Step inside the most beautiful homes in Dubai, where creativity and out-of-the-box interiors have fashioned one-of-a-kind residences full of character and whimsy.
Whether its celebrity homes or villas filled with a lifetime's collection of art and design, the most beautiful homes in Dubai are authentic reflections of the city's multicultural population, their styles, values and cultures that make the UAE such a vibrant hub.
From homes that combine Arab opulence with contemporary living, to apartments inspired by the city's dynamic skyline and bungalows that tip their hats to the Emirati way of life, embracing local cultures through modern design, the residences featured on AD's list of the most beautiful homes in Dubai testify to city's ability to make people from all walks of life feel at home.
Arab Comedian Mohanad AlHattab's Moody, Masculine and Modern Dubai Villa
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UAE-based Syrian content creator Mohanad AlHattab whose online persona is as colourful as the home he inhabits, is known for pushing boundaries. And when he joined forces with the Emirati urban planner-turned-decorator Alamira Noor Bani Hashim, who is known for her refined, minimalist aesthetic, the result is a cinematic Dubai villa that is moody, masculine and modern. Shades of browns abound: it was the colour's inherent refinement and maturity that attracted both AlHattab and Bani Hashim to drench this Dubai Villa in warm, earthy tones – be it the wood-clad staircase, the seamless parquet or wall treatments that play with light, changing their hue all day long. But it is in the unexpected moments that this house truly shines.
In the dining room, for example, the walls are lined with deep-red Moroccan zellige tiles, and the ceiling is painted in the same almost-Gucci-Ancora-red shade. In the principal bedroom a slubby linen bedspread contrasts with the statement brushed-steel headboard and lime-washed walls. “The goal was to create a sleek, masculine space but it also needed to be inviting,” says the Bani Hashim. “It was a challenge, but we made it work.”
The Real Housewives of Dubai Star Caroline Stanbury’s LA-Style Villa
If The Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury's Dubai villa feels like a sliver of LA in the Middle East, that's intentional. A sleek, glass-lined home that was filled with light and intimately connected to the landscape was exactly what Stanbury and her husband Sergio Carrallo were after, and design guru Kate Instone delivered on the brief!
From the minute one enters the couple's villa in Al Barari, there is a mix of Zen and glamour that engulfs you. “I’ve been good friends with Caroline since our days in London, so I already had a strong sense of her personality, preferences, and how she moves through life,” says Instone. "She wanted her home to be a true reflection of who she is – unpretentious, personal, and deeply connected to her own tastes and lifestyle.”
Upstairs, Caroline and Sergio's bedroom is a calm, blush pink cocoon, with just a mirror and marble ledge (which also conceals a TV that pops out at the press of a button) separating the sleeping area from the bathroom. “I really wanted a hotel vibe here,” says Stanbury. “One of the biggest investments in my house is luxury bedding. I've got the world's finest bedding and it's no joke. It's all Scandia Home and it can cost you a second mortgage.”
An Art Collector’s Dubai Loft That Looks Like a Lived-In Gallery
“After spending the pandemic in a high-rise on Sheikh Zayed Road, I wanted to live at a gentler pace,” says the Iranian art collector and interior designer Mana Jalalian, who moved to Dubai in 2018 seeking a fresh start. “I was living in Vancouver before I came here, in a hamlet surrounded by greenery – it felt like a canvas that was changing every day.” In Al Barari, she got the same feeling of being immersed in nature, but not just any house would do; Jalalian was not just looking for a home for herself, but also for her art collection, which features over 400 works.
“I had looked at many buildings,” Jalalian recalls, “and suddenly one night, scrolling online at 3.30am, I found this one.” It was destined to be: not only was the apartment in the exact building she had wanted to live in, but its bones fitted her moodboard to a tee: the space boasts a triple-height atrium with light flooding in from a floor-to-ceiling glass facade, black window frames, and wooden flooring that contrasts with its concrete shell. “My art collection is stored in Vancouver and Basel, but I wanted to live surrounded by it,” she explains. “Now I have a home where I’m able to change pieces around easily.
A Serene Villa in Dubai Is Rooted in Emirati Heritage
Located just a short distance from the bustling heart of Dubai, Wadi Al Amardi – along Emirates Road, offering a rare fusion of urban accessibility and a tranquil, natural environment – provides a scenic backdrop for Emirati architect Ahmed Bukhash's latest residential project. Over the years, this Boston-trained architect with a master’s from Kyoto has fashioned a diverse portfolio, from public buildings to urban installations, and of course, exclusive homes – living examples that propose tangible solutions for contemporary architecture that is rooted in Emirati traditions and the Muslim way of life.
A Former Embassy That’s Now an Art-Lover’s Haven
Most people would be intimidated by the prospect of redecorating a chandelier-strewn former embassy and turning it into a liveable family home. But when Taline Aynilian Boladian, the co-director of the upcoming Beirut Museum of Art, first viewed this grand villa in Dubai’s beachside Jumeirah neighbourhood, she knew it would provide the perfect backdrop for the impressive art collection she has amassed with her husband Raffi – and enough space for their three children (aged ten and under) to have their own play zones. Within a predominantly white envelope, she has curated a powerhouse collection of Middle Eastern art and design, reimagining a tired government establishment as a vibrant family home. Click here for a tour of this art-filled home in Dubai.
A Palm Jumeirah Villa That Is All About Barefoot Luxury
The brief for this project in one of the most coveted areas of the United Arab Emirates couldn’t have been more straightforward: to create a villa on Palm Jumeirah that would maximise the allowable area and embody a sense of refined luxury. Some of the best creative minds from the region joined forces to transform this idea into reality. Located on Dubai's celebrity-favourite island's east-facing side on a site that looks back at the iconic Dubai skyline, the home was designed by South Africa-based firm SAOTA, in collaboration with CK Architecture Interiors (also the project’s interior designers and contractors) led by Turkish architect Cem Kapancioglu. Take a tour of this sprawling Palm Jumeirah villa.
This Dubai Home Follows Rules of Proportion Traditionally Used by Couture Designers
Known as Villa Amalfi, this quietly elegant five-bedroom Dubai home with sea views belongs to a fashion-loving client who travels much of the year. “It had to provide everything you would expect from a primary residence, but with the ease of a pied-à-terre,” says George Wolstenholme, director of London interiors studio Lawson Robb. “The owner wanted to be able to slot easily back into family life whenever she returned to Dubai.”
The client wanted a lot out of the property, including a gym and spa, ample storage for her fashion collections and space for entertaining,” explains Wolstenholme. “Catering for wellness was hugely important – this is something we always drive hard in our projects, so it was serendipitous that our values aligned. To dovetail with this approach, the owner wanted a minimal, sanctuary-like aesthetic.” Step inside Villa Amalfi.
A Place Seemingly Out of the Movies
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Emirati filmmaker Abdulla Al Kaabi's art-filled residence in Jumeirah instantly captivates onlookers with its fusion of traditional and modern elements: carefully planned and designed by architect Farshad Mahoutforoush. The home's curated interiors, adorned with ancient Persian artefacts and Middle Eastern art, evoke a cinematic experience, reflecting Al Kaabi's eclectic taste. Featuring lush gardens, a pool terrace, and secluded nooks; Al Kaabi's villa presents as a most inviting home with its seamless indoor-outdoor flow and emphasis on comfort. Discover the inspiring villa.
A Modernist Home Embracing Arab Heritage
Designed by Syrian interior designer Hana Hakim, this modernist home, named Casa Amal, redefines privacy with its perforated façade, allowing light and nature to permeate indoors. Located in Al Wasl district, it blends modernism with timeless Arabic details and orientalist influences. The house features soaring arches, curved walls, and a central courtyard connecting every space to lush greenery. The rooftop offers panoramic views of Downtown Dubai, offering seclusion amidst urban vibrancy. Step inside Casa Amal.
A Charming Old Dubai Villa, Revitalised
Jordan Castro and Margo’s search for a home with character led them to a villa overlooking the creek in Old Dubai. This four-bedroom house retains its historic charm while embracing a dynamic, contemporary interior. The couple’s vivid art collection breathes new life into the space, with carefully curated pieces enhancing the home’s distinctive character. From its original beige façade to the colourful interior, the villa offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern artistic flair. See how this charming residence blends heritage with personal style.
A Tranquil Vastu Compliant Home
This Vastu-compliant home in the upscale Dubai Hills neighbourhood blurs indoor-outdoor boundaries, embracing its desert surroundings. Designed by Studio VDGA, it took inspiration from local architecture and Indian heritage: featuring self-shaded structures, creating a tranquil oasis. Courtyards, designed for natural cooling, connect interior spaces, adhering to Vastu Shastra principles. The central courtyard, anchored by an ancient olive tree, serves as a serene gathering place. With luxurious touches, including a bespoke chandelier and marble finishes, this home balances grandeur with earthly serenity, making it easy to include it as one of the most beautiful homes in Dubai. Explore this serene residence.
From Desert Oasis to Lakeside Haven: Explore These Contemporary Residences
Omar Nakkash, founder of Nakkash Design Studio and an AD100 designer, revitalised a lakeside villa in Dubai's Meadows community for a family relocating from Hong Kong. The project aimed to maximise the stunning lake view and embrace an indoor-outdoor lifestyle inspired by Modernist homes in Brazil and Bali. Nakkash's design features natural finishes, vibrant colours, and eclectic furnishings blending tropical Modernism with subtle luxury. See more of the home.
Elsewhere (in Al Khawaneej to be precise), Nakkash has crafted a nature-inspired contemporary home spanning 1,200 square meters and boasting six bedrooms. The project, three years in the making, merges tradition with modernity, reflecting the identity and aspirations of the young Emirati couple who own it. Fluid lines, soft curves, and double-volume spaces evoke their connection to the desert and love for exploration. From the curved entry hall inspired by the desert landscape to the sunken majlis, every detail exudes quiet luxury and contemporary elegance. Take a peek inside this desert-inspired haven.
A Fusion of Japanese-Scandinavian (and Arab) Styles
Located in Jumeirah Golf Estates, designer Monica Arango has artfully combined Japanese and Scandinavian styles: emphasising minimalism and tranquillity, mirroring the local landscape's hues and textures, in this villa. Arango's meticulous approach is evident in the residence's micro-cement flooring and bespoke furniture crafted from stone. A palette of creamy neutrals and warm browns anchors the home in its desert surroundings. Take a tour of this zen-like sanctuary.
Classic Charm With A Modern Flair
Meet The 2024 AD100 Honourees
AD100 designer Carla Baz’s home, located in Jumeirah, elegantly merges old-world charm with contemporary style. The bungalow, featuring works by regional artists, exudes a timeless appeal. Baz retained the villa's traditional hacienda architecture while infusing modern comforts and a vibrant aesthetic. A light renovation enhanced the home's functionality, maintaining its retro allure. Baz's curated collection of furniture and artworks, blending vintage and contemporary elements, reflects her personal aesthetic while also celebrating the regional talent pool she, herself, is a part of. Explore the Lebanese designer's Dubai home.
A Mediterranean-Inspired Abode
This Palm Jumeirah home seamlessly blends modern luxury with Spanish-inspired architecture, with breathtaking views of the ocean and the Dubai skyline. Situated on the iconic man-made island, the 11,000-square-foot property boasts a carefully curated interior that harmonises with its enviable surroundings. Designed by XBD Collective, with a focus on creating a haven for a well-travelled German couple: the end result features arched volumes and a coastal colour palette. From high-end marble to custom-made lighting fixtures, every detail reflects a sense of luxury. Step inside this waterfront home.
A Sanctuary Putting Beauty and Individuality First
In the lush surroundings of Al Barari, Dubai, GoFlower founder Benn Davey has transformed his duplex: inspired by the nature-rich enclave, Davey's self-styled home blends bold art pieces with soft hues, creating a comfortable haven. Forgoing professional decor advice, he relies on personal instinct, every corner reflects his meticulous attention to detail, showcasing a curated collection of art and decor from his global travels. Davey's design ethos centres on storytelling, infusing his home with mid-century modern elements and treasures collected worldwide. Step inside this timeless space.
A Black and White Villa That’s an Ode to Living With Nature
Located in the Emirate's upscale gated community of Arabian Ranches, this modern Dubai Villa designed by interior architect Marie Claire Mrad, is something of a rarity. Inside its Mediterranean-looking building (something that's quite common in this tony neighbourhood), a boldly modern style prevails. Clean lines, floor-to-ceiling windows, expertly restrained material palettes and sleek furniture; everything is curated for a singular purpose: connecting the interiors with the beautifully landscaped outdoors.
A Fusion of Mexican Charm and Contemporary Design
Designer Amy Durnford's dream Dubai home is nestled within a lush compound in the Emirate. The project, inspired by the earthy elegance of Mexican casas, involved gutting the outdated interior and embracing an open-plan layout. Collaborating with 23 local contractors showcased Dubai's growing design industry. Named Casa Maya, the villa is a testament to meticulous planning and creative vision. Durnford's attention to detail, honed through her furniture atelier, Custom No.9, resulted in bespoke walnut woodwork and hand-plastered microcement finishes. Explore the airy and inviting Casa Maya.
