One thing is true of Mexico and its culture — both are incredibly diverse. This makes it hard (if not impossible) to encompass the entire country of Mexico into a single decor idea.
Mexican design and architecture of the last few centuries is heavily influenced by Spanish Colonialism. You’ll also see aspects of Mission Revivalism in more modern homes. Meanwhile, the art and culture of Mexico’s indígena people still dominate many of today’s decor trends.
But with so many fascinating trends originating from Mexico, it’s relatively easy to build a space around the culture and what it means to you.
Keep reading for our favorite Mexican decorating ideas for your home and garden that will help get you started.
Great Mexican Decorating Ideas
- Vibrant Throw Pillows
- Tile Backsplash
- Red Desert Clay Paint
- Mexican Flag
- Handmade Vase
- Papel Picado Banner
- Colorful Potted Cacti
- Spanish Accent Windows
- Talavera Lamp
- Curated Collectibles
- Spanish-Style Bathroom
- Covered Breezeway
- Sombrero Mantle Decor
- Hanging Tapestry
- Console Table Design
- Mini Tile Coasters
- Cacti Play Room
- Handmade Photo Frame
- Talavera-Style Serveware
- Talavera Bathroom Sink
- Dried Chili Ristra
- Painted Front Door
- Talavera Patio Furniture
- Tiled Stair Risers
- Terra Cotta Floors
- Mexican Marigolds
1. Vibrant Throw Pillows
A simple yet effective way to pay homage to Mexican culture in your home is with some brightly colored throw pillows!
Mexican artists produce a wealth of beautiful textiles. When selecting fabrics for your space, you can also reach for those inspired by Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and American Southwestern themes.
2. Terra Cotta Backsplash
Breathe some life into your kitchen space with painted terra cotta tiles as a backsplash.
This design idea pairs beautifully with a variety of decor trends. So your Mexico-inspired backsplash will look equally at home in a modern kitchen as it will in a more traditional one.
3. Red Desert Clay Paint
Color is an extremely powerful tool in interior design. Painting your walls a shade of red like the one pictured here is a wonderful way to call to mind the distinctive clay soil found throughout much of Mexico.
Use this color palette as a backdrop for other Mexican-style decor or as a more subtle nod to your source of design inspiration.
4. Mexican Flag
While it can feel a bit on the nose, there’s nothing wrong with taking your desire for Mexico-inspired living space and making it literal.
The Mexican flag can be incorporated in many different ways. While this example is extremely to the point, you can also include the flag in artwork, textiles, and more.
5. Handmade Vase
Whether you’re Mexican by heritage or developed a fondness for the country as a foreigner, the best way to decorate your home is with pieces created by local artisans.
The hand-painted vase pictured here is just one example of authentic decor that you can include in your interior design.
6. Papel Picado Banner
Papel picado is a form of Mexican folk art where intricate scenes and patterns are cut into tissue paper. The sheets are traditionally hung as decorative banners around major holidays and celebrations.
You can draw inspiration from these banners when decorating your home or outdoor living space. Just remember that some papel picado designs have cultural significance outside of being beautiful to look at!
7. Colorful Potted Cacti
Mexico is an ecologically diverse region with everything from arid deserts to tropical rainforests. But the cactus is still a ubiquitous symbol of the country and all of its flora.
Plant cacti in brightly colored containers or handmade pots for a more traditional aesthetic.
8. Spanish Accent Windows
These Spanish-style windows are commonly seen in colonial-era homes in and around Mexico. Depending on the extent of your decorating project, consider including this style of accent window on your home’s exterior or between rooms.
9. Talavera Lamp
You can bring a touch of Mexican culture to your home by replacing everyday objects with more traditional designs. This Talavera lamp is a great example.
Talavera is a form of Spanish and Mexican pottery that features bright colors and vibrant scenes.
10. Curated Collectibles
If you’re finding it hard to incorporate your family heirlooms or travel souvenirs into your living space, it’s possible that you’re just overthinking it!
These hand-painted Mexican figurines are all beautiful in their own right. However, they look stunning when arranged together on full display.
They all look right at home alongside the Spanish Colonial furniture and potted houseplants.
11. Spanish-Style Bathroom
While today’s Mexican culture is a blend of Spanish and indigenous traditions, there are also plenty of examples of colonial design that still stand nearly untouched. Hallmarks of this style include rich hardwoods, colorful wall tiles, and terra cotta floors.
Since architectural trends like Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival share so many commonalities with Mexican decor, you can easily draw inspiration from spaces like this bathroom when decorating your home.
12. Covered Breezeway
Pueblo Revival architecture is extremely popular in parts of the American Southwest. However, it also borrows much inspiration from Mexican architecture and design.
This covered breezeway makes wonderful use of the outdoor living space without ruining any of the architecture’s charm. If you need a little extra shelter from the sun, you can always add cloth panels to the pergola rafters.
13. Sombrero Mantle Decor
Sombreros have an interesting history that dates back to 15th-century Spanish colonists. Today, the sombrero is inextricable from much of Mexican culture as a whole.
Many sombreros are quite large or ornate. They make wonderful decor when placed on a shelf or mantle, or hung on a wall peg.
14. Hanging Tapestry
Mexican tapestries are widely available from artisans and larger manufacturers alike. Pay attention to the color scheme and how it meshes with your existing room design.
This can be a subtle way to connect your living space with your heritage or a favorite vacation spot.
15. Console Table Design
Fill an empty console table with your favorite Mexican art pieces or souvenirs. In this example, maracas and ceramic cacti have been combined with potted houseplants for a rich, thematically cohesive decor arrangement.
16. Mini Tile Coasters
Retiling a backsplash or floor is no small feat. However, you can utilize traditional Mexican tiles in more than one way.
These hand-painted tiles would make beautiful coasters for a sitting area or dining room. Alternatively, you can create a custom work of art by framing and hanging your favorite tiles on a wall.
17. Cacti Play Room
Cacti are incredibly trendy right now in the home decor sphere, which means it’s super easy to find cactus-themed items that suit your needs.
You’ll have no trouble outfitting a child’s bedroom or play area with cactus decorations that are reminiscent of the Mexican landscape.
18. Handmade Photo Frame
Photos, paintings, and art prints are all excellent ways to curate your home design. But the frames themselves can be equally as impressive.
This handmade Mexican frame could house a family photo, postcard, or another important artifact.
19. Talavera-Style Serveware
There’s nothing better than stylish home decor that is also functional. Consider investing in Talavera-style serveware for your home.
Depending on your lifestyle, these dishes could be reserved for special occasions or used every day. Either way, they’re guaranteed to add culture and color to your dining experience.
20. Talavera Bathroom Sink
In all honesty, bathroom sinks can be a bit boring. But this Talavera sink is so beautiful that it’s hard to hide it away in the bathroom!
Pair your patterned sink basin with Mexican tiles — as seen in this example — or let the ceramic design speak for itself.
21. Dried Chili Ristra
Ristras are strings of dried chili peppers often hung on front doors, fences, and other outdoor structures. In most cases, a ristra is a welcoming sign to visitors or a symbol of good luck.
Admittedly, ristras are more closely associated with the American Southwest rather than modern Mexico. But the culture of northern Mexico is inextricably connected to New Mexico and other nearby regions.
22. Painted Front Door
Brightly painted doors are extremely common throughout much of Mexico and surrounding regions. Painting your own front door is a great, low-budget way to brighten up your home’s facade.
Popular color options include orange, yellow, purple, and turquoise. Be sure to take into account your home’s current exterior design when selecting a color!
23. Talavera Patio Furniture
If you just can’t get enough of Talavera pottery and its colorful designs, worry not. You can decorate your patio or porch with this art form as well!
Pair your Talavera tabletop with matching wrought iron chairs for the most authentic patio set.
24. Tiled Stair Risers
Tiled stair risers are very trendy right now. However, this design idea has been around for centuries (both throughout Mexico and abroad)!
You can replicate this trend indoors or outdoors. This is a great way to add some color and intrigue to an otherwise plain staircase.
25. Terra Cotta Floors
Terra cotta floors are a timeless design seen throughout Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival architecture in Mexico and the surrounding areas.
These tiles simultaneously have an authentic Mexican appeal to them while also blending into most contemporary decor styles.
Terra cotta floors tend to look best in a large space such as an open-concept living area or a spacious patio. These tiles add a rich, warm quality to any room they’re installed in.
26. Mexican Marigolds
Many people associate marigold flowers with Mexican culture, and this is no coincidence. Marigolds are an integral part of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
While their significance in Mexico far exceeds their beauty, marigolds are wonderful flowers for fresh bouquets. You can also grow marigolds outdoors in most climates with relative ease.