Magic of Southwestern Decorating

Southwestern decorating may attract with its natural tones and handcrafted objects, adding a note of authenticity and simplicity. Earth or desert tone colors, woven fabrics of eye-catching colors, rough textures and geometric or asymmetrical patterns are the main characteristics of southwestern decorating.

Southwestern decorating also consists in using colorful wool fabrics, accessories with specific motifs – pottery, hand-painted tiles, beddings and window coverings, rugs and painted ceramic objects with Mexican influences or sources of inspiration. Another southwestern decorating idea may be using for upholstery woven fabrics and even leather with specific southwestern motifs shaped. Bursts of color may be added with the help of ceramic objects, pottery and clocks, obtaining thus complementary notes for the general color palette.

The living room may be characterized by a fireplace in the southwestern style that is a southwestern decorating idea, trying to put in practice a different lifestyle. This special corner attracts both guests and family due to its warmth and rudimentary look with features that seem to be brought from the wild lifestyle. Even the children’s room may be decorated in the southwestern style using fiery nuances and southwestern accessories and decorating details.

A modern kitchen with iron nuances of gray may be easily transformed into a welcome space if choosing a southwestern rug with eye catching colors and kitchen décor sets depicting desert or sunrise landscapes, horsemen on horses or wild animals in colorful details. Southwestern decorating elements can change any setting and may bring a homey although slightly savage look to any room. These elements bring warmth and certain nostalgia for the past strong connection between men and nature.  

Southwestern decorating ideas are useful and may be appropriate for matching with many other styles: not only with rustic, but also with other contemporary styles, even with the ultra modern urban minimal style, with art deco, with Oriental trends present on the furniture market. They are responsible for bringing a special sense of beauty and comfort in any room if used with moderation without falling into the sin of kitsch.

The same southwestern decorating ideas may be used outdoors combined with Asian or Tropical elements, obtaining thus a special blend of southwestern and Oriental. The mixture of such apparently different styles and trends is due to the usage of the almost the same motifs and colors: desert tone hues, dusty orange, a special tone of yellow, inspired from the desert colors and burgundy or turquoise. The southwestern decorating essence is characterized by the same nostalgia for the lost connection with nature, using natural elements in the same way like the Asian or Tropical trends.