The how to on creating a Mediterranean bedroom
There's something unique about a Mediterranean bedroom. It feels relaxed but refined, luxurious yet simple.... and somehow always associated with summer.
Maybe we're romanticising however we can almost feel the hard carved stone underfoot, see the whitewashed walls, feel the cotton bed linen and smell the salty air blowing in from just outside those french doors that open to an impossibly blue sea.
This sensory overload of memories was what prompted us to think.... why can't we create a little bit of that.... here! The good news is...you can! And you don't need a villa in Ibiza or Mallorca to create that feeling. Mediterranean style is less about where and more about colours, textures and materials.
Here's our take on how to get that Med vibe into your bedroom.
1. White
White is at the heart of Mediterranean interiors.
From the Greek Islands to the whitewashed walls in Ibiza and Formentera, white reflects the abundant natural light and creates the fresh atmosphere associated with Mediterranean living.
Rather than filling the bedroom with competing colours, start with a warm or natural whites across the walls and bed. Add texturised white through plaster, limestone, linen, cotton and ceramics which, while all being white can look completely different as the day light changes.
The result shouldn't feel stark or clinical. It should feel sun-drenched, natural and calm. Add varying shades of grey and beige through texture and create a space of tranquility.
2. The "bed"-room!
In a Mediterranean bedroom, the bed invites you in.
Beautiful white bed linen is the simplest ways to create understated luxury and make your bed the focal point of the room.
Rather than overwhelming a white bed with patterns, allow the quality and texture of the bedding to become part of the design. A beautifully finished pillowcase, a fine embroidered edge or a subtle contrasting border can provide just enough detail while retaining the relaxed simplicity of the room.
And don't make the bed look too perfect! A gently folded duvet, relaxed pillows and a little natural movement in the fabric can make the bedroom feel much more inviting than a bed styled with military precision.
3. Look outside for inspiration
The Mediterranean landscape provides an almost perfect colour palette.
Start with white and then look outside for inspiration: the pale grey of limestone, weathered oak, olive leaves, terracotta tiles and, of course, the extraordinary blues of the sea and sky.
A little colour can go a long way. A fine Sky Blue detail on white bed linen can completely change the mood of a room. Similarly, soft ash grey against white creates a quieter, more architectural interpretation of Mediterranean style.
The secret is restraint.
Our tip - decide one or two accent colours rather than trying to incorporating the rainbow!
4. Natural materials
Forget about glossy or highly polished surfaces. Instead look for materials that become better with time.
Natural timber bedside tables, woven baskets, linen curtains, limestone or travertine flooring, handmade ceramics and textured plaster all introduce warmth and imperfection. For those where replacing flooring or furniture isn't practical keep in mind small changes also have a considerable effect.
Simple decorating can instantly soften a contemporary bedroom.... we're talking a timber stool besides the bed, a handmade ceramic lamp, an oversized woven basket or natural linen curtains.
The room should feel collected rather than decorated. Lived in rather than lived around.
5. Quality cotton bed linen
The appearance and feel of your bed linen can also change the character of the bedroom.
Cotton percale has a crisp, fresh handle and a more matte appearance. It creates that wonderfully clean, freshly made bed feeling and is particularly appealing during warmer weather.
Cotton sateen feels smoother and silkier, with a subtle lustre that creates a slightly more indulgent look and luxurious look.
Neither is inherently better, it's rather personal preference. The most important is the quality you buy rather than the type of cotton you prefer.
For a relaxed summer bedroom, crisp white percale with a touch of Mediterranean blue can feel beautifully fresh. For something softer and more sophisticated, white sateen paired with understated grey detailing creates a quieter form of luxury.
6. Let the light in
Mediterranean interiors have a wonderful relationship with natural light. The late sunrise, long afternoons and 10pm sunsets allow the light to be maximised during the summer months.
Avoid making the bedroom unnecessarily dark during the day. Replace heavy curtains with linen or a lightweight textured materials that filter rather than block the light. The slight movement of a curtain in an open window can do more for the atmosphere than another decorative accessory ever could at any time of the day. Luckily the blackout curtain backings can be seperate from the decorative lighter front ensuring your sleep isn't interrupted.
At night time, reverse the effect.
Use warm pools of soft light from bedside lamps and wall light fixtures which disperse it in interesting patterns... forget about overhead lighting. While the aesthetic of your bedroom is important remember the objective of a bedroom is SLEEP!
7. Don't overdecorate
One of the easiest ways to lose the Mediterranean feeling is to try too hard to create it.
You don't need anchors, shells or maritime painting of boats. Mediterranean style doesn't mean nautical or clutter.
Leave space.
An oversized ceramic vase with an olive branch can be more effective than a collection of objects. A single piece of artwork leaning casually on the wall or shelf can look effortlessly better than an intentional an entire wall of images.
Allow space for the architecture, materials and bed linen to be the protagonists of the room.
8. Imperfection is perfection
Have you ever visited a home where you don't know where to sit or what you can touch as it feels like a gallery.
Mediterranean interiors are the opposite of this. They invite you to relax and benefit from decorative pieces with character. Items like a slightly irregular lamp, an antique timber bench or an old stool provide the perfect contrast against beautiful white bedding preventing the room from feeling overly designed.
9. The essence of summer
Ultimately, creating a Mediterranean bedroom isn't simply an exercise in interior design, it's how to encapsulate "that" atmosphere.
That sun kissed wake up you only notice when you have time. The feeling of bare feet on a cold floor. The breeze that tickles your back reminding you you're alive. Long hot dinners full of laughter and wine and of course salty bodies on fresh sheets where late nights turn into early mornings.
Your bedroom should encourage that slower pace.
Remove unnecessary clutter. Invest in fewer, better things. Choose natural materials. Make your bedroom a place you want to return to every night.
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