One of my most favourite places on Earth is Morocco. I love the colours, the noise, the food, the landscape and the madness of the souks. But most of all I love the interiors. One glimpse of an image of the El Fenn Hotel and I’m mentally packing my bag, catching a flight and checking in with my fantasy lottery win.
Moroccan interiors are all about delighting the senses. The velvet, the tiles, the plants, the mahogany, it’s just so tactile and so beautiful.
Photo by Wim van ‘t Einde on Unsplash
So if you love it too, then here is how to use Moroccan decor in your own home.
1. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE RUG
The traditional Moroccan Berber rug is what it’s all about. Fluffy, deep and luxurious, they are perfect for our gloomy, cold climate. They are often white or cream so are really easy to fit in with any colour scheme and work beautifully with Scandi-style interiors too. They are handmade by women of the Berber tribes and are totally unique as each one is decorated with symbols that depict the events of the community. Of course, there are others made from 100% Polyester in Leeds so you don’t have to go all the way to Marrakesh to get the look.
2. LAYER THE TEXTURE
Layering fabrics such as cushions, rugs, throws and pouffes creates a cosy and laid-back vibe that makes you want to kick off your shoes and relax. You can go for a riot of colour or use varying tones of the same colours for a more muted look.
3. CARVED WOOD FURNITURE
Dark, ornate furniture is timeless and beautiful and typical of luxury moroccan interiors. It’s not so perfect for our small and often dark homes in the UK. So look for paler tones on smaller accent pieces that will create a beautiful feature without dominating your room.
4. WARM COLOURS
The colours of Morocco are bright and vibrant with Cobalt blues and Saffron yellows. But Morocco has something we definitely don’t. Hours and hours of warm sunshine, the quality of light is incredible and sadly ours doesn’t compare. So before you rush in and paint your kitchen Cyan Blue think again. The UK-friendly version of Moroccan colours are more muted. Think terracotta, burnt orange and dirty pinks, they work well with our cool light and bring warmth to any home.
Photo by shche_ team on Unsplash
5. BRASS AND GOLD ACCENTS
For your metallic finishes go for warmth with brass, gold and copper. They look beautiful under candlelight and are timeless so will never date. You can add metallic details with touch points like switches, door handles and light pulls, but also with accessories like light fittings, bowls and mirrors. Hammered metal also brings more texture to the room and is just beautiful.
6. TILES
We can’t not mention the tiles. They are everywhere in Morocco. Hand-painted, colourful and dramatic, they are pretty irresistible. But alas, our chilly climate rules out floor tiles throughout our home. So think of small spaces you could use them. In your shower, your hallway or kitchen splash back. Or your holiday souvenir could be the perfect coaster.
Photo by Peter Larsen on Unsplash
7. AUTHENTIC ACCESSORIES
Decorative accessories are one of the quickest and cheapest ways to bring a certain look to your home. But. I’m going to put my snooty pants on this occasion and say if you are going for a look Moroccan, then it really ought to be authentic. Part of the joy of accessories is that they tell your story. Your home should be full of things that trigger memories of happiness and adventure, not that Thursday afternoon you went to TKMax. But if you can’t travel (who can these days) then you can still find authentic accessories. Like Crafty Souk, they are an independent business that source Moroccan homewares with a bit of soul. All their items have a history with all the knocks and dents of time. These will bring much more joy to your home than that vase from Sainsbury’s.
8. WOVEN TEXTURES
And I’m not just talking baskets, although you definitely do need some of those. Woven textures are everywhere right now and are perfect for the Moroccan look. Add them to your wall with decorative items or through pieces of furniture.
Photo by Alyssa Strohmann on Unsplash
9. PLANTS
Of course, I can’t write a blog without giving a bit shout-out to plants. I mean you literally need them for every style of interiors, but particularly if you are going for the boho Moroccan vibe. Go tall and tropical and pop them in a basket, easy peasy.
Photo by Orlova Maria on Unsplash
10. TAKE IT OUTSIDE
The laid-back boho vibe is perfect for summer. Ditch the formal patio furniture in favour of layered rugs, cushions, pouffes and canopies. String up some fairy lights, get the beers in, gather some friends and enjoy your Moroccan oasis.
Okay, if you’ve read this far then you are probably getting into the idea of creating a bit of El Fenn in your own home. But this blog does come with a health warning. As with any style of interiors, pick a few elements and remember less is more. Don’t go mad and do the rugs, the cushions, the lanterns and the bamboo chairs. You’ll end up with a film set rather than a timeless living room. So if in doubt pare it back. Like Chanel said “Before you leave the house look in the mirror and take one thing off”. The same goes for interiors.
What is your favourite style of interiors? Join the discussion below.
Thank you for reading my blogs. Remember I am always here if you need me. I offer face-to-face services in Hampshire and remote interior design. So don’t forget to get in touch with any of your dilemmas.
Sarah x
