Southwestern Style: What Is It and Why Do People Like It?

Southwestern style or Southwest style, depending on where you're from, is a design style characterized by earthy colors and rustic accents. The design and home decor world have taken it from fad to trend, with the popularity of this style clearly not waning anytime soon. It takes its cues from a number of factors, such as:

• Indigenous culture
• Indigenous history
• Indigenous textile craft
• Spanish settlers' building methods
• "Wild West" rustic charm

All told, the history of Southwestern style is rich and rather in-depth. We're going to unpack some of that today.

Southwestern Style: A History

As mentioned above, there are basically three key influences to Southwestern style as a whole, namely:

1. Indigenous Peoples

Before there were settlers in the American Southwest, there were Indigenous tribes inhabiting the region. Specifically the Navajo, whose history of producing handmade crafts is very storied. They made vibrant, gorgeous woven blankets and textiles, hand-woven baskets, handmade pottery. Additionally, they made leather items, turquoise jewelry and other personal goods.

This influence is still obvious in today's modern times within Southwestern style.

Take note that when the home accents you're aiming for are Navajo-inspired, your best bet is to buy from residents of Navajo Nation or Navajo craftsmen and women. Aside form supporting a local artisan directly, the local economy will get a very handy boost.

2. Spanish Settlers

One of the first settlers to show up in the Southwestern United States were the Spanish. Since the climate was a lot like Spain, traditional building techniques were set in place for new homesteads to get built. Their use of materials readily available at the time, such as red clay (for roof tiles) and adobe (for walls), became the trademark of region-wide building styles.

Aside from the red clay roof tiles, the Spanish Colonial style also has wooden beams, earthy color palettes, wooden accents, as well as stucco walls that are thick and white.

3. The American West

Generally referred to as the "Wild West," this iconic style holds a chunk of modern-day Southwestern home decor. Since American settlers arrived in harsh, hot terrain without much, they used whatever they had at hand. Items like rustic, wooden furniture alongside cowhide rugs and hammered metal accents played a key role here.

Southwestern Style: The Elements

More than anything, home decor should always involve a personal touch from the homeowner or main occupant/s. The lifestyle of whoever will be living there has to be considered as well. Beyond decor, this logic also applies to accents and furniture.

Southwestern style in particular has several specific elements that really help bring the earthy, rustic look home. This includes:

• Earthy color palettes - Brown, terracotta and turquoise are seen in desert environments. It's also an homage to materials settlers and Indigenous tribes used.
• Layered textures - This allows for dimension and depth. For example, leather upholstered furniture being paired with a vibrant woven rug.
• White walls - Simply put, this is ideal for showcasing wood pieces, vibrant weavings and/or earthy accents.

Conclusion

Southwestern style went from fad to timeless trend really quick and with good reason. It gives off an earthy, rustic feel that resonates with people nationwide and even in other parts of the world. Key influences include Indigenous tribes, "Wild West" settlers and Spanish settlers.

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