you’re looking to bring an exotic yet elegant feel to your home, you should consider the elegantly mysterious elements found in Moroccan style decor. From vibrant colors to intricately designed wood and mosaic products, this luxurious, dramatic, and exciting style is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes. However, it can also look dated on its own since it has so many classical elements to it. Moroccan chic takes some of those Moroccan features and combines them with modern sensibilities, like a judicious use of color and choosing one pattern as a focal point. Below we’ll cover in detail how to get the very on-trend Moroccan chic style.
All About the Moroccan Style
Chic is one of those words you often see thrown around in the design world. It’s especially common to see it added to certain design styles to update an older look for modern sensibilities, as is the case with rustic chic and even boho chic. And one style that’s easy to fall in love with is the Moroccan chic style.
Like other styles that make use of the word chic, Moroccan chic is about taking the classic Moroccan design style and updating it for a more modern appeal. The Moroccan style has very distinctive architectural, color and pattern traits.
Moroccan Style Design Elements
From the glittering coastlines of Casablanca and Tangier to the snake charmers and spices in the air of bazaars in Marrakesh, inspiration can be found, whether you are looking for just a touch of exotic flair or a full make-over.
Architectural Details
Another huge trend in the Moroccan style is notable architectural details. For example, a recurring detail is that doorways tend to have arches for more of a cultural appeal. However, we can’t all completely remodel our doorways. A good compromise is the wall facade design in the photo above. It still gives that arched Moroccan architecture feel without having to get out the sledgehammer.
You can also incorporate similar geometry into other home accents like coffee tables, mirrors or even headboards. You’ll most commonly see the horseshoe arch in Moroccan architecture, which is a style you can find in all kinds of home goods.
Strong Color for Moroccan Style Interiors
Color is the focal point of Moroccan decorating. Drawing inspiration from Morocco’s landscape, look for shades of blue and green from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, shimmering gold and silver invoking the Sahara sands, and rich reds and oranges that conjure images of African sunsets.
Moroccan Style Furniture
Interior spaces are busy in pattern but simple in furniture. Sofas and tables are inviting and set low to the ground. Moroccan furnishings rely on elaborately wrought iron scroll work, mother of pearl inlay, ornately carved wood in high relief, richly hued upholstery, and intricate mosaic or Terra cotta tile details.
Moroccan Chic Furniture Details
One hallmark of the Moroccan style is its distinctive furniture and high use of textured patterns. So you’ll first want to focus on the furniture. To start off, it just isn’t a Moroccan style unless you have a pouf somewhere, like the tan one in the photo above. This is a good element that instantly sets the Moroccan tone thanks to its patterns.
In general, you’ll want to focus on pieces with a high degree of geometric pattern. For instance, you might choose a room divider with a patterned and geometric tone. Furniture featuring arches and diamond patterns are also common.
Luxurious and Lush Fabrics
Fabrics in rich colors with intricate textures and designs are typical of Moroccan decor. Add throw pillows and cushions in abundance, and drape luxurious fabrics from furniture, window frames, and even the ceiling. Tie loosely draped fabric back with heavy cords in high traffic areas to keep them out of the way and for extra space and added style.
Choose One Pattern as a Focal Point
The Moroccan style is all about patterns and texture. However, to keep things more on the Moroccan chic and modern side, work with just one or two large-scale patterns as your focal point to keep the room looking more visually streamlined.
An example is the space in the photo above, where the defining pattern of the room is the design behind the TV. A secondary texture comes from the geometric design in the carpeting. Moroccan styles are also all about layering tons of pillows together, so feel free to do that, as well. You can use smaller, subtle designs on the pillows. Again, this photo shows how layering visual textures in neutral shades keeps the style looking more modern.
Lighting for an Exotic Interior
Lighting is an important element of Moroccan decor. Moroccan lighting focuses on dim lighting created by lamps and pendants made from colored glass, cut metal, and carved wood. Using candles in traditional lamps will add the romantic element of moving light to your decor and exotic scents.
Floors in Moroccan Interiors
Floors of dark hardwood are covered with plush Boucherouite or Beni Ourain rugs and stacked floor cushions to create the perfect base for a Moroccan style room. Ceramic tile is often on used for flooring and gives a coolness much welcomed in the hot weather.
Reflect Colorful Decor
Mirrors enhance the ambiance of a Moroccan interior by subtly reflecting light and adding adornment to walls. Look for mirrors with decorative wrought ironwork, deeply carved wood, onion dome-shaped frames, and metal or jewel embellishments.
Go Subtle with Color
Traditional Moroccan styles are all about color saturation. However, more modern styles tend to veer towards neutrals. To strike a chic balance between the two of them, you could focus on one accent color. The Moroccan chic style in the photo above uses a deep blue as its main accent color. You can see how that shade is reflected in the bedspread and bench. The space also uses red as a secondary accent color.
You could use small punches of multicolored elements, too. Examples include colorful stained-glass pieces in the windows, artwork or a rug. However, these items should not overpower the space. Ground out these elements with neutral-colored items to keep it modern, like in the photo above.
Plants for Moroccan Decor
Placed in large, colorful pots or baskets, exotic plants such as banana trees or papyrus help to create an oasis-like feel in a Moroccan style home.
Canopies Overhead
Richly hued sheer silk swagged over seating or dining areas or mosquito netting over beds adds a mysterious touch, reminiscent of desert bazaar tents.
Sensual Moroccan Scents
The right fragrances can instantly link the mind to Moroccan bazaars and can give your new Moroccan styling the perfect finishing touch. Choose candles, incense, or diffuses in scents rich with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, or any exotic spices.
Crux
It’s a Moroccan style that can be meshed with nearly every existing form of decor and is certainly a way to catch the eyes and hearts of each guest who enters your home. Here’s some inspiration provided by designers, Instagrammers and other decor experts who have flawlessly executed the Moroccan decor trend.
