Americana Decorating Ideas

When you think of Americana decorating, all things red, white and blue come to mind. While this is one element of Americana decorating, it is hardly the only way to decorate in this design style. Americana decorating includes almost anything from American history--not just those things thought of as typically patriotic. Patriotic items, however, should not be excluded.

Neutral Backdrop

Start your Americana decorating by creating a neutral background. When you are dealing with collections that are colorful in and of themselves, or have intricate details, you will want to set these items on a neutral background so they can shine.

Types of Americana

As there are several different genres of Americana decorating, choose an overall theme for your Americana decorating. Some of the different motifs you can choose from are apple pie, baseball, Statue of Liberty, Black (Negro) Americana, Norman Rockwell, barnyard items, The Old West, Colonial and more. The options are endless. While you can mix and match these different genres, picking an overall theme will make your Americana decorating more cohesive and purposeful, rather than looking like you have amassed a random collection.

Time Periods

Just as you can choose an overall theme for your Americana decorating, you can also choose a time period. Early American decor would include items such as spinning wheels, quilts, painted pine boxes, basketry, painted cupboards and Federal style furniture. If you choose the 1950s, you'd focus on rock and roll, soda fountains, chrome and vinyl, and jukeboxes.

References

• Decorating in the Americana Folk Art Style

Resources

• Americana Decor
• Creative Commons image by flickr member dno1967