Western Décor
A culture embedded with strong character and unmistakable vibrancy doesn’t perish through the course of history. It lingers in the place where it was conceived and travels to the rest of the world where other cultures can adapt and merge with it. The irresistible lure of culture is embraced by generations of people who nurture it and sought out by admiring and curious people who yearn to fill their lives with its foreign and mysterious beauty. A wild and primitive culture cannot be completely captured. It can only inspire you to listen to its lyric poetry sung in a rhythmic tune so that you can tame a part of it and make it familiar.
The deserts of the Grand Canyon sprawls in a magnificent landscape of breathtaking natural architecture and infinite earth, seemingly ordinary earth yet carries with it secrets and legends of the mystical past. It was the cradle of a civilization rich in tradition and authentic heritage. A culture that brought with it a unique way of living, closer to the raw elements, intermingled with the earth and sky. This culture prevailed for decades and was transported to neighboring places of the west. Every element was exchanged and combined until a unified idea, another distinct culture emerged. This natural eventuality led to the birth of the creative facets of a new tradition in the forms of literature, music and art. They were showcased in the outward appearance and the private dwellings of the people especially the progress of art which were evident in the indoor and outdoor architecture of their homes. The houses of the people of Western America breathed a fascinating culture that was a result of the successful interspersion of cultures within and surrounding them. They adapted artistic adornments in their interiors that developed into a unique and diverse style of decorating called Western décor.
Western Décor Elements
The design elements in a western style home originated from different regions and they each have individual characteristics that contribute to the overall rustic and homey appeal of the house. They are inspired by the house decorations found in Native American dwellings, log cabins, ranch houses and traditional saloons. These elements are combined together to adorn the main structures of the house such as the walls, ceilings and floors. They also make the furnishings appear more interesting with their colorful tones, elaborate patterns and rich textures.
Lively and earthy colors
The colors come from a natural palette of browns, tans and beiges. They are fused with desert sunset colors such as yellows, reds and oranges to be able to incorporate the outdoor environment to the interiors of the homes. They also make use of greens in order to create a cool and refreshing ambiance. These colors are evenly distributed into the different design elements of the house such as the materials used in the furniture pieces, the paint finishes on the walls and ceilings, the shades of the wood flooring and the multiple colors applied in the accessories. Color is one of the major design elements that helps create a cozy and homey ambiance evident in western homes. Even the colors of their lighting fixtures radiate a yellowish warm glow that neutralizes the apparent stuffiness of all the other elements found in the interiors.
Natural materials
The use of wood in the form of logs, planks and slats is an inherent characteristic of western style décor. Log cabins literally utilize whole or half round logs in the walls and ceilings. The walls with continuous log details seem quite heavy to the eyes but the notion of being surrounded by these natural elements create a warmth and liveliness that only the humility of nature can draw out of you. Some houses make use of wood slats coming from hickory, oak and pine to cover up the bare walls and ceilings. They do not look as massive and unstructured as logs with exposed 
barks, knots and burls. They provide a flat background for the various western cowboy décor that hang on walls such as animal heads and horns, native rugs, framed newspaper clippings, etc.
The best upholstery material to match the masculine yet welcoming effect of wood is leather. It comes from nature and complements with the neutral color palette in a western home. It is commonly used in oversized sofas in the living room and large armchairs that swallow your body like a comfortable fur jacket. They come in matte or semi-glossy surfaces that can blend in the background or outshine the other materials used in the interior. Genuine leather possesses unmatched pattern and texture that flaunts its imperfections rather than conceal them. It becomes an attractive addition to the furniture pieces that exude individualistic and unique characteristics.
Keeping everything earthy and authentic is the main course that western interior homes follow. They pursue this goal further by using natural stone elements in the indoor structures of the house. River rocks adhered to the fireplace wall is a very consistent element in the living room not to mention a very good statement piece that captivates even the most discriminate of eyes. An accent wall of horizontal slate slabs couldn’t be more perfect in a ranch house with high ceiling and pine wood paneled walls. A terra cotta floor spells rustic in its most appealing sense. Its reddish brown hue and uneven surface texture give off a humble and unassuming grace that cannot be dismissed as unstylish.
Western décor pieces
The most distinguishable marks that introduce a consistent western design are the rustic western decors scattered in the walls and furnishings of the various rooms of the house. The living room walls are adorned with colorful rugs with fascinating patterns that are hand woven crafts skillfully made by Native Americans. These textile materials come in all sizes and patterns that make them suitable not only as wall hanging but as area rugs, blankets, sofa throws and table runners. Some are even used to decorate stair rails and window openings.
Another distinct western décor are the hunting and cowboy paraphernalia hung on walls or placed on corner tables and entertainment cabinets. The dear heads and horns, bear skins, cowboy hats and boots are just a few of the interesting decors that showcase the residents’ love for all things western and they are excellent attention grabbing elements that can fascinate friends and guests who come over to visit.
Living rooms are perfect settings for their artistic collectibles such as wrought iron accessories, clay pottery, marquee photos, etc. They are placed alongside coffee tables, lamps, accent chairs and other main furnishings that serve as backgrounds for these decors. These interesting adornments bring the personal touches that signify values, hobbies and character of the man and lady of the house.
Bringing Western Decors into your home
- If you are truly in awe of the colorful culture of the west and you want to incorporate it in your own home, then the best course to take is to adapt a few significant elements and apply them in your interiors.
- The distinct effect of logs placed in the walls is hard to resist. In order to avoid your walls to look very literal, you can opt for smaller versions of half round logs to be adhered to the walls with perhaps a foot interval in between them. This will make them appear lighter and will function as an accent on the walls rather than the main element.
- The most convenient and inexpensive way to redecorate using a western style theme is to purchase key pieces that are suggestive of the culture of that era such geometric-patterned rugs that you can use to define your living area, cowboy hats randomly distributed in your walls and indigenous clay jars that you can place in the foyer and in room corners.
- You can recreate a saloon interior in your bar and kitchen by using louvered, swinging wooden doors that you often see in cowboy movies. Bar stools with wood legs and rich leather upholstery in earth red and brown colors will look great adjacent to your wood-dominated bar counter.
- Perk up the look of your living room sofa and armchairs by using small pillows with hand woven and bright colored covers. They suggest a burst of color to the somber look of purely leather upholstery.
- Find tufted oversized leather chairs in vintage furniture stores to place in a cozy and inviting living room corner where you can sit comfortably and watch old movies or read newspapers.
- If you have a high ceiling in your living room or a spacious staircase, you can hang a large chandelier with light wrought iron lighting fixture frame that will serve as the perfect finishing touch not only for your wood slatted ceiling but to the entire design of your western inspired interior.