37 Decor Ideas That Will Make Anybody’s Home a Moroccan Wonderland

Trista - June 20, 2019

Photo: Pinterest

Moroccan design is immediately recognizable as a distinct style, even if the viewer can’t name the source. With its vibrant colors, geometric patterns, beautifully worked wood, and hallmark Moorish arches, it’s a beautiful and whimsical style that brings a warm, exotic feel to a room without looking like a cartoonish theme design.

To add Moroccan elements to your home, try low, comfortable furniture, rich fabrics as draperies, metallic accent pieces, bold and bright walls, and large tropical house plants. Even a small nod to Moroccan design will bring an earthy, luxurious element of beauty to any space.

1. Metal Work

One of the hallmarks of Moroccan design is elaborate metalwork be it on a mirror, lantern, bed frame, or another household item. Look for scrollwork, geometric designs, and the classic Moorish or Islamic keyhole arch for a truly authentic feel.

Gold and silver are perfect complements to Moroccan design, but brass and other metals can work beautifully. If you only select one Moroccan design piece, try a beautiful metalwork mirror for the perfect accent.

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2. Ornate Drapes

If this image doesn’t scream Moroccan style, what really will? No traditional Moroccan decor is complete without luxurious fabrics in a variety of bright colors and stylish patterns. A perfect way to introduce Moroccan flavor to your home is to add elaborate drapery to your windows.

Whether you opt for a lush color, a wild pattern, or both, look to natural fibers like silks and cotton for a truly authentic Moroccan feel. Jewel tones and gem accents can take drapery to the next level. Like we’ve said before, go bold because you are already at home!

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3. Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are another instantly recognizable hallmark of Moroccan design. This tile work is ideal for a cool, luxurious flooring, an opulent, dreamy ocean-side bathroom, or a bright, sunny kitchen. Traditional Moroccan tiles often feature geometric patterns in blues, greens, terra cotta reds, and oranges.

If you aren’t into the vibrant colors, darker ones can create dramatic flooring. Even a tiled accent table or fireplace mantle can bring in a touch of the Moroccan to any room. A little tile goes a long way!

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4. Moroccan Patterns

Intricate, repetitive geometric patterns in vibrant colors are a beautiful tradition in Moroccan interior design. Often featuring curved lines that echo the quintessential Moorish archway, Moroccan patterns are vibrant and lively without being garish.

Paired with precious woods and large, bright mirrors, Moroccan patterns fill a room with a feeling of warm opulence and beautiful craftsmanship. You might be able to find this specific design on pillows, blankets, or even curtains, too.

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5. No More Neutrals

Bold colors are a must for a Moroccan designed space. Even wall colors in traditional Moroccan designs evoke the blues and greens of the seas or the reds and oranges of a beautifully fired terra cotta pot. If a full wall color is too drastic of a change, look to draperies, accessories, and throw pillows in vivid jewel and ocean tones to introduce a splash of the Moroccan.

Maybe you don’t have a spot in your house that can reflect this design. There are more subtle ways to go about it. For bedding, look to rich, calming ocean tones in light, airy cotton for an easy dip into the warm waters of Moroccan design.

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6. Rugs

Thanks to the heat of the Moroccan climate, carpeted floors are a no-go. However, decorative rugs are incredibly popular. Featuring many of the beautiful, intricate designs of Moroccan art in bold colors, authentic Moroccan rugs are incredibly valuable and fetch high prices.

Moroccan inspired rugs made from more durable materials are becoming easier to find and can add an instant pop of Morocco to any room. They can also handle some considerable traffic if you have it in a hallway or living room.

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7. Mirrors

Practically every single house has at least one mirror. If you want to incorporate the Moroccan style, say it with your mirrors. They are an essential part of any Moroccan design. In traditional Moroccan homes, large, elaborate mirrors are used in almost every room to reflect natural light and make bright, beautiful airy spaces.

To try this style, look for one large mirror crafted from wood or a polished metal like silver. Scrollwork and gilding are both popular features of Moroccan mirrors. The larger and more ornate, the better!

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8. Lanterns

You’ve probably always liked this look, but wasn’t quite sure why. Well, lighting is an essential feature of Moroccan design. Skylights and mirrors are often used to amplify the sunlight during the day to create brightly lit, airy interiors.

For nighttime lightning, ornate lanterns carefully crafted from various metals and often colored glass give an exotic, vibrant look to any interior space. For a dining room, try a centerpiece chandelier of clustered lanterns with varying shades of metal and inlaid glass. For a bathroom, try one large lantern to diffuse soft light throughout the room.

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9. Ornate Wood Furniture

Wood is a staple source of decor in Moroccan design. Dark wood is often used for rich flooring, while lighter woods are famous for bed frames, mirrors, chests, and more. Doors are often elaborately crafted from rich wood with scalloped, ornate lines and rounded edges.

To introduce a bit of Moroccan design to your home, look for well-crafted wooden accent pieces like mirrors, side tables, or chests. If you’re redoing the flooring in a room, look to dark wood for a modern Moroccan touch.

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10. Bed Canopies

A cheap and simple yet effective way to incorporate a piece of classic Moroccan design into your bedroom is a bed canopy. Turn your bedroom into a luxurious palace by selecting a simple canopy of silk, cotton, or another sheer, lightweight material.

Look for a beautiful geometric pattern or stay monochrome with a rich, sultry jewel tone. Don’t worry about going overboard with the amount of fabric and drape, as the Moroccan bed canopy is genuinely a luxurious style.

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11. House Plants

Courtyards, or Riads, are a historic and vital part of Moroccan interior design. To replicate that in areas where courtyards are not common or even possible, try adding large, lush tropical houseplants to a room to bring the outside indoors. Palms, Cordylines, Ficus, and other large tropical plants are all ideal and relatively easy to care for.

Try combining various leaf shapes, textures, and colors to create a wild, jungle aesthetic that draws the eye. Just make sure you maintain the landscaping so it doesn’t truly get out of control.

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12. Gem Embellishments

This home decor accessory is truly beautiful even if you aren’t into the Moroccan style! Along with the richness of jewel tones, real gems are a vital part of Moroccan design.

Look for cabochon accents of precious, dark gems on mirrors and lanterns. Try jeweled tassels on draperies or gem encrusted curtain drawbacks and ties. If actual gems are a little too much, try throw pillows with gem and jewelry inspired patterns. Look for glassware decor pieces that evoke the feeling of gemstones as well.

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13. Rich, Bold Hues

A common theme that runs throughout Moroccan design is the beauty of the outdoors and nature. This home decor is often reflected in bold, bright hues that evoke the look of the ocean, sandy beaches, warm terra cotta that has been baking in the sun, and lush hot-climate plants.

Another set of shades that can help carry this theme throughout your home include sky and ocean blues, earthy oranges, and dark greens are all popular hues. Bold metallic accents and gorgeous jewel toned colors are also fashionable.

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14. Moroccan Tile Flooring

A fantastic way to beat the heat of a Moroccan summer is cool tile flooring. For those in warmer climates, consider adding tile flooring to create a soft, chilled feeling for your feet. If you live in colder climates may want to consider tile flooring with radiant heat underneath to prevent too much winter chill.

There is practically an endless amount of tiles to pick from in the remodeling world. Look for some with contrasting black and white designs, beautiful ocean blues, and interesting geometric patterns, especially if you want to convey a Moroccan design.

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15. Exotic Light Fixtures

Along with lanterns, exotic light sources, in general, are a beautiful, unique part of Moroccan interior design. If a lantern is too large or ostentatious, look to smaller unique light sources like chandeliers with scalloped, brightly colored metal fixtures or light installations that feature various shades of glass.

Ornately worked wood fixtures of any style could bring a hint of the Moroccan as well, mainly when worked in scalloped, curving lines. Do some shopping around in order to discover the perfect lighting for your space.

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16. Elegant Fabrics

While draperies and canopies have already been discussed, there is ample room for elegant fabrics throughout a home to incorporate Moroccan design and style.Browse through a handful before deciding on your favorites.

Blankets in vibrant colors or with bold patterns tossed on a low sofa bring the warmth and comfort of Morocco to a living room. Throw pillows covered with jewel-toned, metallic, and patterned fabrics are another way to incorporate small pops of Moroccan design.

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17. Moroccan Furniture Accents

Some popular Moroccan furniture items are low couches and tables, carved wooden trunks and desks, and decorative lanterns. Placing one of any of these into your home will begin to give a Moroccan aesthetic to your space.

Look for finely crafted wooden furniture, particularly pieces with ornate scrollwork and detailing. Any decor that features an arched appearance, especially in the Moorish keyhole style, will also be immediately recognizable as Moroccan.

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18. Moorish Arches

Many famous pieces of Moroccan and Arab peninsula design feature the elegant, flowing lines of the Moorish, Islamic, or keyhole arch. Named for the soft scalloped edges of the arch, they often due indeed resemble old fashioned keyholes. Found in many famous mosques and Arab buildings, they are immediately recognizable as an Arab design and bring a delicate, historically-rich beauty to any space.

If you are unable to create arches in your home because of its construction, go for curves on mirrors, frames, and other aspects of your room to still emphasize the same style.

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19. Terra Cotta

Terra cotta pots are incredibly useful for many plants, including succulents and cacti, thanks to their unique ability to wick excess water out of the soil and away from a plant’s delicate roots. The earthy color of the pots is also a popular theme in Moroccan design.

Using simple terra cotta pots for your houseplants is a cheap and easy way to begin bringing Moroccan color palettes into your home while also providing exceptional care for your plants! Besides plant pots, you can also try to include the color throughout curtains or table cloths.

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20. Curved Lines

Many of the unique elements of Moroccan design, from the traditional patterns on Moroccan tiles to the famous Moorish arches, feature beautiful, elegant curved lines. These lines can be mirrored in fabric patterns, furniture shapes, wall art, decor, and more.

Keeping an eye out for gracefully curved lines is a beautiful and straightforward way to begin incorporating Moroccan elements into a home without it looking like a clown hall for silly mirrors.

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21. Silk and Cotton

Silk and cotton tend to be rather expensive fabrics when purchased new, but always keep your eye out for sales and at second-hand shops and markets. Due to the hot climate of Morocco, light natural fibers like silk, cotton, and linen are incredibly popular. Many traditional draperies and other items are made from these beautiful fabrics.

Incorporating silks and cotton, even with small things like a throw pillow or curtain sash, will begin to add a touch of Moroccan elegance and simplicity to any space. You already need these essential items in your home, so you might as well follow a theme.

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22. Warm, Rich Scents

With its warm, beautiful climate and variety of native plant life, Morocco can be described through warm, luxurious scents in addition to the beautiful colors and shapes of its interior design. Cinnamon, myrrh, sandalwood, figs, and rose are all beautiful scents that will evoke the climate and natural beauty of Morocco.

Look to incense and oil diffusers to truly capture the earthy richness and body of these scents. Particular fragrances can also affect your health and mood. Discuss your options with a professional who understands aromatherapy.

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23. Low Furniture

Traditionally, many Moroccan homes used luxurious thick pillows and mats as seats instead of chairs or sofas. In modern times, many Moroccan designers honor that history by using low couches and tables.

They meet the current expectations of comfort while still giving a relaxed, comfortable Moroccan vibe. Nothing is more inviting than a low, simple sofa with a luxurious, patterned blanket and many jewel-toned throw pillows! You might not be able to have a full sectional in this style, but even a small cushion can do the trick.

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24. Comfort is Paramount

While there are many unique and beautiful elements of Moroccan interior design, comfort is paramount for the style and those who employ it in their homes. It is paramount that Moroccan design is used to incorporate luxurious, comfortable spaces that are inviting both to you and your guests.

Sofas must be comfortable, blankets should be soft and luxurious, and the overall combination must feel inviting and cozy. You may never want to leave your new favorite spot!

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25. Silver and Gold

Metallic accents are a standard part of Moroccan design, often incorporated through lanterns and mirrors. Silver and gold are especially popular, thanks to their brilliant finishes and their ability to evoke outdoor feelings of light on water.

Look for side tables and wall art that boast lustrous silver and gold finishes. Mirrors are also of great importance, and the larger and more ornate the better. Curved lines and ornate scrollwork are also ideal to truly capture the Moroccan aesthetic.

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26.Think Ocean

Thanks to its location, the ocean is of vital importance to Morocco, both economically and culturally. Ocean hues, from rich blues and sea-foam greens to various shades of warm sand and shells, are all incredibly popular for walls and as tile colors.

If bold-hued walls are a bit too much, consider pairing a more neutral wall color with beautiful draperies in blue or green with gold accents. A rug in rich, warm sand or terra cotta color is another easy way to incorporate bold Moroccan color.

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27. Jewel Tones

Along with ocean tones, jewel tones are incredibly popular throughout Moroccan design. Vibrant rubies, bold emeralds, and deep sapphires are all beautiful accent colors for draperies, as part of tiles or rugs, and as accents like throw pillows.

Jewel tones are also an on-trend color in general for 2019. Therefore, don’t be afraid to incorporate pops of jewel-toned colors throughout your home as a popular and straightforward way to sample Moroccan design!

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28. So Many Throw Pillows

Yes, most people adore throw pillows in general. However, they are also a staple element for the Moroccan style. Thus, since comfort is king for Moroccan design, throw pillows are an absolute must. Thick, luxurious pillows were once often used as seats in Moroccan design, and this is reflected through a continuing love of countless throw pillows.

If you love pillows, Moroccan is a style you will likely enjoy with the wealth of richly patterned and brightly colored cushions. Combine colors and patterns as you will, the variety adds to the richness of the style. Just make sure they’re comfortable!

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29. Dark Wood Flooring

While the trend lately has veered towards light wooden floors, dark flooring is starting to make a welcome comeback. For Moroccan style, floors that aren’t covered in tile are often covered with dark woods that highlight the vibrancy of everything else in the room.

Nothing is more appealing than a dark wooden floor highlighted by a deep blue or green rug and vibrant terra cotta drapery. The contrast is truly stunning and one of the most beautiful features of Moroccan design.

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30. Geometric Patterns

Geometric patterns have been referenced frequently throughout this list, and for good reason; they are a hallmark of Moroccan design. Intricate geometric patterns, often comprised of beautifully elegant curved lines, are frequently found throughout Moroccan homes from floor tiles to kitchens, to drapery fabric, to bedding.

If you want to incorporate a statement pop of Moroccan design into a room, merely picking a lush geometric pattern for an accent will often do the trick. It is the conversation starter you’ve been looking for!

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31. Pops of Tiling

Tiles are a vital part of any Moroccan interior design. However, not everyone can (or even wants) to convert their flooring or wall spaces into tiled masterpieces. For a much more manageable way to incorporate Moroccan tile design, try a side table with a tiled top.

Patio tables are often designed this way and can easily be used indoors for a Moroccan flair. Also, consider tiling around a fireplace with imported Moroccan tiles for a more manageable cost and project size.

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32. Sculpted Accents

Much like with geometric patterns, sculpted, scalloped lines are a unique and whimsical part of Moroccan design that is easy to incorporate into an existing room. It can be easier than you think to bring this intricate style into your home decor.

Find a mirror with a beautifully sculpted wood border or a picture frame done in a similar style. Look for wooden accent tables with sculpted legs and feet, especially if it has a tiled top to incorporate another pop of Moroccan design. Sculpted and scalloped gold and silver enameled pieces are another beautiful way to sample this design.

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33. Courtyard Patio

A Riad, or courtyard, is a significant part of Moroccan home design. Once, these Riads were essential places for women to relax in times when they did not wish to travel outside alone. Now, these courtyards continue to be a place of relaxation and enjoyment, and the airflow they add to a home help mitigate the heat.

Make your patio feel more like a Riad by adding a water feature, statement tropical plant, and elements of Moroccan design in your patio furnishings. After all, you’ve always wanted to upgrade your outdoor patio space. Now you have some inspiration!

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34. Clusters of Lights

Lanterns are a favorite motif in Moroccan design, but clusters of lights can work all the same if you can’t find a Moroccan style lantern or you simply don’t enjoy that look. Look for chandeliers composed of groups of light, particularly when crafted with silver and gold finishes, curving lines, or scrollwork.

Varying shades of glass or even glass mosaic fixtures will also impart a Moroccan richness onto light fixtures of various designs. Feel free to plan out your design before finalizing your decision.

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35. Skylights

Diffusing natural light throughout the home is a warm, inviting part of Moroccan interior design. This decor is often accomplished through skylights, Riad courtyards, and mirrors throughout a home. In a modern home, skylights can be added and reflected with mirrors to bring this warm desert-like sunny feel into any space.

While many homes aren’t in climates that allow a Riad, a skylight and featured tropical plant can at least bring a hint of that warm climate to your home. You’ll enjoy the welcoming warmth and light every morning.

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36. Statement House Plant Riad

If you live in an area where an open courtyard in your home is totally out of the question, consider adding an indoor Riad element by placing a large statement tropical houseplant in the center of a room to create a small courtyard aesthetic.

A sizable fiddle leaf palm would be a perfect tree for this type of design thanks to its unique leaf shape, ease of care, and healthy growth habit. A big parlor palm would be another great choice. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to adding more greenery.

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37. Water Features

Along with a skylight and featured house plant, a water feature is a beautiful way to honor the idea of bringing the outdoors in that is prevalent in Moroccan design. While many Moroccan homes feature a courtyard with a fountain or other water feature, there are modern designs that can be kept within an entirely enclosed home to bring that natural charm to less hospitable climates.

An indoor fountain, waterfall room divider, or even a fish tank are ways to bring the sound and beauty of water into an indoor space. If you can’t afford to incorporate this type of design in your current residence, remember it when it comes time to remodel!

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