You may have always wanted a Mediterranean style home but not too familiar with its design elements. The Mediterranean style home characteristics are quite loosely defined but project a certain look. We take a look at the Mediterranean style home characteristics and Mediterranean style home paint colors to give you more insight.
Mediterranean Style Home Characteristics
Mediterranean architecture is modeled around Italian and Spanish styles and colors. The Spanish style of architecture has been around for hundreds of years. This was blended with Moorish and some Italian elements to create Mediterranean architecture.
Mediterranean style homes are designed in such a way that air flows freely throughout to keep the house cool and comfortable. For this reason, you can see that many such homes have high ceilings. Beautiful tiles are used on the floors, kitchens, bathrooms, even the stairs. Meanwhile, wrought iron is used on pulls and railings to add style and elegance.
Tile roofs, usually red in color, are typical. When it comes to exterior walls, stucco finishes are a favorite. These elements repel water effectively and help keep the house interior cool. Large outdoor spaces are another feature of Mediterranean style homes. Decorative fountains, flower gardens, landscaping, benches, and balconies add charm.
The main characteristics of Mediterranean style homes are low-pitched clay tiles on flat or shed roofs in some areas or red barrel tile roofs in others, smooth plaster or rough stucco exteriors, cast concrete or terracotta ornamentation, semi-circular or Roman style arcades, ornate doors, porches and balconies, double hung windows or wooden casements, and decorative iron trim.
The house may also feature carved stonework, tiled floors and courtyards as well as symmetrical primary facades. High arches, columns and even fountains can be included to finish off the Mediterranean look. The styles seem to differ in various areas but the general look and feel remain the same.
Mediterranean Style Home Paint Colors
Mediterranean style home paint colors tend to be based around Painted Desert type coloring or based on the native terrain. So in some areas, the colors may be based on water, mountains, trees, sunsets, sand and flower colors, while in others the focus may be on more earthy tones such as browns, yellows, and beiges.
The Spanish style color palette is based on colors that complement each other while being in contrast. This means a home can be painted in reds and greens for example as long as it is blended correctly. Most of the time though, the Mediterranean style home paint colors take the natural surroundings into account and vary from bold and lively hues to more earthy and muted tones.
Colors are elegant, passionate and rich or rough and wild, while still taking the natural surroundings into account. While some people still go with plain white plastered finishes, these homes need splashes of color to complement their design.
Terracotta colors are perfect to warm up the look of the house. Go with earthy colors and add in whites, blues, greens, and reds to give your home warmth. You can use accents in the form of fountains, tiles, pots, and ornaments if the brighter colors will not mesh with the houses in the neighborhood. In a more conservative area, paint in gray, gold, white, browns and rust colors, and coordinate with the ironwork and trim.
There is nothing wrong with neutral, earth tones with a dash of sunset colors to highlight them. You don’t have to blend your columns to match your stucco. These are an outstanding trait and can be redefined to stand out by coloring them in a color to highlight them against the rest of the home.
Conclusion
Mediterranean architecture is beautiful but your home can become lost in the background without a good color scheme. Take a look at your Mediterranean style home characteristics as well as the surrounding area before you decide to repaint. Choose Mediterranean style home paint colors that complement your home, take nature into account, and make your home stand out without being gaudy. Mediterranean style homes are designed to be warm and inviting and your choice or color scheme and ornamentation should reflect this as well.
If you are looking for house painters in Washington, you can count on PaintGunners to give your home the beautiful paint job that it deserves. If you have any questions, just send a message via our contact page.
