How to Decorate a Western Style Office

Antler Chandelier

A western style office can remind you of growing up in the country. It can even serve as inspiration for a novel or show off your masculine side. These rooms use a minimal amount of furniture so it may cost less to decorate a western style office.

Things You'll Need

• Leather office chair
• Cowboy boot
• Vase

Instructions

Decorate a Western Style Office

1. Use rich colors. Western style offices have a masculine feeling to them. You can keep the walls neutral if you think a dark paint color would be too oppressive. Paint an accent wall a deep chocolate brown or rich burgundy. Be aware that red paint often takes several coats to get an even finish. Look for furniture in deep wood tones.

2. Bring in animal prints. When you think of a western style office, you probably envision cowhides and deer antlers. This conveys the western theme, and you may be able to find man-made replicas of these pieces. A faux cowhide rug adds texture and pattern to the room while really getting the western theme across.

3. Use traditional western items in non-traditional ways. Put a vase inside an old cowboy boot and fill it with wildflowers. This adds a slight feminine feeling to a western style office. Visit craft fairs to find unique accessories. You might be able to find horseshoes that have been turned into bookends or business card holders. If you want a faux antler chandelier in your office, look for an elegant twist on this western classic. You may be able to find a light fixture that has a sleek black enamel paint or dark cherry finish.

4. Upgrade your office chair. The standard black office chair will seem out of place in a western style office because it's too modern. Look for a comfortable office chair covered in leather or pleather. An upgraded office chair can be more comfortable to sit in and adds to the western theme.

5. Clean up the bookshelf. A western style office should be functional as well as decorative. Remove the dust jackets from your hardcover books. This turns an ordinary bookshelf into a weathered library; plus, it's a free project.

6. Know when to quit. It's easy to get carried away when decorating a western style office. Make big statements in the room. Look for one large piece of artwork instead of several smaller pieces. This will have more of an impact and keep the room from feeling cluttered. Use one or two accessories so the office does not look like a cluttered gift shop.

References

• Old West Offices