white tiles. As connecting spaces hallways can easily be forgotten about but they're a great place to be bold with decor. Inspired by the elaborately azulejos painted tin-glazed tiles seen on buildings throughout Portugal, these decorative tiles are a brilliant way to bring life, pattern and color to your entryway.

Decorating with yellow is a great way to bring a warmth and joy to interiors all year round. Guaranteed to raise a smile, kitchen cabinets in sunny saffron will evoke happy holiday memories and create an ideal backdrop for rustic and patterned tiles synonymous with Mediterranean style. For tiles that bring beautiful pattern and subtle texture try Otto's Moroccan-style zellige tiles on the wall and patterned encaustic designs on the floor. 

An instant mood-enhancer, vibrant paint ideas are a quick and easy way to transform the look and feel of a room. Conjuring the facades and roofs of Spanish and Italian buildings, rich terracotta, umber and orange shades are guaranteed to bring summer warmth into the home even on the gloomiest of days. They make particularly good living room color, bringing a cozy and cocooning feel. 

Handcrafted in Morocco, zellige tiles boast beautiful variations in tone, color and depth of glazing, creating a stunning textural backdrop when laid together. Designed to closely mimic traditional zellige tiles, these ceramic tiles in coral from Mandarin Stone will bring beautiful warmth and texture to your kitchen tile and bathrooms.

Decorating with blue and white is an easy way to channel Mediterranean decor. A timeless combination synonymous with coastal style, blue and white is a brilliant color scheme for restful traditional living rooms and remains ever popular with interior designers for its versatility.

'Rich navy with white is such a smart combination, especially when the paintwork is crisp white too. It’s a classic and not confined to a beach house,' says Saffron Hare, creative director of James Hare. To ensure a living room with a monochrome scheme has plenty of depth and interest try introducing a mix of fabrics in patterns, different textures and scales.

If you're looking to embrace Mediterranean decor then consider drawing inspiration from its flora and fauna. Bougainvillea is a common sight scrambling up ancient walls and over doorways in the Mediterranean and is the focus of a beautiful wallpaper by Cole & Son. A flamboyant floral repeat which is brought to life with a delicate ombré effect, the design will spark joy in any room. Alternatively, you could try it in a cupboard for a more subtle touch of pattern.

If you're looking to create a Mediterranean feel then you can't go wrong with a white backdrop. As white reflects sunlight, many interiors in the Mediterranean are whitewashed to help create cool and comfortable environments, as are the exteriors of buildings, for example in Greece. 

While they are bright and airy, white living rooms can lack atmosphere – to bring added texture and warmth decorate with furniture and accessories made from natural materials such as wood, linen, jute and rattan and consider updating your space with a few rustic accessories and cane furniture for a holiday feel, suggests Sue Jones, co-founder and creative director at Oka.

‘I love to bring natural materials and brighter tones inside for the warmer season. Try swapping more wintery vases for ceramics in cool shades, and natural woven planters and vases. There are no rules when it comes to bringing outdoor furniture in; a synthetic rattan chair' she says can make 'the perfect summer alternative to a traditional armchair.’

Brightly colored abstract tiles are a brilliant way to channel the Mediterranean look, however tiling a surface is a big decision and not easy to change. 

For a simpler solution, why not try a wallpaper idea that gives the illusion of tiles? While it has a distinct Mediterranean flavor, this eye-catching wallpaper is actually based on original artwork by Cornish artist Sandra Blow.

If there's any room that deserves to have that holiday feel it's arguably the bathroom. The bathroom is a private space where we relax and unwind, so introducing elements that conjure distant lands is guaranteed to help us drift away.  

Shower rooms and bathrooms can run the risk of feeling cold and clinical, but opting for vibrant Moroccan style bathroom tile is a brilliant way to bring color, pattern and personality.

'Maximalism is very much on-trend with more and more people experimenting with bold patterns and bright colors. Using colored or patterned tiles is a great way to make a feature of a walk-in shower area,' says James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. 

Cool and calming, whites and neutral tones are a go-to choice for a Mediterranean-style bedroom. To create a cosy environment be sure to introduce plenty of textural pieces such as natural jute rugs, rattan lampshades, woven baskets and a cane side table. For an extra hint of Mediterranean style consider painting the inside of an alcove or cabinet in a rich indigo blue.

If you're looking to give your home a summer refresh then consider looking to the Mediterranean for inspiration says Sue Jones, creative director and co-founder of Oka. 

‘It’s easier to add to your home than you might think, even if you’re surrounded by the English countryside like this cottage is. Think large faux olive trees, plenty of natural wood finishes and pops of summery colors; I like citrus yellows and sea blues to really bring that Mediterranean feel to life.’