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Latest Trends

What is the Moroccan trend?

Like many of the most popular interior design styles, Moroccan style takes its cues from various sources. Its unique positioning on the northern edge of Africa and eclectic mix of different cultures, from Arab and European to African, allows it to incorporate the best of several aesthetics to create something entirely new. For instance, the most impressive homes, riads, are large enough to incorporate an indoor garden or courtyard so the women of the house could relax outside by themselves without requiring the male supervision that Islam demands. While you might not be able to add an interior courtyard to your home, you can still incorporate a Moroccan aesthetic easily and affordably.

From rich reds, golds and browns to the warm, alluring blues and greens, Moroccan style draws on a varied colour palate that, when combined with a range of textures across metal and fabric, can turn an ordinary living space into something both visually striking and inviting for visitors. With centuries of influence to draw on, the Moroccan trend can really take a home’s interior décor to new heights.

What are the key features of the Moroccan trend?

Low sofa

Low sofas

While traditional Moroccan design incorporates floor cushions to sit on, modern rooms are increasingly using low sofas as a back-saving alternative. While the sofa itself might not be particularly Moroccan in design, it can easily be accessorised with gauzy throws and bright cushions to help it fit into the aesthetic of the room as a whole. For extra seating, invest in a few pouffes that can also be used as footrests.

Archway

Archways

Archways (sometimes called keyhole arches for their distinctive shape) are an instantly recognisable part of Moroccan design, owing much to the Moorish architecture of past centuries. Although this is more of an architectural change than an interior one, you may want to replicate it in a less permanent way (by taping off the shape on a wall to see how it looks, for example) before fully committing to it.

Decorative tiles<

Decorative tiles

Perhaps stemming from its proximity to the Mediterranean, Moroccan homes often incorporate an intricate tile design on the floor or walls in lieu of (or alongside) rugs and hangings. They can be used in bathrooms and kitchens but can also work either covering an entire wall or floor or as a decorative edging around windows and doors. While it may be enough for them to simply be a contrasting colour to the wall they’re mounted on, patterned tiles add an extra dimension.

Hanging lanterns

Hanging lanterns

One of the easiest aspects of Moroccan interior style to utilise within your living area is the hanging of ornate metallic lanterns that immediately add an element of exoticism to any room. The traditional Moroccan designs are widely imitated by retailers all over the world, so it isn’t necessary to visit Morocco to get your hands on one unless authenticity is a priority. Hang them in clusters for a dramatic lighting effect.

Bright colours

Bright colours

A bright contrasting colour or accent works in a variety of different interior styles, but none more so than in a Moroccan-inspired room. With many living spaces decorated in neutral tones, a set of azure cushions or a jade rug can act as a spectacular focal point in an otherwise drab-looking room.