Spanish styling can immediately bring to mind several things. Terra cotta roofs, bright patterns, wrought iron, maracas, and you would be right on all of those accounts. 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. Sometimes though, you still need that bit of inspiration to get you going on such a big project. So let’s journey through some wonderful Spanish styled specimens that will help you decorate every nook and cranny of your own space, from the front door to the back fence.
Obrien-Muse
Front Porch
View in galleryThe roof tiles and arched windows definitely add a lot of charm to this designView in galleryA quirky front door is a fun way to make the entrance stand outView in gallerySometimes a design stands out through the palette of materials which in this case involved stoneView in galleryThe little things have a big impact on the overall decor, like the frame around this door or the under-stair tilesView in galleryMost Spanish front porches are simple and bohemian, with lots of flowering plants and metal furnitureView in galleryThere are many decorative motifs that are reminiscent of Spanish design and these stairs showcase some of themView in galleryArched windows and doors are often a defining characteristic of Spanish architectureView in gallerySo can be rustic stone tiles or brick walkways combined with massive wooden doorsView in gallerySpanish architecture and design are also defined by lots of ornamental featuresView in galleryThe window shutters are an interesting detail here, adding color and highlighting the style as a whole
I hope you’re comfortable with the color burnt orange because all good Spanish homes have terra cotta roofs. But before you go burnt orange crazy, the rest of the home is usually a creamy white so you won’t be overwhelmed with color. Once you have your two base colors, it’s time to add some interest in a few ways. First, rock the arched doorways! Second, add some wrought iron. Third, embrace the potted cactus. You’ll also notice that in lots of Spanish styled homes, they’ve traded their grassy front yard for gravel. This makes your yard manicuring duties a breeze and allows you to have a nice exterior even if grass won’t grow in your front yard.
View in galleryAs far as the interior design goes, Spanish decors are often full of color and very dynamicView in galleryExposed wooden beams give living rooms a particular cozy and inviting look, especially when mixed with arched windowsView in galleryA traditional fireplace is an element that makes the living room look and feel completeView in galleryThe most prominent feature here is the fireplace wall which has this intentionally unfinished lookView in galleryWall decor is an important part of Spanish living rooms. Framed paintings, pictures and handmade ornaments are displayed hereView in galleryAlthough bare wooden flooring is warm and cozy, that’s rarely the case. The floors are almost always covered with rugsView in galleryGreat attention is given to the decorative features such as accent pillows or wall artView in galleryDecorative plates are sometimes used as a form of wall art. Here they cover the upper portion of the fireplace wallView in galleryEven the more modern living rooms are defined by similar interior design characteristicsView in galleryEarthy colors are preferred. Brown is sometimes combined with yellow or blue and beige is used for the backdrop
There is one big element to watch out for in your living room. The wood to everything else ratio. In Spanish decor, there are lots of beautiful dark wood pieces that take center stage among all your furniture so be sure you have a few of those. 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.
View in galleryIn some cases, the kitchen and dining area form a single space and the dining table doubles as an islandView in galleryA small patterned rug is a way to make a kitchen more comfortable and to link it to the rest of the house’s decorView in galleryThe rustic-traditional design often specific to Spanish kitchens goes nicely with a few industrial accentsView in galleryThis type of range hood is quite popular in most traditional kitchens. It has an imposing look and a strong impact on the decorView in galleryParquet flooring is often preferred instead of tiles. It’s a way of making the kitchen feel more invitingView in galleryKitchens and dining rooms are sometimes adjacent and forma a single large roomView in galleryWood is extensively used in Spanish kitchens together with patterned tilesView in galleryThere’s quite a lot of texture here, the ceiling being the most eye-catching featureView in galleryFarmhouse kitchen sinks are appreciated for their size and the fact that they’re deeper than other typesView in galleryAlthough 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!
View in galleryA classic Spanish dining room can be identified by a few simple elements such as an ornate chandelier and a wooden table with chairsView in galleryA rustic wooden table looks amazing when complemented by a set of chairs with worn finishesView in galleryEven though a kitchen can include a small dining table, a separate room can also exist for this functionView in galleryCasual dining spaces sometimes occupy transitional areas such as hallwaysView in galleryThe chandelier is almost always a focal point in the dining roomView in galleryAn arched ceiling, window or door frame can easily make a dining room feel cozierView in galleryWhen the dining space is part of a larger floor plan the ambiance is more casual and less formalView in galleryThere’s a very beautiful connection here between the vaulted ceiling and the vintage furnitureView in galleryTraditional 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? In your Spanish styled dining room, of course! 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, you can add all the wear and tear in your chairs and your other decor that you like. You get bonus points if you display brightly patterned dishes in your heavy wood china cabinet. And as with the rest of the house, arched doorways and exposed beams never hurt anybody.
View in galleryThis white and blue combo and the pattern are characteristic for Mediterranean designsView in galleryWe find the organic lines of the arches, walls and architecture in general to be well-suited for a space such as the bedroomView in galleryA small area rug and a large potted plant are the things that make this bedroom extra cozyView in galleryA lovely detail in this case is the array of exposed wooden beams and the light-colored flooringView in galleryColor and pattern can be added to a bedroom in a lot of different ways. For example, a colored headboard or a patterned window treatmentView in galleryThe canopy created with breezy white curtains attached to the ceiling beams brings intimacy into the roomView in galleryA pitched roof can look more interesting if small wooden beams are placed at the centerView in galleryThe window curtains are another feature that has a big impact of the bedroom’s overall decor and ambianceView in galleryThis is a lovely bedroom. Although it’s very simple, the curved walls increase its charmView in galleryDifferent shades of blue and brown are often used in Spanish bedrooms together with a bunch of neutrals
One extremely satisfying aspect of Spanish styling is that Spanish decor emanates the feeling of warmth and tradition. So with such a pleasing feeling, why wouldn’t you continue your Spanish decorating trend in your bedroom? Embrace natural fibers like linen bedding and jute rugs along with your wooden bedroom furniture. Add a gilded mirror to the wall and throw bright pillow on the bed and you’ll find that that’s all it takes. A little bit of luxury and a little bit of earth combined in perfect harmony to create the most relaxing space in your home.
View in galleryA bathroom with a Spanish design is more than just a utilitarian spaceView in galleryAs always, arched windows have the ability to make any space look elegantView in galleryEven smaller and more minimalist bathrooms put great emphasis on ornamental featuresView in galleryDecorating the bathroom with framed paintings or images is a pretty popular idea in Spanish interior designView in galleryClassical or traditional bathrooms feature freestanding tubs and patterned floor tilesView in galleryThe mirror and wall sconces are decorative features which can greatly change the look of a bathroomView in galleryThere’s quite a bit of glamour in this large bathroom. The chandelier, mirrors, vanity and even the tub stand outView in galleryOf course, simpler decors can also be charming. They’re actually preferred for smaller bathroomsView in galleryAccent walls are created with patterned tiles or with wallpaperView in galleryThis is a lot more than just a simple bathroom. It’s in fact a lounge area more similar to a living space
Ahh the bathroom. While it might feel like you can’t really style it much due to the basics, I’m here to say that you can totally get a Spanish style bathroom! Go ahead and choose the sink and shower in your budget but when you’re done, focus on the light fixtures and tile that will get you to that Spanish place you’re headed. A patterned tiled will give your space the pop and go that it needs and a chic black chandelier will come as a surprise to anyone who walks in. I promise, baths will become a major enjoyment in your Spanish styled bathroom.
View in galleryYou can expect a Spanish-styled backyard to be more like an outdoor living roomView in galleryIt would have an outdoor fireplace, comfortable seating and even a roof or a pergolaView in galleryA lot of Spanish backyards have water-features. Fountains are quite popularView in galleryA covered pergola or terrace is the excellent spot for an outdoor dining areaView in galleryPoolside areas are comfortable lounge spaces are often include daybedsView in galleryIt’s not uncommon to see a fireplace next to a pool or a dining table next to a garden fountainView in galleryA Spanish-styled backyard will rarely feature a lawn. Paved or tiled floors are more commonView in galleryVegetation is a big part of the backyard’s decor and vines and flowering plants are pretty much everywhereView in galleryCovered outdoor spaces have a lot in common with indoor living areas. They feature ornate chandeliers and sometimes even rugs are usedView in galleryMore casual settings can feature large benches complemented by chairs and poufs or stools
I think Spanish styled backyards are my favorite. They have a definite focus on hosting and catering to large groups of people. So it’s really important that your Spanish styled backyard has some kind of patio or terrace for entertaining! This can be made out of terra cotta tiles or stone or even brick. Pools are a great way to incorporate some colored tiles into your exterior decor, but if that sounds too daunting, consider installing a splashing fountain instead. The finishing touch on your outdoor space would be the ability to roast marshmallows. Whether it’s an outdoor fireplace or a clay stove or even a simple fire pit, it adds to the warmth and welcome of your outdoor space.