5 Hot Ideas for Mediterranean House Design The casual Old World elegance of Mediterranean house design has kept this beloved style popular in the U.S. for roughly a century. Homeowners are captivated by traditional features like arched windows and doors and tiled courtyards, which are right at home no matter where you live. Create your own Mediterranean oasis with these five design ideas for Mediterranean house plans. Classic Exteriors Mediterranean house design makes good use of tiles in multiple places, from red barrel-tile roofs to courtyards tiled with terracotta. Exterior walls are usually stucco or brick and are often painted with lighter colors that contrast with the rich red of the low-pitched tile roofs. Arched windows and doorways evoke the traditional, yet timeless feel of vintage Mediterranean structures, and the roof tiles sloping over the top offer some shade for people outside while helping keep the interior cool.
Outdoor Spaces Mediterranean house design favors large outdoor spaces for big gatherings, including spacious courtyards that can host a crowd. Add some elegant outdoor-safe furniture for a relaxing outdoor escape that really mirrors old Mediterranean design. Peaceful swimming pools, simmering hot tubs and sprawling outdoor dining areas complement a Mediterranean house beautifully, especially if they use some of the same materials and design strategies as the home itself.
On the upper level, balconies or extended verandas are a popular feature. Open Interiors The interiors of Mediterranean homes typically use open floor plans that are partitioned instead of being entirely walled off. This strategy lets fresh air flow through the home on days when it’s nice enough to open the windows. Casual furnishings made of natural materials like wicker carry the theme of simple elegance throughout the home. Wooden ceiling beams add a warm, rustic feel and make rooms feel larger, which amplifies the spacious feeling of the open floor plan. Passive Ventilation and Conditioning A Mediterranean-style home in the Midwest will probably be more airtight than the traditional passively cooled structures, but the original designs were crafted to let breezes flow through the house. You can adapt this design concept to your own home by placing windows and interior doors carefully to let outdoor air flow as far into the house as it can when the weather is nice. Climates with distinct seasons like the Midwest won’t be able to benefit from the cooling features of a Mediterranean house all year - for example, the curved roof tiles are designed to trap air between the tile and the rest of the roof, which keeps the house cooler.
However, features like the open floor plan will be beneficial year-round by allowing heat to circulate in colder months, for example. Ornamental Detail Special flourishes are an important feature in Mediterranean house design. Think of decorative railings, ornately carved wooden doors, intricate stonework and tiled staircase risers. These details are often made of the same inexpensive materials as the rest of the house, but are transformed into fine art through meticulous craftsmanship.