Morocco, also called Marrakech, is a country on the northwestern side of Africa that has a very distinctive decorating style.
Moroccan decor is a blend of Indian, African, Spanish, French, and other styles.
Some people like to decorate their entire home in a Moroccan style, while other prefer just to have their outdoor space decorated in a Moroccan style.
Here are a few ways to incorporate the Moroccan style into your home.
photo courtesy of austinevan flickr.com/photos/austinevan/3168627182/
Color
Moroccan homes typically incorporate bold jewel tone colors with metallic gold and silver accents.
Common colors include bright orange, fuchsia, rust, turquoise, peacock blue, fiery red, golden yellow, and bold purple.
Don't forget to add color to your ceiling. Many Moroccan ceilings are painted bright colors with intricate stenciling.
Fabrics
Moroccan homes use an abundance of bold and graphic patterned pillows, rugs, and draperies.
It seems that when it comes to Moroccan pillows, the more the better - especially if they are all different.
Rugs are generally large with a colorful pattern, such as a kilim.
You can use draperies around windows, surrounding a bed, dividing a room, or just hanging on a wall.
Fabric can even be hung from the ceiling to give a room a tent effect.
In addition to patterned fabrics, you can also use leather and other animal skins.
Terracotta and Mosaic Tile
Many Moroccan homes have terracotta and/or mosaic tiles either on the floor, on the walls, or in furniture or accessories.
Some mosaic tiles are solid colors, others have a simple pattern, and some are have extremely intricate patterns.
Arches and Keyhole Shapes
Moroccan architecture is known for its arches and keyhole shapes.
They are used especially around windows, doors, and doorways; however you can also find them used in furniture design, stenciling, and fabric patterns.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is another popular material in Moroccan decor.
You can use wrought iron furniture, lighting, or accessories.
Carved Wood
Most of the furniture in a Moroccan style home is one of a kind and carved by hand.
The wood carvings are often very intricate with many embellishments.
Lighting
Lighting in Moroccan homes typically comes from multiple dim light sources throughout the room.
Interiors in the Moroccan style are known for their Moroccan lamps #ad which are often hung in multiples from the center of the room.
Moroccan lamps create intricate shadows that give a room a magical and mysterious feel.
You can supplement the lighting of Moroccan lamps with candles and other dimly lit lamps.
Ornate Mirrors
Ornate mirrors #ad, often made of intricately carved wood or embellished metal, are popular in Moroccan design.
Plants
Plants are often used in Moroccan style homes to bring the outdoor feel inside.
You can use indoor palms or whatever plants are popular in your region.
Ottomans, Poufs, and Floor Pillows
A popular piece of Moroccan furniture is the ottoman or pouf #ad.
A pouf is a small ottoman that is usually upholstered in leather with intricate stitching or a bold patterned fabric in jewel tones.
Poufs can be used as a chair or a place to prop your feet up.
Moroccan style also incorporates floor pillows in bright colors.
Comfort
Moroccan interiors are known for their comfort.
Consider using a deep sectional sofa with many pillows in your Moroccan room.
Since Moroccan rooms are generally made for lounging and relaxing, it is a perfect style for your porch or patio.
Intricate Details
Moroccan homes are often works of art with the intricate details in the architecture and decor.
Spend time thinking about how to make your Moroccan room special with much attention to detail.
Modern Interpretation
For a more modern interpretation of a Moroccan styled home, consider using fabrics that have a larger scaled pattern, use fewer patterns throughout the room, and use fewer colors.
You can also incorporate more white to give the color scheme a fresher look.
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