Some decisions are made with your head, others with your heart. Choosing how you want your home to be has a bit of both. And if we’re talking about a villa on the Costa del Sol, there’s another element involved: the dream. That mental image you already have and want to make real.
But tell me, is the villa you imagine white, geometric, and open to the garden? Or does it have arches, terracotta roof tiles, and a shaded porch at four in the afternoon? Or maybe it sounds more like columns, symmetry, and that timeless elegance that never goes out of style?
At The Villas Architect, we’ve been designing homes for over two decades — homes that don’t look alike. Because we don’t work with molds. We work with people. And that’s exactly what this article is about: helping you understand which villa style fits you best. No technical jargon. No speeches. Just as we’d explain it on-site, coffee in hand.
What You’ll Get From This (Besides a Few Clear Ideas)
This isn’t a ranking of styles or a trend guide. It’s more like a stroll — the kind we often take with our clients at the beginning of their projects.
You’ll discover how a modern villa breathes, what makes a Mediterranean one special, and why a classic never ages. We’ll tell you what’s great, what no one mentions, and what often happens when you choose without knowing what’s behind it. Because, in the end, style influences how you live inside — and how it feels.
By the end, you might have a clearer idea. Or maybe not. But at least you’ll know which questions to ask yourself — and that’s already a lot.
Choosing a Style Isn’t Decorating: It’s Designing a Way of Life
Modern Villa: Light, Clean Lines, and Invisible Technology
Spaces that open and flow
There’s nothing like walking into a home and not being sure where the living room ends and the terrace begins. That’s what modern villas have — a way of opening to the outside that makes everything feel connected, as if the house were breathing with you.
Honest materials, silent solutions
Concrete, glass, stone. Nothing disguised. And inside, systems you barely notice but that make everything easier: adaptive lighting, smart climate control, clean energy. Homes that almost run themselves.
If this sounds like you…
You probably like clarity, order, and freedom of movement. You prefer a clean aesthetic and a life without complications. Many of our younger clients, or those coming from abroad looking for something different, end up here.
Mediterranean Villa: Shade, Freshness, and a Beauty That Never Fades
Architecture that speaks with its surroundings
Whitewashed walls, clay tiles, terracotta floors, and plenty of shade where it’s needed. Mediterranean villas don’t try to stand out — they aim to belong. And when they do, it feels like they’ve always been there.
Homes that embrace the landscape
A good orientation, a courtyard that catches the breeze, a porch that shields you from the sun. Everything designed to live in harmony with the climate, not against it. Living as people here always have — but with today’s comfort.
If this sounds like you…
You’re probably drawn to things with soul. With texture. With history. This style resonates with those who value local identity, the feeling of home, and quiet beauty.
Classic Villa: Timeless Elegance and Relaxed Proportions
Inspired by tradition, adapted to the present
Symmetry, balance, noble materials. Classic villas have a touch of ceremony, but they’re not rigid. In fact, many are redesigned today with modern interior layouts — yet they never lose that sense of presence that commands respect.
Homes that age gracefully
Real wood, handcrafted ironwork, well-laid stone. Classic villas age with dignity. They don’t go out of style — they settle in, like fine wine. Like good decisions.
If this sounds like you…
You may not seek what’s most eye-catching — you seek what endures. Many of our clients who think long-term, who want to leave something meaningful behind, or who wish for a home that remains beautiful decades from now, choose this style.
How to Make Practical Choices Without Losing the Soul of the Project
Can you mix the best of several styles?
Yes — and we often do. A modern villa with a sloped roof. A Mediterranean one with a contemporary interior. A classic with minimalist carpentry. There are no dogmas. Just balance.
And what if I’m still unsure?
That’s okay. Many clients start with one idea and end up with another — or a mix they didn’t know they wanted. What matters is starting with how you want to live, not how you want the façade to look.
What usually works well on the Costa del Sol?
Anything that respects the climate and adapts to the land: south-facing villas, cross-ventilation, well-designed porches, and durable materials. Style matters, but daily comfort matters even more.
Some Questions We Hear Often (and Love to Answer)
Is a modern villa more expensive to maintain?
Not necessarily. Quite the opposite — it’s usually more energy-efficient if well designed. The key lies in how it’s built, not just how it looks.
Can I have a Mediterranean home with advanced technology?
Absolutely. Aesthetics don’t exclude comfort. You can have wooden lattices and an aerothermal system. What matters is integration.
Which style holds its value best long-term?
There’s no single answer. Buyers value coherence, quality, and maintenance. A well-designed, well-cared-for villa — whatever its style — maintains its worth.
How do I start defining my style if I’m not an expert?
With a conversation. Literally. That’s where we begin. What you like, how you live, what bothers you, what you admire. Sometimes a word, a memory, or a photo triggers everything else.
Before Choosing a Style, Choose How You Want to Live
In the end, building a villa isn’t just an investment — it’s a life project. It’s deciding how you want to wake up each day, where you’ll host family gatherings, what views you’ll see from your kitchen.
So before deciding whether your villa will be modern, Mediterranean, or classic, take a moment to really think about it. Not as an aesthetic choice, but as a way of living.And if you need someone to help you translate that into architecture, without imposing a specific style on you, but rather guiding you to discover the one that best fits what you need, we’re here. Let’s talk.
