Contemporary and inviting, Southwest design might be just what your home’s interior needs! With roots stemming from the region’s expansive natural landscape, the aesthetic is a rich combination of bold colors, textures, and patterns. With a few simple steps, this warm, appealing style will add spice to your decor.
Color
Taken directly from the landscape, the Southwestern color scheme is a warm blend of nature-inspired hues. Focus on earthy browns, soothing beige tones, and cactus-like greens, incorporating splashes of transcendent turquoise, sunset-like orange, and eye-popping adobe reds. While a rustic palette plays a role, it’s important to practice restraint, utilizing bright hues for accent and slightly muted natural tones as a base.
Texture
Like the heterogeneous landscape that serves as its inspiration, Southwest design incorporates a broad range of texturally diverse materials. For furniture and upholstery, utilize a balanced blend of leather, suede and thickly woven fabric — the combination will create depth and variety. Tile and wood, widely used, offset each other well, with one acting as a native-accent, while the other ties a room together in universal commonality. For accessories, like lamps and chandeliers, wrought iron is as authentic as it is durable. Paired with a subtle, off-white shade, this utilization of hard (iron) and soft (fabric) is a perfect representation of the landscape’s contrasting characteristics.
Furniture
Traditionally minimal, large simple pieces make up the main elements of Southwestern-inspired decor. Sturdy wooden elements are perfect central ingredients but avoid prefabricated matching sets. Utilize different types of wood with a range of finishes and colors. The variety will help create visual interest within the organic colors and textures in the space.
Accessories
Keep it simple, and, if possible, avoid howling coyote and clay cowboy trinkets and tschotskes. Instead, focus on authentically patterned textiles like accent pillows and rugs. Accessorize tabletops and bookshelves with terracotta pottery, roughly woven baskets, tin boxes and even an occasional buffalo statue.