Southwestern style
should reflect the natural elements of the desert.
You don't have to live in New Mexico or Arizona to create a beautiful Southwestern look in your home. As with any specific style, you can run the risk of your home looking themed instead of classic and stylish, so exercise restraint. It's best for your design to use simple techniques with added rustic elements to create a Southwestern-style home. Does this Spark an idea?
Color Palette
The first thing to remember when creating a Southwestern style is to avoid pastels. Susan Lujan of Aesthetic Interiors says, "Southwest colors should reflect the natural environment." Using paints like pastel mauve, peach and turquoise together will make your home look dated. For a successful design, use colors like adobe red, cactus green and sand-colored hues. When using colors like turquoise, yellow or orange, don't be afraid to create beautiful accents and contrast with bright, bold paints. Using Navajo white is all right in moderation, but the team at the California Design Center advises against overdoing it. Too much white can create a sparse look in a room, and Southwestern style should be warm and inviting.
Furniture
Nancy Farina of the California Design Center describes Southwestern style architecture as large rooms, high ceilings and huge entryways to reflect "...the vastness of the Southwest landscape." If your home has these features, try to purchase furniture that coincides with the size of your rooms. If you get furniture that is too small, for example, it can look lost and out of place in a large room. The same goes for a smaller home; avoid too-bulky furniture that can clutter a small room.
When choosing furniture, it is best to keep natural materials in mind. Leather, suede and woven materials can be used for upholstery. Farina suggests not going overboard with too much leather, which can look dull; instead, feel free to mix these natural textiles together to great depth within your room. Another great way to break up the monotony is by adding brightly colored serapes as wall décor or sofa throws. Wooden furniture is a great look for this style, but try to stay away from cheap, factory-produced furniture made of pine or oak. This can look shoddy and take away from the overall design. If you really want an authentic Southwestern look in your home, it's best to avoid matching furniture sets since this can take away from the natural feel.
Décor
HGTV.com suggests placing Talavera pottery around your home as accent pieces. This style of painted ceramic pottery began in Mexico in the 1500s and is a great accessory for tables, shelves and floors. Ceramic tiles that are hand-painted will also give your home a natural, handcrafted look. One thing you should avoid when choosing décor is corny themed items like tin cutout statues, howling coyotes or fake tribal motifs. "These are clichés," Sandra Keeney of Sandra Keeney Interiors says. "Howling coyotes should remain outdoors, not as décor items."
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