13 ways to modernize Spanish style without losing its charm

Spanish-style interiors are very popular in current design trends. Whether you want to focus entirely on the look or prefer to add a touch of warmth to your spaces, interior designer Sapna Aggarwal shows us how to do both. She and her husband Karan cracked this very code in their 1,000 square foot home.

She says the secret lies in that sweet spot, where bold colors and handcrafted materials are used with restraint – a single tile selection repeated in multiple rooms and windows and exterior doors painted the same color for cohesion. Read on to learn 13 applicable ways to refresh the rustic look.

1. Use wrought iron minimally

Ornate, Mediterranean-inspired wrought iron once dominated every Spanish-style home, but it looks anything but fresh. Excessive use of metal can make the room appear more industrial than rustic. Minimal iron accents, such as metal bar stool frames, connect the present with the past.

2. Implement handmade tiles

“We went green,” says Aggarwal of the zellige tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. This type of handcrafted glazed terracotta is imperfect, which is its appeal. Each tile may have slight differences in surface, color, size and texture. She chose white grout to highlight these differences.

3. Install modern lighting fixtures

Replacing outdated light fixtures with modern fixtures can make a big difference in a Spanish-style home. Aggarwal chose simple black metal recessed ceiling lights to use throughout her home — about $25 each from Ferguson Home. She reserved her budget for a few furnishings that would make the biggest impact, such as a bolder, more expensive pendant light above the breakfast table.

4. Apply plaster plaster

Plaster, a pasty coating applied to strips of wooden slats, is a key element of the Spanish style and gives rooms a hand-crafted look. Aggarwal used plaster on the walls and ceilings of her home, as well as in the kitchen, where cabinets were set into a plastered frame. Similar, more modern plaster-like finishes include lime plaster and Roman clay.

5. Add graphic cement tiles

Elaborately patterned cement or encaustic tiles give skirting boards, stair treads and design corners in the living room and bedroom a pattern. These eye-catching tiles can add color and visual interest to a neutral room. They are also reminiscent of the traditional Spanish style.

6. Cover furniture with linen textiles

This natural woven fabric always looks comfortable no matter where and how it is used. As bedding it is light and breathable, but can also be used to cover chairs or upholster a seat. In addition, it allows the eye to focus on the shape of the piece of furniture and provides visual warmth.

7. Buy a ladder-back chair

With their horizontal slatted bases, ladder-back chairs are a rustic furniture style that is common in Spain. Modern, streamlined versions add warmth and authenticity without the dark finish, carvings and bulky presence. Check out thrift or antique stores for an authentic yet affordable deal.

8. Use Terracotta Saltillo Tiles

These earthy red clay tiles are made in Saltillo, Mexico and are a hallmark of Spanish style. Aggarwal made her new floor tiles look older and softer by finishing them with a matte sealer rather than a traditional gloss. The red tiles add a splash of color compared to neutrally painted or plastered walls.

9. Build curves and arches

Sculptural arches can define architectural passageways between open spaces and are currently trending in home design. The gentle curve is repeated throughout modern Spanish-style homes and serves as a design feature that nods to the style's historical influence.

10. Install open shelving

Wall shelves provide functional storage and display space, but when built into the wall they enhance the look with clean lines. Using natural wood for shelving can add warmth and subtle elegance to a hearth, over the tub, or in the arched nook of an office. White oak boards in a neutral stain are perfect for keeping the look warm yet modern.

11. Create a DIY bathtub surround out of plaster

Aggarwal's dream was a freestanding clay tub, but the reality was a clever deception. To create her dream space of serenity, she built a frame and plastered it with a terra cotta finish to create a version of that rich color around the tub. This DIYer created a sophisticated yet traditional Spanish-style look in her bathroom.

12. Use natural materials

A wall-mounted sink made of natural stone in a bathroom emphasizes the use of earthy materials. Other popular natural elements can be showcased through the use of iron-framed bar stools in the kitchen, beams on a patio pergola, and stylized ceramic vessels throughout the home.

13. Upgrade outdoor living spaces

Whether it's a courtyard, patio, balcony or terrace, outdoor living is a priority in Spanish-style homes. Like their counterparts in the Mediterranean, these spaces serve to connect people with each other and with nature. Aggarwal's current terrace used to be a parking space for the house, but it was more valuable to have an outdoor gathering space. Use natural wood, stone and rock whenever possible to capture the essence of Spanish style.