Creating a Mediterranean Kitchen: A Step-By-Step Guide

Friday, 13th March 12:15pm 2026

Many people dream of moving to “the Med.” And why not? The Mediterranean coast is a haven for retirees and partygoers. It’s also a Mecca for foodies, and its coastal villas comprise a “blue zone” – an area that offers lifestyle factors that help its population surpass 100 years old.

What if I told you, though, that you don’t need to move there to experience it? What if you discovered that a Mediterranean kitchen, if executed to perfection, could give you a taste of that lifestyle without uprooting your whole family? Today you’ll learn how to create your own Mediterranean-style kitchen.

A Clifton Rosso range  with dark Espresso internals and Open Shelving

Firstly, however, it’s worth nothing that we’ll bypass prescriptive advice in favour of Mediterranean kitchen design principles you can apply to the limitations of your specific home. After all, we can’t all relocate for an authentic sea breeze, or afford bespoke, Gaudi-esque experimental architecture. So, here goes.

Mediterranean Architecture for Kitchens

What are the characteristics of a Mediterranean kitchen? Typically, the watchwords are: “social” and “natural.” Think large families and proximity to nature. These are also the cocktail ingredients for a blue zone. And if you want to recreate that atmosphere, architecture is a good place to begin.

A Hatfield Willow range alongside an ornate cooker hood mantle in a Hardwick Olive kitchen

Start with an open-plan space and you’ll bake conversation with family or guests into your layout, which is a fundamental Mediterranean kitchen idea. Then incorporate windows or skylights and you infuse the scene with sunlight, which studies tell us is good for the primitive parts of our brains.

A Hardwick Olive and Biscuit range by Sigma 3 Kitchens Newport

The key, though, is to create an open-plan scene that doesn’t feel bare. On that front, try mixing textured plaster walls into the room. At a glance, they invoke the warmth of clay ovens. Likewise, how about terracotta tiles, or dark-wood beams or skirting boards, alongside intricate features?

Mediterranean-Style Kitchen Cabinets

“What style of kitchen cabinets should I choose for my Mediterranean-style kitchen?” is a valid question. After all, unless you’re an interior design aficionado, you might not realise there are only four kitchen cabinet door types: handleless (ultra-modern), modern (flat slab with handles), Shaker (five-piece doors) and classic (five-piece with bevels and beading).

A Pine Green and Light Grey Kensington range with Shaker doors

Once you know that, choosing cabinets becomes easier because you’ll realise that only the more complex styles – classic and Shaker – have Mediterranean character. Whether you opt for a false in-frame Shaker like the Clifton range (pictured below in Rosso) or a classic range like our Hatfield kitchens, which display rustic woodgrain, is up to you. Just remember to choose doors with detail.

A Clifton Rosso range and a Bloomsbury Butter Yellow larder with Tuscan Walnut cabinetry

The next factor to consider would be what’s behind them – and it’s more important than you might initially realise. You see, Mediterranean charm comes as much from the lifestyle as the look. And the lifestyle includes a love of cooking. Your cabinet choices must reflect that mindset.

Consider, for instance, a large corner-hugging Mediterranean pantry or a Mediterranean Dresser. Both offer lots of easy-access storage and the higgledy-piggledy aesthetic synonymous with Mediterranean kitchens. Similarly, a chef's table provides a dedicated space to share your cooking passion with helpers.

As for non-cabinet fixtures, it’s safe to stick with natural stone or woodgrain worktops, as well as tile or mosaic backsplashes. Traditionally, Mediterranean sinks were natural stone or ceramic, but a brass model is a suitable modern alternative that elevates the Mediterranean kitchen aesthetic.

Mediterranean Colours for Kitchens

Much like the stones and fired ceramics used in their kitchen sinks, designers of Mediterranean kitchens also look to nature for colour schemes. Think sun-washed whites and sandy neutrals. Or, if you want more colour, how about terracotta or pastels like ocean blues of soft yellows?

An Ashbourne Highland Stone range and a Bloomsbury Butter Yellow kitchen

White worktops are a staple, but try to include darker fittings for contrast. In many cases, brass handles add warmth and break up pale surfaces, while dark Tuscan Walnut – whether incorporated in furniture, acoustic panelling or cabinetry internals – adds depth and sophistication.

Mediterranean Décor for Kitchens

No Mediterranean kitchen is fully minimalist. Yes, some are neat, but all of them require some decoration to create the atmosphere of a home full of life. One that supports a big family and neighbours that stop by to enjoy a gossip and a glass of wine. Hence, it’s important to include décor.

A Hardwick New Forest and Highland Stone range and an Ashbourne Highland Stone kitchen

In that vein, wood and leavy shrubs add to the sense of heritage – of years making memories – which characterises Mediterranean kitchens. Copper pots and matching light fittings with beaded glass also create a sense that everything is perfectly imperfect, handed down but polished.

A Hardwick New Forest and Highland Stone range with a stocked Bar Dresser

If you want to create a room that changes often then consider seasonal accessories. It’s possible to theme linen curtains and wicker baskets of seasonal herbs, as well as curated fruit bowls, if you want to craft a space that’s in tune with nature and shifts colour scheme depending on the time of year.

Want a Bespoke Mediterranean Kitchen Design?

Follow the advice in this article and you’ll produce a beautiful Mediterranean kitchen. Alternatively, though, you could request a Masterclass Kitchens brochure for more inspiration. Available as a digital download or luxury coffee table catalogue, our brochure covers everything you’ll need. Or, if you want more bespoke help, find your nearest showroom and book a meeting with an expert.

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