Mediterranean-Style Bathroom Design
Mediterranean-style bathroom design takes its cues from the relaxed, casual and comfortable style found in many homes in countries adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea. The design embraces influences from Italy, Spain, Greece and Turkey in an eclectic mixture of styles that developed over many centuries.
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Because it spans so many countries, cultures and eras, Mediterranean-style is quite malleable and resists hard-and-fast categorization. However, there are certain elements of this design style that are fairly consistent, having survived through the ages due to their versatility, comfort and attractiveness. As with Tuscan-style bathroom design, one of the key aspects of Mediterranean-style bathrooms is the use of color. Mediterranean design tends to incorporate colors inspired by the natural beauty of the Mediterranean regions, often featuring deep, warm earth tones like browns and rusty reds, as well as bright, sun-washed hues including crisp whites, warm yellows, bright turquoises and brilliant blues. Colors can be deployed as a primary scheme on walls, ceilings and floors, or they can be used as accents throughout the design, on backsplashes, accessories and linens.
Tile is often a key component of Mediterranean-style bathrooms. Traditional terracotta-style tile can be found on counters, cabinets and sink tops, as well as in showers. This style of tile is now available in a wide range of colors and looks, including sleek, glossy versions and weathered, matte finishes.
When it comes to furniture in Mediterranean bathrooms, the casual, comfortable and sun-drenched feel is often extended. Benches, cabinets and chairs in natural wood, often painted in trademark Mediterranean colors like rust, yellow and bright blue, can add a lively, color-saturated element to the design. Furniture may sometimes feature natural weathering or hand-distressing for an even more casual and relaxed design.
Another design element that's often featured in Mediterranean bathrooms is the curved or arched doorway for bathroom entrances or shower stalls. This distinctive architectural style is a classic trademark of Mediterranean design, and it can make any bathroom immediately recognizable as one that features this style.
Finally, textures and patterns are also heavily featured in Mediterranean-style bathrooms. Terracotta or mosaic-style backsplashes may feature abstract patterns or depict scenes of life by the sea. Curtains and linens often feature intricate patterns, and walls are often textured via glazing or applied textures like stucco. Inlaid patterns on furniture, plus distinctive ornamentation like fringes or expertly carved arms and legs on chairs or tables, can continue the ornate style that's at once casual and formal, elegant and relaxed.
