Ideas for Mediterranean-style kitchen interior design
The whole family gathers at the dining table in the kitchen, so this place should be cozy, disposed to rest and heart-to-heart conversations. The Mediterranean style design is the perfect solution to create such an atmosphere.
Style features
The Mediterranean style has been influenced by a number of cultures. Among the features that are distinctive features are the following.
- Natural colors. Shades are selected depending on the direction. There are 3 of them: Italian, Greek, Spanish. The first of them is characterized by the presence of warm shades: beige, orange, green, olive. Greek design is a cold palette with a predominance of blue, terracotta, gray. To keep the interior from being too gloomy, bright lemon or rose-red accents are used. The Spanish style is characterized by brightness, expression, a surge of emotions, which is perfectly conveyed by warm shades: ocher, chocolate, yellow, orange, red. Green, blue, white and black inserts create a unique, but necessary contrast.
Mediterranean in design is a combination of white and blue, sand and green, yellow and cream. The maximum number of colors allowed is 3.
- Natural material. Wood, stone, ceramics, glass - all this is widely used in the creation of a Mediterranean-style kitchen. Wooden furniture (ideally handmade) should demonstrate the texture of raw materials in all its glory. Natural materials are quite expensive, so their imitation will be a more budget option. However, it is important to consider that it must be of high quality.Only in this case it is possible to achieve the desired effect.
- Concise and simple forms. This creates a cozy atmosphere conducive to relaxation and recreation.
- Functionality. The decor elements are entrusted not only with the function of decorating the room. In this regard, accessories and furniture are carefully selected to maximize their use.
The kitchen is not only a place for cooking, but also a living room, which is designed for a large number of guests. What is typical here the zoning technique is not used: one part flows smoothly into another. Such a room needs a sufficient area, so it is often necessary to redevelop: the kitchen is combined with a balcony, loggia, living room.
Finishing options
Making a Mediterranean-style kitchen with your own hands is not difficult. It is important to adhere to the basic principles and use natural finishing materials. They will not only look organic, but will also serve the owner for a long time.
Walls
When decorating walls in the Mediterranean style, wallpapers are not used at all. The walls should be textured. You can achieve this effect using plaster. Rough walls look casual, which is what the Greek style demands. The final stage will be coloring in pastel colors or white.
If the mixture for plaster contains particles of gypsum and marble, then this material is ideal for decorating walls in accordance with Italian design. Venetian plaster is often used to create Mediterranean interiors. Such a composition is applied to the walls in several stages. Each layer is colored.
The combination method is used when different materials are combined... For example, a third of the wall can be highlighted with wood paneling. Plaster and ceramic tiles also look impressive. In order to highlight a certain part of the wall, brickwork is used, often made roughly, as if it were rough work.
A mosaic panel looks spectacular as a wall decor. The same technique will work for an apron. If preference is given to ceramic tiles, then it is important that they are made by aging.
Ceiling
Before you start working with the ceiling, you need to determine the option in which the Mediterranean design will be created. The Greek style requires a flat surface. You can achieve the desired effect using ordinary drywall, which is painted white. There should be no frills and structures consisting of several levels. As a decor, you can use wood beams. The texture of the wood is emphasized by the whiteness of the ceiling and is in perfect harmony with the kitchen furniture in light shades.
Spanish and Italian trends allow the presence of stucco ornaments. They can be made of plaster.
Decorative moldings made of plastic are also suitable. If the ceilings are high, then they are decorated with hand-painted art painting or its high-quality imitation.
Floor
Regardless of the chosen direction (Greek, Italian, Spanish), the floor is covered with wood or stone. The stone surface is created by porcelain stoneware, ceramic tiles, travertine. When choosing a tile, focus on a material that has an uneven, rough, matte surface. Walking on such a floor is not very comfortable, since it is quite cold. Due to this it is recommended to equip the kitchen with a "warm floor" system.
As for the color scheme, all kinds of shades of brown and sand will be ideal. Terracotta color is very popular.
Not everyone can afford buying natural materials, since they are expensive. The budget analogue is laminate and linoleum.
Furniture selection
It is important to consider that in a Mediterranean style kitchen, the cooking area is usually not located against the wall. It is a kind of "island" in the center of the working area with a large table and a sink built into it. The dining area is a table - oval or rectangular, designed for a large family.
When choosing furniture, focus on indicators such as functionality and lack of massiveness.
Drawers for kitchen utensils should be voluminous so that inventory and accessories can be hidden in them. Thanks to this, the appearance of the kitchen will not be overwhelmed.
Furniture must be made of natural wood. It is obligatory to treat it semi-antique, wear. The Greek style is characterized by roughness. Cabinets and a table usually have stable legs. Some lightness and grace are inherent in Italian and Spanish styles. Kitchen sets are decorated with forged inserts, carvings. Greek style - this is dishes, arranged on wide shelves, Italian and Spanish - sideboards with glass inserts in the doors.
For Mediterranean cuisine, forged chairs made of wood, wicker chairs are appropriate. There is a cozy small textile sofa in the recreation area.
It is important that the interior is harmonious: a deep stone sink matches perfectly with bronze or brass taps. For frying pans, ladles, you can use special hangers.
Organization of lighting
The Mediterranean is an abundance of light and warmth, so the kitchen is usually located in the southern part of the dwelling. Large windows are required. If there is a lack of light in winter, then the problem is eliminated with the help of artificial lighting. In this case, each zone is illuminated by its own lighting device. A chandelier, lampshade made using forging technique will do.
The furniture is equipped with lighting. Sconces with fabric lampshades decorated with forging or wood are attached to the walls. If there are wooden beams on the ceiling, several forged lamps are suspended from them.
Decor elements
Decorating your kitchen is easy and simple... Garlic and onion garlands will help create a warm and cozy atmosphere. If you have small jars of pickled colorful vegetables, arrange them on the shelves. There is also a place for various cereals, which are also laid out in special containers. On the windowsills, place the pots in which natural herbs grow: onions, parsley, basil.
In accordance with the Mediterranean style, window openings are decorated with blinds or shutters. But if this option is not entirely familiar, then the curtains must be made from simple types of fabric. Cutting them doesn't have to be difficult. The best option is Roman shades. Linen or cotton napkins, tablecloths are matched to the tone. Backs of chairs are decorated with textiles. The optimal color scheme is red and white check.
You can independently decorate dishes and interior items using decoupage technique: plates, napkin holders, clocks, cabinet doors and cabinets and even a refrigerator. The plant theme looks appropriate.
Successful examples
- The kitchen in light beige tones embodies the comfort and warmth of a family hearth. The central place here is the "island", equipped with everything necessary for cooking. The knives are placed in a special stand, and a suspended structure is provided for skimmers and buckets. The furniture is decorated with bright tiles, wicker inserts. The dining area consists of a rectangular table and chairs. The table does not need a tablecloth, as it is decorated with an ornament that is in harmony with the tiles.
There is a lot of light in the kitchen, since the window opening is large enough. Translucent Roman shades are not an obstacle to its penetration.
- The dining area and the resting place can be divided using wooden beams, which will simultaneously become a kind of decor. They stand out in bright contrast against the white walls.
- Plates are often used for decoration.They can be located not only traditionally on walls, shelves, but even decorate the hood.
An overview of 11 sq. m in Mediterranean style, see below.