How do you achieve a tropical and Mediterranean aesthetic with decorative tiles?
- Bring the outdoors in.
- Opt for cream and white colors.
- Accent airy interior spaces with intricate tiles.
- Go for floral or natural tiles.
- Experiment with various tile designs.
- Mix and match tiles for a hint of whimsy.
- Put them somewhere unexpected.
But what makes a tropical or Mediterranean style, anyway? Here are some key elements of the aesthetic:
- Indoor-outdoor living: a sense of merging your indoors with the outside world, and letting as much of the outdoors into your home as possible with natural elements and accents
- Arched structures: lots of wide, open spaces with arches that frame doors and windows
- Breezy interior spaces: big windows and doors that let in lots of sunlight and fresh air
- Use of natural materials: these include wood, woven materials, ceramics, tile, terracotta, linen, and cotton
- Neutral palettes: color is used as an accent, and palettes reflect natural elements as well
Now that you have an idea of what constitutes the Mediterranean style, without further ado, let’s dive into those tile designs that will bring the tropical-Mediterranean aesthetic right to your doorstep!
Bring the outdoors in
A great way to incorporate the outdoors into your house’s interior style is with tiles that emulate natural objects. Take a look at the wall accent of @jaxtersuarez007 above which features Tile 115 in custom green. While the arches are one element that adds to the Mediterranean features, it’s the leaflike pattern that brings these tiles to life.
Opt for cream and white colors.
The Mediterranean aesthetic isn’t always about choosing the most colorful option available. As we mentioned above, neutral palettes are often used for walls, especially clean colors like white and cream. You can opt for plain tiles, or you can add a touch of elegance with embossed ones. Our project with @silong_dekor perfectly showcases how a white embossed tile can add spice to any minimalist space.
Accent airy interior spaces with intricate tiles.
Airy spaces that give access to the outdoors—like this room in the G Residence in Nuvali designed by @openhousedesignph—have a delicate balance that allows the outdoors to take precedence without scrimping on interior design. See how Tile 036 elevates the monochromatic room without taking away from the floor-to-ceiling doorways.
Go for floral or natural tiles
Still in line with the idea of letting the outdoors in, this is another take on the concept of tiles reminiscent of nature. Floral tiles are crowd favorites when it comes to meeting the criteria for various aesthetics because they seem to have a style all their own that elevates that of others. It all depends on choosing the right color scheme and knowing how to maintain your tiles so that they last for a long, long time. We’re certain the tiles pictured above, from Gaston Architecture Studio’s project, will stand the test of time.
Experiment with various tile designs.
When choosing your colors for the space you’re curating, who says you have to stick to just one? The tropical-Mediterranean aesthetic gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to designing your space, and that includes choosing your color scheme. So feel free to experiment or put together colors that suit your taste. There’s a lot of creativity that goes into spaces like these—just take a look at how Happy Nest in the Tropics does it in the project photo above!
Mix and match tiles for a hint of whimsy
If you’re a little wary of mix-and-matching tiles but still want to try it out, why not just experiment with a few that are in the same shade or color family? You can’t go wrong if all the tiles still have a sense of coherence, as you can see in the photo by @audribells above. At the same time, you still get to add that touch of delight and interest that comes from something unexpected.
Put them somewhere unexpected.
And speaking of the unexpected, why not put your tiles somewhere they can make a statement? Floor and wall tiles are the norms, but putting your tiles somewhere else—like a swimming pool—will surely have your guests talking positively about your creativity and style. Homeowner @jenmagno gives her pool a hint of beauty and finesse with Tile 047 in the photo above.
Key Takeaway
Tiles are iconic elements of the tropical-Mediterranean aesthetic. Whether indoor or semi-outdoor, they are great for adding color, texture, and vibrancy to an otherwise neutral space. We’ve presented some decorative tiles in the Philippines that you can opt for when designing your tropical-Mediterranean space, and we hope that when you plan your next construction project, you’ll consider using Machuca Tiles, the best brand of tiles in the Philippines. We look forward to working with you!
