Welcome to our guide on achieving the exotic and alluring look of Moroccan decor! In this blog post, we’ll explore the history, elements, and best practices for incorporating Moroccan style into your home’s interior design.
Moroccan decor exudes an exotic flair that transports you to the bazaars and riads of North Africa. With lavish accents and ornate details, Moroccan style is both dramatic and inviting. At InteriorXDesign, we love how Moroccan decor brings a global vibe home through its mix of colors, textures, and layers. Read on as we uncover the secrets to mastering this gorgeous aesthetic!
What is Moroccan Decor?
Moroccan decor refers to an interior design style inspired by traditional Moroccan architecture and aesthetics. It combines rich colors, ornate geometric patterns, and lavish textures to create a layered, eclectic look. The key characteristics include:
- Vibrant colors like ruby red, sapphire blue, and emerald green
- Intricate geometric patterns and motifs
- Ornate architectural details like arched doorways, carved wood, and tilework
- Luxurious materials like wool, silk, leather, and lanterns
- Layered rugs, pillows, drapes, and furniture
This dazzling style transports you to Morocco’s markets and palaces for an exotic yet cozy look. It mixes bold patterns, vivid colors, and tactile textures for dramatic effects.
History & Origins of Moroccan Style
Moroccan style has its roots in North African and Islamic architecture, design traditions, and craftsmanship. Here’s a brief overview of its origins and history:
- Influenced by Moorish and Arab cultures that conquered the region centuries ago. Blends ornate Islamic geometric motifs with rich cultural styles.
- Traditions of skilled Moroccan artisanship in wood, plaster, metal, textiles, and ceramics. Known for intricate tilework, carvings, and mosaics.
- Impacts from trading along the famous Spice Route, bringing colors, patterns, and materials from around the globe.
- Riads, Moroccan homes organized around a central courtyard with fountains, arched windows, and colorful tiles.
- Palaces, mosques, and city architecture marked by grand carved doors, tile mosaics, fragrant gardens, and elegant fountains.
So Moroccan style brings together Arab, Berber, Mediterranean, and Islamic influences marked by skilled craftsmanship and artisanal traditions unique to Morocco. The resulting look is globally inspired yet distinctly Moroccan.
Key Elements of Moroccan Decor
Moroccan style is recognized by some signature accents and decorative details. Here are some of the most important elements for nailing this dramatic look:
- Vibrant colors like ruby red, emerald green, cobalt blue, and sunflower yellow. Often used in combination for pops of contrast.
- Intricate tilework, mosaics, and zellige tiles in geometric motifs and patterns. Often in entryways, kitchens, baths.
- Arches galore! Rounded doorways and windows, arched built-in wall niches, vaulted ceilings. Gives curves and movement.
- Ornate metalwork like lanterns, hanging lights, candleholders, tables. Brass and silver finishes add glam.
- Carved wood furnishings, doors, and architectural accents. Cedar and mahogany commonly used for warm richness.
- Poufs, cushions, pillows in a range of fabrics, textures, and patterns to layer. Wool, cotton, leather, silk.
- Benches, daybeds, canopies, and window seats for lounging Moroccan style.
- Area rugs layered on carpets, often in graphic tribal or botanical designs. Provide definition.
- Sheer drapes, embroidered fabrics, silk curtains. Soften and filter light beautifully.
- Central courtyards and fountains for indoor/outdoor living. Water elements soothe.
These details layered together create the lavish and exotic Moroccan vibe. Play with varying combinations to make it your own.
How to Get the Moroccan Look
Looking to bring some Moroccan style into your home? Here are some key steps for achieving an authentic exotic feel:
Pick Vibrant Hues
Color is integral to Moroccan decor. Opt for a vibrant color scheme in reds, blues, greens, yellows and everything between. Use colors in combination through patterns and textiles for pops of contrast. Paint walls in earthy neutrals then layer in bright pillows, rugs and accessories.
Incorporate Geometric & Botanical Motifs
Patterns are another essential part of Moroccan style. Look for geometric tribal prints, ornate florals, paisley designs and more. Use patterned tile, rugs, wall decor and textiles. Try tile decals or removable wallpaper to bring pattern to floors, walls and furniture.
Display Treasured Collections
Moroccan style encourages curating decorative collections. Display your cherished finds from travels on open shelves or in wall niches. Groupings of ceramics, brass ware, leather-bound books and carved objects make great collections.
Add Arched Architecture
Build visual interest with architectural arches and curves. Use arched doorways and windows, arched built-in wall niches, arched mirrors and artwork. Ceiling domes and vaulted ceilings also complement the look.
Layer in Luxurious Textures
Varied rich textures create depth in Moroccan interiors. Layer handwoven wool rugs on top of carpeting for dimensional style underfoot. Hang silky drapes at windows mixed with embroidered sheers. Use carved wood, leather, wrought iron and brass for contrast.
Lounging Nooks & Daybeds
To relax in Moroccan fashion, create designated lounging nooks. Use daybeds, cushioned benches, window seats piled with pillows. Canopy beds draped in sheer fabric filter light beautifully.
Source Authentic Décor
Find quality Moroccan décor for the most authentic vibe. Search import shops, fair trade retailers and Etsy artisans for handcrafted lanterns, poufs, ceramic tagines and more. Use genuine materials like wool kilims and cedar wood.
Strategic Lighting Layers
Lighting sets the mood in Moroccan rooms. Use ambient and task lighting. Try hanging lanterns, sconces, Edison bulbs in wrought iron fixtures. Add candlelight from tapers in colorful glass holders.
Don’t Overlook Small Touches
Even small details count when crafting a Moroccan aesthetic. Display houseplants in colorful tiled pots. Frame mirrors ornately. Use tassel drawer pulls and curtain ties. Collect patterned tea glasses forDisplay houseplants in colorful tiled pots. Frame mirrors ornately. Use tassel drawer pulls and curtain ties. Collect patterned tea glasses for entertaining.
Best Practices for Moroccan Style
Ready to dive into Moroccan decor? Keep these best practices in mind:
- Stick to a cohesive color palette so the look doesn’t become chaotic. Earthy neutrals with pops of red, blue and green work well.
- Balance intricate patterns with simple solid fabrics and textures. Let each space feature one or two statement patterns so they stand out.
- Invest in quality materials and handcrafted pieces for authenticity. Seek out fair trade and vintage when possible.
- Avoid going overboard. Stick to one or two spaces for the full Moroccan treatment, then use touches like patterned pillows elsewhere.
- Carefully curate collections displayed together for visual harmony. Group items meaningfully by color, texture, or theme.
- Use lighting strategically, both ambient and task lighting. Illuminate key details. Hang lanterns at varying heights.
- Edit wool rugs to suit your climate. Layer a sisal or seagrass rug underneath to prevent slipping on smooth floors.
- Soften harsh edges with draping fabrics, arched openings and furnishings. Moroccan style encourages a relaxed flow.
- DIY touches like removable wallpaper, tile decals and painted patterns. Cost-effective ways to test out maximalist motifs.
- Consult design resources for guidance. Blogs, books and magazines offer endless Moroccan décor inspiration.
Conclusion
Moroccan design awakens interiors with its rich colors, lavish textures, and ornate details inspired by North African traditions. By using vibrant hues, complex geometric patterns, archways, carved woods and strategic lighting, you can craft an exotic yet inviting Moroccan oasis. As you plan your own Moroccan room, refer to our tips on achieving an authentic ambiance. With the right mix of textures, colors and handcrafted pieces, you’ll be transported straight to the bazaars and riads of Marrakech.
We hope this Moroccan decor guide has shown you how to infuse global flair into your home. For more exotic design inspiration, explore InteriorXDesign’s blog regularly. Let us know if you have any other interior style topics you’d love for us to cover!
