Arabic Interior Design: The Complete Guide to Middle Eastern Home Decor, Antique-Style Furniture and Mother of Pearl Pieces

Walk into a well-kept Arabic home and the first thing you notice is not a single object. It is the feeling. Someone has clearly thought about where guests will sit, how the light falls and what they will touch. A carved table, a shell-framed mirror and a pot of tea on a brass tray all say the same thing: you are welcome here, and you can stay a while.

That feeling is why Arabic interior design is popular far beyond the Gulf. This guide explains what defines the style, which furniture and decor pieces matter most, and how to bring them together without making your home look like a museum. It is written for homeowners, designers and anyone planning a villa or hotel in the region.

What Defines Arabic Interior Design?

Arabic interior design is a style built around hospitality, rich pattern and handcrafted detail. It uses carved wood, inlay, warm colours, layered textiles and soft light to make rooms feel generous and welcoming.

A few ideas sit behind almost every Arabic room:

• Hospitality comes first. Rooms are planned around guests. Seating is generous, tables are within reach and there is always somewhere to put a cup.
• Pattern replaces pictures. Islamic art traditionally favours geometry and plant forms, so you see stars, vines and repeating shapes on walls, wood and metal.
• Craft is visible. Carving, inlay and metalwork are meant to be seen and touched, not hidden.
• Colour is warm. Deep reds, golds, greens, blues and rich browns appear against creamy walls.
• Light is soft. Lanterns, lattice screens and low lamps create gentle shadows instead of harsh brightness.

Arabic home decor and Middle Eastern home decor overlap heavily. The first usually refers to the Arab world specifically, while the second also includes Persian, Turkish and wider regional influences. In practice, they share the same spirit, and most homes mix a little of everything.

Middle Eastern Antiques: Real Antiques vs Antique-Style Pieces

Before you shop, it helps to understand one distinction. Middle Eastern antiques can mean two different things.

Genuine antiques are old pieces, usually many decades or more, with real age and wear. They are one-of-a-kind, often expensive and hard to match. If you need six identical chairs, they are not practical.

Antique-style pieces are newly made by hand using traditional designs and techniques. They look and feel like heirlooms but are built fresh, so they can be sized to your room, repeated across a set and finished for modern use.

Most people furnishing a home, villa or hotel choose antique-style pieces, and there is nothing wrong with that. The craft is real, the materials can be excellent and the furniture will age gracefully. What matters is honesty: a good seller tells you plainly which one you are buying. At Levantiques, the focus is on handcrafted pieces made with traditional methods.

Antique Cabinet and Antique Chest of Drawers: Storage With Character

Every home needs storage, and in Arabic interiors it often becomes a feature.

An antique cabinet works almost anywhere. In a dining room, it holds tableware. In a living room, it can hold a TV behind closed doors. In an entrance, it gives you somewhere to put keys, scarves and shoes. Carved or inlaid doors turn a practical item into a talking point.

An antique chest of drawers belongs in the bedroom, dressing area or even a wide hallway. Its drawers and top surface make it useful, and a mirror above it makes a small dressing corner.

When you shop for either, check the basics:

1. Open every door and drawer. They should glide, not stick.
2. Look inside. A well-made piece is finished on the inside too.
3. Test the hardware. Hinges, handles and locks will be used daily.
4. Check the back and base. Solid panels and good joinery signal quality.

Browse our consoles and cabinets and chest of drawers collection for examples.

Antique Chest and Antique Coffee Table: Pieces People Gather Around

An antique chest is one of the most flexible pieces you can own. At the foot of a bed, it stores blankets and gives you a place to sit. In a living room, it can serve as a side table or a place for a lamp. In an entrance, it makes a handsome spot to drop a bag. Chests are also a good way to start with Arabic style, because they fit almost any room.

An antique coffee table is usually the heart of a majlis or living room. It is where tea, dates and conversation land. A few tips:

• Mind the height. It should sit slightly below the seat height of your sofas.
• Leave walking space. About 40 to 45 cm between table and seating is comfortable.
• Protect the top. Inlaid surfaces look beautiful but need a good finish and coasters.
• Choose scale carefully. A big table in a small room feels crowded.

Our tables collection shows coffee, side and centre tables in different inlay styles, and our majlis page shows how they work with seating.

Mother of Pearl Furniture: Sideboards and Boxes

Mother of pearl, known as sadaf in Arabic, is the inner layer of certain shells. Cut into small pieces and set into wood, it creates a soft glow that shifts with the light. It is one of the most recognisable signs of Middle Eastern craftsmanship.

A mother of pearl sideboard is a favourite for dining rooms and entrances. It gives you storage and a display surface in one piece. The glow of the shell is most noticeable under warm lamps, so place it where evening light can reach it. Keep the surface fairly clear, with one or two objects, so the inlay does the talking.

A mother of pearl box is smaller, but it can be just as satisfying. People use them for jewellery, watches, keepsakes or tea sachets, and they make thoughtful gifts. A box on a dresser or coffee table adds a touch of shine without taking up space.

What to look for in good mother of pearl work:

• Flat, even surface. Pieces should sit level with the wood.
• Tight spacing. Gaps between pieces should be small and consistent.
• Real shell. It feels cool to the touch and has a soft glow, unlike plastic, which looks flat and shiny.

Inlay Furniture and Mosaic Furniture: A Quick Guide

Inlay furniture is made by setting small pieces of shell, bone or contrasting wood into a wooden surface. Mosaic furniture follows a similar idea, using many small pieces to form a pattern, which can include tile, wood or shell. Both are central to Arabic and Middle Eastern interiors.

The key thing to know is that the work is slow. Each piece is cut and placed by hand, so a single table top can take a long time to finish. That is why these pieces cost more, and why they last. We explain the full process in our guide to Damascus craftsmanship, and the Moorish side of mosaic work in our Moorish and Andalusian design guide.

One piece of advice for decorating: let one inlaid or mosaic item lead the room, and keep the rest calmer.

Decorative Wall Mirror: The Easiest Way to Start

If you are not ready for a full set of furniture, begin with a mirror. A decorative wall mirror works in almost every room, takes no floor space and changes how light moves around.

A handmade mirror goes one step further. The glass may be ordinary, but the frame is carved, inlaid or set with mother of pearl, so the mirror becomes art.

Where it works best:

• In the entrance, above a console, to welcome guests and make a narrow space feel wider
• Opposite a window, to bounce daylight deeper into the room
• In the bedroom, above a chest of drawers
• In the dining room, on a side wall to add depth

Hang it at eye level, keep the wall around it fairly plain and avoid placing it where it reflects clutter. See our mirrors and wall decor for the full range.

Arabic Home Decor, Room by Room

Entrance. A console, a mirror and a lamp are enough. Add a small mother of pearl box for keys.

Majlis. Low, comfortable seating, a coffee table, side tables and warm lighting. Layer rugs and cushions in two or three colours.

Living room. Choose one hero piece, such as a carved cabinet or inlaid coffee table, and keep the walls simple.

Dining room. A strong table, comfortable chairs and a sideboard for serving. Leave the table clear between meals.

Bedroom. Keep it calm. A chest of drawers, a mirror and one inlaid accent are plenty.

Decor touches. Brass trays, lanterns, ceramic bowls and calligraphy art add personality. Choose a few and leave space around them. Our accessories collection is a good place to look.

A simple rule across all rooms: repeat a theme, not every detail. If your coffee table has geometric inlay, echo that pattern once in a cushion or rug, then stop.

Custom and Bespoke Furniture in Dubai: Where Hotels and Villas Start

Standard furniture rarely fits an Arabic design scheme perfectly. Rooms vary, ceilings vary and every client has their own taste. That is why many projects turn to custom furniture in Dubai.

Custom furniture usually means adjusting an existing design, such as its size, wood tone, finish or hardware. Bespoke furniture is designed from scratch around your brief. For example, a custom console might be made two centimetres narrower for a tight hallway. A bespoke console might be an entirely new design, created to match the carved doors of your majlis.

This matters even more for hotels. Custom hotel furniture lets owners tailor size, finish, pattern and quantity to a property’s identity. For boutique hotel furniture, Arabic style works especially well because guests respond to warmth and craft. A sensible approach is to spend most of the budget on the first things guests see, such as the lobby mirror, reception console and lounge tables, and to keep guest-room pieces simpler, with strong joinery and easy-clean finishes.

If you want to explore bespoke furniture in Dubai, our bespoke service offers worldwide shipping and free delivery in the UAE. For more on hotel planning, see our boutique hotel furniture guide, and for details on custom orders, see our handmade luxury furniture guide.

How to Buy High End Furniture in Dubai: A Short Checklist

Searching for high end furniture in Dubai brings up many options, so ask a few direct questions:

1. Who makes it? Makers can explain materials and adjust designs.
2. What is it made of? Ask about the wood, shell and finish.
3. Is it antique-style or genuinely antique? The seller should tell you clearly.
4. Can it be customised? Size and finish flexibility is valuable.
5. How is it packed and delivered? Inlay and carving need protection.
6. What about aftercare? Good sellers give clear cleaning advice.
7. Can you see real projects? Photos of finished homes and hotels say more than catalogues.

Start small if you are unsure. A mirror or a box is an easy way to test quality and service.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Too much pattern everywhere. Give the eye somewhere to rest.
• Buying a matched set. Mix pieces within a shared style.
• Ignoring scale. Measure rooms, doors and lifts.
• Harsh lighting. Carving and shell look best in warm, soft light.
• Choosing by looks alone. Open drawers, test joints, check finishes.
• Rushing. Handcrafted work takes time and is worth waiting for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arabic interior design?
It is a style based on hospitality, geometric pattern, carved and inlaid wood, warm colours and soft lighting. Its aim is to make guests feel welcome and comfortable.

What is the difference between Arabic and Middle Eastern home decor?
Arabic decor refers to the Arab world specifically. Middle Eastern decor is broader and includes Persian, Turkish and other regional influences. The two share many elements, so most homes mix them.

Are Middle Eastern antiques the same as antique-style furniture?
No. Genuine antiques are old, one-of-a-kind pieces. Antique-style furniture is newly handcrafted using traditional designs, so it can be sized and repeated for modern rooms.

Where should I put a mother of pearl sideboard?
In a dining room or entrance, ideally where warm lamplight can reach it. Keep the surface fairly clear so the inlay stands out.

What is the difference between custom and bespoke furniture?
Custom furniture adjusts an existing design, such as its size or finish. Bespoke furniture is designed from scratch around your brief.

How do I care for inlaid and carved furniture?
Dust with a soft dry cloth, keep pieces out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, use coasters and trays, and avoid harsh cleaners.

Does Levantiques ship outside the UAE?
Yes. Levantiques ships worldwide, with free delivery in the UAE.

Final Thoughts

Arabic interior design is less about buying a style and more about creating a feeling. Start with one piece you love, give it space and build slowly. A good mirror, a well-made chest or a mother of pearl box can change a room more than a dozen average items.

When you are ready, explore our full collection or contact us to discuss a custom or bespoke design for your home or hotel.