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There’s nothing better than the sun on your skin, the soothing sounds of ocean waves and the faint smell of citrus. Many people daydream about spending their summer along the Mediterranean coastline, but what if you could capture its beauty at home? Mediterranean design evokes the crisp white houses of Santorini and terracotta pottery from Tuscany. It’s a versatile, timeless style that can be adapted to suit many spaces, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From airy palettes to enhanced outdoor living, you can transform your home into a sun-drenched sanctuary. Why Is Mediterranean Design Ideal for Summer? Mediterranean design is ideal for summer because of the many reflective tones that keep your home feeling cooler. It also encourages more time on your patio or enclosed lanai, where you can dine al fresco or enjoy floral arrangements in your backyard. According to designers Suzie Lucas and Jeff Andrews, the Mediterranean region emphasizes indoor-outdoor living, often creating a breezy interior with natural elements and painted tiles. Unlike other coastal designs, the Mediterranean style is more rustic and colorful, with organic textures and light and airy materials. After a long, gray winter, it’s a home design that will awaken your senses and bring a rush of tranquility. 5 Ways to Incorporate Mediterranean Style Into Your Home Here are five ways to turn your home’s interior and exterior into the perfect Mediterranean seaside haven. 1) Embrace Lighter Colors A lighter color palette of white, cream, taupe, soft grays and saturated yellow is best for Mediterranean design. Light colors on the walls will also keep your house cooler by absorbing less heat than dark tones. Neutral colors make a great backdrop for accent shades like blue, green, rusty orange and small amounts of black. You can easily capture Santorini's whitewashed limestone and bright blue schemes. 2) Opt for Natural Elements Consider laying terracotta or painted tiles on the floor or covering your walls in stucco or plaster. Exposed brick or stonework are also wonderful stylistic choices for a patio. Other ways to include natural materials are rattan furniture or lamp shades, raw wood decor, and wrought iron hardware on kitchen cabinets or dresser drawers. 3) Choose Simple, Comfortable Furniture Comfortable furniture will enhance relaxation in your Mediterranean-style home, and simplicity will make your space even more enjoyable. Don’t worry too much about ultra-modern sofas or luxurious fabrics. The Mediterranean region encourages linen, cotton and natural fibers. Additionally, woven baskets, lanterns, shells, stones, and candles tie the design together. 4) Accessorize With Pottery Pottery is an important part of Mediterranean culture and is typically found throughout the design. You can accessorize with pottery in your home, using empty vases to decorate a corner of the living room or bedroom or planting flowers and greenery in ceramic pots. Clay-colored terracotta pots come in different shapes and sizes. They’re also an excellent choice for enhancing natural decor. Likewise, you could show off your affinity for Greek history with a Grecian bust pot of an ancient goddess , giving your indoor and outdoor spaces vintage appeal. 5) Enhance Outdoor Living Give some attention to your home’s exterior if you want it to exude Mediterranean flair. According to Fixr’s 2024 Outdoor Living Trends survey, 78% of experts agree that seamless indoor-outdoor spaces are a top trend, while 48% say multifunctional areas are also popular. Enhance your patio with places to sit and socialize with friends. A small dining table will allow you to eat outside and enjoy nature's sounds, smells and sights. You can even string lights to create a warm ambience in the evening. Bring the Best of the Mediterranean Home There's so much to love about Mediterranean design. For those who've waited a long time for summer's arrival, incorporating this home aesthetic into your living space will help you get the most out of the season.

Biophilic design brings nature into your home in a natural, calming and effortless way. You can consider this approach to renovate or refresh your space. More and more homeowners lean into natural, sustainable design choices to make their homes feel more balanced, eco-friendly and connected to the outdoors. Why Biophilic Design Is on the Rise You’re not alone if you’ve been craving a calm, wellness-focused space, especially after spending more time indoors over the past few years. That’s precisely why biophilic design is becoming more popular. It helps you feel more grounded and emotionally balanced while boosting your productivity and thermal comfort using natural airflow and light. Plus, it’s a smart move for the planet. Bringing in more plants, using sustainable materials and making the most of natural light creates a beautiful space. Passive housing design also lowers your home’s carbon footprint , making it healthier to live in every day. 1) Living Walls and Vertical Gardens Living walls or vertical gardens are a striking way to bring nature indoors by covering a wall with lush, thriving plants. Instead of occupying floor space, these green displays climb up your walls, turning any blank surface into a living, breathing piece of art. They look amazing and work hard behind the scenes to clean your air. Indoor plants can reduce airborne microbes by 50% , which makes your home healthier and fresher. You can create a living wall using wall-mounted planters or modular green wall kits. These are perfect for kitchens, living rooms or anywhere else you want to make a statement. 2) Natural Light Maximization Natural light is one of the easiest and most effective ways to bring biophilic design into your home. It instantly makes any space feel brighter and more open. Letting daylight in saves on electricity, helps regulate your sleep and lifts your mood. To get more sunlight into your home, swap out heavy drapes for sheer curtains and add mirrors to reflect light into darker areas. Whether renovating or refreshing a room, sunlight goes a long way toward creating a healthier space. 3) Home Gardening and Edible Plants Whether you have a sunny kitchen window filled with potted herbs or use a converted attic corner, home gardening adds life and purpose to your space. A garden in your indoor spaces can extend your growing space and let you enjoy fresh produce year-round — just add some grow lights and you’re good to go. Beyond the obvious bonus of having fresh ingredients at your fingertips, gardening is a natural stress reliever that helps you feel more connected to the Earth. Try setting up window boxes, dedicating a bright corner for veggies or experimenting with indoor grow kits to get started. 4) Organic Materials and Textures Bringing in organic materials like wood, stone, bamboo, rattan and clay is a simple way to give your home that grounded, earthy feel biophilic design is all about. These materials add natural texture and warmth you can’t get with synthetic finishes. Examples include wood furniture with rich grain, rattan chairs that feel airy and light, or a stone countertop that makes a bold statement. Small touches like a clay vase or a natural fiber rug can make a space feel more relaxed and lived-in. Bamboo is a fast-growing , sustainable option that can elevate your design. Mixing these materials into your space helps create a calm, inviting environment that feels stylish and close to nature. Just ensure it’s properly treated to prevent rot or insect issues.  5) Indoor Water Features Water elements are one of the most soothing additions you can bring into your home. They instantly create a sense of calm and sensory richness that helps you unwind. The gentle sound of flowing water has a natural, meditative effect that can turn any room into a peaceful retreat. Even short contact with nature — including water features — can reduce anger , fear and stress while boosting positive feelings. If you want to create a spa-like atmosphere, try adding a tabletop fountain to your desk, a wall-mounted waterfall in your hallway or a small indoor pond if you have the space. These features invite you to slow down and enjoy a little peace in your day. Simple Steps for Starting Your Green Oasis Add a few plants, swap in natural textures or let in more sunlight, and build from there as your space comes alive. With every step, you create a calming, green oasis that supports your well-being and melds nature with your home.