If you're a fan of rustic interior design or wish you could bring a little bit of the Italian countryside into your home, you’re probably a fan of Tuscan interior design. Read on to learn what Tuscan design is and how to get the look in your own home.

What Is Tuscan Design?

Named after the idyllic central region of Italy called Tuscany, Tuscan design is a warm decorating style that weaves elegant craftsmanship into a rustic, nature-inspired foundation. Revered for its artistic history, elegant yet well-worn architecture, and stunning landscapes, Tuscany’s elegant beauty is recognizable in signature elements of Tuscan architecture and design. Interiors decorated in Tuscan design are welcoming, cozy, and reminiscent of a bygone simplicity despite their grander elements.

Tuscan Design Elements

There are some key elements that can help you identify Tuscan design:

• Tuscan-style materials: Look for rustic and aged construction materials like terracotta, plaster, and natural stone of many kinds, including travertine, granite, marble, sandstone, and limestone, which are finished with little to no sheen or glaze. Walls tend to be stuccoed or covered in tiles that are either hand-painted or oriented into gorgeous mosaics.
• Dark woods:: Unfinished wood can be found on shutters, ceiling beams, archways, and windows, and in furniture.
• Wrought-iron accents: Wrought-iron mirrors, wall decor, sconces, chandeliers, railings, and fences are plentiful and contribute greatly to the elegant and well-crafted yet time-worn, Tuscan look.
• Tuscan-style furniture: Traditional Tuscan style furniture features ornate carved designs and curved shapes, while simpler Tuscan-style furniture relies more on sturdy construction and straight lines rather than fancy ornamentation.
• Well-constructed flooring: High-quality hardwood or natural stone tile floors can be left bare or covered by well-crafted, intricately designed rustic area rugs in dark earth tones.

Tuscan Design Color Palette

The Tuscan color palette is a warm mix of neutrals and earth tones (natural, toned-down browns and greens). The base color in a Tuscan-style room is typically a sandy neutral, while dark browns, terracotta reds, and rusty oranges are also featured colors. Bright colors are rare in Tuscan-style interiors, but sometimes vivid blues make their way onto mosaics or painted tiles to add a bit of freshness.

How to Incorporate Tuscan Design Into Your Home

You don't need to own an Italian cottage to embrace Tuscan design in your own home.
Here are some ways you can incorporate a Tuscan-style aesthetic into your interior design:

• Add iron accents: Use iron hardware for door handles or drawer pulls and knobs in your kitchen or bathrooms. In bedrooms choose a vintage style iron bed for a Tuscan feel. Add wrought iron light fixtures to your rooms in pendants, or wall sconces.

• Incorporate dark woods: Add dark wood to your interior design with hard wood flooring, coffee and dining tables, dressers, and armoires.

• Prioritize Mosaic Tiles and Terracotta: Consider installing mosaic kitchen backsplash tile and use terracotta tiles wherever possible. Think about potting plants in terracotta planters and using them as natural decor.

• Choose Italian-Style Decor: Choose earthy and classic style decor that gives an italian feel. Place some bust statues around your living room or dining area to call in a feeling of classical Italian art. Choose earthy toned throws to decorate comfortable seating and natural decor that embodies the feel of the Italian countryside like a faux citrus tree or olive tree.

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