Even though you might live in a very different climate, most people find that there’s just something special about the Southwestern area of the United States. In addition to the pleasant climate, the beauty of the landscape in this area is nothing short of absolutely spectacular. If you’ve always loved the beauty of Southwestern colors and the allure of traditional Native American art, decorating your home in the Southwestern style might be the perfect choice. If you’re ready to add a touch of the Southwest to your own home, here are a few decorating tips to try.
The Southwestern Color Palette
If you mention the Southwest to most people, they immediately think of the colors of the desert and the beauty of a sunset. Southwestern colors consist of primarily warm shades, accentuated by colors such as turquoise blue and purple. Most people find these colors to be relaxing, serene and even inspirational. Traditional colors to use include terra cotta, sand, gold, turquoise, orange, yellow and red shades.
Southwestern Wall Art
In addition to using the traditional Southwestern colors in your home, horse metal wall art can add a decorative and authentic touch. If you’ve been lucky enough to actually visit the Southwest in the past, perhaps you already have a few authentic pieces of decor you can use. Beautifully patterned Indian blankets, handcrafted pottery pieces and hand-tooled metal art can all be used to add decorative accents to a room. If you don’t already own some pieces of Southwestern decor, they are easy to locate in stores and decorating outlets.
Adding a Rustic Touch
Even if you’re not inspired to completely re-create the authentic look of the Southwest in your home, you can simulate some aspects of this style through the use of rustic decor. Metal cross wall art can be used to create a warm and interesting look. Even if the pieces are not truly traditional, they can blend in nicely with the warm and natural color palette of the Southwest. You could even blend in a few Western-style pieces to add variety and visual interest.
Southwestern Decorating Touches
If you don’t have the time or budget to repaint your walls, focus instead on adding a few pieces of Southwestern-inspired decor. A colorful woven blanket could look great in front of or over your fireplace. Instead of using traditional potted plants, try growing a few cactus plants instead. Even though these decorating touches are easy to do and require minimal time and expense, you might be surprised at the amount of visual impact they can create.
When decorating your home in the Southwestern style, try to focus on handmade items instead of those that are commercially produced. By doing so, your decorating style will look more traditional and authentic. Even if you’re not planning a trip to the Southwestern area of the country in the near future, you can still find authentic pieces by searching online. In some cases, the proceeds from the pieces you buy might even go to support native local artists in the Southwest.
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