What do you think when thinking about an Italian style home?
You might be envisioning rustic Tuscan interiors or ultra-modern, sleek designs. Today, let’s explore a balanced blend of both with a modern take on Italian style.
I personally adore interiors that seamlessly integrate modern and traditional elements, incorporating trends in an organic way. A fantastic example of this approach was showcased at Milan Design Week in the “Material Home” exhibit, curated by architect Elisa Ossino for Elle Decor Italia. This exhibit featured seven rooms, each highlighting different material themes and interpreting contemporary Italian interior trends.
Ready to take note?
|| Be inspired: 10 ideas to steal from Italian style interiors
1
Textured Surfaces
italian interior trends
Key features of historic Italian homes include stucco walls, frescoes, and intricate tile work. Textured surfaces play a vital role in Italian style, adding depth and richness to a space.
While contemporary homes often favor clean, minimalist designs, there’s a growing trend toward incorporating textured surfaces. These might include tiles used beyond the traditional kitchen and bathroom areas, as well as textured paints and wall coverings.
In Palazzo Bovara, for instance, 3D terracotta elements, cement, lime, terrazzo, and linen curtains combine to create a sense of warmth and tactility, enhancing the space’s richness. Low sofas and designer furniture complement this richness, adding to the overall aesthetic.
2
Color Palette
italian interior trends
Warm and earthy tones have long been characteristic of Italian style. Currently, this color trend is prominent in Italy, featuring warm neutrals like beige, cream, and taupe, alongside rich earthy hues such as terracotta, olive green, and toffee brown.
A captivating twist on this trend, observed in Milan, involves alternating the warm color palette with rooms defined by cool colors, including pure white and turquoise.
3
Furniture + Decor
italian interior trends
Minimalist design pieces are enhanced with sculptural accessories and tactile surfaces. Textured finishes, raw stones, and handmade ceramics with a wabi-sabi aesthetic beautifully complement the clean lines of sofas and tables.
Iconic modernist pieces are seamlessly integrated into the space, while a steel industrial kitchen serves as the heart of the home—a quintessential element of Italian houses. Ceramic glazed tiles add a refined touch to the kitchen’s sleek surfaces.
4
Lighting
Italian style interior design
Lighting enhances surfaces and furnishings by working in harmony with various light sources. Pendant lamps, table lamps, dim lighting, and backlit effects combine to create a warm and inviting ambiance, blending different soft and warm lighting elements. This layered approach to lighting not only highlights the textures and colors within a room but also adds depth and dimension to the space.
5
Outdoor Spaces
italian interior trends
Ph Alberto Eger unless otherwise stated
