Rustic Decorating Ideas for Western Style Home Decor

The term "western" or "rustic" decor conjures up some awkward memories for most of us who lived through the faux 'western' decor styles of the late 1970 and early 1980s. As I think back, I believe the reason that the term 'western' left a bad taste was that it was overdone and 'in your face' Hollywood country-western-style as opposed to truly western elements. Western decor differs from depending on region and period. We can divide western into four basic types: Spanish southwestern, native western, 1800's western and north western. These have some elements in common and some unique elements as well. Let's look at some general western decor options and then some style specifics.

General western:

Wood elements: rough-hewn board shelves, leather furniture, mission-style, shaker or split rail style furniture. Even driftwood is a nice accent.

Fabrics: gingham, linen, sackcloth, muslin, chintz, flannel, faux fur and skins

Fabric patterns: check and plaid prints, dotted Swiss, simple eyelet lace, strawberries, geometric Navajo designs

Metal elements: decorative silver, pewter, tin

Floral/ plant elements: daisies, prairie wild flowers, cactus, yuccas and poinsettias (for southwestern themes), gourds.

Desert motifs and elements: If you don't like the real creatures, paint or stencil lizards, geckos, tarantula, sidewinder, rattlesnake, coyote and roadrunners.

Mineral elements: adobe or Terra cotta clay pots, coil pots, agate, greenstone, turquoise, pewter, copper, granite

Animal elements: if you can't abide the idea of an oxen skull on your mantel, consider a painting by Georgia O'Keefe.

Color ideas: Choose simple earth tones such as clay, stone, paprika, pumpkin, sand, olive, brick, maize, heather and smoke blue.

Specific pieces to add to your western decor:

Set a vase of wildflowers in a milk bottle, watering can or Mason pickle jar and place it on a piece of homespun linen or muslin.

Hang a tin punch lantern with candle or set it on a shelf.

Make a rustic hanging lamp out of a wagon wheel with candle holders attached.

Arrange vintage tools or farm implements in corners or on shelves.