Spanish interior design is a great idea if you want to a theme that is sophisticated and classy, while still maintaining a homely and relaxing atmosphere. Originally becoming popular in during the early to mid twentieth century within California, Texas and Florida, Spanish interior design elements are still popular today, with homes that have been decorated in this style likely to sell more quickly and for a higher price.

Creating a home with a Spanish interior design theme will create an space with a really Mediterranean atmosphere, no matter where in the world you happen to live, conjuring up images of rustic villas, relaxed siestas, colourful parties and traditional family values.

The use of Spanish interior design will help you to create a home that is welcoming and friendly but still practical and well designed for living. Combining the use of bold colourful statements paired with cool tiles and floors gives you the opportunity to be really creative, while still retaining a sense of balance within your design.

Go Spanish!

To help give you inspiration if you are considering creating a Spanish style interior design element in your home, consider collecting some different images to give you some ideas. Have a look at some Spanish artwork, images of traditional Spanish events, such as bullfighting, flamenco dancing and fiestas and photographs of the country, also check out other homes that have been designed with a Spanish theme. Artists that should help inspire you include Picasso, Goya, Miro and Dali, so you may want to have a look at some of their pictures.

Perhaps you have some souvenirs from Spanish holidays that you would like to incorporate to help keep your memories alive.

Walls and Ceilings

Spanish interior design calls for walls to be plain, textured and never incorporates the use of wallpaper. Creating a textured or faux finish on the walls helps give a really authentic Spanish look, this can be achieved in two main ways; using different types of brush or sponge to apply slightly different tones of the same colour to add dimension, or to apply a specialised paint finish by mixing polymer with a cement based plaster and applying it to the walls, followed by two coats of layer or 100% acrylic paint, to create the effect of a plastered wall. If you are considering trying either of these techniques it is a good idea to create a test area on a small part of the wall and experiment a little, before starting work on your whole room.

Flooring

The use of carpets within Spanish interior design is very rare, instead one style of hard flooring is usually installed throughout the whole property, with rugs and mats being added as required. However if you really feel you require carpet Spanish carpets are usually beige or cream with green or yellow linear designs, and created from a knotted weave with in staggered rows.

The most traditional form of flooring within Spanish interior design is hardwood, although this is more expensive it is a far warmer option than tiles and looks beautiful.

Tiles are a more affordable option, and can also achieve a really effective Spanish interior design element especially if you use terracotta tiles with a dark grout, although slate or a heavy, matt-finished ceramic tiles can also be a really good choice.

Using some complementing woven rugs are a really good addition to help complete your look.

Décor

As effective Spanish interior design makes good use of light and space try to avoid over filling your rooms with furniture, instead aim to keep living areas practical and clutter free.

Furniture should be made of dark wood or wrought iron, by using second hand or worn looking furniture your will be able to achieve a really authentic, rustic Spanish look.

Hanging Spanish paintings, metal artworks or interesting shelving units are also a really good way to add a Spanish element to your design plans.

Veranda and Patio

A lot of Spanish living is done outside and this is reflected in Spanish interior design, making your patio or veranda a key part of creating a home with this theme. Spanish homes aim to incorporate outdoor areas into the home as much as possible, with the use of French doors or archways leading out from dining areas or sitting rooms. Dress your patio or veranda with wrought iron table and chairs, or wooden or wicker furniture to create a really nice area for outdoor living, include colourful pillows, a fire pit and plenty of plants and flowers in pots and hanging baskets to make a really good Spanish style outside to match the inside of your home.

Lighting

Using a variety of lanterns, wrought iron sconces and candle sticks can add to the Spanish fee of your design massively, citronella candles are a typical scent that the Spanish use to help deter mosquitos and other bugs.

Try and make sure that your rooms have as much light as possible, as it will really help to maintain the Mediterranean feel of your Spanish interior design theme no matter what the weather is like outside.

Accessories

Spanish interior design incorporate the use of many accessories including china, pottery, wrought iron and fabrics. Use rugs, curtains and cushion covers to help add to your look, along with wrought iron curtain poles, door handles and chandeliers and display items such as plates, vases or pottery ornaments. It is advisable to not use too many extra items as you want to avoid rooms appearing cluttered.

Tips to remember when decorating using a Spanish interior design theme

  • This is a decorative style, make use of finely carved wooden items such as door frames and window grills.
  • Use Spanish patterns to make you look effective, a good example of this is the Moorish influence within

Catalonian painted tiles and pottery.

  • Use plain wall and bold colours elsewhere within your designs to maintain an authentic feel.
  • Keep flooring simple and make good use of rugs
  • Make good use of outside space

Using a Spanish interior design theme within your home will help you to create a vibrant and welcoming environment, with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere whether you take inspiration from a rural retreat, beach side villa or traditional old fashioned home.

Now you have all the information you require, good luck with achieving your own Spanish interior design ideas.

We would love to have your feedback about any projects you have undertaken using Spanish interior design elements

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