Is the Cozy 2000s Tuscan Style Making a Comeback? Here’s How to Pull It Off Today

Key Takeaways

Tuscan style is back, offering warmth and nature-inspired charm over cold minimalism.
Lighter palettes and natural materials give it a refined, rustic update.
Kitchens and outdoor spaces highlight the revival with Mediterranean textures.

In the early 2000s, stepping into a Tuscan–style home felt like being in a sun-drenched villa on the rolling hills of southern Italy. Think plaster walls in warm, earthy shades, wrought‑iron details, and richly grained wood beams. It was a style that enveloped you in rustic luxury and timeworn charm and evoked the laid-back Mediterranean way of life—at least that’s before overexposure and imitation sent it tumbling into design exile.

As our collective appetite shifts from cool minimalism to interiors that feel warm, soulful, and lived-in, could the Tuscan style be quietly staging a comeback? In pursuit of an answer, we turned to interior designers Courtney Batten, founder of Paige Studio, and Lauren Saab, founder of Saab Studios. The experts weighed in on the debate, unpacking the hallmarks of this early-2000s trend, why its rustic luxury still resonates two decades later, and how to bring the soul of Tuscany home under a 2025 lens.

What to Know About Tuscan Style

Rooted in the agrarian villas and farmhouses of the Italian countryside, classic Tuscan design celebrates its heritage, authenticity, and deep connection with the land through the use of natural, aged materials. “In the late ’90s and early 2000s, we were drawn to this romanticized version of ‘old-world' luxury because we wanted our homes to feel richly layered and grounded in tradition,” Batten reflects. “Culturally, it became aspirational to evoke the history, craftsmanship, and soulful warmth of rural Italy at home.”

Terra-cotta and travertine floors, tumbled limestone walls, and cherry and mahogany cabinetry were signatures of the style. “Wrought iron was everywhere: stair railings, lighting fixtures, and even furniture,” adds Batten. The look was heavy and proudly ornamental with chunky furniture, ornately carved kitchen islands, thick baseboards, and damask upholstery with tassels and nailhead trims. “It was maximalist and dramatic, designed to feel old-world, luxurious, and timeless at a time when faux finishes and European escapism were trending hard.”

The aesthetic peaked alongside the rise of wine culture in America. “This was the suburban American fantasy of villa living, even if you were in a cul-de-sac,” notes Saab, who believes the popularity of the style is owed to its history, depth, and ability to evoke emotion; something American interiors often lacked. “Tuscan interiors gave people something to feel. The colors were warm and enveloping, and the textures rich and rugged. Nothing felt fragile. Everything had patina and purpose.” The warm, time-worn look evokes an enduring tradition, a connection to the land, and a slower pace of life—the perfect antidote to a world that often feels fast, disposable, and intangible.

The Modern Shift

Rest assured, the overstuffed, faux version of Tuscan style is not making a comeback. But its soulful qualities, celebrating warmth, craftsmanship, and connection to the land, are stirring renewed interest amongst interior designers. In a world that’s increasingly automated and digital, many are moving away from cold, clinical modernism, yearning for spaces that feel tactile and human. “It’s not about recreating the 2000s. It’s about capturing the atmosphere that made those spaces feel so lived-in and lasting,” says Saab. The new Mediterranean-inspired aesthetic leans into texture, natural materials, and sun-warmed tones. “It’s all part of a cultural pivot from hard-edged to human, from gray to grounded.”

Batten agrees. “My clients are increasingly requesting 'warm and cozy' aesthetics, and turning to Mediterranean textures and colors, like limestone floors, limewash, vintage woods, unlacquered brass, handmade ceramics, and sun-baked tones,” Batten observes. “These aren’t trends, but a response to a wider craving for warmth and timeless, tactile design.”

Today’s version of Tuscan style trades nostalgia for nuance. Arched doorways, plaster fireplaces, and rustic beams still nod to tradition, but they’re paired with clean-lined furniture and a more subdued palette. “What once felt decorative is now more architectural,” says Saab. “Designers are stripping Tuscan style back to its essentials and rebuilding it with a lighter hand.”

Credit:

Werner Straube

How to Use Tuscan Style Today

Start with color. “Color is the easiest place to start,” advises Batten. “Instead of deep golds and bright reds, think warm neutrals like mushroom, terra-cotta, ochre, or ivory.” Today’s palette is sunbaked, not saturated, designed to soothe, not overwhelm. Saab agrees: “Designers are keeping the warmth of Tuscan style but softening the contrast. Rust becomes ochre. Burgundy becomes clay. Cherrywood becomes walnut.”

Next, add depth with materials. “Today’s take on the trend is really all about honesty. We’re swapping the tacky faux finishes for honest textures,” says Batten. Lean into plastered walls instead of sponge paint, and natural and handmade tiles, over faux stone. Saab recommends anchoring space with one “hero” material, like travertine or terra-cotta: “This creates an impact without overwhelming the space with a theme.” Wrought iron still has a place, but it’s been reined in. Think slender light fixtures, cabinet hardware, or minimalist stair rails with spindles that add contrast, not overload.

The magic of 2025 Tuscan style lies in the art of juxtaposition: a rustic beam in a clean, limewashed room; terra-cotta tiles beside understated furniture; and a plastered range hood among sleek cabinetry. These combinations work because they balance the warmth of tradition with modern simplicity. “The key is restraint,” says Batten. “Pair one or two grounding Tuscan elements with sleeker silhouettes and contemporary lighting. The tension between old and new creates a richness that’s fresh and grounded, not kitschy.”

Where It Works Best

Not sure where to try the look? Kitchens and outdoor spaces are natural entry points. “These rooms are inherently rustic and where natural materials, like terra-cotta, shine,” says Batten. Dining rooms and living areas also lend themselves to subtle Tuscan moments. Consider rustic wood tables, vintage rugs, wrought iron chandeliers, and soft limewashed walls. The goal is to create a sense of place that invites people to gather.

Above all, the modern Tuscan revival is about balance. It’s the interplay between old and new, rustic and refined, that allows us to reconsider a once-overlooked aesthetic with fresh eyes. “At its heart, Tuscan design is about warmth, material richness, and a sense of place," says Saab. "When you apply those values with intention, the result is grounded and modern, not dated."