Mediterranean furniture includes both Moroccan furniture and Spanish furniture. This decor style originated in Spain, Greece and Italy as well as the other countries north of the Mediterranean Sea, although today Moroccan and Spanish decor styles are most popular. Mediterranean style furnishings are prized because they are so diverse. They range from the very formal and elaborate to the simplest and most functional pieces. This means that whether your home is modern or rich in historic pieces, you can make these furnishings work for you. When looking at Mediterranean style furnishings, you may notice that many pieces have feet or legs and tend to be shorter. Some are elaborately carved and painted while others are left plain. Metalwork is frequently burnished and metal is thick and sturdy. This style is meant to complement the Mediterranean style, which often features rich colors, heavily textured walls and ceilings and blunt edges in architecture.



Mediterranean style often includes plenty of color, especially terra cotta, blues, lavender and yellow. This is because many Mediterranean countries are warm and sky, sea, and earth are the main color inspirations. Rich eggplant hues, emerald greens, and spicy colors are also common. Since many Mediterranean furniture pieces are painted or covered in cloth or leather, it is possible to buy pieces that are very colorful. Many pieces are patterned, which is perfect for imitating the Mediterranean mosaic tile designs that the region is famous for.

When buying Mediterranean furniture, look for a few large key pieces. Tables and chairs and a beautiful area rug are all you need in a small room to imitate the Mediterranean style and these pieces can be amazingly affordable. A few key pieces set the tone for the room and draw the eye with their beautiful lines and color. You can add accessories and smaller pieces later or you may find that you like a plainer look that blends modern sparseness with a rich Mediterranean history.

Of course, Mediterranean furniture would not be complete without Mediterranean accents and accessories and you will certainly want to consider all your options, even if you are pretty sure that you want your living space to be mostly bare. Mediterranean accessories include elaborate lamps, chandeliers, light fixtures, burnished bronze urns, leather ottomans, chests, trinket boxes, richly-hued pillows, filigree wrought-iron fireplace screens, decorative screens, and much more. Many are decorated richly or are textured to add depth and visual interest. If you are on a tight budget, you may wish to begin with Mediterranean style accessories and accents while saving up for larger Mediterranean furniture pieces.

Keep in mind that many Mediterranean furniture pieces are made from real wood, leather, and metal. In some cases, the techniques for making these pieces are centuries old and are passed down from artisan to artisan. As a result, these pieces not only tend to be of high quality but also tend to be unique. Each hand-painted piece is completely unique and is sure to be showcased in your home for years to come. Since your Mediterranean style furnishings will last for years or generations, do take the time to find the best quality pieces you can afford. Look for pieces that are at least partly hand made and are made with traditional materials. There is an embarrassment of styles, colors, and designs to choose from, so take the time to really look. You can buy hand-made genuine pieces from Mediterranean countries for very affordable prices. In many cases, you may end up spending what your big-box furniture store would charge. Mass-production manufacturers simply cannot reproduce the beauty and quality of these hand-made items.