Travel is a joyous experience all on its own, but it can also have surprising and wonderful knock-on effects. One of these is helping to inspire your interior decor projects through the art, history, culture, and natural beauty you encounter as you explore the world. Drawing inspiration from your cruise, road trip, or city break is a wonderful way to transform your home into something truly exceptional, and the warm, sun-soaked essence of the Mediterranean is a particularly wonderful way to go.

 The earthy tones and rustic craftsmanship of countries like Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Italy are ideal for turning your home into a gorgeous showcase of design, somewhere that instantly transports you to the lavender fields of Provence, the hills of Tuscany, or the islands of the Cyclades.

 Take a look below at some of the best furniture finds to create a warm, welcoming, Mediterranean-inspired feel to your home.

Rustic Wood Dining Tables

In Mediterranean cultures, food is at the heart of everything, and home and family life revolves around the dining table. Your dining space should be warm, inviting, and spacious, with plenty of room for friends and family, and a touch of rustic elegance. A natural, reclaimed wood dining table is the perfect way to add a dash of old-world charm, or perhaps something sturdy, robust, and farmhouse-style, a rugged, rough-hewn piece that’s easy to maintain.

Wrought Iron Furniture and Accents

Wrought iron is a favorite in many Mediterranean countries, a great combination of practicality and style. Wrought iron serves as a design accent on furniture and doors, as light fixtures, as outdoor furniture, and even as bathroom fittings! It is the perfect contrast to the warm rusticity of wood furniture and exposed brick and stone which is the hallmark of many Mediterranean properties.

 You can incorporate wrought iron into your own design style simply, in a number of different ways. You could look for wrought iron furniture for your interiors, like bed frames and coffee tables, or use it as a design accent in the form of planters, sconces, or lanterns to complement other elements of your home.

Upholstered Sofas with Earthy, Neutral Tones

Textiles are an easy, quick, and incredibly effective way to change the look and feel of your home. In this case, you can bring in the soft, neutral tones that evoke the landscape of the Mediterranean by reupholstering your living room furniture in earthy, natural colors or by adding throw blankets and scatter cushions to your space. Alongside these low-key tones, you might want to add a few patterns, perhaps Moroccan geometric shapes or classic French stripes.

Hand-Painted Ceramic Pieces

Many Mediterranean countries are world-famous for their gorgeous pottery and ceramic traditions, from the bright tiles of southern Spain to the vibrant plates and vases of Sicily. Hand-painted ceramics are a wonderful way to add a splash of color to duller corners of your rooms and often are able to fulfill aesthetic and practical purposes at the same time.

Betty Woodman Aztec Vase and Carpet 2 vA

Low Seating for a Relaxed Atmosphere

From ottomans and giant floor cushions to low-slung chairs or a Moroccan pouf, Mediterranean seating options are often on the low side, emphasizing a relaxed, laid-back approach. Taking a leaf out of this design playbook is a great way to make your home feel more Mediterranean while also encouraging lounging and relaxing, bringing a more peaceful, serene vibe to your spaces.

 Mediterranean furniture and design inspiration is a wonderful way to bring the joy of your latest vacation home with you. It is also an easy way to add a personal touch to your spaces, as well as being a warm, inviting style that looks good in any situation. With the accents, furniture, and design choices above, every day will feel like a sun-kissed vacation!