Southwestern Interior Decorating

Cacti and dusty rose hues are popular in Southwestern decorating.

If you enjoy the colors and decorative schemes associated with the Southwest, it's easy to incorporate these elements into the room you're decorating. Interior decorating choices that reflect a Southwestern theme can make you feel like you're in the region, no matter where your home is.

Things You'll Need

• Paint
• Throw pillows
• Carpet
• Artwork

Instructions

1. Select the paint color(s) to use for the walls of the room. Basic colors such as tan, brown, terracotta and yellow provide a good background. Hues like dusty rose, sage and dark green, dusty rose, burnt orange and turquoise are commonly used for accents in Southwestern decorating--use one of these to create the room's accent wall. For instance, you can paint the accent wall a dusty rose color and paint the remaining four walls a more neutral color like tan.

2. Use rustic-looking wood furniture pieces. Add touches of wrought iron, such as on handles and knobs on dressers and cabinets, or a wrought-iron chandelier. Leather, cotton and linen fabrics are often used for upholstery in southwestern themes. Old wooden or leather trunks contribute to the overall look.

3. Add pillows in bright accent colors and blankets or throws with Native American designs. Choose a pillow in a bright color such as turquoise to accent a brown couch or a bright orange to coordinate with a tan armchair. Look for terracotta pottery to place on shelves or tables. Other southwestern accessories could include antlers, Native American figurines and cowboy-related items, such as branding irons.

4. Purchase curtains made of natural fabrics in an accent color. If you've painted the wall a bright color, use tan, brown or beige for the curtains. If the walls are a neutral color, dusty rose, orange or a rust red will look great in the room. Utilize handwoven area rugs.

5. Wooden flooring will definitely add to the southwestern feel. Or you can consider terracotta or ceramic tiles. Decorated tiles in Hispanic designs can also be used for accents around a fireplace or a section of a wall or in the kitchen.

References

• Interior Design It Yourself: Southwestern Interior Design
• Kokopelli's Treasures: All About Southwestern Interior Design
• Best Southwestern Fabric: Ideas for Southwestern Decorating