Southwest Decor 101

How to easily and inexpensively go Southwestern in 5 easy steps.
A primer by and with links to SunlandHomeDecor.com

1) Wall Art and Decor - There's no easier way to add rustic Southwest beauty to any bare wall than with a Southwestern rug or wall art piece. No matter what color your walls are, from family room to kitchen it's a great place to start on your home decor journey to the Southwest. Tapestries and Southwestern rugs can mounted on the wall using rustic wooden rug hangers that clamp to protect the rug, while creating a colorful yet rustic display. Rugs also soften acoustics in room with tile floors.

Other staples for your Southwestern walls are terra cotta Kokopellis and gecko lizards, wrought iron suns, rabbit fur mandellas, framed Southwestern paintings and laser-cut metal designs finished in rustic hues.

 

2) Southwestern Pottery - Pottery is essential for any Southwest decor scheme. With so many sizes shapes and designs, you can place pottery on a table, shelf, bookcase, on the floor, or on top of kitchen cabinets to add rustic elegance. Authentic Southwestern pottery can vary in price from expensive to really expensive. Unless you are a true collector, a better choice would be Mexican pottery. Mexican pottery is made remarkably well, and in many cases is of equal quality to Southwestern pottery made in the USA. As a decorative statement, Mexican pottery will work very nicely in your Southwestern decor.

3) Rugs, Blankets & Throws - Southwest rugs and blankets are an absolute necessity. A versatile and cost effective way to add vibrant splashes of Santa Fe color, rugs come in a variety of sizes, colors and textures. Like pottery, imported rugs and blankets are in many cases of equal quality as those made in the Southwestern USA. Blankets and throws are nicely displayed on a rustic wooden kiva ladder. Replica rustic ladders look just like those used by ancient civilizations, and will make a strong Southwestern decor statement in any room. Southwestern design weavings make beautiful table rugs, furniture throws, area rugs, or use a Southwestern blanket as a festive tablecloth.

4) Lamps & Lighting - A table or floor lamp can be the focal point of a Southwestern room. A variety of lighting choices are available for bright ideas in Southwest decor.  Laser-cut metal lamps depict Southwestern themes and are finished in natural rustic hues. Chili pepper light strings can give a large house plant a warm Southwestern glow, indoors or out. Another easy way to transform a room or your whole house is to replace your white plastic switch plates with Southwestern switch plates. From rusted metal Kokopellis to laser cut lizards in vibrant Southwestern colors, new switch plates are an easy and inexpensive way to go.

5) Accessorize - From bathroom fixtures to kitchen towels & pot holders, the right accessories can add the perfect finishing touch. Your possibilities are as endless as your imagination. Candles and holders add warmth while our soft jacquard throws offer a splash of color. In the bedroom, throw pillows and bedspreads work great with Santa Fe pottery and a randomly hung rug. In the kitchen, display a chili pepper canister set with matching spoon rest, soap dispenser, and butter dish for the kitchen table. Southwestern place mats and a table runner along with napkin rings and rustic Mara dinnerware complete your Southwestern table. Sandstone coasters, Santa Fe throw pillows and a pottery cactus garden add random touches of the Southwest to your family room.