Rustic western decor is a style that can affect a person as soon as that person enters a room that has been designed with care and with consideration of the elements of this design style. A room that utilize rustic western decor tends to have a sense of charm and confidence in it’s design elements. The design elements that contribute to this aesthetic might include the smell of worn leather and wood, or the use of an old cast iron skillet to hung in the kitchen of the home.
Beyond the use of these items, the overall look of the decor for the room is one that has moved beyond the cowboy themes to represent a look that is grounded and beautiful to those that enters the home. Many of the best examples of rustic western decor for interiors of a home pay respect to the land, the history of the American West, and the individuals that lived within that land throughout the years. While such decor may be utilized in a Ranch or log cabin home, it is also applicable to other types of homes, as well.
Whether the individual owns a suburban home, a home in the city, or a cabin that is used for weekend getaways, each of these spaces can be transformed into a space that features rustic western decor. Some decor elements that may be applied to a room include:
Essential Elements For Rustic Western Decor
1. Natural Wood Features
Natural wood features for the space. For example, wide plank pine floors or a reclaimed barn beam mantle can be used throughout the home.
The beauty of the wood features of these spaces is in their imperfections, smooth pieces of oak may not have the same visual impact as natural wood features in the home. Massive tables that may be used for dining and that are made from one slab of wood may be used to create a feature for the room. Each of these features for rustic western decor tells the story of the wood, such as where it was harvested and its milling process. Many individuals may skip over this element of decor, and instead opt for mass produced and distressed wood items.
2. Textural Elements
Textural elements. Some of the textures that may be used include wool blankets that have a rough texture to the nubby texture of the fiber, leather furnishings and rugs made of jute fiber.
These contrasting textures work to create a space that includes both rough and soft textures within the furnishings of the home. For example, a faded quilt can be hung on the back of a leather sofa. Such an element will bring softness to a masculine decor element.
3. Lighting Elements
Lighting elements. Rustic western decor utilizes lighting elements to set the mood throughout the space. For example, iron chandeliers with candle-style bulbs may be hung in the dining room or other areas of the home.
Antler chandeliers are another lighting element for these homes. Additionally, one may select table lamps with bases made of telegraph insulators or pottery for placement on tables throughout the home. These types of lighting elements will create areas of light within the home that contrast with the rest of the area. Additionally, hurricane lamps may be placed on mantels within the home. Using battery-powered candles within these hurricane lamps will help to create a sense of the lanterns of the last century within the home.
4. Metal Items
Metal items. Items made of metal may be utilized as decor items for rustic western decor. Examples of such items may be galvanized buckets, horse bits that may be used as cabinet handles, or wrought iron bed frames. In these cases, the metals should feature a degree of age and patina to the metals.
Metals that are too new and shiny may not exhibit the same appreciation for rustic western decor. Items with rust spots or blackened metals may be used as decor items within the home.
5. Leather Decor
Decor items made of leather. Items made of leather are a non-negotiable decor item for rustic western homes. Items of cognac leather may be utilized for items such as a Chesterfield sofa. Over time, these leather items will develop a patina to the leather that reflects the number of years that the item has been used.
Newer items of leather that have a spray-on finish will not exhibit the same appreciation for rustic western decor. Items such as full grain leather or leather with a tooled western pattern may be used for items in the home. Additionally, one can utilize items made of sheepskin or cowhide in the home to provide a tactile decor element to the space.
6. Collected Decor Items
Items that may be collected and displayed on walls or other areas of the decor items. Items such as spurs, wooden crates, jewelry may be displayed as decor within the home. Each of these items may have a connection with the individuals that live within the home.
For example, each of these items may be related to a relative’s history, a trip to Montana, or an item that was discovered at a flea market.
7. Window Treatments
Window treatments. Decor items for windows may include heavy drapes or linen drapes in neutral colors. Should privacy be an issue within the home, the windows may be left bare. Should privacy not be an issue, windows may have roman shades that are made with wool or burlap fibers. These types of drapes will add texture to the decor items without becoming too bulky in their placement within the home.
Drapes with frilly designs or patterns may be excluded from this decor style. The western regions of the U.S. Were not known for incorporating decor items that featured frills in their features. The region was known for making use of the land and its resources.
8. Natural Items
Natural items that may be used in the home to bring the outdoors in. For example, a cactus may be displayed within a terracotta planter. Additionally, dried items such as sage or lavender may be displayed in bundles within the home. Additionally, a bowl of river rocks may be used as decor items for the home. These types of items ensure that the space within the home feels more alive. Each of these items were once living beings.
By including these natural items into the decor elements of the home, rustic western decor style individuals feel more connected to their home. Additionally, they remain connected with the rustic western decor style and the story of its origins within the American West. When the decor for a room has been prepared using many of the ideas that are presented here, the decor will not appear to be themed. Instead, the decor will reflect the appreciation for the area in which the room exists, as well as the comfort that the individuals that live within that room have within their space. Each of the best rustic western decor styles are not too demanding of the individuals that decorate their homes. The homeowners simply must gather the most meaningful items for the space, honor the materials of their décor items, and allow time to do the work of creating a space in which the individuals feel comfortable. By following these steps, each individual can begin to collect the items that they feel have the most meaning for their home. Each of these items will help to create the decor story of the rustic western style of decor.
