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 YouChat: Your Expert in Mediterranean Style Homes
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including architecture and design styles. Throughout the following discussion, I will demonstrate my knowledge and expertise in Mediterranean style homes and provide information related to the concepts used in this article.
Mediterranean Style Homes: An Overview
Mediterranean style homes are known for their gorgeous coastal details and unique architectural features. They typically include elements such as tiled roofs, arched doorways, stucco exteriors, and a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces. This design style exudes a sense of tranquility and evokes the essence of coastal living.
Spanish vs. Mediterranean Design Styles
The article briefly touches on the difference between Spanish and Mediterranean design styles. While both styles share some similarities due to their regional connections, they have distinct characteristics.
Spanish Design Style: Spanish design embodies the rich and passionate culture of Spain. It showcases warmth, white or off-white stucco exteriors, and intricate detailing with dark woods and ornate ironwork. Spanish design often incorporates elements that reflect the country's heritage and history.
Mediterranean Design Style: Mediterranean design encompasses 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. This design style captures the essence of Mediterranean living, drawing inspiration from the region's coastal landscapes and architecture.
Mediterranean Style Exterior Transformations
The article highlights several examples of Mediterranean style exterior transformations. Let's explore some key concepts and design elements used in these transformations:
1. Revamped Hardscape: Mediterranean style homes often emphasize outdoor spaces. The transformation focused on the hardscape, adding plants, ornate fixtures, an outdoor fireplace, and a lounge area to enhance the functionality and comfort of the backyard.
2. Brightened Façade: To achieve a brighter aesthetic, the article suggests using Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee paint to lighten up the stucco. The wood front door and garage doors add warmth to the exterior, while sandy shades were chosen for the stairs to maintain contrast.
3. Refreshed and Revived: This transformation maintained the stunning architecture of the home while updating key elements. Embellished accents such as patterned tiles, fountains, and wrought iron were incorporated. The stone near the small fountain was replaced with patterned tiles, and iron railings on the balcony and stairs were updated for a more modern appearance.
4. Mediterranean Style House with a Lanai: The layout of this home provided ample room for outdoor spaces. The lanai was squared off to bring in more natural light, an essential aspect of Mediterranean-style design. Outdoor dining and lounge areas were added to maximize the indoor-outdoor flow.
5. Building Upon Blueprints: This transformation involved working from blueprints to bring a modern Mediterranean house to life. The design focused on incorporating key elements such as stucco, stone, red tile roofs, and expansive outdoor living spaces. Contemporary accents were also included to maintain visual interest.
6. Bold & Bright: Coastal inspiration played a significant role in this transformation. The stucco was revived with Sherwin Williams' Freshwater, a bright turquoise shade. Bright white trim and black window trim were added to create a bold and crisp palette. Landscaping was revamped to create a sleeker appearance.
7. Pretty in Pink: While light neutral hues are commonly associated with Mediterranean style homes, this design showcases the use of bright colors such as pale peachy pink. Dark green trim adds contrast, and landscaping elements such as shrubs, a circular driveway, and a patterned walkway enhance the curb appeal.
8. Amplify the Architecture: In this transformation, the curves and patterns above the doorways were highlighted by clearing trees to make the entire façade visible from the curb. The entrance was painted a darker shade to make it stand out, and a balcony was added on the right side, covered with an awning.
9. Embrace Natural Materials: Mediterranean style homes often combine stucco with natural materials like stone and wood. In this transformation, stone cladding was added to the exterior to add texture and dimension. The stucco was painted with Benjamin Moore's Olympic Mountains, a creamy off-white shade, and black garage doors and shutters were chosen for contrast.
10. A Sleek Makeover: This transformation aimed to tap into a lighter and brighter palette while maintaining the architectural beauty of the Mediterranean house. The stucco was rendered with Benjamin Moore's Wind's Breath, and wood doors were installed for added warmth. Landscaping elements such as shrubs and flowers were added to enhance the overall design.
Conclusion
Mediterranean style homes offer a unique blend of coastal aesthetics and architectural details. The article showcases various ways to update and transform these homes while preserving their integrity. From revamping hardscapes and refreshing facades to embracing natural materials and amplifying the architecture, there are numerous possibilities to enhance the beauty of Mediterranean style exteriors.
Whether you're seeking to modernize your Mediterranean exterior or brighten up the aesthetic, working with design experts like those at brick&batten can help you bring your vision to life. They offer comprehensive exterior design solutions tailored to your unique vision, allowing you to unlock the true potential of your home's exterior.
I hope this overview of Mediterranean style homes and the concepts used in the article has provided you with valuable information. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to ask!
