Western Theme Log Home Decorating

Whether you call it Western theme, rustic, cowboy, cabin, or mountain style, this is a look that is as timeless as the American West.

An abundance of natural materials is key to decorating in a Western style. Rock, wood, metal, and leather are the main ingredients, with wool, birchbark, beadwork, and antlers playing an important secondary role.

Furniture

Western style furniture is often large scale, made of wood, and without any fussy detail. Log furniture, Mission style furnishings, and twig pieces can be mixed with pine and oak.

Here are more elements that will contribute to Western decorating :

Western Theme Colors

Color schemes in a Western room center around honey colored wood, gray rock, and black metals. Accent colors are often brick red, terra cotta, forest green, or navy, though cream, gray, and other tones might be used to coordinate with a Western styled fabric, rug, or wall hanging.

Motifs

Western motifs can include any of the following: cowboys, cattle, deer, bear, moose, fishing, mountains, pine trees, leaves, oaks, pine cones, acorns, horses, lakes, rivers, fishing, riding, hunting, wildflowers, grasses, and so on.

Western Theme Fabrics

Fabrics in a Western room are tough, textured, and tactile. Think leather, suede, wool tweeds, denim, saddle blankets, matte woven rugs, and fur. Most are matte finished, though some moderately shiny leathers may be featured. Soft chenilles and patterned tapestry fabrics are also popular for upholstered pieces and for furniture throws.

Older is often better in a Western style interior. Vintage cracked leather ottomans, weathered farm implements, old Indian blankets are all items that will be at home here.

Bedrooms can have a cozy masculine feel when done in Western style. Use a mix of Native American motifs, denim, chambray, and rough woolen blankets, or choose from any of the other Western motifs for a truly personal space.

Creativity can let loose when it comes to Western accessories.

Look for horseshoe sconces, vintage fishing creels, twig framed mirrors, dried flowers, and large baskets. Cut old jeans, quilts, or leather pieces into squares to make one-of-a-kind pillows. Colorful cotton bandanas can be used as table napkins, as pillow covers, curtain tiebacks, and valances.

Flooring

Floors are generally hardwood. Wide plank flooring and recycled floor boards will add another layer of authenticity to a Western room. Area rugs can be low pile or flat woven styles, or might be real or fake fur animal skins.

The fireplace and mantle are essential to a Western themed room. Dress it with functional iron fireplace tools, a decorative metalwork screen, and simple mantle accessories such as hurricane candle shades, a display of pinecones, or a rugged cast bronze sculpture of a cowboy on a horse.

Lighting

Lighting should be functional and substantial. Antler chandeliers (available in both real and cast resin versions) are popular. Lampshades made of stretched rawhide or golden mica bring a soft glow into a Western room. Many lamps and fixtures are made of wood or metal and feature designs and motifs that are Western in mood.

Window Treatment

Window treatments should be simple and not overpowering. Whenever possible, leave windows uncluttered to showcase a wonderful mountain view. Otherwise look for wooden shutters or blinds, flat roman shades, or simple curtain panels.

Western Theme Accessories

Since this style is so visually textured, go for large accessories rather than collections of tiny objects. Incorporate stylized pottery, antlers, snowshoes, antique skis, big baskets of pine cones, and similar items. Be aware of the use of contrast when arranging accessories. It can be very effective to mix textures, sizes, and colors when arranging these items.

Iron and metal pieces fit well into a Western room. You'll find iron hardware (cabinet knobs, pulls, hinges) as well as metal sink faucets, iron lamp bases, chandeliers, and firescreens.

Vintage accessories add an "it's always been here" look. See if you can find an old radio, rusted metal pails, saddlebags, spurs, toboggans, books, skis, snowshoes, or other worn items.

Decorative details in a Western styled decor include log and twig accents, nailhead designs, leather fringing, yarn whipstitching, Indian motif beading and the like.

Artwork

Artwork should feature Western styled motifs and might be oil paintings, drawings, vintage photos, sepia toned illustrations, antique Western postcards or book illustrations.

Dining Room

A Western dining room is stocked with sturdy stoneware, pottery accents, twig placemats, and accessories that might use Indian, mountain, cowboy, or fishing motifs.