January 13, 2025

Architectural Concepts Guide

Elevating Home Design Standards

16 Mediterranean-Style Homes with European Country Vibes

16 Mediterranean-Style Homes with European Country Vibes

With ties to historic European architecture, Mediterranean-style homes are reminiscent of sun-soaked, seaside locales. The elegant exteriors often feature red roof tiles, stucco walls, arches, and enclosed outdoor spaces. These Mediterranean-inspired homes showcase timeless style with global appeal.

Mediterranean Architecture

Michael Partenio

Mediterranean-style homes are heavily influenced by the architecture of Spain, Italy, and other European countries, including France, Portugal, and Greece. With its emphasis on warmth and outdoor living, the aesthetic is often associated with wealth and a leisurely lifestyle. Stateside, it gained widespread appeal in the 1920s, especially in California and Florida, where it continues to be a popular home style today.

Small Mediterranean Houses

Michael Garland

Mediterranean houses often boast sprawling, symmetrical facades, but smaller structures can carry off this style. This modest home uses unmistakably Mediterranean stucco walls and a classic tiled roof with a more approachable look. Several arched openings across the front create a breezeway that offers shade and facilitates cool air flowing into the house.

Mediterranean Home Exteriors

Edward Gohlich

Mediterranean-style homes vary depending on the specific architectural influences, but many showcase similar exterior elements. Typical characteristics include:

• Arched doors and windows

• Wrought-iron details

• Clay roof tiles

• Stucco walls

• Spacious outdoor living areas

Materials, such as stucco and clay roof tiles, help keep homes cool in hot, sunny climates.

Mediterranean-Style Home Design

Mark Lohman

Celebrate the colors and textures of Mediterranean-style homes with an inviting mix of aged patinas, lush landscaping, and open outdoor rooms. A medieval castle in Italy inspired the architecture of this made-to-look-old home. Rust-colored stucco siding, clay roof tiles, and an eye-catching arched entrance invoke countryside charm.

Luxury Mediterranean Home

Ryann Ford

This large Mediterranean-style home puts a luxurious twist on traditional Spanish architecture. Reclaimed clay roof tiles and limestone-trimmed exterior windows and doors remain faithful to the home’s European inspiration outside. Gas-powered lanterns, simple iron railings, and arched French doors imbue the exterior with old-world style.

Mediterranean Outdoor Living Spaces

Mark Lohman

Outdoor living spaces play a significant role in Mediterranean-style home plans. Abundant plantings often surround large porches, patios, and courtyards. Several patios and loggias (rooms with at least one open side) graciously extend its livable square footage for gatherings with family and friends. Climbing plants, wrought-iron fixtures, and arched doorways add more Mediterranean charm.

Mediterranean Home Exterior Elements

Mary Fran Brennan

The front porches of Mediterranean houses, especially those with Italian influences, are often defined by stone columns spanned by arches. Roofs feature wide, overhanging eaves with large brackets under the roofline. A variety of terra-cotta tiles top this stucco home, mimicking the look of reclaimed Italian tile without sacrificing durability.

Modern Mediterranean-Style Home

Werner Straube

Mediterranean-style homes generally have an old-world look, but it’s possible to apply the style in a modern way. Taking cues from Tuscan landscapes, this home exterior pairs limestone and stucco with over-grouted terra-cotta roof tiles to lend an authentic Italian look. However, a crisp exterior color palette and clean-lined windows with sleek black frames give this modern Mediterranean home a contemporary edge.

Mediterranean Landscaping

Mary Fran Brennan

Vibrant landscaping adds inviting curb appeal to gardens that often feature lots of contrast. Soft foliage against stone walls or tall, sprawling vines next to tidy clipped hedges do the trick. A curving walkway garden adds interest to this Mediterranean-style home exterior covered in greenery.

Italian Mediterranean Home

Emily Followill

This Mediterranean-style home is inspired by Italian architecture and applies elegant, authentic design. Clay roof tiles, grand arches, and a mix of stone and stucco give the exterior a classic Italian appearance. Arches are used inside and outside the home to impart a sense of history.

Colorful Mediterranean Homes

Ed Gohlich

Mediterranean-style homes typically feature warm, neutral exterior colors, but they can also be painted in more vibrant colors such as sky blue, light gold, or even pink. In addition to the stucco, roof, doors, and trim colors, the landscaping can factor into a bright exterior palette. Here, vivid plantings tie the colorful Mediterranean house to the surrounding lawn and landscape. The homeowner chose flowers and greenery at all levels to draw attention to the two-story design of the house, as well as the front porch and two balconies.

Design a Mediterranean-inspired garden using low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants like evergreen shrubs, climbers, ornamental grasses, and olive trees.

Spanish Mediterranean Homes

Ed Gohlich

Spanish Mediterranean-style homes are typically built with clean-lined shapes and low-pitched roofs. However, more striking Spanish-style homes might also feature intricate tilework, as seen above and around the front door of this house. The windows with wrought-iron details are another Mediterranean design touch.

Mediterranean Homes and Gardens

John Granen

Mediterranean houses are particularly well-suited to warm-weather locations, such as California, Florida, and Arizona, where living outdoors is an all-year-long activity. Indoor living areas are designed to flow seamlessly into outdoor rooms, including Mediterranean-style gardens, courtyards, loggias, terraces, and patios. The home above has vast outdoor areas where the homeowners and guests enjoy gardening, entertaining, and relaxing.

Spanish Mediterranean Architecture

Ed Gohlich

This Southern California home references Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. Its low-pitched roof with red tiles and the home’s stucco siding are perfect examples of Mediterranean design. Shutters flank the windows. Brackets at the bottom of the windows add architectural interest and a rustic look. The warm, earthy color palette takes its cue from natural colors in the Spanish countryside.

Mediterranean Home Exterior Details

Ed Gohlich

Stone walkways are a common characteristic of Mediterranean-style homes and gardens, as are brick pavers. The curved, red brick walkway leading to this home reflects the roof tiles in both color and pattern. Flowers along the path provide bursts of color.

Red brick enhances earthy exterior tones while offering durability. Its non-slip surface ensures safety, even when wet.

Mediterranean-Style Stucco

Tria Giovan

Inside and out, stucco is one of the most recognizable features of Mediterranean homes. These thick walls help keep the heat out during the day to maintain a cool interior in warm climates. Crisp white stucco covers the exterior of this Mediterranean-style home, defined by stylized arches and wrought-iron accents.

Architectural Home Styles

Mediterranean homes are only one of the many architectural styles seen nationwide. Some of the most frequently seen in neighborhoods from coast to coast include ranch style, often with open floor plans, and the most often used layout for midcentury modern homes. Colonial-style homes are usually found in older parts of the country, including the Midwest and New England. They typically have an eye-pleasing symmetrical facade. Simple Craftsman-style homes gained popularity as a response to the more ornate design of Victorian architecture.

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