Whether your heart lies in Greece or Corsica, Italy or Spain, there is no need to wait until your next summer holiday to recreate the style of your favourite Mediterranean hideaway in your own home, writes Emma Pomfrett All you need are a few subtle touches of European, African and Oriental design, simple furniture incorporating both past and present influences, and natural floors scattered with rush mats or brightly coloured rugs.

"The traditional notion of Mediterranean living is suffused with simplicity," explains Dominic Bradbury, author of Mediterranean Modern (Thames & Hudson, £19.95).

He describes the style as: "An openness to landscape and the sea and with that particular erosion of divisions between indoor and outdoor space, as well as emphasis on texture, organic and sea-blown colours, and solid, natural materials."

Indeed, top interior designer John Stefanidis says that one discreet but very effective way to recreate classic Mediterranean accents in your home is to choose cool stone or fine wood flooring to achieve a rustic yet chic effect.

"Continue the flooring into your outside areas to create a smooth consistency for outdoor living," he said.

To add an 'easy' feel to your sitting room, go for rough textured canvasses or linen in fresh and zesty colours, or even clean blues and whites.

"For authentic Mediterranean entertaining update your outdoor furniture by adding a lick of blue or white paint, and to complement, add white or pale blue walls or even white with ochre," Stefanidis said.

"Go for clean line furniture and loose cotton covers in clear colours which can be changed with the seasons."

GO FOR THE IBIZA STYLE 8On the sun-drenched island of Ibiza, far from its crowded beaches and pulsating nightclubs, lies a secret treasure trove of some of the world's most stylish interiors.

From charmingly-rustic fincas nestled in groves of orange and lemon trees, to cool coastal retreats for artists, writers and musicians, new book Ibiza Style is packed with a myriad of design ideas to inspire island-lovers everywhere. "Ibiza has a uniquely relaxed style - island life is all about lounging on daybeds or in hammocks strung between palm trees, surrounded by bougainvillaea-shaded terraces, ancient olive trees and fragrant olive and almond groves," said author Chloe Grimshaw.

To recreate Ibiza chic in your own home try adding a touch of glamour to your patio or decking area with Marks & Spencer's gorgeous all-weather rattan daybed (above), £999, scattered with baby rib cotton cushions in navy, lime green, cream, turquoise, sage green or bright coral, £5 each. Alternatively, chill out and put your feet up with a solid hardwood hammock with stripy padded sling, £249.

COASTAL CHIC 8The Mediterranean region is dominated by the blues of the sea and sky, the bright light of the sun, and the homely colours of the earth and nature.

Fired Earth do a wonderful range of stone floor tiles including Old Tuscan Travertine and Venetian Stone, intricately patterned ceramic tiles ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and halls, as well as a large range of beautiful terracotta tiles made from specially prepared clay, all from around £4 for each 20x20cm tile.

Or for beautiful wood floors from vanilla beeches to caramel maples check out the range at Naturally Wood Floors.

Perfect for a dreamy afternoon in the garden or conservatory, you can't beat John Stefanidis' gorgeous powder-blue Odessa chairs at £790 each (plus VAT), or why not accessorise distressed wooden chairs with a selection of zesty-coloured Agra rib cushions from The Pier, at £9 each for small, and £15 each for large.

Casually strewn rugs and mats also look great anywhere in the home, including John Lewis' Sisal rug in natural, £95, and their Multistripe Rug Ombre from £75.

And if you prefer to make a statement with stronger, more vibrant hues, have a peek at Next's colourful Berber rugs, from £40.

Finally, to add a nautical feel to your home, why not bring the freshness of the seaside into your bedroom with Habitat's Watercolour duvet cover, £75, with Coast pillowcases, £8 each, and frothy white Derwent sheer curtains, £20.

INSIDE OUT 8With temperatures set to soar into double figures, now is the perfect time to introduce a touch of Mediterranean glamour to your traditional English garden, so indulge yourself with the super-stylish Egg hanging chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, £1,205 - a summer must for design gurus.

For the young at heart, add a wonderful splash of colour to your garden with Zanotta's famous Sacco imitation leather easy-chairs, £221 each. So grab yourself a champagne cocktail and get comfy! Both available from Europe By Net.

If you fancy a quick break from the sunshine or you want to stay outside to enjoy the balmy evenings, do a bit of al fresco entertaining in your garden under an elegant patio awning.

Try Thomas Sanderson's impressive new Ultima patio awning (below), from £2,500, which features inbuilt heating and lighting, and even a wind sensor designed to make it retract during high winds.