Tuscan paint colors reflect a color palette inspired by nature. The most common colors used in Tuscan decorating are yellows, soft reds, browns, and greens, all of which are found in the bright, sunny Italian countryside from which the Tuscan style is derived. Certain shades of blue can also found in this color scheme as well as whites, creams, and beiges.
The inside walls of Tuscan homes are predominantly white, cream, and beige, in contrast to dark wood furniture and wood or stone flooring. The warm Tuscan paint colors that are used in Tuscan decorating actually reflect the wide variety of natural colors found in Tuscany, itself. Common Tuscan paint colors mirror different elements of nature, like the sun, the earth, the trees, and water. From yellows to reds to browns and everything in between, these are the basic colors generally found in a Tuscan style decorating scheme.
From the lightest shades all the way to a dark golden hue, any soft, muted shade of yellow, the color of the sun, can be used for a Tuscan paint color. Some shades of dark yellow can be included in the color palette as well, but bright and bold colors, such as lemon yellow, are usually not used. Bold colors may be used for decorating, but they are usually found on decorative items or accents pieces, such as vases, dinner plates, or fresh flowers from the garden.
Brown is another key color in the Tuscan color scheme, with brown and the other earth tones representing the earth. From beige to chocolate brown, almost every color in the brown family can be found in Tuscan paint colors. The greens of the local trees, including shades of olive, hunter, and sage are often used as dominant hues, while other shades of green are used as secondary or accent colors. Certain shades of blue, cobalt for instance, can also be used in Tuscan decorating schemes. Blue is the color of the sky and the Mediterranean sea.
Red is a prominent hue in Tuscan paint colors and is found in a wide selection of shades and colors including peaches, oranges, reds, and burgundy. Some of the most popular colors are terra cotta, bronze, cinnamon and burgundy. Since red can be a strong color, it is often muted to create a softer shade. Gray, pinks, and apricot are other colors that are often used for Tuscan paint colors and a Tuscan styled decorating scheme.