The Tuscan style of decorating is often a popular approach when decorating a living room. The warm, earthy tones that are popular in Tuscan decor give a room a cozy, comfortable look that is very appealing. The color palette for Tuscan-style decorating is warm, and includes earth tones, as well white and off-whites. Warm shades of yellow, olive green, burgundy and browns provide wonderful accent colors. You can also use a more muted color palette, such as sage green, cream, light gold and rust red. Walls often have a texture, but if you don't have Venetian plastered walls in your living room, you can create some texture interest by using sand paint or textured paint.

Inspiration for Your Tuscan Style Living Room

Some people like to determine their color palette for Tuscan decorating by acquiring one "inspiration piece", such as a piece of Tuscan pottery, or perhaps a painting or other piece of art. By doing this, you can repeat the color scheme that is present in the piece throughout the entire room, which can create a very nice effect.

Economical Ideas for Tuscan Decor

Because of the rustic nature of the decor, it can also be a very economical way of decorating the living room. Even furniture that is well-worn can be utilized, because Tuscan Decor includes plenty of texture and color. For example, if you have some old wooden furniture pieces that have seen better days, you can use a "rag-rubbing" technique to apply a warm shade of terra cotta paint or stain to the wood, giving it a nice textured, well-worn effect. A little bit of paint or stain can go a long way with this technique, because the goal is not to apply a solid coat of paint.

Terra Cotta Pots and Tiles

Terra cotta pots and tiles are another popular way of adding a Tuscan look to the living room area. Although tile or terra cotta floors are often part of the authentic Tuscan Decor, if you have wooden or carpeted floors, you can add this effect in smaller touches. For example, a large terra cotta pot planted with a beautiful ivy plant can create a wonderful splash of color within the room. Adding area rugs in Tuscan colors can also be used if your floors are wood. Furniture style can vary, but it's generally arranged in a way that allows people to gather and mingle, and it can be described as being arranged in a "friendly" fashion.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron accessories are popular choices for the Tuscan living room. If you have the space for a large wrought iron chandelier, this can add a beautiful and authentic note to the room. However, even if you don't have the space or inclination to add such a large piece to the room, you can work wrought iron into the decor through candle sconces or candleholders, mirrors or other types of smaller accessories.

Wall Hangings, Throws and More

Other accessories to use in the Tuscan living room include brightly colored pottery pieces, a collection of vintage wine bottles, tapestry wall hangings or furniture throws. Finally, one of the easiest ways to add Tuscan charm to your living room is to find ways to let the outdoors inside. By adding a small herb garden to a window sill, filling vases and bowls with flowers and fruit, and adding live plants and fresh cut flowers to the room, you'll be adding to the overall Tuscan charm.

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an award-winning designer who illustrates how simple it can be to build hanging wall vases whether or not you have wrought iron wall plaque.