Mediterranean patio ideas – 5 inspiring ways to transport your outdoor living area to somewhere sunnier

Ever since I found my love for gardens, I have been captivated by the Mediterranean style and I think Mediterranean-inspired gardens are some of the best for finding ideas to replicate. You don't need to dedicate your whole backyard to this style to get the look, as transforming just your outdoor living area can still achieve that feeling of being transported to a sunnier clime.

There are so many Mediterranean garden ideas to explore, and it can be overwhelming to know where to get started if you're keen to incorporate these design choices in your own outdoor space. Focusing on giving your patio area a Mediterranean touch is an effective way to create a relaxing outdoor living space for you and your guests to escape to.

The idea of summer garden hosting in a beautifully curated space of warm tones, drought-tolerant plants and rustic furnishings is idyllic. There is no one way to achieve this look either, which is why I called on garden designers to share their favorite ways to create the ultimate Mediterranean patio.

5 ways to create a Mediterranean-style patio

When it comes to creating a Mediterranean garden, it's all about keeping the climate in that part of the world in mind. The good news is, even if you don't live in a Mediterranean climate, you can get the feel through specific planting and features. Choosing to incorporate this in your patio area means you can access the feeling of being on vacation whenever you step out into your yard. Here are five ways garden designers recommend getting started.

1. Start with warm tone pots

For many of us, the thing that attracts us to the Mediterranean style is the rustic feel. This is often epitomized through features that have a hard but warm appearance, like decorative pots and planters.

'Classic terracotta pots, earthy colored ceramic pots, rustic stone pots or natural-feeling reclaimed wood planters are the best for a Mediterranean-feel,' says Marek Bowers, a drought-tolerant gardener and landscape designer at Bolder Green.

Not only do these warm tones leave your patio and planting feeling sunnier, but terracotta planters are are also great for Mediterranean plants. Their porous nature means they're breathable and don't leave roots sitting in waterlogged soil, also making terracotta indoor planters a great option for topical indoor plants.

Like with other planters, they're bound to get dirty over time. That's why it's key to keep on top of cleaning your terracotta pots if you want them looking bright and fresh.

You can also extend this design choice to pavers and garden paths leading to and from your patio. 'Natural stone pavers like limestone or travertine are a classic Mediterranean look, while terracotta tiles add warmth,' says Marek.

Marek Bowers

Marek is a sustainable landscaper and an expert on California and Colorado low-water rebates. Marek's website, Bolder Green, is a guide to eco-friendly gardening. Through his articles on drought-tolerant landscaping and xeriscaping, readers will learn how to design stunning gardens that conserve water and support wildlife, all while adding beauty to their outdoor spaces.

2. Choose drought-tolerant planting

It's no secret that the Mediterranean climate is one with hot, humid and sunny summers, meaning plants grown there need to be able to cope with these conditions. Opting for drought-tolerant planting that can grow well in your US hardiness zone is a great way to get the Mediterranean look and futureproof for your yard for the rise in summer heatwaves.

'Olive and fig trees are iconic Mediterranean staples, offering shade, character and delicious harvests,' says Evan Torchio, tree expert and CEO of Tree Mender. 'Consider their size and your patio space when choosing. If you have limited room, you might opt for smaller varieties or other low-maintenance trees for pots,' he advises.

You could also choose from a range of drought-tolerant plants for pots and beds, to bring different shape and color to your patio.

'When working as a gardener in Italy, one of my favorite plants to grow was a silver-leaved phlomis with light-pink flowers. To me, Phlomis italica is the perfect Mediterranean plant,' says Thomas Rutter, former professional gardener and content editor at Homes & Gardens.

'Remarkably drought-tolerant, this plant thrives in full sun, aided by silver foliage that helps to reduce water loss and reflect some of the sun's rays,' he adds. 'What's more, while it is a sun-worshipper, this plant is also remarkably winter-hardy, tolerating conditions down to US hardiness zone 4.'

No matter which drought-tolerant plants you choose, having a range in your patio planting is great way to get the Mediterranean look.

Evan Torchio

Evan Torchio is a plant expert and the CEO and Founder of Tree Menders. He earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry and is a member of the International Society of Arboriculture. Evan provides advice on indoor and outdoor plants.

Thomas Rutter

Thom is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has been working as a gardener and garden writer for several years. Whilst completing his Horticultural Traineeship at the Garden Museum, London, he was able to gain experience at many of the UK's world-famous gardens, including Sissinghurst, Lowther Castle, and Iford Manor. Following this, he worked for two private estates in Tuscany, Italy.

3. Add abundantly flowering vines

When you think of Greek islands, bright showy blooms might come to mind. Having flowering vines and trailing plants in your patio area, perhaps as part of a pergola, instantly creates an impressive and immersive environment to spend time in.

'Bougainvillea's pop of color is unmistakable and can cascade beautifully when in full bloom,' says Marek. This statement vine flowers profusely for many months at a time and having it entwined on a pergola or climbing up a trellis on your patio can add a romantic touch.

There are also options for climbing plants that make your patio smell nice. 'Who doesn’t love a plant that invites such an intoxicating fragrance into their garden?,' says Laura Janney, founder of The Inspired Garden. 'Grow star jasmine in a container, usually with a small trellis, the tiny white flowers bloom all summer long,' she suggests.

If you want to ensure your Mediterranean-inspired patio has interest all year long, it can also be wise to incorporate some of the best evergreen climbers that will provide this space with some greenery throughout the year.

As always, it's best to pick plants that will thrive in your local climate, so always do some research before attempting to grow them.

Laura Janney

A winner of the 2024 Houzz Design award, Laura has over 20 years of experience in gardening and working with clients designing beautiful gardens. She has also spent multiple years working as an indoor plant stylist and consultant, specializing in a wide variety of indoor houseplants and succulents, and designing container gardens. She is also a prolific writer, having authored numerous articles on houseplant care.

4. Incorporate gravel into your landscaping

Designing your perfect patio means thinking about every last detail, including how to fill gaps in patio borders or between pavers. To get the Mediterranean feel, experts say to use gravel.

Landscaper and founder of Yardwork, Michael Clarke, notes that pea gravel can be a great choice for patios of this style. It's a popular choice for drought-tolerant landscaping, not only for aesthetic reasons but also because it allows rain to run through and retains water. For this reason, it's great to use in patio borders if you want to create a mini gravel garden.

'For pathways and seating areas, I'm a huge fan of decomposed granite,' says Marek. This is a permeable rock that can be used for a range of backyard landscaping. It comes in earthy tones, adding to the color palette of your pots and pavers, and it's an inexpensive option.

Incorporating a gravel patio in some way will not only help you achieve the look you want, but it also doesn't require cleaning to the same extent as slabs and is easy to maintain in a space with lots of footfall.

Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke is the founder of Yardwork and Pulled, the online platforms for everything home and garden. He has a degree in landscape architecture and horticulture from the University of California Davis. He was previously the founder of a landscape development and maintenance company.

5. Use rustic metal furniture

Of course, no outdoor living room is complete without the right outdoor seating. For a Mediterranean touch, designers say to choose classic metal furniture.

'Rustic and reclaimed, aged metal works well for a patio of this style,' says Michael.

Metals in darker colors, like black and brown, can work nicely in contrast to orange and yellow tones of the pots, pavers and gravel you may have chosen.

Alternatively, wooden furniture can enhance a rustic feel. Although, you should be aware that some wooden furniture may not be as weather-resistant as other materials, and you might not be able to leave all of your outdoor furniture out in the rain.

If bright color is more of your thing, you can also get an island feel with vibrant furniture. 'For furniture try and add an accent table made of mosaic tiles. It will really add a nice pop to your patio scene,' says Laura.

FAQs

What herbs should I grow on my Mediterranean patio?

If you have a Mediterranean-style patio, herbs are a great addition to have. Many herbs require lots of sun to thrive, so they will complement any drought-tolerant planting you may have on your patio. Some of the best herbs for a Mediterranean-style patio include lavender, rosemary and sage - all of which can be grown in pots and offer delicious fragrance.

There are so many different ways to create a Mediterranean-inspired patio. Just keep in mind color palettes, style of planting and complementing furniture to achieve the look successfully.

If you're keen to extend your patio design to the rest of your yard, you might be interested to read about how to create an Italian garden.