Your Guide to a Mediterranean-Style Bathroom
Find out how to get this elegant look that’s inspired by the sun and the sea
Whether you’re tackling a bathroom remodel with the help of a bathroom designer, architect or contractor, being able to pin down your favorite style will help get your project off to a smooth start. If you love a casually elegant, earthy look inspired by the sun and sea, Mediterranean style might be right for you. Read on for the need-to-know details about this popular bathroom style, including key elements, color palettes, fixtures and finishing touches.
What You Won’t Find in Mediterranean Bathrooms
While Mediterranean-style bathrooms can incorporate contemporary touches, the focus is on classics that have stood the test of time. Here’s what you won’t see:
While Mediterranean-style bathrooms can incorporate contemporary touches, the focus is on classics that have stood the test of time. Here’s what you won’t see:
- Envelope-pushing trends
- A minimalist look devoid of color and pattern
- Highly polished finishes such as chrome
- An abundance of modern, mass-produced materials
- Bright or pastel color palettes
Earthy Color Palette
Rich hues inspired by the warm earth and sparkling sea look striking in a Mediterranean bathroom, especially against a calming backdrop of white and natural wood.
Colors for Mediterranean bathrooms:
Rich hues inspired by the warm earth and sparkling sea look striking in a Mediterranean bathroom, especially against a calming backdrop of white and natural wood.
Colors for Mediterranean bathrooms:
- Neutral backdrop. Alabaster, parchment, straw, stone
- Warm and earthy. Clay, cinnamon, chile pepper, flax, umber, bougainvillea, terra cotta
- Oceanic. Azure, cerulean, cobalt, turquoise, moss, sea green
Design Detail: Ornate Lighting
Oversize lanterns, Moravian star-shaped pendants and colorful glass fixtures can all work well in a Mediterranean bathroom. Look for lighting made from materials with a bit of natural patina, such as wrought iron, hammered metals and antiqued glass. If you hope to install a pendant above the bathtub (as shown here), ask your electrician first: Code requires light fixtures to be a safe height above a bath, which may or may not be possible in your space, depending on the ceiling height of your room.
Find Mediterranean-style pendant lights in the Houzz Shop
Oversize lanterns, Moravian star-shaped pendants and colorful glass fixtures can all work well in a Mediterranean bathroom. Look for lighting made from materials with a bit of natural patina, such as wrought iron, hammered metals and antiqued glass. If you hope to install a pendant above the bathtub (as shown here), ask your electrician first: Code requires light fixtures to be a safe height above a bath, which may or may not be possible in your space, depending on the ceiling height of your room.
Find Mediterranean-style pendant lights in the Houzz Shop
Colorful Tile
Whether applied to floors, walls, shower or bathtub surround — or all of the above — colorful tile is a must in Mediterranean bathrooms. Look for hand-painted patterned tile, or work with a pro to create a design using solid-colored tiles in geometric shapes.
Find Mediterranean-style tile on Houzz
Whether applied to floors, walls, shower or bathtub surround — or all of the above — colorful tile is a must in Mediterranean bathrooms. Look for hand-painted patterned tile, or work with a pro to create a design using solid-colored tiles in geometric shapes.
Find Mediterranean-style tile on Houzz
Design Detail: Statement Mirror
Opting for a mirror with a beautifully embellished frame or unusual shape can add personality and architectural detail to a Mediterranean bathroom or powder room. Consider frames made from carved wood, hammered tin, mother-of-pearl, inlaid bone or tile.
Opting for a mirror with a beautifully embellished frame or unusual shape can add personality and architectural detail to a Mediterranean bathroom or powder room. Consider frames made from carved wood, hammered tin, mother-of-pearl, inlaid bone or tile.
Burnished Metals
Rich, warm burnished metals such as hammered copper, pewter, wrought iron, oil-rubbed bronze and antiqued brass look right at home in a Mediterranean-style bathroom. Using a mix of metals creates a more eclectic, well-traveled look; sticking with a single metal finish throughout gives a sleeker, more modern effect.
Rich, warm burnished metals such as hammered copper, pewter, wrought iron, oil-rubbed bronze and antiqued brass look right at home in a Mediterranean-style bathroom. Using a mix of metals creates a more eclectic, well-traveled look; sticking with a single metal finish throughout gives a sleeker, more modern effect.
Design Detail: Vessel Sinks
Vessel sinks can be a striking alternative to undermount sinks in a Mediterranean bathroom or powder room. Look for rounded and organic shapes in copper, painted ceramic, travertine, concrete or glass.
Browse Mediterranean sinks in the Houzz Shop
Vessel sinks can be a striking alternative to undermount sinks in a Mediterranean bathroom or powder room. Look for rounded and organic shapes in copper, painted ceramic, travertine, concrete or glass.
Browse Mediterranean sinks in the Houzz Shop
Finishing Touches
The right details create a welcoming, casually elegant atmosphere in a Mediterranean-style bathroom. Look for lightweight fringed towels, fresh-scented candles, natural fiber rugs and accessories made from stone, ceramic and wood.
The right details create a welcoming, casually elegant atmosphere in a Mediterranean-style bathroom. Look for lightweight fringed towels, fresh-scented candles, natural fiber rugs and accessories made from stone, ceramic and wood.
Your turn: Are you a fan of Mediterranean style? Describe or show us your favorite Mediterranean-style bathroom in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Mediterranean Style
Browse photos of Mediterranean-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for Mediterranean bathroom products
More on Houzz
Your Guide to Mediterranean Style
Browse photos of Mediterranean-style bathrooms for inspiration
Find a bathroom designer to get your project started
Shop for Mediterranean bathroom products
Mediterranean bathrooms can be cool and breezy or rich and warm, calling to mind sun-drenched land and sparkling water. Hallmarks of the look include smooth expanses of cool white plaster, dark wood and intricate tilework. Here are some common elements to look for in a Mediterranean-style bath: