Wake Up Your Senses With A Southwest Dining Room

Many people are tempted to design their dining room in a formal way where everything is perfectly matched, looking like they are living among Better Homes and Garden magazine pages. This style may please some, but for others, creative energies are better delighted using a Southwestern theme decor. A southwest style dining room lends warmth and says "welcome." An important idea to keep in mind when developing such a dining room, is to bring in a casual, comfortable, and imperfect feel. While shopping for items for a Southwest dining room, places like flea markets and second hand stores can be a great source for finding just the right distressed piece. 

The main focal point of a southwest dining room is the dining table. Wood is a perfect choice as well as painted wood with wrought iron accents. Depending on the size of your space available, the rule of thumb is to choose the chunkiest wood table your space allows. Dings and dents in the wood add character and also allow families who have children or entertain frequently to relax and enjoy time well spent in the room. Bench seating is a good choice as it will seat more people and looks so welcome in a rustic style southwestern hacienda.

A second piece of furniture that is equally as important in your dining room if space allows, is a sideboard or hutch. This gives room to display special dishes but need not match the table exactly. Painted in bold colors like red or green, your southwestern dining room comes to life and ties the southwest theme together.

No matter what type of flooring your room hosts, a welcoming touch to a southwestern dining room is a textured colorful rug under the table. Geometric patterns work nicely. Throw rugs help to soften the sounds and blend rich colors so beautifully. Another important area to consider in a southwest dining room is the lighting. Lighting creates mood and should not be overlooked. Most homes, no matter the type of décor used, have a center light over the table. A few incredible choices of lighting for a southwest feel, are an antler chandelier as well as a vintage looking wagon wheel light. No matter the type of lighting chosen, a great little addition for the room is a dimmer switch. For more formal type occasions, the lighting may be dimmed. During family times or entertaining, the lighting turned to the brightest would create a cheery feel.

Window coverings are an important part of southwest décor. If possible, deciding to leave the windows uncovered so that the outside view flows inward to warm the room, would be a wonderful choice. Or to some, privacy may matter so draperies would be desired. Draperies made from southwestern pattern fabric may be used. Other creative choices for window coverings would be to use Mexican blankets pulled back with a bright sash. Wrought iron rods lend a touch of rustic charm and work well in a southwest room. Your southwest dining room should have a fun relaxed feel and accessories play an important part in surrounding yourself with things you love. Perhaps you have traveled and collected special pieces you long to display. Or maybe you have found pottery predominant of the southwest or figurines of saints at flea markets. Consider displaying them in your hutch or sideboard. Small pieces may be placed in the center of your table. Be sure to switch them around often so each piece gets the attention it deserves. Add colorful table placemats and runners to give a soft colorful touch.

Almost more than anything, artwork will finish off the southwest look you strive for. If you own your home, consider having an artist paint a mural on the walls. If you rent or don’t care for the mural look, attractive artwork may be purchased from starving artists as well as galleries and second hand stores. Be sure you choose colorful southwest paintings. All in all, a Southwestern theme dining room can be as different as the friends who visit. Your room should give pleasure to family and guests making all who enter feel happy and relaxed. With the many options available, a Southwestern dining room may boast more of a rustic ranch or a Mexican hacienda. The choice is yours to create. The fun of southwest decorating is to appeal to all your senses. A completed southwest room will make your dining experience very pleasurable. 

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