How to Decorate in a Moroccan Style

Use rich colors and mixed patterns in your Moroccan decor.

The country of Morocco is located in Northwest Africa with coastlines along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The warm climate and cool sea winds influence Moroccan design, a style rich in jewel tones, layers of texture and an array of patterns. Visually stimulating, the Moroccan style of decorating includes the use of both lightweight and heavy fabrics, tile work and intricately carved furnishings, and an abundance of detail.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tile or hardwood flooring
• Paint
• Sheers and curtain panels
• Cornice
• Lighting
• Area rug
• Upholstered furniture
• Throws and pillows
• Floor pillows and ottomans
• Tables
• Accessories and artwork

1. Develop a color palette. Include deep blues and purple, pale blues, dark reds and earthy browns, dusky yellows and leafy greens. Select two of the colors to serve as dominant colors and three to serve as secondary colors.

2. Tile the floor using clay tiles. Use accent tiles with a bright, graphic pattern to create a pattern within the tile work. An alternative to tile work is wide-plank hardwood flooring stained a dark oak.

3. Paint the walls either a golden yellow or a sea blue. Add texture to the walls using suede paint, a faux plaster finish, or a color-wash finish.

4. Hang soft sheers for the first layer of the window treatment. Add a second layer of fabric using full length panels in a lightweight fabric. Select panels with bright colors and intense graphic appeal and beaded trim. Top the window treatments with a wood cornice, carved in a broad scallop pattern.

5. Hang a wrought iron chandelier in the room. Add several wrought iron sconces on the walls.

6. Add a large wool area rug with a distinctive graphic pattern and plush appeal. Build the seating area around this rug.

7. Select a sofa with intricate wood carving along the curved back and within the arms. Choose a solid color using one of the dominant colors from your palette for the fabric on the sofa. Dress it up with layers of brightly colored lightweight throws and throw pillows. Use secondary colors for all the fabric accessories.

8. Add one upholstered armchair to the seating area and one upholstered chaise lounge, both in solid color fabrics using dominant colors. Dress these in layers of throws and pillows.

9. Add at least three floor pillows to the seating area. If floor pillows are not practical for your lifestyle, use a mix of ottomans and wood stools. Select stools with intricately carved legs. Use floor lamps to light the seating area. Select lamps with metal bases and beaded shades.

10. Add side tables with tiled tops and intricate carvings to the seating area. Use a low, tiled coffee table in front of the sofa. Place a silver coffee serving set on the table.

11. Add low tables to other areas in the room, keeping in style with the tables in the seating area. Place silver bowls and platters, painted pottery, antique books and lamps with wrought iron bases on the tables. Place floor pillows or ottomans near the tables.

12. Complete the room with selected artwork and accessories. Use tiled mosaics and wood carved statuettes for artwork display.

Tips & Warnings

• Use several shades of your color palette in your fabric selections.

• Avoid exact matches of colors and patterns, but do repeat some of the graphic shapes in the fabrics in accessories.

References

• Home Decorating Reviews: Moroccan Interiors
• Themed Home Decor: Moroccan Decorating
• Interior Design It Yourself: Moroccan Interior Design

Resources

• This Old House: How to Create a Vintage Tile Tabletop