The home of Western philosophy, the Olympics and spectacular architecture, Greece has had a major influence over how the world has developed. It should come as no surprise then, that Greek interior design has influenced architects, designers and landowners for centuries.
Whether you’re creating a modern idyll or a classical environment, incorporating Greek style interior design can elevate the aesthetic and create a cool yet welcoming feel. Read on to discover the top Greek style interior design trends and find out how to incorporate them into your own properties:
High Ceilings and Columns
If you’re designing a new home or renovating a property, take the opportunity to integrate high ceilings into your plans. Extra vertical height will add an expansive feel to any room and is reminiscent of the high ceilings seen in buildings throughout Greece.
Similarly, interior columns are a sure-fire way to embrace Greek interior design and give the space an unmistakeable Mediterranean feel. The simplest style, Doric, are wider at the base than the top and feature limited decoration, which can make them a great addition to today’s contemporary interiors.
If you want to enjoy classical Greek décor, opt for Ionic columns, which have scrolls on either side at the top of the column, or Corinthian columns, which incorporate scrolls and leaves from the acanthus plant as decorative adornments.
Rich Colour Palette
When you think of Greek style interior design, clean white and shades of blue probably spring to mind. While this colour palette is certainly still en vogue, don’t feel that it’s the only way to use Greek style interior design trends in your home or workplace.
Traditionally, Greek interior design has always made maximum use of the natural light that was available, so aim to imitate the sun-drenched style seen on the Greek islands. Rich shades, such as olive and terracotta, are truly authentic, but be sure to weave gold and metallics into the palette to lift the overall aesthetic and add a touch of glamour to your interiors.
For a contemporary twist, use blacks, browns or greys to contrast white and gold. This adds a dramatic feel to the space and utilises the brightness and decadence of gold hues to lift the space, add visual interest and deliver contrast.
Sculptures and Décor
Influenced by Egyptian and Near Eastern art way back in 800 to 300 BCE, Greek sculpture revolutionised the artform and created a genre of sculpture that is still widely emulated to this day. While genuine ancient Greek sculptures still remain, you’ll find that many modern artisans and craftspeople incorporate Greek styles into their own work.
With so many options to choose from, you’ll find Greek inspired sculptures to suit every space and décor. From life-size, life-like models of the human form to ‘relief panels’ that blend sculpture with the background, there are endless ways to integrate this epic Greek interior design trend into your own style.
Remember – decorative pieces should never be an afterthought in interior design. Architectural sculptures, such as perirrhanteria, friezes and pediments, have always been a popular feature in Greek style interior design and you can use these in your own space when you make them an integral part of your interior design.
Mosaics and Patterns
Mosaics are frequently used in Greek interior design, and they are still an excellent way to give an interior a Hellenic feel. Tiled mosaic flooring is ideal for Greek styled kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and foyers, for example.
Alternatively, integrate tiled mosaics as a decorative wall feature to add visual interest to the space and emulate this classical Greek interior design style. While traditional mosaics are typically created from stone, ceramic and glass, modern designers use a wide range of materials to add a contemporary twist to this eponymous style. Marble, porcelain and even recycled plastics can all be used to create vibrant and intriguing or soothing and relaxing mosaics that will complement your preferred interior design style.
Lighting Design
Lighting is always a key concept in interior design, and it is certainly a critical component when it comes to Greek style interior design. Natural light was used to lift interiors, with window shutters traditionally being thrown open to allow the sunlight to cascade into a room. Of course, you can’t always rely on a splash of Mediterranean sun to achieve this effect, but you can use striking lighting design to add the finishing touches to Greek interior design.
If you’re using metallics such as gold or bronze in your colour palette, why not select eye-catching light fixtures in these accent materials? Similarly, if a space has high ceilings to create a feeling of extra space, drop lighting can create a warm and nurturing feel that prevents the room from feeling overly spacious.
Materials and Patterns
Unsurprisingly, local temperatures had a major impact on the types of materials seen in Greek interior design. Natural materials, like cotton, linen and bamboo, were most effective at keeping the space cool, so you’ll often see these in traditional interior designs. While these are certainly a great option in a modern Greek style interior design, you needn’t feel limited when it comes to selecting materials. Richer and warmer fibres, such as velvet, can be a great option for modern Greek-inspired styles and statement pieces featuring these materials will add warmth to any room.
If you’re opting for patterned styles, remember to choose motifs that have a vertical orientation. These were used in Greek interior design to reflect the vertical space, high ceilings and decorative columns, and they are a highly effective way to incorporate the subtle elements of Greek interior design into the home.
Embracing Greek Interior Design
Greek style interior design continues to provide inspiration for today’s designers, artisans and homeowners, so you’ll find plenty of ways to bring this style to life when you’re working on your own interiors. With a range of elements to choose from, Greek interior design finds a way to make the most of any space and makes its easy to create an inviting, luxurious and relaxing aesthetic that draws you in.
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