We’ve been on quite a travel jag over the last few months. Let’s squeeze one more exotic and inspiring locale in. Let’s talk about modern middle eastern interior design.
Today we’ll explore this elegant, elevated, and downright uplifting design style. And, as always, we’ll offer a few tips for adding some of the vibes to your home through the fabrics you choose.
If you’re looking to lift your space into something clean and modern but also warm and inviting, the modern middle eastern design fits the bill to a T. And unlike some styles with a high barrier of entry requiring loads of new decor, so much of adding this look comes down to simple choices around colors, patterns, and textures. Let’s take a look inside.
The Magic Of Modern Middle Eastern Design In The Lines And Patterns
Now if the first thing that comes to mind when you think of middle eastern interiors is the architecture, you’re not wrong. Architecture plays a huge role in the style — particularly the arch part of the architecture. Archways in windows, entryways, and throughout spaces are frequently featured, for sure.
They direct and delight the eye, create an expansiveness, and evoke elements of traditional venerated middle eastern structures. If you’re loving this look and your budget and space allow, you may, indeed, want to consider adding such structural features. But it’s not a must.
Why? Because the impact of these features is really about how they set the stage for the main event. Namely, simple well-organized spaces that invite you in and offer a comfortable and uplifting place to land when you arrive. The arches help, and so do colors and textures, as we’ll soon discover. But the star of the show is the patterns.
Straight lines and bold geometric patterns in both the furniture and fixtures themselves as well as the upholstery fabrics you use do something pretty remarkable. Rather than cluttering, they seem to visually simplify and energize a space.
Like in a room with stone and metallic (especially gold) side tables and a coffee table flanking low modern armchairs in a small-scale stack patterned pewter jacquard and a tufted sofa in deep peacock teal velvet. And throughout the furniture, throw pillows in an embroidered geometric pattern in complimentary blue and beige as well as cloud white and beige.
Again, the simple lines of the furniture combined with just those pops of pattern in the chairs and throw pillows is like turning on a light switch. Or maybe more like turning on a welcome sign — you want to be there. So for fabrics from furniture to curtains and beyond, bring in bits of pattern like geometric, striped, vintage, and more. The guiding rule of thumb is lines that define and draw you in.
The Warm And Wonderful Colors Of Middle Eastern Interior Design
The patterns in modern middle eastern design create movement and expanse. The colors add to the invite that’s so central to the feel of the design. Colors have depth, warmth, and, well, color. Though not wildly so.
There’s a truly fascinating emphasis on rich neutrals predominantly that add to the sense of put-together spaces. But then offering energy and lift with strategic pops of color.
That can be found in rugs and other decor but also in your upholstery choices. Like a space with a pair of sofas in deep and grounding walnut microsuede and a pair of microsuede chairs, one in Capri blue and the other in rich garnet red. Deliciously bold but unimposing. And dressing the room’s windows in sterling silver drapes over sheer ivory curtains.
The point is to aim for grounding foundations and add scintillating sips of blue, red, orange, gold, green, and even beige as long as the tones are saturated, warm, and full of bright pop. It adds to the invite with a playful and deliciously intriguing sense of style swagger.
The Power Of Texture To Give Cozy And Modern In Middle Eastern Style
You may have already noticed a textural theme in the fabrics we’ve been suggesting. There’s a reason for that. If modern middle eastern design style is about presenting put-together, inviting, and uplifting spaces — the kind of spaces you and yours can gather around and enjoy for hours at a time — then surely the textures need to offer that as well.
Here we find the essence of the elegance of this look. Soft, welcoming, often opulent, and luxurious fabrics abound. Think of velvets and silks though other weaves are welcome as well, as long as they’re soft and inviting.
(Quick side note: Traditionally, it’s common practice to remove your shoes when entering a home in many places in the middle east. So it’s equally common a practice to have soft and comfortable rugs throughout the home. Why stop that lovely bit of hospitality at the ground level? Hence, upholstery that’s luscious and liveable.)
The textural bottom line is that whatever the color or pattern, go with those luxurious feels. Like a headboard in sapphire blue lattice-patterned damask, or a modern and deep u-shaped sectional in dusty plum Crypton chenille, or a loveseat in raspberry (faux) silk. Getting the idea? Excellent!
Your Home’s New Modern Middle Eastern Vibes Is Far From A World Away
The key takeaways for making modern middle eastern design your own are simple. No, literally, that’s the key. You simply focus on your goals. If your goal is to create spaces that invite and inspire, spaces both cozy and clean, spaces that sing with elegance and delight, keep it simple. And let your inner elegance come out to play.
That means spaces that feel organized, put-together, and offer the essentials. It means patterns that draw the eye with their lines and lift, colors that fundamentally ground but also offer bits of pop and play and stay warm, rich, and enlivening. And, finally, but fabulously, offer opulence. Use textures that are soft, silky (sometimes literally), and sophisticated.
And by now, you know we love helping you land your uniquely-you expression of this or any style in your home’s upholstery. Give us a call today.