Spanish style homes are commonly found in climates that are warm and usually corresponds to the harmony and grace of the earth. The determining elements in the building styles are tradition, climate and the availability of materials. These homes are uniquely built and well-constructed with features that give a lot of charm and character. The designs date back during the early Spanish colonization and remain popular until today. Spanish style can influence the architectural design of both the exterior and interior of a house and flow over into other areas of home design such as landscaping, furniture selection and paint colors. Let us explore some of the characteristics, design ideas and paint colors used in Spanish Style homes.
Characteristics of Spanish Style Homes
Spanish style homes are captivating and tempting after you put your eyes upon it. These timeless homes have distinct characteristics that describe the rich and extraordinary Spanish architectural structure, and stylish features to create an exotic yet harmonious appearance. Below are the typical characteristics of Spanish style homes:
• It has shallow or no overhanging eaves
• Crossed-gable or a single roof
• Low- pitched roof
• Terracotta roof tiles
• Roughly textured Stucco exterior walls with white paint
• Arched doors, porch entrances, and main windows
• Carved doors and stone works
• Cast iron ornaments for windows and stair railings
• Open or roofed balconies
• Wooden gates and doors with detailed iron features
• The surface of the wall extends into a gable
• It has asymmetrical façade
• Tower-like chimney with tiled roof
• Tile or stucco decorative vents
• It has decorative tiles on risers
Design Ideas for Spanish Style Homes
Whether you want to embrace a Spanish design for your home or just want to add some elements to the existing design, there are various ways you can add Spanish influence to your décor.
• Design your home with a low-pitched roof covered with heavy terracotta tiles. Include outer walls with earth-toned colors.
• Cover the walls with a stucco finish. Paint in creamy beige or very light brown to go with Spanish decor. Windows, doors, and porches should feature arched entrances.
• Replace solid wood railings with wrought iron. Wrought iron is set through houses in Spanish design and this elegant metal create a beautiful contrast to woods and tiles.
• Extend the walls of the house to create a courtyard for entrances.
• Create a center fountain in the yard and plant lush gardens.
• Create an open floor plan and a curved doorway between the rooms.
• Cover the interior walls with plaster material and paint with Spanish colors like white, brown, blue, red, yellow or orange. For a faux texture color, paint the walls with a light color like white, and brush a darker paint to create a shadow with random brush strokes. Workaround the wall until you achieve the desired effect.
• Accessorize with wall sconces and chandeliers.
• Cover floors with a hard material or natural tiles, such as terra cotta or ceramics. Add colorful Spanish floor blankets to add comfort and accent colors into the room.
• Decorate your home with dark solid wood furniture. Look for furniture styles that contain wrought iron designs.
• Complete the atmosphere by adding minimal accessories. An old painting is an ideal wall decoration for Spanish style homes.
Paint Colors for Spanish Style Homes
The paint colors used in Spanish style homes are derived from organic pigments and minerals in the environment. For instance, the red-orange hue found in ceramic and Spanish tile roofing come from earthy substance and dirt. Yellow and gold shades are inspired by the color of the sand on beaches. Off-whites are inspired by pebbles and shells, and the wonderful tones of blues and greens are inspired by the ocean and the sky. These colors inspired by Spanish culture bring warmth and harmony to the home it attracts the attention and provides a relaxing atmosphere.
Reds and oranges
When it comes to Spanish style colors, reds and oranges are the primarily used colors. Reds are found mainly in decorative accessories such as paintings and other arts. It is also used to accent rooms and furniture, the interior of drawers, interior cupboards, and dining room. Orange is definitely a signature color of the Spanish style because it is often used on walls and accessories. It can be used in abundance with blue and green hues. A white or beige accent or backdrop completes a red or orange Spanish color palette.
Blues
Spain’s colors are bold and exotic, and it shows with the blue-tinted Spanish style that looks like the sky and the waters of the ocean. Dark blue tints are often used to balance or to contrast other Spanish-style colors like golds and reds. Blue is a lovely color for walls, contrasting light furniture, flooring, and accessories.
Greens and Golds
Green color used in Spanish homes are often dark, they represent organic foliage and grass from the outside. It can be used on walls and furniture to create a relaxing environment. Gold, on the other hand, is mostly found in furniture pieces, decorative ornaments, and floors.
White
This is an essential color solution that adorns the exterior of Spanish houses. This classic exterior paint color has an extravagant presence and makes homes look big, bold and attractive. It accentuates other Spanish home details such as arched doors and wooden doors.
Peach
A peach tone is three times lighter than terracotta tiles. It is a versatile color that can be used in dozens of ways to bring vibrancy and warmth to a room. Peach balances elegantly with cool colors and makes a wonderful combination with neutrals. This color can soften and emphasize the dominant architectural features of Spanish dwellings.
Yellow
Yellow is an exterior paint color that can brighten a space and can make it look cleaner. It is just like adding a drop of sunshine that creates a vibrant atmosphere that compliments the pronounced roof and other tones, tints, and shades used in Spanish style homes. Many also believed that this color is associated with happiness and well-being.
Conclusion
The architecture of Spanish style homes is truly one of the best in the world. The style is very unique that flourished until the last quarter of the 18th century. Today, there are many people still draw inspiration from its architectural framework and these homes were built in nearly every part of the world giving life to the rich Spanish culture that shaped the memories of yesteryears.
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