Tuscan Bathroom Colors

The colors of nature inspire Tuscan decor.

Tuscan decor is characterized by the rich earth tones of baked soil and sunshine, the rich blue of the sky, and the green and gray tones of plants and weathered stone. Add these colors to your bathroom without overwhelming a small space. Use strong color in moderation, set off by other subtle earth tones. Add real plants, rock and brick to complement Tuscan colors.

Earth Tones

Olive green is a popular color in Tuscan rooms.

Terra-cotta, olive green, coffee brown and deep orange: These are the colors of the Italian countryside. A Tuscan bathroom can be vivid and strong, subtle or a combination of the two.

As you decorate, be sensitive to the fact that the bathroom is generally a small space. Very dark or very bright colors can easily overwhelm a small space. Use a single dark or bright color as the primary bathroom color and work with it, adding decor items to complement this color. For example, a terra-cotta-colored bathroom might contain a bright green plant in a bright blue pottery container to complement the orange of the terra-cotta.

It's also possible to use a more subtle color like a pale olive green as the primary color, adding strong accents in terra-cotta, red, brown and blue.

Blue Sky and Fields

Create the illusion of blue sky with vivid colors.

Tuscan decor also features nature colors of another type: the vivid blues and yellows of skies and fields. These strong and delightful colors look great in a bathroom. Be conscious of the amount of light and air the bathroom gets, as strong colors can overwhelm a small space. In a small, dark bathroom focus on a single bright wall, complemented by more muted or light colors.

Bathroom towels, plant pots, soap dishes, rugs and shower curtains are also available in bright blues and yellows. For a Tuscan-inspired bathroom with no paint job required, choose decor items in these colors.

Weathered Rock and Plaster

Use gray and white to create the look of weathered rock.

One fun Tuscan-inspired project is to use painting techniques to emulate weathered rock or plaster. Use sponge or rag painting on a white wall to add light gray textures so that the wall looks like rock or plaster. Add a faux rock window using sticker transfers or by working with a professional muralist. Plants and plant-inspired decor work well with pretend rock and plaster, giving the bathroom an outdoor feel.

Tags: small space, rock plaster, Tuscan decor, blues yellows, decor items, earth tones, overwhelm small