David Domoney: Create a Stunning Moroccan Garden

Creating a Moroccan Garden headed picture of a settee placed of a mosaic paved patio depicting a tranquil scene from a Moroccan setting.

How to create a Moroccan garden.

Bringing the warmth and enchanting allure of Moroccan style into your garden might seem like a far-off fantasy, but it’s more achievable than you think. Even in the cooler climate of the UK, you can recreate the rich opulence and vibrant charm of a Moroccan garden.

In this blog, discover how to transform your outdoor space into a magical Moroccan-inspired retreat.

 

The photo depicts an arial view of a mosaic garden patio paved with a tile type native to Morocco.

Get the look of Moroccan garden tiles

What are Moroccan garden tiles?

Moroccan tiles, commonly known as ‘Zellige,’ trace their origins back to the 10th century. The name ‘Zellige’ translates to ‘little polished stone’ and was inspired by the desire to replicate the intricate beauty of Greco-Roman mosaics. Initially featuring simple, muted tones of white and brown, Zellige tiles evolved by the 17th century to incorporate vibrant hues such as blue, green, red, and yellow.

Recreating the intricate geometric patterns of traditional Zellige tiles in your home can be a labour-intensive process. However, there are more practical and efficient ways to achieve a similarly stunning effect, blending the timeless beauty of Moroccan design with modern convenience.

 

Greco-Roman mosaic water pool for bathing feet in a Moroccan palace, brightly coloured tiles

Pavestone Mosaic Porcelain Paving

Pavestone offers an exceptional solution to bring the magic of Moroccan design to your outdoor spaces.
Pavestone Mosaic Porcelain paving tiles, available in two elegant shades; Beige Mosaic and Grey Mosaic.

Both capture the intricate charm of traditional Moroccan tiles with a modern twist. These stunning tiles enable you to create breathtaking spaces that emulate the look of elaborate Moroccan tile displays effortlessly, blending timeless style with convenience and durability.

 

 

The Grey Mosaic tiles make a bold statement with their striking interplay of grey and white tones, creating a dramatic impact while maintaining a sleek, monotone color palette, perfect for adding a modern edge to this timeless style.

In contrast, the Beige Mosaic tiles offer a softer, more subdued aesthetic, featuring a harmonious blend of creams, greys, light beige tones, and a delicate hint of blue for a subtle pop of color.

Both understated palettes acknowledge the vibrant hues of traditional Moroccan garden tiles, while remaining refined and versatile enough to complement a pared-back, contemporary design.

 

Creating a Moroccan garden look will require though as to the right garden furniture. In this picture we have used a settee with cream, grey, gold and red fabric and a traditional iron framed table with a mosaic top. Perfect for setting the scene.

The perfect Moroccan garden furniture

Completing the Moroccan garden aesthetic begins with the perfect selection of furniture. Whether you prefer subtle hints that evoke the spirit of Morocco or bold, eye-catching statement pieces that command attention, the right furnishings will seamlessly tie the look together.

From intricately designed metalwork to vibrant, cushioned seating, your choice of furniture can transform your outdoor space into an enchanting Moroccan-inspired retreat.

 

This picture shows a very plain coloured beige settee which complements the busy garden patio tile pattern beautifully and keep the garden looking stylish and uncluttered.

Bold Patterns or Subtle Fabrics

Traditional Moroccan furniture often features lots of brightly coloured soft furnishings, wrought iron pieces, and elaborate lighting too. You may choose to go for the full effect or take different notes for a more subtle tribute to the Moroccan style, both create magic.

 

Click on this picture to watch a video of the garden featured in this blog.

A contemporary twist

In this garden, the Pavestone Grey Mosaic paving sets the stage for a chic, contemporary interpretation of Moroccan-inspired design. The clean, minimalist lines of the corner furniture unit complement the paving beautifully, allowing its intricate patterns and neutral tones to take centre stage.

This thoughtful pairing creates a harmonious backdrop that enhances the surrounding planting scheme. Vibrant bursts of colour from the greenery and blooms stand out strikingly against the understated palette, adding a lively contrast that completes the look with elegance and flair.

 

Wrought-iron furniture also features in this garden, in a delicate creamy sage shade, showcasing the mosaic paved area.

 

Delicately crafted wrought-iron furniture takes its place in this garden, finished in a soft, creamy sage hue that perfectly complements the space. The intricate design echoes the patterns of the Pavestone Mosaic paving, creating a seamless connection to the overall Moroccan-inspired aesthetic. Adding to the charm, a beautifully patterned blanket is gracefully draped over the back of one of the chairs, a subtle nod to the rich tapestries and abstract motifs often seen in traditional Moroccan garden furniture. In keeping with the contemporary theme, the blanket features neutral tones that harmonize effortlessly with the rest of the furniture, tying the entire colour palette together in an understated yet sophisticated way.

 

This garden featured in ITV series 'Love Your Garden' uses Pavestone’s Dolomite Porcelain paving in the shade of 'Mars Rust' to create a warm feeling to the landscaping.

A more traditional look

For a bolder take on Moroccan-inspired garden design, you might choose to embrace the vibrant, jewel-toned colours traditionally associated with Moroccan furniture and décor. While Pavestone’s Mosaic paving is an excellent choice, it’s not the only path to crafting your own Moroccan retreat.

This stunning garden, featured on ITV's 'Love Your Garden', showcases Pavestone’s Dolomite Porcelain paving in the rich, earthy shade of Mars Rust. The result is a warm and inviting foundation that perfectly complements the Moroccan aesthetic.

With its neutral yet striking tone, the Dolomite paving serves as a versatile canvas, allowing you to introduce vivid, colourful accents and statement pieces that bring your vision to life. This combination proves that a few well-chosen elements can go a long way in achieving a truly enchanting Moroccan-inspired haven.

 

This picture showcases the warm colours of rusty slate paving, wood, golden coloured stones and seating cushions in warm colourful tones.

Soft furnishings are a great and affordable way to start. Using cushions with bohemian styles in bright colours has a dazzling impact, warming and brightening the curved, sociable seating area.

 

Use hanging lamps and floor lamps as ambient lighting for your patio at night to create a warm scene setting.

To complete your Moroccan-inspired garden, ambient lighting is the perfect finishing touch, bringing warmth and a magical atmosphere to your outdoor space. Vibrant, jewel-toned lanterns add a pop of colour and create a serene, inviting environment. Suspended or strategically placed, these lanterns not only illuminate but also draw the eye upward, beautifully balancing the design.

For a more understated approach, neutral-toned floor lanterns with flickering candles cast a soft, golden glow, spreading warmth across the seating area and accentuating the intricate beauty of the paving.

Together, these lighting choices transform your garden into a tranquil retreat, perfect for relaxing or entertaining.

 

The picture demonstrates how bold, tall, patio pot plants create intriguing garden features on a patio.

Moroccan garden plants

Enhance your Moroccan garden by incorporating lush plants that complement your design and bring it to life. Mediterranean garden staples, often seen in traditional Moroccan-inspired spaces, are the perfect choice for adding texture and vibrancy. Think fragrant herbs, sculptural succulents, or elegant olive trees, all artfully arranged in borders or stylish containers.

As seen in this garden, these thoughtfully selected plants not only echo the rich heritage of Moroccan landscapes but also add depth and character, creating a truly immersive and inviting outdoor retreat.

 

A picture of Nepeta racemosa ‘Purrsian Blue’  plant has wonderful aromatic foliage and adds rich violet-blue flowers in the summer. Also pictured Buxus sempervirens (Box hedge) with evergreen foliage.

The Mediterranean native Nepeta racemosa ‘Purrsian Blue’  has wonderful aromatic foliage and adds rich violet-blue flowers in the summer. A tidy row of Buxus sempervirens (Box hedge), also native to parts of the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, amongst other places, defines the borders, with clear structure. The evergreen foliage is wonderful to enjoy in this subtle nod to Moroccan garden style.

Typically, traditional Moroccan gardens feature plants with lots of foliage. This helps to lean into a more tropical atmosphere often seen in Moroccan gardens. In fact, evergreen shrubs generally are perfect, with lush green shades being particularly effective at establishing a lush and relaxing environment. 

 

Picture shows garden plants native to Morocco Chamaerops humilis, the dwarf fan green palm and yellow flower Argyrocytisus battandieri

 

Picture shows Terracotta plant pots which are a staple of Moroccan garden designs.

Moroccan plant pots

 

Terracotta plant pots are an iconic feature of Moroccan garden design, making them an essential addition to your space. Opt for their classic fired clay finish to maintain a traditional look, or elevate your design by painting them in bold, vibrant colours that harmonise with your chosen palette. For a truly personalised touch, consider creating a mosaic effect, either with paint or by using broken pieces of pottery you already have, to add artistic flair.

When selecting plants, choose some fragrant Mediterranean herbs, like Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary). Or perhaps Salvia officinalis (Sage), with its earthy and peppery fragrance making it delicious in a variety of dishes, including roast dinner staples.

 

Photo of Rosmary and Sage plants growing in the garden

Also, you could grow citrus trees in containers. This makes the plants easier to move to a sheltered spot during colder weather conditions. The colour of the containers, the fresh foliage, and the brightly coloured fruits will all fit well in a Moroccan-style garden.

 

We have hundreds of stunning videos, depicting beautifully landscaped gardens, which have used Pavestone landscaping and building materials to realise homeowners 'dream gardens'. Set yourself some time to explore these videos and maybe make some plans for your garden makeover?

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.

 

Pavestone Brand Ambassador David Domoney