Decorative Tips to Bring Tuscan Style to your Living Room

 Tuscan decor is a popular choice for those looking to bring a cozy and relaxing atmosphere to their home. Tuscan style’s reliance on natural rustic materials, simple design and warm earthy hues make it a perfect style of a living room that is comfortable enough for everyday living yet inviting enough to entertain guests.

Earthy Tuscan Color

The Tuscan-inspired color palette is inviting and hospitable and ranges from pale neutral ecru or cream to yellow and muted shades of sage or olive green, terra cotta and sienna, caramel, cinnamon brown, burgundy and rusty red. You can choose among the paler hues for the walls and accent in deep colors, or make your room snug and cozy by bringing dramatic color to one or more walls. Typical Tuscan walls are made of stucco or plaster and you can mimic these textures by adding textured crystals to your paint or by choosing faux painting techniques that add visual depth.

You may find it both inspiring and helpful to work from an inspiration piece to guide you in choosing wall and accent colors. The color scheme present in a beautifully painted Tuscan style canvas art of piece or pottery will help you create a well-coordinated room. Or use a wall hanging art, such as a luxurious Tuscan or vineyard theme tapestry, to provide both texture and Tuscan color.

Affordable Options in Furnishings

Tuscan furniture has a rustic look to it, so it is easy to incorporate used furniture into your decor. Even wooden pieces that are well-worn will add to the authentic look of the room. An old piece of wooden furniture can be given a slightly distressed finish by applying a light coat of stain or terracotta paint with a rag. Rub the wet stain or paint onto the surface of the wood and wipe away the excess before it dries; the goal is to tint the finish and worn edges without applying a solid coat of color.

All text copyright Relica. Photo from Flikr - "Traditional Mediterranean Living Room" courtesy of Posh Living, LLC.

Terracotta Accents

Terracotta tiles are a signature floor treatment in Tuscan style homes, but you can achieve an authentic look with wood or carpeted floors. An area rug in Tuscan colors can be used to anchor a seating area, then accent the room with terracotta tiles and pottery scattered throughout the space. Terracotta pots and pottery can hold plants and flower arrangements, or be arranged on the mantle or bookshelves; use individual tiles as coasters or under candles, plants and flower vases. Terracotta tiles can be used on the fireplace surround or hearth; beautifully painted terracotta tiles with Tuscan colors and themes can also be framed and hung on the walls.

Wonderfully Authentic Wrought Iron and Other Accents

No Tuscan living room would be complete without wrought iron. Choose a dramatic chandelier overhead if you have space. Or go with wrought iron wall sconces, decorative wine wall art, candelabra and lamps; wall mirrors and frames, wall grilles and accents on wooden furniture offer other ways of bringing wrought iron into your Tuscan living room.

Finish your room with tapestry furniture runners or a hanging tapestry for the wall. Fill painted pottery vases and pitchers with fresh flowers and add warm, comfortable throws and pillows to the furniture that accent your color theme.