Our nº1 specialty · Medina
Riad interior design and renovation in Marrakech
Building survey, design, coordinated craftsmen and a photo report every week, wherever you live.
Buying a riad in the Marrakech medina is the easy part. Then come the horror stories every expat forum warns you about: quotes that triple, craftsmen who vanish, a building site you cannot see from London or New York. Marrakech Interiors exists to close that gap: an English-speaking design studio that designs, budgets, renovates and decorates your riad end to end, with a photo and video report landing in your inbox every Friday.
3-bedroom riad, full renovation + interior design: €37,000–€65,000 (400,000–700,000 MAD).
Riad renovation in Marrakech: the building first
Almost every medina riad needs real work before it needs cushions: rammed-earth or solid-brick walls to consolidate, roof terraces to waterproof, courtyard columns to repair, and electricity and plumbing that must be renewed entirely. We audit the structure with a partner architect before you commit a dirham, then run every trade: masonry, waterproofing, electrics, plumbing, cedar joinery.
We are not a building firm that adds three lanterns at the end. We are a design studio that directs building firms: the riad is designed first, priced line by line second, built third. That order is what prevents the two classic failures: the "well renovated but soulless" riad, and the "gorgeous in photos, damp in February" riad.
Riad interior design: authentic without the clichés
Riad decoration walks a fine line. Too traditional and it becomes a themed restaurant; too contemporary and it loses everything guests came for. Our approach:
- Local materials, exacting execution: tadelakt in the bathrooms, zellige as wainscoting or splashbacks, bejmat brick floors, carved plaster used sparingly: never everything at once.
- A tight palette: two to three tones per space; the courtyard treated as the master piece: it is what sells the riad on Airbnb and Booking alike.
- Mixed furnishing: sourced vintage pieces and commissioned craftwork, completed with comfortable contemporary basics: hotel-grade beds and seating.
- Light: the true weakness of most riads. We produce a full lighting scheme, courtyard included.
Curious about the style itself? Read our Moroccan interior design guide.
Designing riads that earn: guesthouses and Airbnb
If your riad will be rented, decoration is an investment with a measurable return. Each bedroom gets its own identity, name and signature photo; the courtyard is staged as the listing's cover shot; the roof terrace is built around breakfast service. See how we optimise your riad for Airbnb.
Riad packages and prices
| Package | Scope | € | MAD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riad Decoration (sound building) | Full design, furniture, craftwork, installation, styling | 23,000 – 42,000 (3 bd) | 250,000 – 450,000 |
| Renovation & Design: 3 bedrooms | Structural audit, design, fit-out works, full decoration, supervision | 37,000 – 65,000 | 400,000 – 700,000 |
| Renovation & Design: 5 bedrooms | Same, guesthouse-oriented | 60,000 – 120,000 | 650,000 – 1,300,000 |
| Heavy renovation | Structural repair, added floor, courtyard pool: on audit | 92,000 – 325,000 | 1,000,000 – 3,500,000 |
Fees for design, contractor coordination and weekly documented supervision are included in these ranges. For the full item-by-item breakdown: masonry, tadelakt, zellige, bathrooms, joinery: see our guide to riad renovation cost in Marrakech. Not bought yet? Start with what to check before buying a riad to renovate.
How remote ownership works in practice
Many riad owners live abroad. The system is simple and strict:
- Discovery video call + on-site audit (full photo report within 7 days).
- Concept, moodboards and detailed budget approved by video call.
- Compared contractor quotes, bilingual contracts, milestone-based payment schedule.
- Works: photo/video report every Friday + monthly live video walkthrough from inside the riad.
- Room-by-room handover, installation, final photo shoot.
Some clients first see their riad finished. Details under remote project management, and real numbers in our riad projects.
Frequently asked questions
What is a riad in Morocco?
A riad is a traditional town house built around an inner courtyard or garden, typical of old medinas such as Marrakech and Fès. The street façade is almost blind; light, air and life come from the central patio, often planted with citrus trees and set around a fountain, with rooms opening onto galleries on one or two floors and a roof terrace above. Many are now guesthouses or holiday homes, which is why renovation and interior design go hand in hand.
What is riad style?
A riad is an inward-facing Moroccan house organised around a central open-air courtyard, traditionally with a fountain or garden. Few windows face the street; everything opens onto the patio. The style follows the architecture: zenithal natural light, mineral craft materials, and cool, calm volumes.
What is the layout of a riad?
Ground floor: courtyard at the centre, surrounded by reception rooms (often a salon and dining space) and the kitchen. Upper floors: bedrooms on galleries overlooking the patio. On top: the roof terrace, used for breakfast and sunset. Plumbing, kitchens and staircases usually sit in the corners.
How much does it cost to renovate a riad in Marrakech?
Between €230 and €1,300 per m² depending on condition: cosmetic refresh, full fit-out renewal, or structural work. A 200 m² riad typically lands between €83,000 and €148,000 for a complete renovation including decoration. Full tables in our cost guide.
Can I renovate a riad without living in Morocco?
Yes, provided one accountable party runs everything on site. We manage craftsmen, purchasing, customs and milestone payments, and you approve each stage remotely on documented evidence. You never pay against promises, only against verified progress.
How long does a riad renovation take?
Three to five months for fit-out renewal plus decoration; six to twelve months where structure is involved. Delays in the medina come from poor coordination far more often than from the works themselves: coordination is precisely what you are buying.