A Mediterranean home takes its style from the sunny, warm countries of Europe, close to the Mediterranean Sea. Their cool, breezy style makes them similarly popular all across the country.

This architectural design was introduced to the US in the early 1800s. You can see Italian, Greek and even Spanish influences in most Mediterranean houses. While certainly each country has its own fashions, architects in the US tend to mix them together. So, we see a unique design well suited to American lifestyles.

Initially, the Mediterranean home style was more common in commercial buildings like hotels and apartment buildings. It wasn’t until almost 100 years later the style finally caught on in coastal areas of the Southwest US. Finally, the greatest wave of popularity followed an introductory appearance made at the 1915 Panama California Exposition. Florida was also a natural place for the Mediterranean homes because of the warm weather.

Mediterranean villa style homes catch breezes along the seaside or poolside. Primarily popular in sunny states, you can now certainly find them coast to coast.

Common Characteristics & Features

Rectangular Floor Plans
Arched Doorways
Large Arched Windows
Stucco Walls
One or Two Stories
Symmetrical Facades
Red Roof Tiles (or what appears to be tiles)
Columns
Balconies of Wood or Wrought Iron
Grilles over the Windows
European-Style Lush Gardens
Kitchens with Wood Floors, Tile Back Splashes, Pendant Lighting, Dark Wood Cabinets and High Ceilings
Exposed Wood Beams

Benefits of Mediterranean Homes

The bright, airy feel of a Mediterranean home is ideal for warm weather locations. A typical U-shaped Mediterranean plan oriented around the fountain in the central courtyard extends the living space into the garden. Many rooms are open right onto the courtyard. This promotes cool cross breezes inside.

A central courtyard area offers outdoor living space that continues directly from the inside. Typically, both the living room and dining room spaces are repeated outdoors. Similarly, an outdoor kitchen with BBQ space, or even an authentic Italian pizza oven fits nicely in the outdoor space.

The indoor kitchen offers large, bright work spaces with rich wood textures and romantic details. Expect delightful accents like wrought iron pot racks or exquisitely designed tile back splashes. Marble counter tops, ornate chandeliers, and arched stove hoods all add to the Mediterranean charm.

A Mediterranean home brings the outdoors in, and takes the indoors out. With little transition between inside and outside, living space is expanded for special event gatherings and everyday family life. The bright, cheerful decor, in and out, in sunny neutrals with lots of white makes for a grand impression.

Atlanta Home Styles

Atlanta Condos Cape Cod Colonial Contemporary Mansion Mediterranean New Construction Ranch Swimming Pool Traditional Tudor Victorian

Mediterranean Info

A Mediterranean home takes its style from the sunny, warm countries of Europe, close to the Mediterranean Sea. Their cool, breezy style makes them similarly popular all across the country.

Mediterranean villa style homes catch breezes along the seaside or poolside. Primarily popular in sunny states, you can now certainly find them coast to coast.

Common Characteristics & Features

Rectangular Floor Plans

Arched Doorways

Large Arched Windows

Stucco Walls

One or Two Stories

Symmetrical Facades

Red Roof Tiles (or what appears to be tiles)

Columns

Balconies of Wood or Wrought Iron

Grilles over the Windows

European-Style Lush Gardens

Kitchens with Wood Floors, Tile Back Splashes, Pendant Lighting, Dark Wood Cabinets and High Ceilings

Exposed Wood Beams

Benefits of Mediterranean Homes