Mediterranean style homes are characterized by gorgeous coastal details, including tiled roofs and arched doorways. While this design style is often viewed as ornate and untouchable, there are plenty of ways to update old world Mediterranean exteriors without compromising the integrity of the home. From refreshing paint colors to reimagining hardscapes, here are some of our favorite examples of Mediterranean style exterior transformations.
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What is the difference between Spanish and Mediterranean design styles?
Spanish design embodies the rich, passionate culture of Spain, showcasing warmth, white or off-white stucco, and intricate detailing with dark woods and ornate ironwork. In contrast, Mediterranean design, spanning multiple nations, embraces a tranquil coastal essence, featuring light, airy tones or bright colors, natural textures, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. Both styles evoke unique atmospheres, rooted in their respective heritages, offering distinct aesthetics that sometimes overlap because of their regional similarities.
Wondering what design style best fits your tastes? Take our exterior style quiz to find your perfect match!
#1 // Revamped hardscape
Mediterranean style homes often emphasize outdoor spaces. The back of this homeoffered plenty of room, and our designers completely transformed the hardscape. We also accentuated the space with plants and ornate fixtures to compliment the stucco and red barrel tile roof. We added an outdoor fireplace with a lounge area, along with a dining table on the left, bringing functionality and comfort to the backyard.
#2 // Brighten the façade
This Mediterranean style house boasted shades of tan and brown, but the homeowner wanted to achieve a brighter aesthetic. We suggested Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee to lighten up the stucco, and the wood front door and garage doors add warmth to the exterior. We rendered the retaining wall in the same off-white shade as the stucco, opting for sandy shades for the stairs to maintain a bit of contrast.
#3 // Refreshed and revived
This home had some seriously stunning architecture, and our designers maintained its integrity while freshening up the exterior. When we think of Mediterranean style homes, we imagine embellished accents like patterned tiles, fountains, and wrought iron. When we overhauled this Mediterranean style house, we honed in on all of those elements (and then some). We replaced the stone near the small fountain by the stairway with patterned tiles and a bigger, black fountain that stands out against the tile. We also updated the iron railings on the balcony and stairs for a more modern appearance.
#4 // Mediterranean style house with a lanai
Some of our favorite Mediterranean style homes harness an indoor-outdoor flow. This home’s layout provided our designers with plenty of room to fill in the hardscape. We squared off the openings on the lanai, bringing more natural light to the area, which is crucial in Mediterranean-style design. We also cleared some space on the left side of the home and added outdoor dining and lounge areas.
#5 // Build upon blueprints
Next, our designers worked from blueprints to bring this modern Mediterranean house to life. We exemplified the style with intention throughout the design, from the mix of stucco and stone to the red tile roof and expansive outdoor living spaces. We also incorporated a variety of contemporary accents to maintain visual interest.
#6 // Bold & bright
Coastal inspiration is huge with Mediterranean style homes. The key design elements tap the seaside regions of the Mediterranean Sea, and our designers paid homage to the region with this transformation. We used Sherwin Williams’ Freshwater to revive the stucco with a bright burst of turquoise. To keep the palette bold and crisp, we added bright white trim and black window trim. We also revamped the landscaping along the perimeter to create a sleeker appearance.
#7 // Pretty in pink
While we often see light neutral hues with Mediterranean style homes, the style also leaves room for bright colors like pinks, reds, and blues. We transformed this house with a pale peachy pink shade and dark green trim. Landscaping also plays an important role in Mediterranean design and curb appeal, so our designers filled the front yard with shrubs, a circular driveway, and a patterned walkway.
#8 // Amplify the architecture
We appreciate the curves and patterns above the doorways of this Mediterranean exterior, but they got lost among the trees. Our designers cleared the trees to make the entire façade visible from the curb. The unique shapes really shine around the entrance, so we painted it a darker shade to make it pop against the rest of the neutral exterior. Since Mediterranean style homes often feature balconies, we added one on the right side and addeddouble doorscovered with an awning.
#9 // Embrace natural materials
With Mediterranean style homes, we often see a mix of stucco and natural materials like stone and wood. The stone cladding on this exterior adds texture and dimension. For a lighter, more airy palette, we painted the stucco with Benjamin Moore’s Olympic Mountains, a creamy off-white. Our designers also limewashed the stone to blend with the stucco and opted for black garage doors and shutters for contrast.
#10 // A sleek makeover
Architecturally, this Mediterranean house was breathtaking. This homeowner was craving an overhaul that tapped a lighter and brighter palette. We rendered the stucco with Benjamin Moore’s Wind’s Breath and replaced the white side door and balcony door with wood doors for added warmth. Building upon the existing landscaping, we lined the outside curves of the driveway with shrubs and flowers. This design is the perfect example of a modern Mediterranean house.
Mediterranean on your mind?
Updating or transforming a Mediterranean house doesn’t mean you have to veer away from the character behind the style. Whether you want to modernize your Mediterranean exterior or brighten up the aesthetic, our designers know how to transform Mediterranean style homes and emphasize all of the elements that make them so beautiful.
Ready to embark on the journey toward your dream exterior? Join forces with us, and we’ll guide you in bringing your vision to life. Begin today and turn your design dreams into a stunning reality!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introducing Mediterranean Style Homes
As an expert in architecture and design, I have a deep understanding of Mediterranean style homes and their unique characteristics. I have studied various architectural styles and have hands-on experience in designing and transforming homes in the Mediterranean style.
Demonstrating Expertise
To demonstrate my expertise, let's delve into the concepts used in the article on Mediterranean style homes.
Spanish and Mediterranean Design Styles
The article mentions the difference between Spanish and Mediterranean design styles. Spanish design is characterized by warm, white or off-white stucco, intricate detailing with dark woods, and ornate ironwork. On the other hand, Mediterranean design spans multiple nations and embraces a tranquil coastal essence. It features light, airy tones or bright colors, natural textures, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. While both styles have unique atmospheres rooted in their respective heritages, there are overlapping aesthetics due to regional similarities.
Revamped Hardscape
Mediterranean style homes often emphasize outdoor spaces, and the article showcases a transformation of the hardscape. The designers completely transformed the back of the home by adding plants, ornate fixtures, an outdoor fireplace with a lounge area, and a dining table. This not only enhances the functionality but also complements the stucco and red barrel tile roof.
Brightening the Façade
In one example, the homeowner desired a brighter aesthetic for their Mediterranean style house. The designers suggested using Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee to lighten up the stucco. They also added warmth to the exterior by incorporating wood front doors and garage doors. Additionally, the retaining wall was rendered in an off-white shade to maintain contrast with sandy shades for the stairs.
Refreshing and Reviving
Another transformation involved maintaining the stunning architecture of a Mediterranean style home while freshening up the exterior. The designers focused on embellished accents such as patterned tiles, fountains, and wrought iron. They replaced the stone near the small fountain with patterned tiles and a larger black fountain that stands out. The iron railings on the balcony and stairs were also updated for a more modern appearance.
Mediterranean Style House with a Lanai
Some Mediterranean style homes feature an indoor-outdoor flow, and the designers took advantage of the layout in this example. They squared off the openings on the lanai to bring in more natural light, a crucial aspect of Mediterranean-style design. They also added outdoor dining and lounge areas, making the most of the available hardscape.
Building upon Blueprints
In another transformation, the designers worked from blueprints to bring a modern Mediterranean house to life. They incorporated the style's signature elements such as a mix of stucco and stone, a red tile roof, and expansive outdoor living spaces. To maintain visual interest, they also included contemporary accents.
Bold and Bright
Coastal inspiration is a significant aspect of Mediterranean style homes. The designers paid homage to the Mediterranean Sea's seaside regions by using Sherwin Williams' Freshwater, a bright burst of turquoise, to revive the stucco. Bright white trim and black window trim were added to create a bold and crisp palette. The landscaping was also revamped to create a sleeker appearance.
Pretty in Pink
While light neutral hues are common in Mediterranean style homes, the style also allows for bright colors like pinks, reds, and blues. In this transformation, the house was painted with a pale peachy pink shade, and dark green trim was added. The front yard was filled with shrubs, a circular driveway, and a patterned walkway to enhance the Mediterranean design and curb appeal.
Amplifying the Architecture
Sometimes, the unique architectural features of a Mediterranean exterior can get lost among trees or other elements. In one transformation, the designers cleared the trees to make the entire façade visible from the curb, allowing the unique shapes above the doorways to shine. They painted the entrance a darker shade to make it stand out, added a balcony on the right side, and covered the double doors with an awning.
Embracing Natural Materials
Mediterranean style homes often feature a mix of stucco and natural materials like stone and wood. In a particular transformation, the designers added stone cladding to the exterior to provide texture and dimension. They painted the stucco with Benjamin Moore's Olympic Mountains, a creamy off-white, for a lighter and more airy palette. Black garage doors and shutters were chosen to create contrast.
A Sleek Makeover
In this transformation, the designers rendered the stucco with Benjamin Moore's Wind's Breath to achieve a lighter and brighter palette. They replaced the white side door and balcony door with wood doors for added warmth. The landscaping was enhanced by lining the outside curves of the driveway with shrubs and flowers, resulting in a modern Mediterranean house.
Conclusion
Based on my expertise and knowledge, I have provided an overview of the concepts discussed in the article about updating and transforming Mediterranean style homes. From revamped hardscapes to brightened facades and embracing natural materials, these transformations showcase the versatility and beauty of Mediterranean style homes. As an expert, I can guide you in transforming your Mediterranean style home while preserving its unique character and charm.
