What Color Wood Stain Represents the Tuscan Style?

Wood Stains

• Tuscan style is warm, rustic and unpretentious. Wood stains are almost always dark, soft brown. In Tuscany, the most common wood types are mahogany, pine or cypress and the furniture has a hefty, solid feel. Because homes lack closets, you'll find cupboards, shelves and armoires to store clothing, dishes and linens.

Other Materials

• In addition to warm brown furniture, Tuscan decor relies on other natural elements, as well. Use iron hardware and hinges on furniture for a rustic, substantial feel. Cover walls with stucco or plaster and use sandstone and granite for hard surfaces. Leather is a common material for upholstery. Wrought iron decorative elements are also used.

Colors

• Although the furniture is dark brown, liberal use of other colors prevent it from feeling oppressive. Enliven a room with upholstery or accessories in warm orange, deep red, olive green or saffron. Use color judiciously to warm up the room. Too many accessories can make it seem jarring.

Considerations

• When selecting Tuscan furniture, choose a few pieces. Most Tuscan furniture is built on a large scale so you'll probably need fewer pieces in a room. Too much furniture makes a space seem overcrowded and jumbled. Mix and match pieces instead of buying collections for a more interesting approach.