Explore an array of styling themes from regions around the world.
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Moroccan Decorating
Existing on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, imagine the excitement of Morocco with its intoxicating combination of spirituality and sensuality, celebrating a culture where ancient traditions and craftsmanship have sustained for centuries.
Vibrantly colored homes, elaborately decorated walls and tiled courtyards with mesmerizing fountains and ponds can only be matched by the majestic Moroccan landscape of palm trees, mountain ranges, oceanic views and the stark beauty of the desert.
At left, a Moroccan stained-glass window; at right, a bathroom displaying common traits in this design, including tiles, plasterwork and arched geometry.
The hypnotic style of Moroccan decorating incorporates colorful tile combinations, with unique plasterwork and painted surfaces gracing walls, arches and pathways. Extravagant taste found in paintings, rugs, pottery, woven bedspreads and unique pieces of furniture comprise the popular Moroccan motif.
Moroccan decorating, with its jeweled, stained-glass colors, rich Indian fabrics and ornately carved furniture invite images of Arab Sultans of the 18th century, while simplicity and spirituality are conveyed throughout Moroccan decor with striking contrast in color and patterns.
See these and other African products in the themed home decor store.
Colors
Colors in the Moroccan decorating theme are warm and noted for their repeated geometric designs (such as diamonds, circles, triangles and arches) throughout the home, both whimsical and symbolic to the unique essence of their culture. Bright, vibrant color is abundant in Moroccan decor, and is demonstrated in complex tile designs, rugs and ornate fabrics used to decorate walls, windows, doors and furniture.
Blue is a fundamental color in Moroccan interior design, with heavy influences from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, making turquoise and sea blue popular choices for doorways, window frames and shutters.
A Moroccan home, displaying characteristic geometric tiling, arched doorways, and blue undertones.
Columns, walls and stairways are often adorned with earthy oxblood and rust, emerald greens and soft pinks, influenced by nearby forests, jagged rocks and glowing sunsets capturing the dazzle of Morocco. Old wooden furniture painted in energetic reds, blues and yellows, also help set the unique mystical tone in the Moroccan decorating style.
Floors are often seen as rich terracotta tile, with umber (burnt reddish-brown) or olive-colored baby bricks. Carpets of vivid oranges, sunset reds, spring greens and muted mauves lend themselves to designs including flowers, palm trees and animals.
Doors on interior walls are popularly outlined in unusual shades of aubergine (dark purple), turquoise, mustard and crimson. Being masters of painted wood and plaster of paris surfaces, Moroccans ornately decorate with graceful trees, elaborate flower bouquets, and sinuous vines embellished on furniture and home structures.
Color cues in Moroccan decor.
For assistance selecting your Moroccan themed colors, try these free online tools, the color wheel calculator (from Sessions School of Design) and the color visualizer (from Sherwin Williams).
Furniture
Moroccan furniture has the distinct look of furniture covered in cowhide, goat skin and camel skin. Hassocks, bureaus, armoires, tea tables, chairs and opium tables are often made from Thuja trees, and their extraordinary beauty offer an explosion of grains and varying hues giving character and a certain mystery to any Moroccan theme.
A modern approach in this Moroccan living room, with leather and wood furniture, hardwood floors, colorful cushions, plants and open window treatments.
Moroccans are known for their marquetry skills, or inlaid work of variously colored woods or other materials, offered in chess sets, tables and chairs. Over-stuffed sofas, piled with tiger skin and embroidered pillows, are often complemented with large leather ottomans, offering a cozy setting for family get-togethers, or simply alone to enjoy a good book.
Colorful Moroccan hand made tiles are used in many tabletops, fireplaces, and even chairs. Bright and colorful upholstery in reds, purples, emerald and gold along with bronze or brass finishes add to the richness of the interior.
Fabrics
Traditional Moroccan decor incorporates beading or embroidery on sophisticated silk brocades, linens, wools and velvet. Moroccan homes typically feature traditional country textiles for bedspreads, throws and pillows, with heavy white canvas curtains, upholstery, and floor dressings consisting of rough-textured wools and cottons.
Textiles for sale at an outdoor market in Morocco.
Colors typically used in Moroccan decorating fabrics are red, purple, gold and green, which balance well against the terracotta earth tones of floors and walls. For that final element of comfort, weaved cushions and leather pillows should be placed generously on sofas and chairs.
Plants
There are several options to choose from when considering plant life in your Moroccan decor. Among the many choices include: Thuja trees, dwarf palms, umbrella pines from Italy, litchi trees from China, mango trees from Florida, blossoming orange and lemon trees, rose bushes, mimosa, snapdragons, hollyhocks, bougainvillea, bamboo, agaves and cacti.
Moroccan Decorating Accessories
The Moroccan decorating motif is characterized by its splendor of color and ornate attention to detail. Adding a touch of Morocco to your home can be accomplished in a variety of ways, with a single fixture or an entire room filled with what the region has to offer.
Pottery exemplifying Moroccan design in shapes, colors and texture.
Moroccan pottery comes in many beautiful shades of yellow, green, white and black glazes, enhancing jars, carafes, pitchers, vases and perfume bottles. Large terracotta pots can be of pale yellow, green and blue, and set off by unconventional plants such as coral sunset geraniums surrounded by graceful ferns.
See these and other African products in the themed home decor store.
The African Decorating section of our store offers accessories under these categories: Aromatherapy, Candles & Holders, Lamps & Lanterns, Statues & Figurines, Vases & Ceramics, Wall Hangings and More African Decor.
Below are some additional ideas to get you on your way.
Lighting
Moroccan decorating can be quite exotic when it comes to lighting. Vibrantly stained-glass Moroccan lanterns, oil lamps, or candles scented with sandalwood provide just the right touch in this motif, and can be used on outdoor patios, verandas, or anywhere else inside the home.
Throwing candlelit patterns through geometrically carved glass both complements the patterns in the room while also adding a level of complexity to the surrounding surfaces.
Beautifully colored glass panes enhanced by brass or wrought-iron frames, either in plain and simple lines, or intricately ornate decor, project a particularly warm and eccentric glow over the room.
Related Pages ...
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Helpful Resources
Just Morocco Furniture Imports Eclectic moroccan bedding furniture & home decor such as armoires, tables & chairs, lamps & lanterns, living room sets, doors & ceilings, moroccan tiles, rugs, pottery & tea glasses...
Mediterranean furniture - Star of Morocco offers a great variety of Mediterranean style furniture. Our collection includes chests, entertainment centers, tables and chairs and much more.
Moroccan Decorating - Furniture, Lamps & More Moroccan and Oriental furniture, lighting, textiles, tiles, mosaics and home decor.
From Africa to Your Home, find Furniture, Textiles, Skins, Baskets, Pillows, Carpets, Masks, Lighting and Pottery. ______________________
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