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Spanish Style Homes Offer Old World Charm In The Modern Era

By Casey Watkins
Casey Watkins on Homedit
Casey Watkins
Casey is a freelance writer, wife, cat owner, houseplant collector and coffee drinker. She loves browsing Pinterest for new recipes and decorating ideas, and rearranging her many gallery walls. If you have a decorating problem, she'll probably direct you to IKEA to fix it.
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Spanish style homes continue to impact the US residential landscape. Today, their presence is just as strong. With features like red tile roofs, terracotta roof tiles, and white exterior walls, the Spanish architectural style hasn’t diminished from the American landscape. 

According to Contractors.com, “Much like the Andalusian architecture that inspired it, Spanish architecture is designed for comfy, simple, yet stylish living in hotter climates, and is replete with various cultural influences.”

With the right mix of earthy tones and rustic elements, you can easily create a Spanish paradise in your own home, even if you live in a cold climate. 

Spanish Style Homes For 2022

Selected by our team of in-house home architecture experts, the following examples represent the latest in Spanish house design.

California Mission Design

Spanish roof tiles and arched windows
Roof tiles and arched windows add charm.

California Mission architecture features white exteriors with dark-tiled roofs. The windows feature different sizes, from small to large. A covered front porch provides added outdoor space. 

Door Accent

Spanish front door painted
A quirky front door is a fun way to make the entrance stand out

With Spanish style homes, you can turn your front door into a color accent. In this example, hot pink makes a stylish statement. 

Modern Spanish Style Home

Spanish front house through materials
Sometimes a design stands out through the palette of materials which in this case involved stone

In this example, modern design is combined with Spanish style architecture. Spanish style houses offer greater flexibility to include elements from other styles. 

 Spanish Style Entryway

Spanish tiles for stairs
The little things have a big impact on the overall decor, like the frame around this door or the under-stair tiles.

Outdoor Spanish Layout

Spanish front porch
Most Spanish front porches are simple and bohemian, with lots of flowering plants and metal furniture.

 

Spanish decorative motifs for stairs
There are many decorative motifs that are reminiscent of Spanish design and these stairs showcase some of them.

 

Arched windows and doors for spanish decor
Arched windows and doors are often a defining characteristic of Spanish architecture.

 

Rustic stone tiles for spanish house
So can be rustic stone tiles or brick walkways combined with massive wooden doors.

 

Spanish architecture and design
Spanish architecture and design are also defined by ornamental features.

Spanish Revival Homes

Window shutters for spanish home
The window shutters are an interesting detail here, adding color and style accents.

Spanish style homes have terra cotta roofs. But before you go burnt orange crazy, the rest of the home is a creamy white so you won’t be overwhelmed with color.

Once you have your two base colors, you can add interest in a few ways. Add wrought iron or potted cactus. Spanish style homes sometimes use gravel instead of lawns. 

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Spanish Style Living Room

Spanish living room with high ceilings
As far as the interior design goes, Spanish decors are often full of color and  dynamic.

Monochrome Living Room

Exposed wooden beams in a spanish living room
Exposed wooden beams give living rooms a particular cozy and inviting look, especially when mixed with arched windows.

Living Room Wall Decor

Heidi Merrick for Anthology // Laure Joliet Photography
A traditional fireplace is an element that makes the living room look and feel complete.

Modern Spanish Living Room

The most eye cathing feature of a room is fireplace
The most prominent feature here is the fireplace wall which has this intentionally unfinished look.

Spanish Eclectic Living Room

Wall decor through art
Wall decor is an important part of Spanish living rooms. Framed paintings, pictures and handmade ornaments are displayed here.

Spanish Living Room

Wooden floors are a must have in Spanish homes
Although bare wooden flooring is warm and cozy, that’s rarely the case. The floors are almost always covered with rugs.

Comfortable Decor

Decorative items for spanish homes
Great attention is given to the decorative features such as accent pillows or wall art.

Traditional Living Room

Decorate the interior with plates
Decorative plates are sometimes used as a form of wall art. Here they cover the upper portion of the fireplace wall.

Simple Living Room 

Modern iconic furniture for spanish homes
Even the more modern living rooms are defined by similar interior design characteristics.

Chic Spanish Living Room

Earthy colors are preferated
Earthy colors are preferred. Brown is combined with yellow or blue and beige is used for the backdrop.

In Spanish decor, dark wood pieces take center stage among all furniture. Also, you’ll want to leave your fireplace brick. Yes, I know everyone is painting their fireplaces white, but in a Spanish styled home, the fireplace is going to be as natural as possible. Otherwise, let your patterns shine and you’ll have a Spanish living room hit.

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Spanish Kitchen Layout

Spanish kitchen design
The kitchen and dining area form a single space and the dining table doubles as an island.

Spanish Galley Kitchen

Small patterned rug
A small patterned rug will make a kitchen comfortable and connect it with the house’s decor.

Pendant Island Lighting

Rustic traditional design for kitchen
The rustic-traditional design of Spanish kitchens fits well with industrial accents.

Exposed Beam Kitchen

Traditional range hood
This range hood is popular in traditional kitchens. It has an imposing look and a strong impact on the decor.

Parquet Kitchen Design

Parquet flooring is perfect for a spanish home
Parquet flooring is often preferred instead of tiles. It’s a way of making the kitchen feel more inviting.

Spanish Kitchen Open Floor Plan

Kitchen and dining room design with a spanish feel
Kitchens and dining rooms are adjacent and form a single large room.

Spanish Revival Kitchen

Wood kitchen design for a spanish house
Wood is the number one material in Spanish kitchens with tile as a close second. 

New Mexico Kitchen

Ceiling beams and green yellow kitchen color
There’s plenty of texture in this space. The ceiling is the most eye-catching feature.

Wooden Island

Obrien-Muse
Farmhouse kitchen sinks are appreciated for their size and the fact that they’re deeper than other types.

Built-In Kitchen Table Seating

Popular dining room area in Spanish homes
Although sometimes the dining room can be a separate space, open floor plans are more popular

You know that patterned tile you’ve been coveting? Well, your Spanish kitchen is just the place to indulge yourself and install it. You have a choice of wood or tiled floor and whatever you do, incorporate the exposed beams on the ceiling.

Now just use your best thrifting skills to find a rustic wood table with spindle legs that can act as your kitchen island. Suddenly, your kitchen space will be the place where you’ll want to spend all your time!

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Dining Room

Classic spanish dining area
A classic Spanish dining room can be identified by a few elements such as an ornate chandelier and a wooden table with chairs.

Rustic Kitchen Table

Rustic wooden table for amazing style
A rustic wooden table looks amazing when complemented by a set of chairs with worn finishes.

Open Spanish Kitchen Layout

Spanish kitchen area
Even though a kitchen can include a small dining table, a separate room can also exist for this function.

Study Table Decor

Different chair styles for dining
Casual dining spaces sometimes occupy transitional areas such as hallways.

Small Dining Area

Chandelir is a must have for dining areas
The chandelier is almost always a focal point in the dining room.

Elegant Spanish Dining Room

Arched ceiling window frame
An arched ceiling, window or door frame can easily make a dining room feel cozier.

Spanish Style Open Floor Plan

Dining space a part of a larger floor plan
When the dining space is part of a larger floor plan the ambiance is more casual and less formal.

Adobe Walls Kitchen

There is a beautiful connection between space and kitchen
There’s a very beautiful connection here between the vaulted ceiling and the vintage furniture.

Adobe walls define this Spanish kitchen layout. A wrought iron chandelier is the focal point of this kitchen space. 

Spanish Dining Room

Old wood furniture for dining area
Traditional dining rooms feature wooden furniture with ornate frames and carved out designs

Where do you eat all the food you prepared in your Spanish styled kitchen? You need basically to thing for that classic Spanish look in your dining room. A heavy wood table and a large chandelier, preferably black. Once you have those two things, add the wear and tear in your chairs and your decor. 

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Spanish Style Bedrooms

Bedroom with a cool bedding pattern
This white and blue combo and the pattern are characteristic for Mediterranean designs.

Spanish Bedroom Aesthetic

Organic lines and arches
We find the organic lines of the arches, walls and architecture in general to be well-suited for a space such as the bedroom.

Mission Revival Bedroom

Small bedroom with big corner plants
A small area rug and a large potted plant are the things that make this bedroom extra cozy.

Spanish Baroque Master Bedroom

Exposed wooden beams in bedroom
A detail in this case is the array of exposed wooden beams and the light-colored flooring

Color Bedroom Decor

Color and pattern for Spanish bedroom
Color and pattern can be added to a bedroom in a lot of different ways. For example, a colored headboard or a patterned window treatment.

Spanish Canopy Bedroom

Spanish breezy white bedroom
The canopy created with breezy white curtains attached to the ceiling beams brings intimacy into the room.

Exposed Wooden Beams

Pitched roof can look more interesting
A pitched roof can look more interesting if small wooden beams are placed at the center.

Simple Bedroom Style

Green window curtains
The window curtains are another feature that has a big impact of the bedroom’s overall decor and ambiance.

Curved Walls

Curved walls increase charm
Although it’s simple, the curved walls increase its charm.

Minimalist Spanish Bedroom

Different shades of blue and brown
Different blue and brown shades are common in Spanish bedrooms. The colors are often combined with neutral shades. 

Natural fibers like linen bedding and jute rugs pair well with wooden bedroom furniture. Add a gilded mirror to the wall and throw a bright pillow on the bed. 

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Spanish Style Bathrooms

Spanish bathroom design
A bathroom with a Spanish design is more than just a utilitarian space.

Spanish Bathroom Windows

Arched windows for bathroom
Arched windows will make any bathroom space look elegant.

The glazed arched window is a constant in Spanish home design. A freestanding bathtub with vintage water faucets offers Old World charm.

Spanish Aesthetic Style

Elegant white spanish bathroom

Even smaller and more minimalist bathrooms put emphasis on ornamental features.

Baroque Style Bathroom

Decorating with framed paintings
Decorating the bathroom with framed paintings or images is a popular idea in Spanish interior design.

Spanish Farmhouse Bathroom

Freestanding tubs and patterned floor tiles
Classical or traditional bathrooms feature freestanding tubs and patterned floor tiles.

The wooden vanity and free-standing bathtub offer a farmhouse vibe. Intricate flooring designs make for the ultimate backsplash.

Marble Sink

Mirror and wall sconces for a spanish bathroom
The mirror and wall sconces are decorative features which can change the look of a bathroom.

Spanish Country Bathroom

Chandelier and amazing mirrors for bathroom
There’s quite a bit of glamour in this large bathroom. The chandelier, mirrors, vanity and even the tub stand out.

Cream Color Bathroom

Charming bathroom design
Simple decor is charming. For smaller bathroom, this is the way to go. 

For.a controlled bathroom space, cream color provides a soothing atmosphere. 

Moorish Interior Decor

Accent wall with wallpapers
Accent walls are created with patterned tiles or with wallpaper.

The wallpaper features a Moorish design prevalent in Spanish home designs. 

Community Bathroom Layout

Spa bathroom with two couch
This is not a typical bathroom but rather a lounge area for an indoor living space.

The Spanish style bathroom is a unique home design feature. You don’t need a Spanish house to install a Spanish bathroom. The bathrooms focus on light fixtures and tile. Color tiles and old, rustic lights will create a Spanish bathroom.  

Patterned tiles provide a heightened sense of decor. With light fixtures, a black chandelier would offer plenty of surprises. 

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Spanish Backyard Designs

Spanish style backyard
You can expect a Spanish-styled backyard to be more like an outdoor living room.

Exposed Beam Patio

White spanish backyard fireplace
It would have an outdoor fireplace, comfortable seating and even a roof or a pergola.

Spanish Country Courtyard

Actress Debi Mazar has sold her Beverly Center area home for $1,162,515. (Michael McNamara/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Spanish backyards have water-features. Fountains are quite popular.

A white stucco courtyard with a fountain in the center is a common layout among Spanish style homes. In this example, the Spanish design aesthetic is followed accordingly.

Covered Spanish Patio

covered pergola or terrace
A covered pergola or terrace is the excellent spot for an outdoor dining area.

Backyard Swimming Pool Design

Poolside area for lounge spaces
Poolside areas are comfortable lounge spaces are often include daybeds.

Backyard Chimney

Large pool and fireplace next to
It’s not uncommon to see a fireplace next to a pool or a dining table next to a garden fountain.

Open-Air Spaces

Spanish style backyard design
Spanish backyards can also feature open-air spaces. You don’t need a covered patio space if you want to create a Spanish-style environment. In this example, a wooden table with a Formica top offers an ideal accent for the backyard.  

Spanish Patio Decor

Rich colors for backyard design
Vegetation is an inherent part of backyard decor. In this example, key features include vines and flowering plants. Outdoor environments in Spanish revival homes feature brick or cobblestone patios. Furniture decor includes wooden chairs with weather resistant cushions.

Covered Patio Designs

Covered outdoor spaces indoor
Covered outdoor living spaces share a connection to indoor living areas. They feature ornate chandeliers and rugs are often used. In this example, the patio features high ceilings and exposed beams. 

Mission Revival Patio

Casual setting with benches for Spanish House
Casual settings can feature benches, chairs, poufs, or stools.

Spanish style backyards feature patios or terraces. The outdoor space is made with terracotta tiles, stone, or brick. Swimming pools are another way to include color tiles and accents into your exterior decor.

You could include an outdoor fireplace or chiminea in your backyard. This would allow you to enjoy your backyard during the winter months.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How To Protect A Spanish Home From Insects?

DIY natural insect repellants include citronella, lavender, and eucalyptus. You can make a body spray  by mixing 100 milliliters of lavender water with 20 drops of eucalyptus essential oil and 15 drops of citronella oil. Before applying, shake the bottle so the ingredients will be evenly distributed. The spray will last upward of six months. Commercial bug sprays contain chemicals that can cause harmful neurological damage. 

What Is Mission Architecture?

Beginning in the 20th Century and through WWII, the Mission style evoked Spanish designs throughout North America. Mission architecture is characterized by materials such as adobe. The house designs were popular in California and the Southwest.

Inspiration for mission style buildings ranged from the grand baroque churches of the California missions to modest pueblos and ranchos of the Southwest region. Today, the style is also referred to as Mission Revival.

What Is Spanish Eclectic?

The term is a new way of referring to Spanish architecture. It could encompass specific characteristics like ornate wrought iron and wood balconies, colorful tiles, arches, and palm gardens. It may also refer to territorial or Pueblo styles.

Can I Add Churrigueresque Entryway To A Colonial Home?

With Spanish style architecture, you can pick and choose the elements you like and add them to your home. Adding a churrigueresque entryway to your home would not be a DIY project. You would need to enlist a professional contractor.

What Is Coquina?

A soft whitish stone made with crushed shells. The material was used to build Spanish style homes in the 19th Century. Today, coquina is used as a paving material.

Spanish Style Homes Conclusion

Spanish style houses will always have a presence in the US architectural landscape. Whether Spanish Colonial revival or Spanish Baroque, the styles will continue to be admired by new homeowners. 

With new terms like Spanish Eclectic, the architectural influence of Spain and Mexico continues its natural development. If you have the square footage, your outdoor space would be enhanced by Spanish patio designs, for example.