Spanish Style Home Decorating Ideas

Inspiring Influences – Defining Elements Of The Spanish Style In Interior Design

Spanish-style interior designs are always very flavorful and vibrant and it's no wonder we want to replicate the look in our homes. But in order to do that you need to know the basics. It's important to be familiar with the style and its defining characteristics so you don't end up ruining the whole project because of a few small mistakes.

Exterior design.

A house that features a Spanish design has to look charming and inviting as soon as you lay eyes on it. You have the arched doorways and windows which are very popular in Mediterranean architecture as well as the simple buy tropical allure and the use of white for the exterior walls.

Front yard landscaping.

Front yards often feature flower beds and lots of fresh colors and there's usually a pathway that leads to the entrance and lets you admire the whole landscape on your way. Natural materials and organic forms are used to create a natural look.

Relaxing porches.

The porch is the case of Spanish-style homes is usually a covered space. There are large archways that connect the space to the exterior and this is a sort of transitional area. The porch is an outdoor living area and the formal is very similar to the social spaces inside the house.

Indoor floor designs.

The floors for the indoor spaces are covered with materials such as stone or wood and they have a textured design. They're meant to add warmth to the spaces as well as to give them lots of character.

Bathroom tile designs.

The tiles in Spanish-style houses usually cover just the bottom half of the walls. There's a clear line that separates the surfaces. As for the colors, earthy tones and shades of blue are often prefered and sometimes combined.

Kitchen accents.

Terra-cotta tiles and hand-painted Mexican tiles are used here to give the floor its unique look. The floor thus becomes a visual point of interest for the kitchen along with the backsplash and the exposed beams, all of which are characteristic for this style.

Cozy fireplaces.

Fireplaces are both functional and decorative elements and this style often features them with decorative mantels and frames. Ornate patterns and lines are used to make the fireplace stand out and sometimes contrast with the rest of the room.

Decorative stairs.

An interesting detail to take into consideration is the design of the stairs. Decorative tiles are used here to make the staircase a focal point of the entrance hall. They feature different patterns and colors, each with a distinctive local character.

Outdoor mosaics.

The outdoor spaces also feature decorative mosaics and tiled floors. These ornate patterns are a trademark of the style and define most of the Mediterranean residences.