In a recent survey, the most popular decorating trend for homes in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, is Tuscan decor. The rustic, Italian look and Old World style can add a lot of charm to a space. If you've just bought a new home and are looking for a decor style that will make it seem homey and welcoming, Tuscan is a great option. Here are some Tuscan design elements you can incorporate into your space.

• Earth Tones
  Warm earth tones mark the Tuscan style, such as brown, olive green, and dark red, alongside neutral colors. Try painting the walls a light, neutral color, like beige, but making one wall dark red, as an accent. You can also add a splash of Tuscan color around the trim of windows and doorways. Get yourself a Tuscan color palette and see what hues you like in which spaces.
  
  
• Wood
  Deep brown wood is also a Tuscan staple, adding a rustic aesthetic to your decor. If you can find a home with hardwood floors, this is ideal. Not only are they beautiful, but they're also durable and will last for decades. However, if your home doesn't have hardwood, it can be expensive to install. Fortunately, there are other options. Wood paneling on the walls is cheaper and easier. Wooden furniture pieces, such as shelves and cabinets, or a coffee table, add a Tuscan look as well. You might also consider a vinyl or laminate floor printed to look like hardwood. Done properly, it's difficult to tell the difference, is much cheaper, and will still last a long time.
  
  
• Ceramic Tile
  A wall decorated with ceramic tile in an intricate pattern is a very Tuscan design element. The kitchen is a great place to do this. Choose one wall and arrange the tiles on it in fun patterns. It's not too difficult a job, but if you're not confident in your DIY skills, you can hire a professional.
  
  
• Tableware
  Floor tile isn't the only place where ceramic is used in Tuscan decor. Ceramic bowls, plates, and other tableware are also a Tuscan staple. Store them in an open wooden cabinet in the kitchen with a glass front, so you can see them on display. If you have ceramic plates with particularly colorful pictures or designs on them, you can even hang them directly on the walls, like art.
  
  
• Pottery
  Clay and terra cotta pots make great Tuscan accents, both indoors and outdoors. You can hang them from the walls or use them to house potted plants. Try planting some Italian herbs in one, such as sage, lavender, rosemary, and oregano. You can also have plants like Italian Cypress or Bougainvillea. Bougainvillea in particular, makes a beautiful accent, adding a splash of purple to your earth tones. It goes great in the house, on the porch, or in the garden.
  
  
• Stone
  A variety of different stone types are used in Tuscan decorating, including limestone, sandstone, and marble. They can be used for floors, sinks, countertops, and more. The stone shouldn't be glazed but left with a natural, rustic look.
  
  
• Wooden Beams
  If your home has exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, it's a great addition to the Tuscan look. Even if it doesn't, though, it's easy to add faux wooden beams to a room. You can put in just two or three - one on each side of the ceiling and one running through the middle - or install them across the entire ceiling if you want. There are a variety of decorative possibilities.
  
  
• Plaster
  Many Tuscan homes have plaster or stucco walls. They have a rough texture and a subdued, earthen hue. The easiest way to get this aesthetic in your own home is with textured wallpaper that's designed to emulate the plaster look. Peel and stick wallpaper can easily be installed yourself in an afternoon to make your new home look rugged and lived in.
  
  
• Copper and Wrought Iron
  Just like exposed wood, exposed metal is part of the Tuscan aesthetic as well - particularly copper and wrought iron. Consider adding a wrought iron railing to your front porch. You can also put in wrought iron doorknobs, and copper handles on your cabinets and drawers. You can even hang copper pots from the walls. Not only is it a very Tuscan decorative statement, but it also gives you easy access to them for cooking.
  
  
• Kitchen Table
  A long, rectangular wooden table is an essential element of your Tuscan decor. It's perfect for family-style dining. These can be a bit expensive, but if you're handy, you could build one yourself for much less. It's a fairly simple design, consisting mostly of long pieces of wood. Give them a dark, rich stain, and artificially distress the wood to give it a more rustic feel. You can also buy a table that uses fake wood, simulating the Tuscan style, for a lot cheaper.

Whatever style of decor you decide on, our real estate agents can help you find the house to put it in. Contact us today, and we'll get you into your dream home in a neighborhood that's right for you.