Take a trip to North Africa with these 25+ Moroccan living room ideas.
Moroccan living rooms are warm, convivial, and cozy with plenty of extra drama and flourishes. But the true beauty of Moroccan design is how well it pairs with other styles. Try Moroccan accessories with mid-century modern furniture or adopt a sleek monochromatic color scheme, for example. The options are endless.
Ready to discover a new look for your living room? (let’s go!)
1. Arabesque rugs
Moroccan styling often involves colorful geometric shapes and patterns. One of the easiest ways to bring this design element into your living room is with an Arabesque rug. The beauty of this trellis pattern is that it suits multiple color schemes, so it’s easy to find a rug that perfectly matches your home’s decor and style.
2. Earthy tones
Moroccan decor frequently involves rich earthy tones; think blush beiges, creamy tans, and warm rust colors. Combine several colors within the same range with a mix of complementary patterns and prints to create a cohesive look. If you’re going to paint your walls, consider adding a rustic texture by sponging the surface.
3. Leather poufs
Add comfort and a cozy-luxe feel with an all-leather Moroccan pouf. These nifty little items can be used as seats or as side tables if you add serving trays. Pair your Moroccan poufs with a low coffee table and a large flat copper dish and you’ve got the perfect area for qahwa (coffee) when your friends come over.
4. Lanterns
Channel the feeling of wandering around a Marrakech souk at dusk by adding a few Moroccan lanterns to your living room. Choose a bright silver or a tarnished copper patina depending on your existing color scheme. Either way, these ornate and functional lights will add ambiance and a hint of the East.
5. Embrace the blues
Stack deep rich blues with lighter tones and add turquoise elements for a pop of color. If you’re feeling bold, mix your blues with a hint of red through a colorful rug or a couple of cushions. Follow the 60-30-10 “rule” if you’re struggling to find color balance: 60 percent of your room should be the dominant color, 30 is the secondary color, and 10 percent is for accents.
6. Ikat pattern cushions
If you want a touch of Moroccan styling in your living room but don’t want to overdo it, some beautiful blue ikat cushions are just the ticket. These pair well with beige and cream color schemes and add a pop of interest and color. Style your ikat cushions with a luxe throw and plenty of mood lighting.
7. Hookah pipes
Traditional Moroccan hookah pipes are items of beauty whether used as intended or not. Choose a golden or burnt glass look for a touch of boho chic, or pair a sleek black modern hookah pipe with pared-back interiors. Pace yours in the center of your coffee table as a statement piece.
8. White and silver
It’s all white if you don’t like a lot of color in your living room, you can still create a distinctly Moroccan look with accessories and styling. Go for maximum opulence by pairing crisp white walls with luxurious fabrics and shining silver lanterns and trays. For a slightly bohemian look, choose items with distressed finishes.
9. Feature tiles
Morrocan-style living rooms often feature an ornate tile display. Place the distinctive tiles around your window frames, mirrors, or above your mantlepiece if you have one. If you’re in a rental or do not want to commit to any DIY tiling work, get the look for less (and less effort) with a Moroccan tile-framed mirror.
10. Be eclectic
Try mixing patterns and colors you wouldn’t normally for a rich, homely yet decidedly eclectic style. The trick behind this type of interior decor is “more is more,” not “more is less.” Don’t be too restrained, let your wild side come out to play for a funky fresh look.
11. Arabic calligraphy
Arabic is the most spoken language in Morocco behind French and the native Berber languages. It’s also a very pretty and ornate script that lends itself well to calligraphy. Pair some Arabic calligraphy wall art (such as this triptych set) with a crisply painted wall for instant Moroccan style.
12. Wooden side tables
Moroccan hospitality is legendary, all guests are well looked after and plied with sweet tea. Comfort is key to good hospitality so make sure your guests have somewhere to rest their cups between sips of chai (tea). These ornately carved wooden side tables are the perfect way to bring a little bit of Casablanca to your living room.
13. Fringing and texture
Add layers of fringing and texture for extra interest in your Moroccan living room. Here the bedouin style wall hanging is put to good use covering an armchair, but you can throw a similar blanket over a sofa to make it pop.
14. Keep it sleek and clean
Embrace your inner Marie Kondo and remove all the clutter for a sleek, minimalist look. Pair a few Moroccan design elements in an otherwise modern room for a fresh, breezy style that combines the best of both worlds. Keep the wall colors neutral and bright for more impact.
15. Terracotta and black
Terracotta and black might not be a common color combination, but as seen in this interior, it can work well. The trick is to keep competing colors aside and let the matte black bring out the warmth of the terracotta. Dark grey furniture keeps the look chic and modern.
16. Large metal trays
It’s all about the tea in Morocco, so what better way to bring elements of the nation’s style into your living room than with a metal tray. Choose from a copper, gold, bronze, or brushed silver tones. Place your tea tray on a dedicated stand or on your coffee table.
17. Take it outside
Beat the Moroccan heat (no matter where your home is) with a breezy outside seating area. Add a few hanging lanterns so that at night your exterior living room turns into a veritable Aladdin’s cave. Use long neutral drapes to add drama and interest.
18. Dramatic drapes
High-stud ceilings always look impressive, but they look even better when the windows are dressed well. Use typical Moroccan trellis drapes or go for an ikat pattern to bring some elegance to your room, alongside a pop of color. You can keep the color in fitting with your existing decor or go for a bold clash.
19. Arches
Arches are a staple in both Islamic and Moorish art and architecture, and they make an excellent addition to any Moroccan-style living room. Try placing painted wooden arches around your interior door frames or using cut-out arches as wall art. Either pointed or rounded, arches add shape and curves to otherwise straight-edged rooms.
20. Get closer to the floor
Traditional Moroccan seating is low to the ground; sometimes the sofa cushions sit directly on the floor or they may be raised a few inches. This style of lounge furniture is popular throughout North Africa and the Middle East. It’s homely, cozy, and inviting, what more could you want in your Moroccan living room?
21. Divide the space
Decorative wooden paneling is a great way to add a touch of Moroccan design without going all in. Screens can be used to divide your living room into distinct spaces or to add flair. The intricate cut-outs on this wooden screen perfectly blend Scandi and Moroccan styles.
22. Be beachy
Moroccan design elements pair well with all sorts of styles, including the Hamptons look. Cane furniture and warm neutrals can be set off with a hint of turquoise. In this Sydney home, the Moroccan rug, pottery, and cushions complement the breezy beach design.
23. Earthenware pottery
Make a statement with a large earthenware jug or a traditional tagine pot. The warm browns of earthenware pottery look fabulous when placed on rustic tables or side tables. Layer tans and brown tones to create a cozy and homely space.
24. Modern monochrome
Moroccan-inspired geometric patterns lend themselves well to a bold black and white look. Slick and modern monochromatic styling with an industrial edge makes for a dramatic space. Stick to blacks, whites, and greys, or add a tiny bit of color with accessories.
25. Framed prints
Ikat prints aren’t just for cushions, curtains, and carpets. They also look spectacular when framed or hung as canvas wall art. In this interior, a punchy ikat style print sets off the bold yellow table and the blue accessories.
26. Pan-African
Canvas the continent for design inspo and pair Moroccan wall baskets with accessories from other African nations. Wood furniture and creamy tans keep the look crisp and clean while textures make it interesting. Stick to neutral walls and use black and white to make your Moroccan-style living room pop.