Mediterranean House Exterior Ideas and Designs

Mediterranean House Exterior Ideas and Designs

by — Kari Apted
Published on January 15, 2021
Updated on March 11, 2025

“Marseilles, Barcelona, Trieste, Istanbul—each romances the Mediterranean in its own fashion, mostly by embracing the sea in sweeping C-shaped bays that date back to antiquity.” – Andre Aciman

The Mediterranean region encompasses all countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea. Regardless of location, many of theses homes share similar architectural characteristics that began emerging in the 10th and 11th centuries.

Mediterranean home design includes rough stucco exterior finishes, tile roofs, central courtyards, and a warm color palette.

Mediterranean architectural style started appearing in the United States in the early 1900s and slowly became a popular house plan in warmer climates.

It continues to be a favorite home style in Florida, California, and throughout the Southwest. Look through this gallery and find out why the warm, welcoming design of a Mediterranean home may be the best for you.

1. Explore Colorful Accents in Mediterranean Homes

While the basic color palette of Mediterranean houses is traditionally neutral—with white, off-white, natural wood, and terra cotta finishes—the details are usually colorful.

Neutral toned tile floors are often decorated with colorful tile accents and borders. Cobalt blue, mustard gold, earthy red, and hunter green all appear frequently in Mediterranean inspired textiles and décor.

Rustic Mediterranean house with a pink facade, terracotta roof, stone pillars, and an outdoor dining area with a built-in wood stove — Source: @holiday_home_verin via Instagram

Colorful houses with blue doors, vibrant pink and yellow walls, and bougainvillea plants lining a sunny street

Colorful Mediterranean houses with blue doors and windows, blooming bougainvillea, and a narrow street in a picturesque village

Of course, there are no hard-and-fast rules on colors you can use on your Mediterranean house. Bright yellow, green, or even hot pink can be used to turn a traditional Mediterranean home into a festive hacienda.

If bright colors aren’t your thing, pastel colors also work well with the simplicity of a Mediterranean home plan. Muted apricot, soft coral, mint green, and powder blue are all impressive Mediterranean house paint colors.

2. Personalize Your Mediterranean Exterior

Columns and rounded arches are hallmarks of Mediterranean style. In addition, detailed metal work adorns balconies, windows, and courtyards.

Each of these Mediterranean architecture features can be tweaked to reflect your own style instead of directly mirroring classic Mediterranean details. Add shutters or stone accents to further personalize your Mediterranean house.

A Mediterranean-style stone villa with large windows, central steps, and two palm trees flanking the entrance — Source: @edificacionesespontas via Instagram

Stone Mediterranean villa with a wooden roof, arched entryways, lush bougainvillea, an olive tree, and a rustic clay pot in the garden — Source: @edificacionesespontas via Instagram

Charming Mediterranean-style home with a wooden garage door, balcony, brick chimney, lantern lighting, and lush greenery along the facade — Source: @michellesmediterraneanhouse via Instagram

White Mediterranean-style house with terracotta roof tiles, blue window frames, and a scenic ocean view in the background — Source: @sasha_and_escher via Instagram

Elegant Mediterranean villa with terracotta roof tiles, arched columns, white shutters, lush greenery, and a serene garden pond

Grand Mediterranean-style home with a terracotta tile roof, arched windows, white columns, and a lush green lawn

Two-story yellow house with decorative white trim, arched windows, and a stone base; blue sky and a small plant in front

Many people feel that the best part of a Mediterranean home is the outdoor living space.

A strong connection between the indoors and the outdoors is not only valued in warm climates; it is a sought-after feature by many homebuyers. Further increase your outdoor space appeal by adding a fire pit to your patio, a fountain in your courtyard, and a canopy over the outdoor dining table.

Don’t skimp on landscaping, as a colorful, healthy garden holds true to the luxury resort feeling of many Mediterranean homes.

Palm trees, flowering shrubs, and manicured hedges also improve the view through your windows as you relax inside. Mediterranean inspired landscaping also greatly enhances your home’s curb appeal.

3. Embrace Luxury in Mediterranean Home Design

Mediterranean homes fit well into a luxurious lifestyle. Mimicking the sprawling Mediterranean villas in Europe, Mediterranean homes built in the United States exude a leisurely vibe reminiscent of a seaside holiday.

Warm wood finishes are a must in any Mediterranean design, but in the luxury home they are likely made of mahogany, teak, or other high-end lumber.

Luxury Mediterranean house exteriors often feature turrets, wrap-around first floor porticos, and multiple balconies.

A building with arched balconies and decorative latticework under a clear blue sky, green foliage partially visible in the foreground

Elegant Mediterranean-style building with arched windows, textured stone accents, and an open rooftop terrace with classic columns

Mediterranean-style building with warm stucco walls, blue shutters, tall windows with columns, and lush greenery against a clear blue sky

Three-story beige building with arched windows and balconies adorned with plants, tree branches in the foreground

Modern Mediterranean-style home with arched windows, light stucco walls, wooden shutters, and a rooftop terrace with a black railing

Mediterranean-style villa with arched windows, a spacious covered balcony, wrought iron railings, and lush greenery in the foreground

Building with a mix of stone and plaster exterior, featuring arched and rectangular windows under a clear blue sky

Sunny day view of a Mediterranean-style building with arched windows, a pergola-covered balcony, and surrounding greenery

Elegant Mediterranean-style villa with terracotta roof tiles, arched entryway, white columns, and tropical landscaping

White Mediterranean-style building with blue shutters and pergolas, surrounded by greenery and colorful bougainvillea under a clear sky

Mediterranean-style beachfront house with a yellow exterior, overlooking a bright blue sea and sky, on a clear sunny day

Luxury tile flooring is not usually limited to the kitchen, as travertine and other high-end floor surfaces are durable and beautiful. Bright, colorful tiles are everywhere now, and painted blue-and-white Moroccan tiles are a classic Mediterranean house feature. With a generous budget, these tile accents look amazing used in both your indoor and outdoor space.

4. Designing Waterfront Mediterranean Homes

Because every original Mediterranean property is located around the sea, the waterfront is the perfect place to build a Mediterranean home. If you are building by a body of water, be sure your home plan includes plenty of large windows to capture the view. Make sure that your landscaping doesn’t block the line of sight from any of your windows.

A large, beige Mediterranean-style house with arched windows, palm trees, and a circular staircase under a clear blue sky

Single-story beige house with red-tiled roof, columns, and large windows; front yard with manicured shrubs and a view of water in the background

A large, two-story house with tall columns, arched windows, and a red-tiled roof, surrounded by a landscaped garden

Instead of a traditional interior Mediterranean courtyard, you may prefer a courtyard that turns into a rear patio to make the most of your waterside access. If you build a dock or boathouse, keep to Mediterranean style. Use the same colors and finishes that you use on your home’s exterior. Link the structures with a brick or stone pathway if possible.

Don’t be alarmed if you see a Mediterranean house gecko in your courtyard or even inside the garage. They are a beneficial species that help keep your beautiful Mediterranean villa free from insects. They are such common creatures in warm climates that you often find wall art, sculptures, or other artistic representations inside Mediterranean homes.

5. Modern Touches in Mediterranean Houses

At first glance, Mediterranean home design may not seem like it merges well with modern décor. However, because both design styles focus on simplicity, they go well together.

The modern Mediterranean house elevates an open floor plan that works well for families and entertaining. Modern Mediterranean homes magnify outdoor living space into newly inspired indoor-outdoor living areas.

Modern minimalist house with flat roofs, stone and white facade, wooden fence, and landscaped garden with grass, gravel, and plants — Source: @jany_kovac via Instagram

Modern two-story house with white and gray walls, arched doorway, and stairs; palm tree and greenery under a clear blue sky

White modern house with blue accents, surrounded by lush greenery and flowering plants, under a clear blue sky

Modern beige building with tall windows, white balconies, and an exterior staircase against a bright blue sky

Modern house exterior with a raised entrance, sleek stairs, glass-paneled doors, and a spacious stone-tiled patio

Two-story house with beige walls, brown shutters, and a tiled roof; there is a driveway and small shrubs in front

Modern house exterior with a covered entryway, black steps, glass-paneled door, and patio featuring beige walls and minimal landscaping

Charming house with a curved roof and wooden arched door, surrounded by lush greenery and trees

While a modern Mediterranean home plan usually includes balconies with metal railings, they are updated. Instead of traditional metal scrolls and curves, a modern Mediterranean house will have straight, angular railings.

Instead of arched doors and windows, you may see rectangular openings with more subtle Mediterranean touches.

6. Classic White and Blue Mediterranean Styles

Santorini, Greece is known for its gorgeous white and blue seaside homes. Originally made of dark stones that absorbed the intense Mediterranean sun, they were painted white to help reflect the heat.

Brilliant blue accents were added because of the availability of loulaki, a blue cleaning agent used in every household. This clean, cool color combination is a beautiful way to bring original Mediterranean style to your own home.

Charming white Mediterranean house with a small balcony, potted plants, arched French doors, and vibrant pink flowers along the facade — Source: @beccavidhavet via Instagram

Minimalist white Mediterranean house with a wooden door, small staircase, potted pink flowers, and a rustic chimney under a clear blue sky — Source: @gisellavicentem via Instagram

White building with a balcony and entrance adorned with potted cacti and plants, red pots add contrast to the clean design — Source: @lunas.nest_ via Instagram

Minimalist white Mediterranean house with two small windows, textured walls, and a sunlit brick-paved courtyard against a clear blue sky — Source: @nanit_rooms_ibiza via Instagram

Traditional white Mediterranean house with arched doorways, blue windows, an elegant staircase, and potted plants along a cobblestone street

Modern white Mediterranean house with blue shutters, arched balconies, and a wooden fence, set against a bright and airy backdrop

White building with blue doors and windows, featuring external stairs and a balcony, in a sunny Mediterranean setting

Charming white Mediterranean house with blue shutters, a rustic facade, outdoor seating, and a tree-lined entrance under a bright blue sky

White walls look stunning with Mediterranean architecture, whether paired with blue, terra cotta, or another color palette.

Stucco not only helps keep a warm climate home cool, but its clean simplicity is also a perfect background to show off rich wood and metal accents. White Mediterranean house walls also provide a clean canvas to showcase colorful garden landscaping.

7. Old-Fashioned Mediterranean House Ideas

If you live in an older Mediterranean house, it may seem a little dark for today’s lighter aesthetics. Many older Mediterranean homes have lower ceilings and fewer windows than newer houses on the market.

You can hire a builder to add skylights or extra windows to allow more natural light indoors without changing the overall Mediterranean feeling of your home.

A Mediterranean-style house with arched windows and a small balcony, adorned with vibrant bougainvillea and lush greenery — Source: @alpeseternas via Instagram

A white house with a dark green door, two windows with shutters, potted plants, and a small balcony above the entrance — Source: @laretta_fly via Instagram

Ornate building entrance with a wooden door, wrought iron gate, and blue-tiled walls surrounded by lush greenery — Source: @m.mar_.mir_ via Instagram

Stone building with green shutters, white door, and a tiled roof, surrounded by a garden with plants and flowers, viewed through iron gates — Source: @maria_s_novikov via Instagram

A small two-story building with a tiled roof and wooden doors with ornate metalwork, potted plants sit near the entrance — Source: @olivetree_house via Instagram

Rustic Mediterranean house with weathered walls, a small balcony, green shutters, and a rooftop terrace, set in a charming narrow alley — Source: @travel_withandreea via Instagram

Charming Mediterranean house with pastel blue doors and shutters, a red doorstep, and vibrant bougainvillea casting shadows on the wall

Charming Mediterranean house with whitewashed walls, blue windows, lush greenery, terracotta pots, and vibrant bougainvillea under a clear sky

Stunning white Mediterranean villa with blue doors and windows, a curved roof, lush gardens, and a scenic coastal backdrop

Old Mediterranean style houses also tend to be smaller than many other house plan ideas. If you decide to build on to an older home, be sure to keep a cohesive appearance between the original home and your additions. Repaint the home with white or off-white shades to brighten up the yellow tones used on older homes.

8. Stone for Authentic Mediterranean Feel

Stone is a popular material that is used in both the interior and exterior of Mediterranean style homes. Stone Mediterranean homes are more common in Europe than in the United States.

While you may sometimes see a Mediterranean home in America with a full stone exterior, stone is more commonly used as an accent material. For example, a staircase or retaining wall may be made of stone while the home’s exterior walls are made of stucco.

Stone Mediterranean house with red-tiled roof and white shutters, set against a mountainous backdrop under a clear blue sky — Source: @bracodubrovnik via Instagram

Stone building with an arched entryway, lush green vines, and vibrant pink and red flowers in planters on the balcony above — Source: @elieziade.7 via Instagram

Stone house with small windows, surrounded by trees; stone pathway leading to entrance under a clear sky — Source: @karya_mimarlik via Instagram

Single-story house with a red-tiled roof, stone facade, and manicured gardens set under a cloudy blue sky — Source: @quest350z via Instagram

Charming stone Mediterranean house with green shutters, a matching door, window flower boxes, and blooming bougainvillea climbing the facade — Source: @szs.zsofi_ via Instagram

Urban street view with a yellow and beige building, a green hedge, and multiple antennas on rooftops under a clear blue sky

Stone Mediterranean house with teal doors and white shutters, featuring window boxes filled with pink and red flowers

Stone Mediterranean house with green door and shutters, adorned with vibrant pink and red flowers, and a small plant climbing the wall

Stone pavers are common worldwide for Mediterranean patios, courtyards, sidewalks, and driveways. Inside the home, stone fireplaces are common in Mediterranean design. Cantera stone, limestone, and manufactured stone veneers are just some of the stone surfaces to use in authentic Mediterranean home design.

9. Grandeur of Large Mediterranean Houses

When Mediterranean floor plans come to mind, we tend to think first of the classic, low profile, single-story home. However, some of the most memorable Mediterranean houses are the large, grand haciendas and estates built in Spanish or Tuscan style. With a giant foyer, sprawling central courtyard, and a two-story living room ceiling, these multi-storied Mediterranean house plans make an impressive first impression.

Mediterranean-style house with terracotta roof, arched windows, greenery, and a tiled patio featuring a small reflecting pool

Luxurious Mediterranean stone villa with arched terraces, green shutters, an infinity pool, and a lush pergola-covered balcony — Source: @daming_zadar via Instagram

Luxury villa surrounded by palm trees, a fountain, and manicured gardens under a clear blue sky — Source: @wei.studio via Instagram

A large Mediterranean house will usually have multiple balconies on the second floor, fenced with wrought iron railings. A double-story arched window may illuminate the foyer or dining room, or there may be tall arched windows beside a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. A guest suite is a must in a huge Mediterranean house. If your guest suite’s bathroom or master bathroom needs sprucing up, see how amazing it looks to paint the cabinet in Mediterranean style:

10. More Mediterranean House Ideas

Rustic Mediterranean stone house with a bold red door, cascading pink bougainvillea, and warm limestone walls bathed in sunlight

Mediterranean-style house with white walls, palm trees, colorful flowers, and blue sky

Cobblestone street lined with old houses, red-tiled roofs, and hills in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds — Source: @evelinadacheva via Instagram

Colorful European buildings with balconies against a clear blue sky on a sunny day

A Mediterranean-style house with an arched entrance, stucco exterior, tiled roof, and a circular driveway lined with palm trees

Rustic Mediterranean stone house with blue shutters, nestled in a lush terraced hillside with cypress trees and native greenery

Charming Mediterranean stone house with white walls, vibrant blue shutters, a small balcony, and rustic architectural details in a quaint village

Minimalist Mediterranean house with white walls, bright turquoise shutters, exposed wooden beams, and a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds

Quaint Mediterranean townhouses with white stucco walls, terracotta roofs, striped awnings, and vibrant bougainvillea climbing the facade

Two-story Mediterranean house with blue shutters, a pool, sun loungers, and an umbrella in the foreground; scenic hillside in the background

What does “Mediterranean style house” mean?

A Mediterranean style house is one designed in the style of homes located around the Mediterranean Sea. Designed to accommodate the unique needs of living in a warmer climate, these homes often feature inner courtyards and generous patios. Stucco walls, a tile roof, and arched windows are all features of a Mediterranean style home.

Where are Mediterranean houses located?

Mediterranean houses used to only be located in the beautiful Mediterranean countries including France, Italy, and Spain. However, they can now be found around the globe. Sometimes called Spanish style homes in the US, these houses are easily recognizable by their rough plaster exteriors, sprawling profiles, terra cotta roof tiles and arched doorways and windows.

What is the difference between Tuscan and Mediterranean style?

Although these are two similar types of architectural style, Mediterranean home design incorporates elements from around the Mediterranean area. These include influences from Greece, Turkey, Morocco, France, and Spain. Tuscan style focuses only on the design elements common in Italy, particularly the Tuscany region of central Italy.