Learn the characteristics of Spanish Colonial architecture, and get inspired to incorporate the look into your space.
Ed Gohlich
Spanish Colonial architecture is warm and timeless, characterized by neutral tones and natural textures.
Houses in this style often incorporate bright white exterior walls, a classic element of Mediterranean architecture.
Credit:Ed Gohlich
Theyre also influenced by Mexican, Pueblo, andMoorish design styles.
The following are classic elements of Spanish Colonial style.
Adobe Walls
Adobe bricksessentially baked mud bricksare a natural building material used worldwide for millennia.
Credit:Ed Gohlich
This is especially helpful in the hot, dry climate found across much of the southern United States.
Instead, they feature plaster or stucco walls over adobe brick, providing the same iconic look.
Thoseexposed wood beamslend a certain gravitas to a room in addition to providing structural support.
Credit:Ed Gohlich
Other areas where wood is usedfloors, doors, and trimoffer the opportunity for creativity.
Hearty wooden doors match the strength of adobe walls.
Fiore notes that in some homes, elaborate carvings on wood doors designate certain rooms of importance.
Underfoot,wood flooringin Spanish Colonial homes is both practical and timeless.
Flooring really comes to life in Spanish Colonial design, Fiore says.
Flooring patterns like chevrons, parquet, or stars add personality to a space.
Hardware and carved doors provide additional opportunities to showcase exquisite craftsmanship.
No two are ever the same.
Designer Cameron Shepherd of Studio Mesa suggestsstarting with a color palette.
You might also considerusing patterned tileto add an authentic Spanish Colonial feel to your space.
Adding a fun,colorful mosaic tilecan be a wow when combined with softer, more neutral backgrounds.
Norman suggests incorporating wood, terra-cotta, or aged leather elements into your space for a dose of texture.
Layering these elements adds warmth and character.
This style of home first appeared in North America between the 1600s and mid-1800s.
This was the period when Spanish settlers arrived and started to build houses with elements from their homeland.
Interior shutters aren’t as common in Spanish colonial decor.
