16 Tuscan Kitchens to Take You Abroad from the Comfort of Home

Interior Blend

Inviting exterior elements into a home is a daring design choice, but oh, the rewards it can reap! Outdoor materials, such as weathered wood posts, antique brick pavers, and rough-hewn stone, add unparalleled charm to any kitchen. A bonus? Materials meant for the outdoors withstand day-to-day use with grace and remain handsome for years to come.

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Dip into Color

Tuscan kitchens don't shy away from color, whether just a dab on the backsplash or a full-on drenching, as in this blue-coated room. In addition to bold color, the cabinets boast furniture-like touches, including raised-panel doors, intricate trim, carved columns, and regal corbels. And in true Tuscan style, the island doesn't perfectly match the perimeter cupboards, giving the space a harmonized, built-over-time appearance.

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Embrace the Odds

Favoring natural materials over synthetic alternatives means embracing the quirks and imperfections of nature's offerings. For example, the terra-cotta tiles and butcher-block countertops in this Tuscan-style kitchen impart character and subtle patterns to the room with their varied shape and color.

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Mix and Match

Tuscan kitchens often appear to have been put together over time, spanning decades or even generations. Re-create that lived-in look by choosing cabinets and furniture with different finishes, opting for multiple countertop materials, and pairing mismatched chairs around an island or breakfast nook.

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Soaring Heights

Some interior designers call the ceiling the fifth wall because of its decorating potential. Paying particular attention to the span of sheetrock overhead can pay off; it's unexpected, and the ceiling can also handle risks that walls and floors cannot. Despite its spacious size, the brick-and-beam ceiling treatment in this Tuscan-style kitchen gives the room a cozy, intimate feel.

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Pattern Play

Many Tuscan kitchens rely on natural materials like stone and wood for surfaces, which runs the risk of dressing an entire room in the same shade of tan. Battle blandness by mixing up the texture and pattern of neutral-hue materials. The tile backsplash in this kitchen is laid in a running bond pattern, but it's interspersed with square tiles for added flair. The terra-cotta floor tiles dance in a herringbone design to give the room movement, and bricks stacked around the window's perimeter offer further visual drama.

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Special Touches

Tuscan kitchens are known for attention to detail and handcraftsmanship, with notable features like this kitchen's carved island corbels and wood range hood embellishments. Incorporate ornate and furniture-like elements on cabinetry, freestanding pieces, and woodwork in your kitchen for the perfect Tuscan touch.

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Stone Zone

A Tuscan kitchen is nothing if not practical, and they utilize locally available and abundant materials. That's why you'll often spot gorgeous natural stone stretching across floors, walls, countertops, and even doorways, as in this regal kitchen covered in rugged and polished stone.

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Aging Character

A few dings here and there? Some signs of wear and tear? These imperfections are signs of a busy, bustling kitchen. They're not to be hidden or fixed but celebrated; Tuscan kitchens proudly wear their scars! Worn finishes on cabinets, scraped stone floors, and salvaged wood beams might not look pristine, but they speak volumes about how a well-used kitchen is also the most well-loved.

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Make It Modern

Some homeowners who adore old-world kitchens prefer contemporary details, and this Tuscan kitchen proves design can stretch to fit just about any style. Clean-lined elements like white subway tile, minimal cabinetry, an industrial island, and a sleek bench feel right at home alongside Tuscan elements like salvaged wood, old brick, and exposed ceiling beams. A neutral palette of whites and woods is critical to blending worlds old and new.

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Hearth of the Home

Old-world kitchens often situate the range in a place of honor. In this sizable space, the range is placed in an arched alcove to set it apart from the rest of the room. With countertops on either side, nearby shelves brimming with spices and seasonings, and a delightfully textured tile backsplash, it's clear that in this kitchen, the range is its beating heart.

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Slimmed Down

For those with smaller homes or budgets, let this modest-size kitchen inspire. It might not command the same attention as sprawling Tuscan spaces. However, it still catches the eye with its elegant arched cabinets, intriguing iron knobs, pretty patterned backsplash, and oversize chandelier. Even a simple Tuscan style can be stunning.

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Blended Materials

A neutral palette leaves room for a daring mix of materials. Four different wood tones, as well as brick, flagstone, ceramic, and granite, outfit this stylish kitchen. Rather than clashing, the materials harmonize by sharing the same palette and switching up the scale.

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Keep It Simple

If your taste runs a bit sleeker than conventional Tuscan style, take inspiration from this modern kitchen that pares down the best of Tuscany. The cabinets have raised panels, and the island boasts beefy corbels, but they're far more streamlined than most. With its elegant wrought-iron curves, the chandelier is a simpler take on an ornate overhead fixture. And limiting the color palette to high-contrast creamy white and deep-hued wood is playful but still sophisticated.

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Elements of Tile

Tuscan kitchens are renowned for putting ordinary materials on display. When laid on the bias and bisected by salvaged wood, a humble terra-cotta tile floor is elevated into a stunning architectural feature. Likewise, this kitchen's backsplash features expertly painted tiles. Both surfaces, rather than falling flat, are upgraded into artwork.

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Wonderful Woodwork

Cabinetry is often the star of Tuscan-style kitchens, as these often-custom creations allow carpenters to display their artistry. It's common for ornate trim, door panels, and paint treatments to appear in a Tuscan kitchen. We love two standout details in this richly appointed room: the curvaceous iron corbels on the island corners and the stately wood panels cloaking the refrigerator. Such details elevate a kitchen beyond what you can buy in a big-box store.

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