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What are the Different Tuscan Paint Colors?

Mary Ellen Popolo
Mary Ellen Popolo

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.

Red is a common Tuscan paint color.
Red is a common Tuscan paint color.

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.

The greens of local trees often dominate in Tuscan color schemes.
The greens of local trees often dominate in Tuscan color schemes.

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.

Tuscan paint colors reflect a color palette inspired by nature.
Tuscan paint colors reflect a color palette inspired by nature.

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.

Discussion Comments

sapphire12

A cousin of mine was getting his house painted, and he had an acquaintance come in and help give hi ideas. This other guy started talking about exterior and interior paint colors and ideas and Tuscan themes and all of this. Well, it turned out the friend has not even been to Europe, let alone Tuscany, however much he was talking about the warm hues on nature and things like that.

While I understand that you don't have to go somewhere to "understand" the color schemes that are common there, it still seemed pretentious to me.

elizabeth23

I was in Tuscany last winter, and the color palette was beautiful. These traditional Tuscan paint color schemes are everywhere: in buildings, in nature, and of course in paintings in museums. You can really see it if you go to the Uffizi gallery of course, but even other galleries, or in stores and restaurants around the city. It really made me see why the region was so inspirational to painters for so long.

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    • Red is a common Tuscan paint color.
      By: picsfive
      Red is a common Tuscan paint color.
    • The greens of local trees often dominate in Tuscan color schemes.
      By: Alexandr79
      The greens of local trees often dominate in Tuscan color schemes.
    • Tuscan paint colors reflect a color palette inspired by nature.
      By: mrallen
      Tuscan paint colors reflect a color palette inspired by nature.
    • Tuscany is a region in central Italy.
      By: willypd
      Tuscany is a region in central Italy.