Unique aspects of Mediterranean kitchen design.

Features of the style

To decorate a kitchen in the Mediterranean style, let’s consider its main features:

• Absence of pretentious furniture.
• Natural materials, texture and even scuffs.
• Functionality, simplicity and comfort.
• National decorative elements.

Color scheme

The main varieties of the Mediterranean direction are the Greek style and the Italian (or Spanish). This is where the color scheme of the kitchen originates.

In the “Greek” style, the main shades are cold – white, light blue, rich or deep blue. The palette is diluted with bright details of red or lemon color, as well as warm wood tones. Thanks to the accents, the interior comes out sunny, light and fresh, bringing the atmosphere of a seaside holiday.

The combination of white and blue reproduces not only the colors of the Greek flag, but also the famous landscapes of the island of Santorini with whitewashed buildings and blue roofs.

The photo shows a spacious kitchen in Greek style in light blue and white tones.

The “Italian” style is rich in a warm color palette: orange, sand, yellow and olive shades. Wood is used more often than in Greek interiors, giving the atmosphere warmth and comfort. Black details, a little gold and copper are also appropriate in the design of the Mediterranean kitchen.

Kitchen furniture and appliances

The dining table is the center of the room, uniting the whole family, guests or even several generations. A large round wooden table will look great in a spacious dining room. Comfortable chairs of simple shapes can be placed around it – often several types of designs are mixed, including antique and wicker, to bring elements from different eras into the setting. Kitchen soft corners are usually not used.

If a small kitchen is decorated in the Mediterranean style, you can replace a large table with a transformer made of solid pine, which will be unfolded from time to time.

The photo shows a set with milling, which gives the facades a slightly aged look.

The work area is usually functional and convenient. Open shelves on which the necessary utensils are located are welcome. The kitchen set can be made up of several separate items that match in style: this will make the atmosphere unique. The facades are decorated with moldings, and the surface is chosen exclusively matte, without a glossy shine.

Modern household appliances in the kitchen interior, alas, do not go well with the Mediterranean style: it is desirable that the microwave, blender and multicooker are mostly hidden from view. The refrigerator and stove are chosen in a retro style – this way they give the kitchen a special flavor.

Finishing and materials

To decorate a kitchen in a Mediterranean theme, it is not necessary to invest a lot of money. It is easy to save on finishing by not leveling the walls and ceiling: relief is the hallmark of the style. Sometimes defects and negligence are deliberately added with the help of textured plaster. To expand a small kitchen, you can stick photo wallpaper with a seascape on the wall.

The work area is often decorated with an apron, which is decorated with aged ceramic tiles. These can be either medium-sized products or mosaics. Tiles with original patterns or hand-painted thematic ornaments are especially appreciated. It is not forbidden to lay tiles with chips and abrasions.

The photo shows a compact Mediterranean kitchen with elements of modern style.

In addition, stone and brickwork are often used in wall decoration. Texture is welcomed in everything, including the design of the ceiling, which is simply plastered and painted white. The ceiling can be decorated with contrasting wooden beams or boards painted in the same color.

The floor of a Mediterranean kitchen is usually laid with tiles of warm shades. Terracotta color is a priority, it visually gives the interior warmth, which cannot be said about tactile sensations. In our climate, it is better to lay the “warm floor” system under porcelain tiles.

Wooden floors are rare, but if the owner prefers this material, a high-quality imitation of an aged board will do. The kitchen floor should be protected from moisture and dirt, and the solution in this situation is high-class laminate.

What curtains are suitable?

Little textiles are used in a southern-themed kitchen. You won’t see multi-tiered curtains here – only light curtains made of natural fabrics: cotton and linen. Laconic roller blinds look good. The patterns on the fabric are usually simple – stripes, checks. It is not easy to fit lace or tulle into a Mediterranean kitchen, but it is possible if you really want to.

The photo shows a magnificent blue kitchen in the Greek Mediterranean style, the windows of which are decorated with picturesque Roman blinds in the same color.

Internal shutters look especially luxurious on the windows – they will definitely become the highlight of the interior.

The photo shows a laconic kitchen with a Greek twist. Textiles on the cabinets and shutters instead of curtains make the interior original and memorable.

Decor and lighting

The Mediterranean style in the kitchen interior involves multi-level lighting, especially in our country, where there is little sunlight. Ornate chandeliers, country-style pendant lights, and lanterns are suitable for general lighting. The walls can be decorated with forged sconces. Lighting fixtures are usually made of metal, wooden elements are appropriate. Lamps made of colored glass bottles look interesting under the ceiling.

Decor plays an important role in the design of a Mediterranean kitchen. The dishes, as a rule, stand on open shelves and sideboards, and the appliances hang on rails, creating a lived-in effect. Such a kitchen seems to say that they love to cook deliciously here and are always waiting for guests.

In the photo, the dining area is illuminated by two pendant lights on chains.

The rough linen tablecloths and lace napkins make the Mediterranean-style kitchen look cozy and homey, and the soft pillows are a pleasant addition during family gatherings.

The table is decorated with fresh flowers and fruits, the windowsills – with green plants in clay pots. Paintings of rural landscapes can hang on the walls. But it is important to maintain a balance in the decor: often the room becomes too saturated with details – for example, painted tiles combined with an abundance of dishes can overload the kitchen.

Kitchen-living room interior

Spacious rooms are more suitable for recreating the Mediterranean style: it is easier to bring air and light here. In addition, there will definitely be enough space for original things. But if the apartment cannot boast of free space, it makes sense to combine the kitchen and the room, creating a cozy living room for a pleasant pastime.

To give the interior of the apartment a rustic flavor, the living room is decorated with a decorative fireplace. The main element is a soft sofa, designed to accommodate all household members.

The photo shows the interior of the living room with wooden and stone elements, as if softening the luxury of the setting.

The photo shows a light kitchen-dining room in a Mediterranean style in a modern apartment.

Soft or wicker chairs are used as seats in the living room. The kitchen can be combined with the dining room or zoned using a sofa, podium or partitions.

The photo shows a living room separated from the cooking area by a kitchen cabinet.