Why Menorca Is the New Interior Design Hub: A Mediterranean Muse for Designers & Dreamers
Move over Ibiza and Mallorca—Menorca is stepping into the design spotlight. This serene Balearic island, once known mainly for its turquoise coves and slow-paced lifestyle, is fast becoming Europe’s best-kept secret for interior design lovers. With a growing community of creatives, carefully restored fincas, boutique hotels oozing character, and design-forward concept stores, Menorca is quietly transforming into a Mediterranean muse.
At Oliva Studio, we’re lucky to call this island home. And we’re here to share why Menorca is the new design capital of the Mediterranean—plus our top spots for interiors, creativity, and Instagram-worthy moments.
Menorca’s Natural Design Language
What makes Menorca’s design scene so magnetic is its effortless elegance. Interiors here are rooted in authenticity: think hand-hewn beams, limewashed walls, clay tiles, aged wood, and a color palette drawn straight from the landscape—olive greens, sea blues, and sun-bleached neutrals.
There’s a revival of traditional craftsmanship happening here, as well as a strong emphasis on sustainability and slowness. Design in Menorca isn’t about maximalism or trend-chasing. It’s about spaces that breathe, that feel intentional, and that are deeply tied to place.
Lorenzo Castillo’s living room in the Port of Mahón blends Mediterranean light with eclectic elegance—whitewashed walls, terracotta floors, and green-painted beams frame antique furniture, bold textiles, and curated art, all overlooking the tranquil harbor. Image from Pinterest.
Where to Stay: Boutique Hotels with Serious Interior Goals
If you’re visiting to soak in the island’s creative energy, these are the top boutique hotels in Menorca that double as interior design inspiration.
Cristine Bedfor, Mahón
A love letter to Menorca itself, Cristine Bedfor is a thoughtfully restored townhouse in the heart of Mahón that feels both storied and fresh. The interiors are a feast for the senses—vintage pieces, curated artwork, colorful ceramics, and cozy textiles blend to create a space that’s equal parts homey and high-end.
Cristine Bedfor feels less like a hotel and more like stepping into the private home of a collector with exceptional taste. The garden courtyard, with its bougainvillea-draped walls and tranquil pool, feels like a sanctuary tucked within the city. Every corner is Instagram gold!
Christiane Bedford’s living room in her Mahón hotel features an eclectic style with upholstered furniture in rich textiles, plush fabrics, and woven accents. Neutral tones, natural wood details, and abundant natural light create a warm, inviting atmosphere, blending sophistication with relaxed charm. Image from Pinterest.
Fontenille Menorca – Santa Ponsa & Torre Vella
Set across two distinct properties just minutes from each other, Fontenille Menorca offers a rare blend of rural authenticity and refined design. These two estates—Santa Ponsa, with its lush gardens and baroque romance, and Torre Vella, more rustic and monastic—showcase the best of Balearic restoration.
At Santa Ponsa, interiors are elegant without excess. Expect curved archways, pale stone floors, bespoke wood furniture, and soft natural fabrics. The palette is grounded in the land—clay, olive, sand, and chalk—and every room feels like a quiet embrace.
Torre Vella, meanwhile, is all about connection to the land. Located amid vineyards and rolling hills, this finca-style retreat celebrates earthy textures, organic forms, and a sense of timeless calm. You’ll find interiors shaped by local craftsmanship, linen-draped four-poster beds, and thick walls that hold the day’s warmth.
Menorca Experimental
For those who love their interiors a little more artistic and editorial, Menorca Experimental is a standout. Set within a restored 19th-century finca and surrounded by pine forest and farmland, this hotel leans into creative minimalism with a playful twist.
Designed by the Dorothée Meilichzon studio, every detail feels intentional—from the custom ceramic lighting to the sculptural, color-washed walls and smooth built-in seating. There’s a strong sense of material honesty here: polished concrete, natural pigments, and handmade tiles set the tone, while accent pieces (a curved mirror, a floating bench) add a quiet surrealism.
Communal spaces—like the restaurant, pool, and sun terrace—evoke a carefree, modern Mediterranean spirit, while rooms feel private and poetic. It’s as much a hotel as it is a visual language for how to live well with less.
The bedroom at Menorca Experimental features an eclectic design with a terracotta arched headboard, minimalist bedding with abstract patterns, and natural wood furniture. Soft lighting enhances the serene, artist-inspired atmosphere, creating a warm and inviting retreat. Image from Pinterest.
Design-Forward Spots That Deserve a Place on Your Feed
Menorca is packed with hidden design gems and photo-ready spaces that speak to aesthetes, stylists, and content creators alike. Here are a few must-visits:
Binibeca Vell – Whitewashed Geometry by the Sea
Tucked along the island’s southern coast, Binibeca Vell is a small, intentionally designed fishing village that feels like a minimalist fairytale. Its cluster of whitewashed homes, curved passageways, arches, and staircases create a seamless visual rhythm, made for wandering slowly and observing how light and shadow shift throughout the day.
Built in the 1960s as a homage to traditional Menorcan villages, Binibeca Vell is now an icon of Mediterranean minimalism. The narrow corridors, abstract silhouettes, and all-white palette give it a Santorini-meets-Cubist-architecture feel. For designers and photographers, it’s an endless source of compositional inspiration.
Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and catch the softest, most cinematic light.
Located on the southern coast of Menorca, Spain. Characterized by its narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses with arched doorways and terracotta roofs, the village exudes a charming, rustic atmosphere. The architecture is reminiscent of traditional Mediterranean fishing villages, with buildings stacked in a labyrinthine arrangement that invites exploration. Image from Pinterest.
Hauser & Wirth, Isla del Rey – Art, Architecture & Landscape in Harmony
A transformative project by the renowned Hauser & Wirth gallery, this cultural hub is located on Isla del Rey—a tiny islet in Mahón’s port, accessible only by boat. Once a derelict 18th-century naval hospital, the site has been reimagined into a stunning contemporary art space that feels completely in tune with its natural surroundings.
Inside, the gallery spaces are restrained and minimal, allowing the art to breathe while honoring the texture of the original architecture. The surrounding landscape has been rewilded with gardens designed by Piet Oudolf, the visionary behind the High Line in New York. Soft Mediterranean grasses, stone pathways, and wild florals frame views of the sea and sky.
The on-site Cantina restaurant brings it all together—simple, locally-sourced food served in a design-rich setting. This is not just a gallery—it’s a masterclass in how architecture, landscape, and culture can coexist beautifully.
The interior features whitewashed walls, terracotta-tiled floors, and a high-pitched wooden ceiling, creating an airy and rustic atmosphere. Handcrafted wooden furniture, woven baskets, and artisanal ceramics add texture and warmth to the space. The design emphasizes simplicity and sustainability, aligning with the gallery's commitment to local craftsmanship and environmental consciousness. Image from Pinterest.
Oysters Menorca, Mahón – Coastal Cool in the City Center
In the heart of Mahón, Oysters Menorca is a standout example of how casual dining and refined interiors can blend effortlessly. This intimate oyster and seafood bar is beloved for its fresh Mediterranean fare, but it’s also a visual treat.
The space is small but perfectly styled: marble countertops, brushed brass fixtures, natural wood accents, and a palette of crisp whites and soft neutrals that nod to the coastal setting. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between nautical elegance and relaxed urban charm—a little slice of Riviera chic right in the capital.
Whether you're stopping for a quick dozen oysters and a glass of wine or lingering with friends, this place makes every moment feel curated yet unfussy.
Cova d’en Xoroi – Nature as Architecture
Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Cala en Porter, Cova d’en Xoroi is more than just a bar with a view—it’s a surreal, sculptural experience that proves nature can out-design us all. Carved into ancient limestone caves, the space is a series of natural chambers, terraces, and stairways that cascade down the cliffside, each offering a jaw-dropping view of the Mediterranean.
By day, it’s calm and contemplative. By sunset, it’s an ambient dream. And by night, it turns into a lively open-air music venue. But no matter the time, it’s an architectural marvel shaped by the earth itself—with smooth stone forms, playfully integrated lighting, and a tactile rawness that contrasts with the curated minimalism found elsewhere on the island.
Oliva Studio – An Interior Design and Decoration Studio Rooted in Menorca
That’s us! Based right here on the island, Oliva Studio is a multidisciplinary interior and design studio where we help clients decorate spaces that feel intentional, natural, and timeless. Our work draws heavily from Menorca’s landscape, architecture, and culture—using local materials, soft palettes, and soulful storytelling to bring projects to life.
Whether you’re styling a space, developing a brand, or transforming a home, we bring a refined yet relaxed approach grounded in the Mediterranean mindset: thoughtful and full of beauty.
Our studio doubles as a bespoke homeware solutions. From lampshades, cushion covers and upholstered ottomans with high quality fabrics that make your space unique and special.
Living room space designed by Studio Oliva. Woven textile artwork depicting Peruvian ladies in traditional Andean attire, set against a striking mountain backdrop. This handcrafted piece adds cultural depth and a unique artisanal touch to the room. The space is further enhanced by a vintage mustard leather sofa, a striped throw blanket, patterned cushions, and a hand-painted lampshade, blending bohemian, rustic, and eclectic styles seamlessly. The exposed wall adds a raw, organic feel, making this setting perfect for those who appreciate heritage-infused décor.
Work with Oliva Studio
At Oliva Studio, we’re lucky to live and work inside that story every day. And we’d love to help you write yours. From interior styling and renovation projects to creative consulting, we bring the island’s honest beauty into every project we touch.
Adam Kenny and Juan Oliva, founders of Oliva Studio outside of their studio in Menorca.
Let’s build something beautiful—together.
