How to Create a Moroccan-Inspired Interior
Words by Michaela Quinn
April 12, 2018
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3m
Earthy colour palettes, layered soft furnishings, and eye-catching jewel tones: Moroccan interiors reflect the country’s rich heritage and culture, and now you can apply their design principles to your own home.
Our guide will help you capture the beauty of a traditional Moroccan-style house, with a warm and comforting atmosphere straight out of the souks of the city. Follow our top style tips to bring all your Moroccan interior design ideas to life.
Keep colours calm and neutral
While bright and bold colours will evoke the feeling of a bustling Moroccan souk, neutral colours work best to create a relaxed and comfortable living space. Take inspiration from sun-bleached Moroccan riads by featuring a rustic palette of chalky whites, soft greys, and chocolate browns in your palette. Moroccan interior design aims to add a touch of warmth and calm to a busy everyday life, so make sure your décor has a grounded backdrop to stand out against.
Paint walls white for a clean base to build your look on. White-washed floorboards can be brought to life with traditional woven rugs. You can also follow the terracotta trend by working muted brick tones into your design.
Mix and match patterns
Everywhere you turn in Morocco, there are beautiful patterns, from geometric tiles and mosaics to intricately carved architecture. It goes without saying that Moroccan-style décor wouldn’t be complete without a rich dose of pattern and variety.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match different patterns to create an eclectic and authentic feel. Combine cut metal lanterns with exotic tassel throws and beautiful bone inlay furniture for a luxurious feel.
Layering your soft furnishings can also help add to this effect. Style your sofa with cushions in a range of patterns and textures, and create a Moroccan-style bedroom with layers of throws and blankets on your bedspread.
Light up your interior with Moroccan lanterns
Lighting is a crucial consideration for your Moroccan décor ideas, and lanterns are a traditional and straightforward way to add a touch of brightness to your space. They can easily be applied to any area of your design, offering a soft and subtle approach to lighting that won’t overwhelm your design.
Try pairing with other gentle accent lighting to give your design an element of visual intrigue. You can also aim to let in some natural light with sheer curtains and metallic embellishments, which will help reflect light around your Moroccan interior without drawing too much attention.
Add natural elements & materials
Traditional Moroccan riads feature an open courtyard at their centre, creating a beautiful flow between the indoors and outdoors with greenery, pools and fountains.
While an open courtyard may not be suitable for a British home, there are plenty of ways to bring the outdoors in. Natural materials such as wood and stone will add a subtle Moroccan flavour to your interior, while splashes of greenery can help you add a biophilic flair to your space.
You can also use planters and other pottery to create the feel of an ornate courtyard from inside your home. Try styling your dining table with vases and plant life, giving your space a unique centrepiece while helping you emulate the feel of alfresco dining.
Ornate woodwork can also help you add a Moroccan-style bedroom to your home, so make sure to choose a stylish, traditional bed frame to give your space an attention-grabbing focal point.
Choose the right textiles
Natural textiles work best in a Moroccan-inspired interior. Think relaxed, crumpled linen, soft cotton and yielding, worn leathers for a rustic and comfortable vibe. Once again, mixed patterns and geometric motifs will help to accentuate the Moroccan feel.
If you’re looking to update your bedroom design for spring, adding the layered, tactile décor of Moroccan interior design can help you embrace a homely feel. Upholstered seating with intricate patterns and designs will also bring the feel of a Moroccan interior to your living room or dining room.
Try using textiles as wall décor, allowing you to style your space vertically if you’re looking to add Moroccan interior design to a crowded room. Hang an ornate rug for visual intrigue and to break up your neutral walls with a unique statement piece, or consider flowing curtains to give your room a luxurious, airy feel. For a Moroccan-style bedroom, a four-poster bed frame adorned with fabrics is a great way to invite some prestige.
Decorate your space with tiles
Tiles are a signature element of Moroccan interior design, letting you add a variety of patterns and bright colours to your space. From mosaics to tile floors, they can help to give your space an artistic feel and a dramatic twist.
Try incorporating them into a Moroccan-style kitchen, or add them to your wall décor to make a statement piece in your living room or dining room. Tiles also emulate the feel of an intricate Moroccan courtyard, so if you’re looking to blend your interior with the outdoors, they’re a must-have for your design.
You should now have all the guidance you need to bring the style of the Moroccan souks to your home, with tips to suit your interior design tastes. If you’re looking for more inspiration, our blog has numerous guides to cover everything you need to transform your home.