The Moors came from Africa and established a kingdom in southern Spain. Mainly of Arabic and Berber descent, their cultural designs have inspired designers centuries later. The mystery and romance of the Arabian Nights and the splendid palaces, arches and furnishings seen in museums and buildings throughout the Mediterranean world, still lend themselves to Moorish themed bedrooms and hallways in modern homes.

If you are wanting to create an interior in this style then you will find it most helpful to read the following tips of mine regarding color schemes and decor.

The colors that were most common in Moorish buildings in the cities of southern Spain were shades of the primary colors red, yellow and blue. A deep, slightly browny red, an orange-tinted yellow ochre, a vivid pastel blue, a deep intense blue and a deep emerald-green.

For larger walls or floors then soft pastel tints of these colors are most appropriate rather than the more overpowering pure colors mentioned above. The strong colors can instead be used in painted patterns (wall stencils), furnishing fabrics, decorative art and any other small details.

To add a modern theme to the Moorish interior, whether a bedroom, living room or kitchen, it’s a good idea to add some steel furniture whether a sink or a chair. Monochrome items will contrast well with the vivid colors. Trinkets, jars, picture frames and candlesticks in burnished copper and brass intimate the rituals of prayer during that period. Think about North African patterned rugs as well especially those with red sections, depending of course on the rest of the color choices.

Terracotta must be a part of the overall Moorish design. A terracotta-effect wall look can be easy acquired using certain paint finishes. Floor tiles or decorative sculptures made of clay or imitation materials, can add further to this theme. Plant pots in this style can also work wonders.

Traditional Moorish patterns can bring the colors used to life in rugs, carpets, doorway arches and on walls. Many books are available in good bookshops and online where these patterns can be studied and copied. Complex geometrical shapes and interlocking polygons woven with stylized floral patterns and arabesques were the most common designs and will are the types of things you will need to look for.

With a little planning and the right colors and paints, your Moorish themed room will be a delightful space in which to entertain guests or admire whilst reading a book on a quiet Sunday afternoon with the setting sun shining onto the warm and rich Mediterranean colors.