There are many reasons why Tuscan-style kitchens are popular among interior designers and homeowners alike. For example, Tuscan kitchens:
- Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This is perfect for those who love to entertain or simply spend time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes. For example, as opposed to being a place where you simply cook, it can also become an entertainment area, especially if you install a breakfast bar or perhaps even a dining area within the space.
- Remain effortlessly chic and stylish. As they’ve been popular for hundreds of years, they will not fall out of style within a few months, unlike other design aesthetics that come and go. As a result, they’re a reliable choice - the kind that you know you won’t regret in a hurry and can continue to enjoy for years to come.
- Combine beauty and practicality. Tuscan kitchens follow a simplistic layout that makes effective use of all available space, meaning that you aren’t sacrificing practicality to make your kitchen look good. Their straightforward layout could also be useful when ensuring your kitchen is accessible and easy to use, especially if anyone in your family has additional access needs.
- Bring the beauty of Italy into your home. Tuscan kitchens bring the beauty of the Italian countryside into your home, which can leave you feeling as though you are surrounded by sunshine all year long. This is a great mood booster and can once again inject some much-needed character and brightness into your home.
- Stand out from the crowd. Many kitchens tend to stick to simplistic color patterns and design choices, which could leave your kitchen looking exactly like a kitchen within a showhome, as opposed to an actual ‘lived-in’ space. However, Tuscan Kitchens give you more freedom in terms of expression and style, meaning your kitchen will quickly become the envy of your friends
What are the benefits of Tuscan kitchens?
There are many benefits associated with introducing Tuscan-inspired decor into your kitchen. For example:
- Upgrading your kitchen adds value to your home. According to a recent study, upgrading your kitchen can add upwards of 10% to the value of your property.
- Warm-Color palettes boost your mood. Different colors affect our moods in different ways, and warm tones are often associated with increased positivity and happiness, alongside a marked reduction in stress.
- You can make more use of your space. The effective layouts often found within Tuscan-style kitchens mean that you can make the most of the limited space available without feeling as though the room is cramped.
- Tuscan kitchens can inspire your inner chef. When your kitchen is well-designed, it automatically becomes a nicer place to spend time in - which could inspire you to sharpen your culinary skills, especially when trying out traditional Italian cuisine.
Inspiration for designing a Tuscan-style kitchen.
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and breathe new life into your home by designing a Tuscan-inspired kitchen, here are some inspirations and tips you can use to bring your vision to life.
1. Choose which colors you’d like to feature.
As discussed above, Tuscan Kitchens create vibrant atmospheres through the use of bold, warm-toned colors. As a result, choosing which shades you’d like to feature within your kitchen is a good starting point.
To avoid creating a space that feels overwhelming, try to choose three colors that not only blend well together but also create the kind of atmosphere or vibe you are craving.
According to many design experts, “the best way to create a cohesive look is to follow the 60-30-10 rule — 60 percent dominant color, 30 percent secondary color, and 10 percent accent color.” For example, you may choose to feature your dominant color in your cabinets or color-matched range hood, whereas secondary colors can be shown in other fixtures, such as your sink and countertops.
2. Install a metal sink.
Metals are also featured heavily within Tuscan Kitchens, especially those with warm golden or reddish hues, such as bronze or copper. As a result, one way in which you can effortlessly evoke Tuscan styles within your kitchen is by installing a metal sink.
For example, our Farmhouse DT - Towelbar Kitchen Sink can be made from a range of different metals, including varying shades or finishes of copper and brass. If you’re going for an authentically styled Tuscan Kitchen, then you may want to opt for the weathered copper finish, as this has a distinctly rustic edge to it.
3. Think about practicality.
As Tuscan Kitchens are designed for heavy, daily use, they follow practical layouts and include a range of features that make any time spent in the kitchen easier. As a result, you may want to think about modern features that you can incorporate into your kitchen that can help toward this aim.
For example, you can easily ‘blend’ more modern appliances, such as dishwashers and range hoods, into the space by color-matching.
4. Embrace natural light.
Allowing natural light to flood into your kitchen can also evoke the spirit of Tuscany - even if you cannot always rely on sunshine. As such, you may want to use this as an opportunity to replace your windows or, if possible, install a skylight. Not only will this make your entire kitchen appear brighter, but it could also boost your mood, as many scientific studies have found that exposure to natural light (even indoors) can boost your body’s serotonin production.
5. Decorate with patterned tiles.
Patterned tiles are also often associated with Tuscan interior design. As a result, finding a way to feature them within your kitchen is another great way to embrace the Tuscan style. For example, you could feature them on one wall of your kitchen as an attractive focal point or as ‘splashback’ tiles behind your oven or sink - which makes for low-maintenance cleaning.
When choosing tiles for your kitchen, it's again important to think about the colors featured within the patterns so that you can ensure they’ll blend seamlessly into the rest of your kitchen.
6. Don’t be afraid of ‘contrasts.’
While many forms of kitchen design are centered around creating a sense of cohesivity and balance - there’s a little more freedom when it comes to designing a Tuscan Kitchen. This is because different patterns and textures are often thrown together - and while this may sound chaotic, it often works as it creates a space that feels rustic and authentic.
As a result, if you’re selecting tiles for both your flooring and walls, don’t be afraid to choose tiles with wildly different patterns. In fact, this could even work in your favor when it comes to creating a space that is truly dynamic.
7. Introduce Wooden Accents.
Many Tuscan Kitchens also feature wooden elements, such as exposed wooden beams or countertops. However, there are many other ways in which you can feature wood within your kitchen. For example, you could add wooden trims to different pieces of furniture or purchase wooden utensils, such as chopping boards and more. You could even feature artwork that uses wood in creative ways.
8. Use Terracotta tiles.
As mentioned previously, terracotta tiles also feature heavily in Tuscan interiors, likely because different kinds of terracotta products are made in the region - whether that be tiles, plates, or even artwork. Furthemore, featuring terracotta tiles as flooring can create a warming ‘sunny’ atmosphere within your home that can feel distinctly European.
Not only do terracotta tiles look great, but they are also long-lasting and durable. In fact, they can last for decades if installed and maintained correctly. As a result, they are a worthwhile investment, as you can enjoy them for years to come as opposed to having to replace them within a few years as they become cracked or discolored.
9. Elevate your homes ‘natural’ features.
If you already have exposed brick or stone flooring within your kitchen, you have very little to do in the way of renovations when introducing Tuscan style into your home. This is because they are both rather ‘rustic’ features, which create a homely and understated atmosphere within your kitchen. They are also rather traditional in style, which calls back to the history of Tuscan Design and the fact that it often focused on accentuating natural features within the home.
10. Create a ‘homely’ atmosphere.
Tuscan-inspired kitchens are often described as homely - and for a good reason. They are warm, welcoming spaces that are highly functional and pleasing to the eye - as a result, they quickly become the kind of space the entire family likes to spend time in. As such, you may want to think about other ways in which you can make your kitchen feel more homely at this time.
For example, you could feature your family’s favorite colors throughout the space, as this can add a uniquely personal touch to your kitchen. Alternatively, you could paint or design your own tiles or decorate some of the space with family photographs or your children’s artwork.
