The Mediterranean climate suggests a color palette suited to reflect heat and cool down the indoors.
Mediterranean exteriors are often painted in ways that evoke the historical architecture of the Mediterranean region. While the Mediterranean color scheme has significant artistic appeal today, its original roots lie in utility: the colors chosen help to naturally air condition homes in a region known for its warm temperatures. Off-whites reflect sunlight from walls, keeping interiors cool, while red ceramic tiles provide roofing insulation. Cool blues round out the palette with a tranquil, soothing feel.
Off-White
Off-white and cream colors often provide the dominant color for exterior wall surfaces.
Perhaps the most common Mediterranean exterior paint color is off-white or cream. These colors are usually made from a base of white paint with a slight hue of brown, gray or both. Off-white is a favorite of the Mediterranean style because this climate is well known for its regular solar exposure and warm temperatures. White and off-white reflect heat to keep houses cool in these warmer parts of the world, which also makes it a good choice for Mediterranean climates like those of southern California.
Red and Maroon
Doorways, windows and other architectural features are often offset with warm colors like red to complement brick tiles.
Many Mediterranean exteriors employ warm colors like red and maroon to denote trim and doorways. Mediterranean houses often feature red tile roofs or brick doorway arches, and choosing colors that complement these more permanent features is often a pleasant contrast to white or cream-colored walls. Often these kinds of colors are used for window trim or garage door features.
Cool Blue
Cool blues evoke the Mediterranean sea and offer a soothing, relaxed look.
Blue is a common trim and accent color for Mediterranean exteriors, adopted largely from architecture in Greece where blue is often used for domed rooftops and doorways. Cool blues are favorites in Greece, and this color pairing is used on the Mediterranean country's flag. The colors are sometimes used to accent doorways or arches throughout the Mediterranean region, not just in Greece but also in Morocco and Tunisia. In some of these cultures, blue is thought to ward off evil. Either way, it makes a soothing and inviting impression that's sure to suggest the light blue waters of the Mediterranean sea.
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