For Moroccans their home is their private oasis and one that they share with their family and friends. Their home is a place to relax and enjoy themselves and so they want it to be as comfortable as possible so that when guests are in their home they are treated like royalty.  Moroccan furniture reflects that elegant look that they want to lavish on their friends and family.

Most furnishings and accessories in a Moroccan home are handmade and often are hand painted as well in exquisite detailed patterns that have been handed down for generations from one family member to another. This attention to detail makes Moroccan decor beautiful to look at and rich in its labor of love from the artisan who has made it.

Although beautiful to look at Moroccan furniture is also practical because above all Moroccans want their home to be comfortable and a place that people can relax in and enjoy good conversation or a meal together. Mosaic tiles are used throughout a Moroccan home – on the floors, as decorative borders in kitchens or bathrooms or as exquisite designs in fountains or bird baths. With precision and bold colors mosaic tiles will transform any room and are wonderful on the patio as well or as a table in the kitchen or the backyard.

A bedroom in a Moroccan home is a place of refuge and is often like an opulent nest created by draped canopies and silk bedding in brilliant shades of red, purple, blue or green. Large over-sized armoires are often found – if there is room – and can be used for a television but also for storage of clothing or linens when you open the elaborately painted double doors. Headboards are often ornately paneled and hand painted and another panel might be found on the ceiling creating a complete oasis that is a wonderful retreat from the day to meditate and relax.

The living room or family room of their home features very comfortable Moroccan decor that includes a pretty carved wooden low coffee table that can be hand painted in traditional patterns and colors with a beautiful hand loomed rug underneath. Low wooden sofas with cushions in stripes or lovely fabrics are used along with matching chairs. There is always a variety of seating around the coffee table with additional ottomans in brightly patterned leather making more seating available when more people arrive. Hospitality is paramount in a Moroccan home so you always need ample seating. Other types might include low benches with their traditional colorful cushions.

Dining rooms often have a large table with a Moroccan chandelier hanging overhead to provide soft lighting for a meal that is an important part of the day. A buffet is often found in this room – again it will be hand carved and hand painted in a beautiful motif and is used to hold serving dishes or linens. This room is another oasis for Moroccans because it is a time to gather with their family to discuss the day and enjoy friends or guests who might join them.

The key to Moroccan furniture is the use of lots of color – like a rainbow that has been let loose to multiply geometrically into intricate designs for a collage of splendid hues that will get immediate attention. Moroccan decor uses all the natural colors found in their environment – the deep blue and green of the ocean at their doorstep – the rich gold and yellow found in the desert – and the red, purple and pink that is like a fiery sunset. All of these colors and combinations make up their delightful furnishings making Moroccan furniture wonderful for great decorating accents.

Moroccan furniture likes to bring nature into the home with the use of lots of plants and greenery that will contrast beautifully with their vibrant furnishings. They also use color on their walls – deep rose or bright blue or green – adding character to a room before you even furnish it. Textured walls are also popular with a distressed look that gives it more substance.  Texture carries over into the use of different types of fabrics and natural fibers that are used for upholstery on furniture or in dramatic draperies or canopies that can be used in a bedroom over a bedroom or another area to provide more privacy.

Textural materials are found in the fibers of their rugs – some very vibrant geometric patterns that are made in Marrakech and other urban areas are in bright hues while the Berbers who live in the rural regions of Morocco produce rugs that are more subdued in sand tones like the desert. These rugs look wonderful against dark wood floors and offer a natural blend with any other furnishings in the room.

Silk is often used for cushions on chairs or sofas or bedding and is usually exquisitely hand embroidered in beautiful floral patterns for more texture as well as a beautiful accent anywhere. Bedding is often in rich and vibrant colors of red, purple or royal blue – that makes a statement and showcases the room in a dramatic way. Moroccan decor uses jewel toned fabrics, paint and accessories to offset the usually dark carved wood used on their furniture.

Other traditional furnishings found in Moroccan decor includes the use of benches that are often found in hallways or living areas with beautiful high curved wooden arms and beautiful upholstered cushions or seats. Used for seating or for ornamental purposes they are pieces of furniture that offer a sense of style. Hand painted and carved wooden ceilings are often found in a bedroom or living room making a spectacular focal point with their geometric patterns and vibrant designs that will dazzle those lucky enough to gaze at them every day.

Moroccan furniture can be infused into your home in accents with pillows, rugs or a small table to make a start on a journey that will take you to a land of many cultures that have coalesced together to become a beautiful blend of urban and rural designs that will provide a comfortable and vivid presence in your home.