Summer is the season of house makeovers, so you might want to start a renovation process to embrace a timeless design. Still, where should you start? Of course, with your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of your home, and once you breathe some life into it with a refresh, you can completely change the atmosphere of your house and get inspired to go further with the remodeling.
Scrolling on Pinterest, you must’ve found a broad range of options for designs, but we can assure you that to feel the summerish southern Italian vibe, the Mediterranean style should be your go-to. This design is the perfect combination of functionality and timeless aesthetic, so here is how to create a warm and cozy Mediterranean style for your kitchen:
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The philosophy of Mediterranean design
The Mediterranean tradition is based on the search for pure essence and simplicity. These core values were integrated into the Italian and Spanish villas in 1920, promoting a sense of vitality with natural stones and wood and embracing the idea of fluidity, creating unique architecture.
This design is still on trend thanks to the cozy and warmth it brings, and people mostly find it as a definition of old-money elegance. The Mediterranean style draws inspiration from the Italian Renaissance buildings, marked by columns and arches, and from the Spanish revival with clean lines and a low-pitch roof.
So why is the kitchen so important? Both cultures have always had an important culinary tradition, prioritizing the kitchen as being the most important room. So, if you are willing to start your kitchen makeover by embracing this magnificent design, here are 6 things you should consider:
Create an architectural charm
Architectural aspects play a crucial role in creating a historical ambience. For example, archways and columns are the definition of the Mediterranean style, promoting a sense of fluidity and timeless elegance that go beyond modern design trends. Embracing old-world materials like brick, concrete, and rock to create an arch can give your kitchen some personality and enhance the overall atmosphere.
You can opt for an arched entrance if you have an open space concept, or give some curves to the pantry shelves zone and arch your stove area. Moreover, if you have enough space available, consider a few columns to fully embrace the Italian Renaissance era and bring old aesthetics into the modern world.
Colors you should consider
The palette of colour of the Mediterranean design intends to reflect the colors of the region. Blue is for the sea and the sky, rich earthy colors like terracotta and hues of brown, green for a natural vibe, and yellow to describe the sun.
These shades can make you feel like you are relieved of the summer season every time you step into your kitchen. You can opt for multiple shades of brown for the walls to create contrast and highlight the beautiful texture of the natural materials. Consider a splash of colour like blue or yellow for the cabinetry, as well as a dark wooden island, open shelves, and ceiling.
Go for natural stone flooring
To embrace the Southern Italian style, natural stone like terracotta tiles is the perfect choice for your flooring. This material is the most popular option for Mediterranean houses, as it’s durable and offers a timeless aesthetic.
You can find terracotta in multiple shades, so make sure you pick the one in the colour palette of your kitchen. For instance, you can opt for a light hue if you already have darker elements and appliances, or, vice-versa, choose a darker shade to create balance in your light-colored room.
Embrace rustic cabinetry
Your kitchen’s cabinetry has to serve both functionality, providing you with enough storage space and aesthetics, perfectly complementing the design you are going for. In the Mediterranean cooking spaces, cabinetry is usually in hardwood, but even if you are not willing to spend more money, the replacement of kitchen doors is just enough to achieve the rustic style. For example, you can choose solid wok doors to embrace a traditional shaker look, or, if you want to create an interesting contrast mixing old with new, consider blue handleless matte doors for a plus of modernism.
Rise texture on the walls
Texture is the core concept of the Mediterranean design, so choosing the right materials to create a pleasing tactile and visual experience is crucial. For example, bricks are the traditional option for the walls, but you can also opt for stucco, which brings the same charm.
However, if you feel like too much stone is not for you, consider integrating some texture with a backdrop of mosaic patterns and stone bricks for the arches. You can also layer multiple textures on the walls, like wood and natural stones, to create a beautiful balance.
Expose wooden ceiling beams
Exposed ceiling beams add dimension to your kitchen, and they’re a popular architectural feature in Mediterranean design, commonly found in wood to enhance the rustic style. This concept brings textural contrast to your kitchen, and you can opt for the colour that matches your flooring for a sense of balance.
You can opt for an entire wood ceiling and expose the beams in a different shade, or maintain the simplicity by going monochromatic and exposing slimmer beams. Usually, Italian people prefer slim beans, but in the modern era, home design enthusiasts choose to mix the Mediterranean design with the farmhouse style and opt for widely extended wood.
The bottom line
We hope this article inspired you to create a timeless mediterranean design for your kitchen this summer. If you choose to embrace this southern European style, you can feel the breeze of the sea even when the cold makes its way back, because home design is not just about the aesthetics, but it’s also supposed to set the atmosphere you are looking for.
